Chess Team Coaches Youth for National Tournament 

Lending a helping hand is more than a cliché to UTB/TSC’s chess team; it is their motto. 

UTB/TSC chess team members helped Brownsville resident Eduardo Gonzalez prepare for an international chess tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 3.   

Gonzalez, 8, is a second grade student at Brownsville Hudson Elementary School and will represent the United States at the North American Youth Chess Championship in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  The tournament is for top players under the age of 18 from the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 

He leaves for the tournament on Thursday, Oct. 4, and will compete Friday, Saturday and Sunday.   

Even at Gonzalez’s age, it takes time and practice to compete in top chess competitions.  According to UTB/TSC Chess Team Director Russell Harwood, Gonzalez has what it takes. 

“Eduardo is a very talented young man and it is wonderful that he has been chosen as the U.S. representative.  He is strong and has a lot of potential,” Harwood said. 

Gonzalez started playing chess in his elementary chess club in January 2006.  Since then, he has won second place in the 2007 U.S. Junior Open in Tampa, Fla. in the under 8 years old division. 

“He loves playing,” said his mother, Claudia Gonzalez in Spanish.  “He is courageous and sure of himself, which is most important of all.  I am honored, especially for his age and his enthusiasm.” 

UTB/TSC Assistant Coach and Grand Master Gilberto Hernandez coached him earlier this week to help prepare for the competition. Gonzalez has also practiced with chess team member Daniel Fernandez, an international master. 

“It is a new experience for him and I’m glad that he has a chance to compete,” Hernandez said. 

Erick Vallarino, a UTB/TSC chess team member, practiced with Gonzalez on Wednesday afternoon. 

“I’ve never worked with Eduardo before, but I’ve heard great things about him,” Vallarino said.  

Harwood will also attend the tournament and serve as the United States Chess Federation’s American delegation leader. He said he was very pleased and surprised to be chosen. 

“I consider it to be a great honor,” Harwood said. 

For more information, contact Russell Harwood, Chess Program director, at 882-5761 or at Russell.harwood@utb.edu