The University Of Texas At Dallas (UTD) was the top team in the Fall 2025 regular season of the Collegiate Chess League (CCL). However, in the playoffs, they fell just short, losing to St. Louis University (SLU) in the finals, 8.5-7.5. In the spring season, UTD is more determined than ever and off to a great start, winning their first three matches, including an 8.5-7.5 victory over the defending champion.
UTD has been the story of the spring season so far, with victories against top contenders, SLU and the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou). GM Gergely Kantor has performed well, scoring a key 3.5/4 in the critical match against SLU, including this impressive game.Â
Maybe the most exciting match of the season so far is UTD’s battle with Mizzou. Missouri scored 3.5/4 in the first round, but Dallas roared back, and the match went to overtime. After an initial 2-2 overtime match, UTD dominated a second overtime round 4-0, taking the match and ensuring their place as the only remaining undefeated team. Kantor scored a critical win in double-overtime, gaining revenge on GM Aryan Tari, who had defeated him in the previous round.
Aside from UTD, Mizzou and SLU remain in contention with only one loss each. The SRM Institute of Science and Technology is also playing well, with three match victories, against just one loss against SLU. The season continues until each team has played seven matches, with six of the eight teams reaching the playoffs. That means that the trailing teams like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas Tech University, each with one win so far, still have good chances to qualify.
The Collegiate Chess League is the premier online chess competition for college students.