“They really exceeded expectations,” said Jim Stallings, UT Dallas Chess Program director. Comet Chess In 1996 UT Dallas was one of the first universities in the country to create a competitive, scholarship chess program. In the years since, the chess team has secured four national collegiate championships, has made the “Final Four” chess tournament 17 times and received its first endowed gift. To prepare, the team played practice matches and conducted online drills to adapt to the online format of the competition, said Julio Catalino Sadorra BS’13, UT Dallas chess team coach. I just came here a month ago, and playing well to contribute to my team’s victory feels good.”The next competitive event for the chess team is the Texas Collegiate Super Finals, which will be held Oct. 23-24 in Lubbock.