Why I Organize Chess Events
Chess players deserve quality events without being priced out.
The Chess Refinery started with a simple idea: give players a better place to play—without pricing them out.
We don’t run a lot of events.
We run the ones worth showing up for.
We run the ones worth showing up for.
How It Started
I started learning chess in 2010. Not long after, I began organizing small, casual events in libraries and coffee shops under the name Chess Pistols.
My first US Chess-rated tournament was back in 2011. What started as casual gatherings slowly grew into something bigger.
2010
Started learning chess and getting involved in the local chess community.
2011
Organized early casual events and my first US Chess-rated tournament.
2013
Opened Center64 on Hillcroft, a dedicated chess space in Houston.
2018
Launched The Chess Refinery after Center64 closed.
Why It Still Matters
Center64 closed in 2018. The Chess Refinery continued after that, until the pandemic forced another shutdown. Through all of that, one thing stayed the same:
Chess players deserve quality events at prices that don’t push them out.
That is still why I organize today.
Why I Only Run a Few Events
Chess is not my full-time job. I work a full-time 8–5 job, so I can only run a limited number of events each year — usually around 4 or 5 at most.
Each one has to be intentional. If I am going to ask players, parents, and families to spend their time and money, I want the event to feel organized, fair, comfortable, and worth the trip.
What I Care About
I care about the details players actually notice: easy to find pairings, playing equipment provided, on-time rounds, clear rules, fair pricing, good communication, and a comfortable space that feels like someone thought through the experience before players arrived.
From casual meetups to rated tournaments, the goal is the same: create a better place to play.
What Comes Next
More recently, I have spent time figuring out how to bring higher-level norm events to Texas. But the foundation of chess has always been the local community — the kids, the developing players, the adults returning to the game, and the families who keep showing up.
I’ll be putting more focus back into that soon.
At the end of the day, this only works if the community supports it.
Every single player counts.
That includes you.
Every single player counts.
That includes you.