05/31/2026
May 2026 Chess Club Scrapbook 📔
Dear May,
You were a great month for chess in Waco. More people are showing up consistently, new faces continue to find us, and the excitement around local chess keeps growing. While the month had its challenges, the positives far outweighed them. Here are a few highlights:
♟️ We kicked off our partnership with the with a Chess 101 class and open play session. The event was a huge success, and we received wonderful feedback from both the staff and participants. A fantastic start to what we hope will be a lasting partnership!
♟️ Our meetups at are still going strong. A special thank you to and the Sison team for continuing to welcome us into their space. And wanted to wish a happy birthday!! 🥳🎉👏
♟️ Our partnership with continues to thrive. Last Wednesday’s meetup was one of our best-attended gatherings yet, with a great atmosphere and plenty of games being played. Thank you to and the entire Cha team for being such incredible hosts! ♟️🥟🧋
♟️ We launched Beer & Chess at , and it was every bit as fun as we’d hoped. Playing chess outdoors on a warm evening with good company and a cold drink felt like a perfect combination. More Beer & Chess events are on the horizon! 🍻♟️
As encouraging as May was, it also left me reflecting on an important question: What is Checkmate Waco’s identity?
We have great meetups and growing attendance, but who are we serving? Adults? Kids? Competitive players? Casual players? Is our focus education, community, or simply creating a welcoming place to play chess?
The good news is that these are good problems to have. Growth brings opportunities, and we’re excited to continue figuring out who we are and how we can best serve the Waco chess community.
Summer is now in full swing, and we’ve got plenty more chess ahead. We’ll be back at Sison this Tuesday (6/2), with additional meetups planned throughout June.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement. It means the world. Keep an eye out for our upcoming events, and feel free to DM if you have any ideas!! ♟️
