At the 2026 Texas Chess Association Super State Tournament, the Frenship High School Chess Club dominated the competition, making school history by claiming the TCA Super State JV Championship title and securing a spot at the USCF National Chess Tournament.

The Tigers held first place through all seven rounds of competition, with each match lasting nearly two hours, showcasing their focus, resilience, and mental endurance at every stage of the tournament.

In the individual standings, four Frenship team members earned medals. Caleb Verett tied for second place, Braxton Potts tied for fourth, Aiden Thomas tied for fifth, and Isabelle Gutierrez earned the Top Female Award.

This marks the second time the Frenship High School Chess Club will compete at the national level. Last year, the team qualified for the USCF Super Nationals K-12 Tournament in Orlando, Florida, after tying for third place at the state competition.

Frenship High School Chess Sponsor Abby Freo shared her excitement and pride in the team’s accomplishment and growth.

“I'm so excited to see how our team performs at nationals after their improvement since last year,” said Freo. “Michelle Bompezzi, the co-sponsor, and I are so proud of the hours these students have dedicated to improving their skills.”

After months of dedication and long tournament days, the team’s success at the state level reflects their year-round commitment to the game. Each tournament can last six to eight hours on a Saturday, requiring both endurance and discipline. That preparation paid off in a big way as the Tigers traveled to Austin and returned home as state champions.

“Chess season isn't just a season,” explained Freo. “These students play in rated tournaments year-round, competing once or twice a month against the best students in West Texas. Each student is involved in multiple organizations and extracurricular activities, but they find the time to learn from their prior games to improve.”

Representing Frenship at nationals are seniors Caleb Verett and Aiden Thomas, joined by juniors Isabelle Gutierrez, Sean Bobb, Bradley Calcote, and Braxton Potts. The six-member team has been sharpening their strategies, using online platforms and analyzing previous games from their state chess tournament to prepare for the national competition.

“These online tools allow players to type in chess notations from games already played to identify strong and weak moves,” said Freo. “It benefits the players by identifying areas of improvement, so the students learn from their mistakes.”

The Frenship High School Chess Club will head to Chicago later this week for the USCF National Chess Tournament. The team is eager to showcase their skills on the national stage, and of course, try some Chicago-style pizza.

Good luck, Tigers!