UTRGV-A Dominates 2025 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championships with Perfect Score
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley A-team (UTRGV-A) dominated the competition at the 2025 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championships, securing a perfect 6/6 score and claiming first place. The tournament, hosted by the Charlotte Chess Center at the University Place Hilton in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw UTRGV-A emerge victorious against tough competition.
With the third-highest average rating and three Grandmasters on their roster, UTRGV-A showcased their strength throughout the event. The team’s performance was highlighted by a crucial win over second-seeded Webster-A in round 5, solidifying their position at the top of the standings.
This victory marks UTRGV’s second time winning the Pan-Ams, a decade after their first championship in 2015. The team finished ahead of University of Texas at Dallas’s B-team, who secured second place with a 5/6 score. Saint Louis University and Webster University’s A-teams tied for third place, setting the stage for an exciting President’s Cup competition later in the year.
The tournament also featured an Under-1800 section, which saw University of Cincinnati emerge as the winner on tiebreaks. The event attracted a record number of 91 teams and 385 players, showcasing the growing popularity of collegiate chess.
In addition to the team competition, individual players also shined in the Pan-American Blitz Championships. Northwestern University’s FM Dachey Lin and Arizona State University’s Jainil Trivedi emerged as the top performers in the Open and Under-1800 sections, respectively.
Overall, the 2025 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championships was a thrilling event that highlighted the talent and competitive spirit of collegiate chess players from across the country.