About TCC.

Our mission is to make chess education universally accessible, cultivating strategic minds and fostering intellectual growth. We are dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages to unlock their full potential through the timeless art of chess, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Achievements and Collaborations

  • The Texas Youth Championship, held on January 28, 2023, brought together 140 players.

  • TCC successfully trained students who qualified for Team USA for the World Youth and Cadet Championship, with Texas players proudly featured in US Chess announcements.

  • We have collaborated with grandmasters, including GM Chris Repka, who serves as our GM coach, alongside GM Jeffery Xiong and FM Sharvesh Deviprasath.

  • TCC hosts over 250 tournaments each year and teaches more than 10,000 students across DFW, supported by its robust school and group class programs.

  • We have forged partnerships with schools such as Greenhill, Alcuin, Wesley Prep, and Lamplighter, as well as ISDs including Coppell, Plano, Lovejoy, and McKinney, reflecting our established role in working with over 70 schools for more than a decade.

Timeline

  • Pre-TCC

    The North Texas Chess Academy (NTCA), founded in Carrollton by NM Christopher Toolin, served as a precursor to TCC. Research confirms Toolin as a prominent figure in Texas chess, with NTCA becoming a hub for learning and competition. It hosted significant events, including tournaments with over twenty grandmasters, the Pro Chess League, and a simultaneous exhibition with GM Nigel Short.

  • January 2022

    Building upon the foundation established by NTCA, David Gaston and Jarred Tetzlaff found The Texas Chess Center (TCC). The center is created with a vision to become a thriving environment for chess enthusiasts, nurturing a culture of growth, camaraderie, and lifelong learning. Their Grand opening Swiss brings 67 players. Read more here

  • September 2022

    TCC acquired NTCA, bringing it under shared ownership with NM Christopher Toolin. This merger, as detailed on the TCC website, amplified their collective vision, positioning TCC for greater success by combining resources and expertise.

  • March 2023 - January 2024

    TCC's growth continued with the opening of a location in Irving, TX, in March 2023, doubling the employee count and reflecting increased demand in DFW. This expansion is supported by tournament listings at the Irving address on US Chess (Upcoming Tournaments). In January 2024, TCC opened its third location in Frisco, TX, offering more options for Collin County, as confirmed by a Community Impact article (Texas Chess Center Frisco).

  • November 2024 - April 2025

    TCC announced its expansion to Houston, with David Gaston relocating to lead development. This move, planned for early Spring 2025, culminated in the opening of a new location near Bellaire, TX, in April 2025, aligning with the timeline provided.