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Another wonderful chess night is in the books! Come join us EVERY MONDAY from 6-8pm for our non-competitive chess club event! 📍202 W Schunior St. #chess #chessclub #coffee #rgvcoffee #rgvevents

We’ll be rolling into a private event this Thursday 1/15/26, so Fantasyland Skate Center will be closed. Thank you for understanding—Normal hours resume the following day. Friday 4:30-11 pm 💙🛼

🚨♟️ BIG NEWS, RGV! ♟️🚨 News Channel 5 is coming out this Saturday to cover our chess tournament at the Pulga and spotlight the RGV Chess Community! This is a huge moment for everything we’ve been building together. 👉 We need YOUR help to make it unforgettable: 🔥 What We Need Right Now • Players to fill the remaining tournament spots • Volunteers to help with: • Check-in & scorekeeping • Set-up & breakdown • Guiding new players and families • Keeping the energy positive and welcoming This is our chance to show the Valley what chess looks like when a community comes together—kids, adults, beginners, competitors, families, mentors, and friends. 💪 RGV Chess Community—let’s show up and show out. Bring the boards. Bring the smiles. Bring the heart. 📣 Comment “PLAYER” if you’re competing 📣 Comment “VOLUNTEER” if you can help 📣 Tag a friend who needs to be there This story isn’t just about chess. It’s about us. ♟️❤️

♟️ RGV Chess Community — Our First Ever Tournament at Mercadome La Pulga de Álamo! We’re making history this weekend as we bring our very first chess tournament to the Alamo Flea Market — inside the Children’s Play Area by the Dance Hall! This is a FREE community event with two sections: 🧒 Children’s Section — 20 Spots 👤 Adults Section — 20 Spots 📅 Saturday, January 17, 2026 ⏰ 9:00 AM 📍 1602 W Expy 83, Alamo, TX 78516 Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, come compete, learn, and enjoy a great day of chess with the RGV community. ✔️ Family-friendly ✔️ All skill levels welcome ✔️ First come, first served Let’s show the RGV that chess belongs everywhere — even at the pulga! ♟️🔥 Who’s joining us? Drop a ♟️ in the comments!

♟️ RGV Chess Community Online Tournament — Join Us tonight at 9pm.♟️ Ready to test your skills, sharpen your strategy, and have some fun with players from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond? We’re hosting an online arena tournament on Chess.com — all skill levels are welcome. Whether you’re a beginner learning the game or a seasoned player chasing improvement, this is a great way to play, learn, and connect with our community. 🕹️ Play here: https://www.chess.com/play/arena/4630557 Bring your best moves — and remember… Every master was once a beginner. 💪 RGV Chess Community ♟️🌴

As a coach, I’ve spent years sitting beside children at the chessboard — but the quiet strength I admire most isn’t always on the board. It’s in the parents sitting just outside the game. People often see the trophies, the rating jumps, the photos from tournaments. But what I see — day after day — are parents carrying a question that doesn’t get talked about enough: How do I support my child’s potential… without taking away their love for chess? Over time, I’ve learned something powerful working with young players: The children who grow the strongest aren’t the ones who feel pressured to win — they’re the ones who feel supported as they grow. They improve when chess is allowed to be a journey… not a burden. 🔹 Where real growth happens I’ve watched children transform when chess becomes a place of curiosity instead of fear: They experiment. They take brave risks. They smile when they find an idea on their own. That’s where intuition forms. That’s where confidence is built. That’s where the spark stays alive. 🔹 What truly helps a child progress The players who thrive are the ones whose parents: – treat mistakes as learning moments – celebrate effort as much as results – let their child feel ownership of their journey When a child knows they are valued beyond their score… something beautiful happens. They don’t just become better players — they become stronger, more resilient people. 🔹 The quiet reality I see in many parents Most parents don’t push out of ego. They push because they care. Because they don’t want to fail their child. Because they’re afraid of doing too little — or too much. That weight is real. And as a coach, I see it — even when it goes unspoken. 🔹 What I wish every parent could hear The greatest champions I’ve coached didn’t grow up with parents who controlled every move. They grew up with parents who: guided… encouraged… and trusted their child to grow at their own pace. My hope — every time a child sits at the board — is not just that they play well today… but that ten years from now, they can sit across from someone they love, touch a chess piece… and smile. Because they still love the game. And when that love endures — you’ve already given them something far greater than a title. You’ve given them a gift that lasts.

