UMBC Chess Teams

November 11, 1995, Cambridge, MA. Team members surround Faculty Advisor Alan T. Sherman shortly before UMBC vs. MIT match. Photo by Martha Stewart.

History and Results

According to former Chess Club President Kimani Stancil, it is possible that UMBC entered the Pan-Am's once prior to 1980. The UMBC Chess Club would appreciate any information that anyone can provide on early history of the UMBC Chess Team, especially during the years 1966-1989.

Team Activity and Selection

The UMBC Chess Teams compete in intercollegiate matches, team championships, and team leagues. Of particular interest is the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship (Pan-Am), held in late December each year in various locations. The Pan-Am is the foremost intercollegiate team championship in the western hemisphere.

Any undergraduate or graduate UMBC student (full-time or part-time) is eligibile for a team. To qualify, the student must play in the UMBC Championship, held early in the fall semester. Each team member must be a degree-seeking student making progress toward the degree, registered for the fall or spring semester of the given academic year. The number of players (and exact eligibility) depends on the event: each Pan-Am team has four players; most of our other matches involve six players. There is no limit on the number of teams from the same school that may enter the Pan-Am.