The UTRGV Chess Team has made history! Earlier this year, our Vaqueros achieved their first-ever outright victory at the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship. Competing against 91 teams, including Ivy League programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, our team delivered a flawless performance with a perfect six-match win.
This remarkable accomplishment qualifies UTRGV for the prestigious President's Cup in April, where the nation’s top four collegiate teams will compete for the national championship. With three national titles already secured (2018, 2019, and 2021), our Vaqueros are ready to make history once again!
Student Success Resources
Ace your next writing assignment! Schedule an in-person or Zoom consultation with the Writing Center here.
Need extra help with your academics? Get tutoring for math, science, history + more!
From orientation to graduation, the Academic Advising Center is here to guide you to success. Make an appointment here.
Let us take care of your health so that you can focus on your studies. See the many health services that are available to our students.
The Success Gurus are ready to help you transition smoothly from high school to college.
Life can be challenging at times. Our counselors are available to talk and help our students achieve emotional wellbeing. Appointments are free and confidential.
Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers
Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources
Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers |Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources
Chess Over The Years
The Future of Texas
Timeline
Get an A+ in your assignments by making use of one of our computer labs. Follow the link to find a lab close to you!
Get access to an unlimited source of knowledge by visiting our libraries. You can check out books, sort through our online research databases, and even reserve a study room!
Need help paying for your classes? Learn more about the many forms of financial assistance that UTRGV offers.
General Student Employment Opportunities
UTRGV Chess Team's Journey to Victory
"We are immensely proud of our extraordinary UTRGV Chess Team on achieving this remarkable milestone. This victory reflects their talent and teamwork, embodies the true Vaquero spirit, and sets a legacy of success for future UTRGV chess players.
By triumphing on such a prestigious stage, our team has put UTRGV firmly on the map, showcasing the exceptional caliber of our students and programs."
Over the years, the UTRGV Chess Team has consistently demonstrated their exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork. Here’s a look at their journey to becoming one of the most formidable collegiate chess teams in the nation:
-Dr. Guy Bailey, UTRGV President
This victory is a testament to the determination, brilliance, and Vaquero spirit that make UTRGV a leader in shaping The Future of Texas.
Now, our Chess Team is competing in the 2025 President’s Cup, happening April 4-6 at UT Dallas.
Stay tuned as they battle for the national title!
What's Next?
Hero Section
Timeline
General Student Employment Opportunities
Over the years, the UTRGV Chess Team has consistently demonstrated their exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork. Here’s a look at their journey to becoming one of the most formidable collegiate chess teams in the nation:
UTRGV Chess Team defeated five-time champions Webster University 7.5–7.0 in the 2018 President’s Cup, earning their first national championship and bringing pride to the university and community.
The UTRGV Chess Team claimed victory at the 2018 Texas Collegiate Super Finals, solidifying their status as one of the nation's top collegiate chess programs. Their win highlights the team's exceptional strategic skill and dedication.
The UTRGV Chess Team achieved a notable victory in the Clash of the Collegiate Chess Titans event by defeating top-ranked Webster University in June 2020. This marked a significant achievement for UTRGV, showcasing their dominance in collegiate chess competitions.
UTRGV Chess Team secured back-to-back championships at the 2019 Texas Collegiate Super Finals, with both A and B teams excelling, highlighting their skill, preparation, and determination.
The UTRGV Chess Team won the 2022 Kasparov Chess Foundation University Cup, securing a training session with world champion Garry Kasparov. This achievement marks their second consecutive international victory.
In 2021, UTRGV's Chess Team won its third consecutive President’s Cup, defending its national title against top collegiate teams like St. Louis, Texas Tech, and Webster University. Despite online competition challenges, the team triumphed due to their dedication and focus.
The UTRGV Chess Team qualified for the 2024 Final Four (President's Cup) after excelling in the Pan American Intercollegiate Championship. This marks their return to the prestigious competition, aiming for another championship victory.
UTRGV's Chess Team secured another national title as co-champions in the 2023 U.S. National Collegiate Rapid Chess Championship. This victory adds to their legacy of excellence in competitive chess.
UTRGV's chess team was crowned the 2025 Pan-American Collegiate Chess Champions after defeating top competitors in the prestigious tournament. This victory highlights the team's continued dominance in collegiate chess.
The UTRGV Chess Team triumphed at the fourth annual Kasparov Chess Foundation University Cup, securing their third win in four tournaments. The victory earned them exclusive training with chess legend Garry Kasparov once again.
2022 - UTRGV wins international chess tournament, earns training session with world champion Garry Kasparoveadline
Meet the Team
Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux
What advice do you have for staying calm and focused during a high-pressure match?
I try to relax before games and always take my time, never making any rushed decisions. I also like to walk around the playing venue during the game.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a game you lost?
I learned that it’s never over until it’s over!
How can players make chess a lifelong pursuit and stay motivated?