Merry Christmas, RGV Chess Community! 🎄♟️ Wishing everyone peace, joy, and quality time with the people you love. Thank you for being part of this amazing chess family — here’s to more games, growth, and great memories together in the new year! ❤️ — RGV Chess Community

♟️ Get Your Child to THINK Before They Move! ♟️🧠 At Checkmate Ninja, we don’t just teach chess — we teach kids focus, patience, confidence, and discipline. Chess helps children: ✓ Strengthen problem-solving skills ✓ Improve concentration & memory ✓ Build confidence in their decisions ✓ Learn to slow down and THINK before they act Our fun, kid-friendly dojo blends: 🐱‍👤 Ninja-style motivation ♟️ Structured chess training 💪 Character & mindset development Whether your child is a beginner or already playing — we’ll help them level up their thinking skills on and off the board. 📍 Now enrolling at Checkmate Ninja 👧🧒 Ages 4–12 📆 Weekly classes — small group learning 👉 Spots are limited — message us today to reserve your child’s seat! Give your child an advantage in school, life, and chess… Enroll them at Checkmate Ninja. 🥋♟️

♟️☕ Chess Night at Moonbeans Tonight! ☕♟️ Bring your board, bring a friend, and bring your best moves. 📍 Moonbeans Coffee ⏰ Tonight | 6:00 – 8:00 PM All ages. All skill levels. Casual games, good coffee, and great people. Come play, learn, and connect with local players in a relaxed, welcoming space. ♟️ RGV Chess Community x Moonbeans Coffee Every Master Was Once a Beginner. See you tonight! ♟️

♟️ RGV Chess Community Lesson: Think Like a Chess Ninja 🥷 RGV Chess Community x Checkmate Ninja Today’s lesson is about how to think before, during, and after every move. This chart isn’t just a poster — it’s a mental routine. Strong players don’t guess. They follow a process. Let’s break it down step by step. ⸻ 🥷 STEP 1: SCAN (Right after your opponent moves) Before you even touch a piece, pause and scan the board. Ask yourself: • 👑 Is my king safe? (Am I in check or almost in check?) • ⚔️ Is any of my pieces attacked? • 🧠 What is my opponent’s plan? What are they threatening next? 👉 Rule: Never rush your move. Most blunders happen when players skip this step. ⸻ 🥷 STEP 2: CHOOSE (Before you move) Now that you understand the position, it’s time to choose a move — not randomly, but in the correct order. Always think in this order: 1. ✔️ Checks – Can I check the king? 2. ⚔️ Captures – Can I win a piece? 3. 🎯 Threats – Can I attack something or set a trap? 4. 🛡️ Best safe move – Improve your position safely Then ask: • Is my move safe? • Will my piece be taken? • Does this move help my position? ⸻ 🥷 STEP 3: COMMIT (Make the move) Once you choose your move: • ✋ No takebacks • ⏱️ Tap the clock • 😐 Stone face 👉 This is mental discipline. Even if you’re unsure, don’t show fear or regret. Confidence is part of chess. ⸻ 🥷 STEP 4: PREDICT (After you move) Your turn isn’t over yet. Ask: • 🎯 What will my opponent attack? • 🧠 What is their best move? If you can predict their reply, you’re already one step ahead. ⸻ 🧠 WHY THIS MATTERS This routine: • Prevents hanging pieces • Builds confidence under pressure • Teaches real tournament thinking • Helps beginners play like advanced players Every strong player follows a process — they just do it faster. ⸻ 🥷 Final Reminder Every Master Was Once a Beginner. Slow down. Think clearly. Trust the process. ♟️ RGV Chess Community x Checkmate Ninja Building thinkers. Building confidence. Building the chess culture of the RGV. Let’s practice this mindset in every game.

Staying calm is a skill — and in chess, it’s often the difference between being ahead and actually winning. Pressure changes everything. The clock feels louder. Hands get restless. One careless moment can undo a great position. Strong players don’t rush that moment — they slow it down. This graphic isn’t about flashy tactics or quick wins. It’s about discipline. Composure. Trusting your process when emotions want to take over. Calm isn’t passive. Calm is controlled power. ♟️ This is chess culture. ♟️ This is how games are finished the right way. RGV Chess Community — building strong minds, not just strong moves.

RGV Chess Community × Checkmate Ninja ♟️ COMING SOON inside the Alamo Flea Market We’re building more than a chess club — we’re creating a chess classroom for the Valley. Inside the Pulga, you’ll find a dedicated space for: ♟️ Chess Lessons ♟️ Seminars ♟️ Workshops ♟️ Community Training From absolute beginners to competitive players, this space is about learning, growth, and bringing chess to the people. 📍 Inside Alamo Flea Market 🧠 Chess for all ages 🌱 Community-powered chess culture Every Master Was Once a Beginner.