Every Child Deserves
a Seat at the Board.

We're working to make chess accessible to more children across the Rio Grande Valley, regardless of their school's budget or their family's ability to pay.

Smiling elementary school student sitting at a tournament chess board preparing to play and take notation. Shared by RGV Chess and Learning Center.

EVERY CHILD DESERVES
A SEAT AT THE BOARD.

We're working to make chess accessible to more children across the Rio Grande Valley, regardless of their school's budget or their family's ability to pay.

OUR STORY

WHY WE STARTED

Chess shouldn't be limited by a school's budget or a family's ability to pay.

The Rio Grande Valley has an incredible chess community. Thousands of students compete every year, and hundreds qualify for state and national tournaments. But opportunity isn't always distributed equally.

For many schools and families, the cost of equipment, coaching, curriculum, tournament fees, and other resources can become a barrier. A child shouldn't have to miss out on the opportunity to learn and compete simply because those resources aren't available.

RGV Chess & Learning Center was created to help change that.

Our goal is simple: help schools build sustainable chess programs, remove financial barriers for families, and give more children throughout the Rio Grande Valley a seat at the board.

2100+
STUDENTS COMPETING ANNUALLY
500+
STATE & NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
rgv
A GROWING CHESS COMMUNITY
OUR MISSION

To ensure every child in the Rgv has access to the life-changing benefits of chess through education, opportunity, and community support.

Our mission is simple: to help provide every school with the ability to give its students a chess program. We work to eliminate financial barriers for schools and families so that any child who wants to play gets the chance.

access

A child's opportunity to learn chess shouldn't depend on the resources available at their school or in their household.

opportunity

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, compete, discover their potential, and experience the confidence that comes from mastering something difficult.

community

Chess creates a common language. We want to build spaces where children, families, schools, and communities can come together around the board.

WE'RE NOT JUST BUILDING CHESS PLAYERS. WE'RE BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES.
WHAT WE DO

TURNING ACCESS INTO OPPORTUNITY.

We create programs and partnerships that help schools, families, and communities make chess more accessible to children throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

01

SPONSOR A SCHOOL

We work with businesses and community partners to help schools establish and sustain chess programs without placing the financial burden on the school.

EXPLORE SPONSOR A SCHOOL →
02

SPONSOR A child

We help remove financial barriers for families so children can participate in chess programs, receive opportunities to learn, and experience the benefits of the game.

EXPLORE SPONSOR A CHILD →
03

INFINITE CHESS

A structured chess program designed to create opportunities for children with autism and neurodiverse learners to develop focus, critical thinking, social skills, and confidence.

EXPLORE INFINITE CHESS →
ONE MISSION. MULTIPLE WAYS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY.
LEADERSHIP

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION.

Our Board of Directors brings together people who believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, compete, and discover their potential through chess.

President sits looking ahead to the future.

JOHN BOYD

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

John, President and Founder, has played chess on and off his entire life, but his journey took a transformative turn when he jumped back in to help his niece prepare for nationals. Diving deep into the local chess scene, he quickly realized a stark disparity: not every child gets a fair shot. When his wife's elementary school chess team qualified for Regionals for the very first time, the kids were ecstatic, only to arrive and realize they were competing against well-funded schools with private coaches and outside resources they simply couldn't afford. Seeing those children give it their all despite the odds ignited a mission. John founded this organization on a simple, unshakable belief: chess should be about individual talent, grit, and heart, not about privilege or access.

RGV Chess and Learning Center Vice President sits confidently.

Janet Constantino

VICE-PRESIDENT / SECRETARY

Janet brings the same organization and dedication to the board that she brings to her elementary school classroom. Her passion for youth development extends beyond her profession—she sponsors her school’s chess program and proudly watches her own son compete. Seeing firsthand how chess builds focus, confidence, and critical thinking, Janet is committed to helping more children experience those benefits throughout the community.

Amanda Perea

TREASURER

Amanda first became part of the RGV Chess and Learning Center family as a mother watching her children discover their love for chess. Inspired by their passion and the impact chess has on young people, she chose to give back by serving as Treasurer. Combining her financial expertise with a parent’s perspective, Amanda helps ensure the organization’s resources are managed responsibly and invested in creating opportunities for the next generation.

RGV Chess and Learning Center Coach, studying the board in a tournament she competed in.

Lauren Tovias

BOARD MEMBER

Lauren is a lifelong chess competitor and recent UTRGV graduate who is passionate about mentoring youth across the Valley. When she isn’t competing, she spends her free time coaching local children and helping many reach State and National tournaments. Her love for chess is matched by her dedication to her students. Known for her determination and signature feistiness, Lauren will always advocate fiercely for her students and their opportunities to succeed.

TY RAMIREZ

BOARD MEMBER

Ty embodies the very heart and soul of what chess should be. For him, it has never been about the wins or the titles—it has always been about the chess and the children. With a remarkable patience and a unique, insightful perspective on the game, Ty has earned the deep respect of players, parents, and coaches alike across the community. If there is a chess event happening anywhere in the Valley, you can almost guarantee that Ty is right there in the thick of it, supporting the game he loves and the  children.

Together, we're working to make chess a little more accessible to every child in the Rio Grande Valley. .
Group photo of young chess players gathered together before Nationals with RGV Chess and Learning Center.
OUR COMMUNITY

ROOTED IN THE RGV.

The Rio Grande Valley already has a remarkable chess community. Students across McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville, Harlingen, and communities throughout the Valley are showing just how much potential exists here.

Our role is to help that community grow by connecting schools with resources, supporting families, and creating opportunities for children who might otherwise be left out.

We believe the Valley doesn't need to wait for opportunity to come from somewhere else. We can build it here.

BUILT FOR THE VALLEY. BUILT FOR EVERY CHILD.
BE PART OF WHAT'S NEXT

HELP US GIVE MORE CHILDREN A SEAT AT THE BOARD.

Whether you want to sponsor a school, support a child, volunteer your time, or simply help spread the word, there's a place for you in this mission.

GET INVOLVEDSUPPORT OUR MISSION