Chess is a game with (almost) endless possibilities, and there is always something to learn. The more you learn about chess, the more you realize how deep it really is and how many ideas there are. It’s impossible to get bored, you can always learn more about the game.
Classification: Junior
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Title: Grandmaster
Jose Gabriel Cardoso Cardoso
How do you structure your training sessions to maximize improvement?
I like to be quite organized with my training sessions so that I can make the most of my time. So, I believe that being organized is key to getting the most out of a workout.
How can players make chess a lifelong pursuit and stay motivated?
Chess is a sport that gets into your blood from the moment you start playing it. So, to stay motivated, it's important to set goals and objectives that you want to achieve. I think that's the most important thing.
Classification: Freshman
Major: Business Administration
Title: Grandmaster
Jakub Fus
What advice do you have for staying calm and focused during a high-pressure match?
I try to focus on the things I can do to improve my chances. Preparation, sleep and nutrition are very basic things, yet important things. I also pray; it helps me to remain calm.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a game you lost?
That losing is part of the game, also of life. I can fail at many things, yet it doesn’t define who I am, and I can always work on improvement.
How do you structure your training sessions to maximize improvement?
I try to include chess in my daily plan to have a sense of continuity. I include analyzing my past games and solving puzzles as the main ways to work on chess.
Classification: Junior
Major: Psychology
Title: International Master
Gleb Dudin
How do you structure your training sessions to maximize improvement?
Usually, I try to practice one aspect of the game at once, because it has a bigger impact to study one thing at a time than to study three things superficially.
Which chess player (past or present) inspires you, and why?
I like Fabiano Caruana because of his work ethic and bizarre humor.
What’s your favorite chess puzzle or exercise to recommend?
My favorite exercise is to practice rook and bishop against rook endgame, but I wouldn't recommend it if you want to enjoy the game.
Classification: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Title: Grandmaster
Ekin Baris Ozenir
What advice do you have for staying calm and focused during a high-pressure match?
It is never easy to stay calm during a high-pressure match, but one thing I do is to try to remember that it is just a game, and there will be more to play. Also, being confident is a big help in staying calm and focused during those high-pressure matches.
How can players make chess a lifelong pursuit and stay motivated?
I think the most important thing for players to make chess a lifelong pursuit and stay motivated is for them to enjoy playing. Without enjoying it, I think it is very unlikely for someone to pursue it and stay motivated. They need to put a lot of effort into chess to be able to pursue it, but I think the biggest motivation is the enjoyment when you play chess. That enjoyment will drive you to study and play more, which will help you improve as a chess player.
Classification: Junior
Major: Computer Science
Title: International Master
This victory is more than a win! it’s a testament to the determination, brilliance, and Vaquero spirit that make UTRGV a leader in shaping The Future of Texas.
Now, our Chess Team is setting their sights on the 2025 President’s Cup, taking place April 4-6 at UT Dallas.
Join us as we rally behind our champions and wish them luck before they take on the nation’s best!
Send-Off Event:
April 3rd
Brownsville: BSTUN La Sala (BSTUN 1.10) | 11 AM – 1 PM
Edinburg: ESTUN Student Union Open Area | 12 PM – 1 PM
Let’s send our Vaqueros off in style. See you there!
You Are Invited!
This victory is a testament to the determination, brilliance, and Vaquero spirit that make UTRGV a leader in shaping The Future of Texas.
Now, our Chess Team is setting their sights on the 2025 President’s Cup, taking place April 4-6 at UT Dallas.
Join us as we rally behind our champions and wish them luck before they take on the nation’s best!
Bartek Macieja
Bartek discovered his passion for chess at the age of five while watching a game in a Warsaw park. His early fascination turned into a decorated career, earning him multiple national and international titles before he transitioned to coaching.
In 2012, he brought his expertise to UTRGV, where he has since led the chess team to three consecutive national championships. Beyond the chessboard, Macieja holds a master’s degree in physics and enjoys exploring new cultures and languages. As he guides UTRGV’s top players to success, his lifelong love for strategy and competition continues to shape the future of collegiate chess.
Role: Chess Coach
Title: Grandmaster
A big thank you to everyone who supported the UTRGV's Chess Team journey!
Thank You!
The UTRGV Chess Team has once again made history! Earlier this year, our Vaqueros dominated the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship with a flawless six-match win, securing their spot at the prestigious President’s Cup.
This weekend, they faced off against the nation’s top collegiate teams and emerged victorious, claiming their fourth national championship (2018, 2019, 2021, and now 2025)! Their determination, brilliance, and unwavering Vaquero spirit continue to solidify UTRGV as a powerhouse in collegiate chess.
Congratulations, Vaqueros!
The UTRGV Chess Team claimed its fourth national championship at the 2025 President's Cup. They tied with Webster University, both earning seven points and being named co-champions. This victory marks UTRGV's fourth title in seven years, having previously won in 2018, 2019, and 2021.