UTD chess

Alexey Root: Players aren’t just good on the board
09:45 AM CST on Sunday, December 9, 2007

On Nov. 9, the University of Texas at Dallas played the University of Belgrade for the Transatlantic Cup, which pits the top-ranked college chess team in the U.S. against the best college team in Europe. A live video connection allowed the crowds at both universities to see each other’s opening ceremonies.

With cheerleaders chanting: “UTD! UTD! UTD!” the University of Belgrade officials commented, “We thought they were chanting UB.” But it was not to be for UB. UTD won the match, watched worldwide via the Internet Chess Club, 11 to 5.

The same strategy that has propelled the chess team to international prominence is the driving force behind UTD’s recruitment of some of the world’s best young players.

Here is the full story by Dr. Alexey Root.