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

1995-96. Placed fourth at 1995 Pan-Am in New York City. Average rating: 2374.
1994-95. Tied for fifth at 1994 Pan-Am in Providence, RI. Average rating: 2010.
1993-94. Tied for third at 1993 Pan-Am in DeLand, FL. Average rating: 2096.
1990-91. Placed 26 at 1990 Pan-Am in Cambridge, MA. Average rating: ~1700.

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.