After starting their careers with a Dallas-based chess company, they launched an independent program that quickly flourished. Eventually, they acquired their former employer and expanded to three centers in the Dallas area. That momentum laid the foundation for Houston’s first full-service Texas Chess Center, which opened in the Bellaire Area around Easter.
“Our mission is to bring chess to the community and make sure every kid has chess in their home,” co-founder David Gaston said.
Programs and classes
The Houston center has quickly become a hub for students of all ages. Much of its impact comes through after-school partnerships, where instructors bring structured chess programs directly into elementary and middle schools. This ensures students are learning from experienced teachers, rather than depending on a club sponsor who may not have chess expertise.
Inside the centers, the approach is just as focused. Weekday and weekend classes are designed for different skill levels and led by instructors who follow a structured curriculum developed over more than a decade.
Each class lasts about an hour and is broken into three to four sections to match students’ attention spans. The formula blends history, critical thinking and practice into a format that students enjoy: teachers introduce a topic of the day, show how it connects to a famous master game and then guide students through exercises before letting them play supervised matches.
This intentional structure sets the center apart from more casual approaches.
International competitions
Beyond classes, TCC is expanding opportunities for students to test their skills on larger stages.
Recently, their Houston location hosted an international chess tournament that attracted players from multiple states and countries, from Georgia to Colorado, and Mexico to India, allowing locals to earn international ratings without traveling overseas.
This October, the center is organizing a “norm” tournament, a key step for elite competitors hoping to achieve the ranks of International Master or Grandmaster. By bringing events like these to Texas, TCC removes barriers that often prevent American players from advancing in the global chess community—namely the need for serious-format competition against foreign players, which the historically European-centric International Chess Federation requires.
Benefits of playing chess
The team emphasizes that chess offers both academic and social advantages.
Research has shown that children who play regularly improve their focus, critical thinking skills and academic outcomes across subjects. Parents often notice better grades and stronger study habits as their children progress in the game.
Chess also provides valuable lessons in sportsmanship and social connection. Players learn how to handle both losing and winning, practice collaboration by analyzing games with opponents and find common ground with peers who share their interest.
“During the game, the opponent is their enemy, but after the game, the opponent is their friend,” Gaston said. “A lot of chess players are very big truth seekers, so at the end of a game, they want to know what the right move was, so they sit down collaboratively [to discuss it].”
Take the next step
For families curious about chess, the center makes it easy to start. Weekly open play nights at the Houston location allow anyone to drop in and try the game at a low cost. From there, families can explore tournaments, group classes and more depending on their goals.
Ultimately, the organization sees itself as a gathering place for learning and connection.
“A lot of people have been lacking a [chess] community,” Gaston said. “They’re quite glad to have it now.”
Interested in exploring the world of chess? Visit www.texaschesscenter.com to learn more today.
Houston location: 4007 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. HH, Houston
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
