08/24/2026
Carmen A. Chairez: Player of the Week from Region 6!
Carmen is both a TCA life member and a US Chess Life Member.
US Chess profile: https://ratings.uschess.org/player/10389526
Q&A:
Your Name and City
Carmen A. Chairez, Round Rock, TX
Tell us the programs you represent.
Dallas Area Chess in Schools (in my youth), Round Rock Public Library Chess Club, Arlington Chess Club, Waco Chess Club, and Bryan Adams Chess Club
How did you first get into chess?
When I first moved into the Dallas Public Schools in high school, many of the young students played chess. I had never seen the game. Being new, I did not ask anyone but went to the library and checked out the book, An Invitation to Chess by Irving Chernev and Kenneth Harkness, New York, 1945. After that, I started playing. It took about 2 years before I began winning games. At my first tournament, I won First place in an "Egg Timer Tournament, at the White Rock Chess Club, September 1963. I have been an active tournament player since the Fall of 1963.
What do you enjoy most about chess?
The game itself is intriguing. Later in my chess playing, I stumbled upon the book, Curious Chess Facts by Irving Chernev. On page 62, Number 202, states: The number of possible ways of playing the first ten moves on each side in a game of chess is 169,518,829,100,544,000,000,000,000,000. For my birthday, my mother bought me the book The Game of Chess by Siegbert Tarrasch. One of my favorite quotations from Dr. Tarrasch is: Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.
I played each day in high school against chess friends and represented the high school in local tournaments against other high schools for 3 years. These chess friends talked about going to college, and I, at the time, did not know anyone going to college. Also, my chess friends did not get into trouble with the law! Later, I did get a degree after serving the in the United States Army. Not many people in the Army played chess! Anyhow, I was fortunate enough to play in a chess tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. I did not begin playing again until I was 48 years old, after working up to 72 hours a week in the corporate world. Then, I begin to play actively.
I have taught elementary school students in the 3rd to 6th grade (Public and Private), at recreation centers, Public Libraries (still do), inner city students, and Boys & Girls clubs. I have played at the Red River Shootout with various Texas chess players against Oklahoma chess players. When living in Arlington, TX, I use to have players come to my home to play blitz (5 minute chess) over 10 years on Sunday afternoons. I have participated various times as a tournament director. I even assisted Luis Salinas a great Texas tournament director. Currently, I teach at the Round Rock Public Library each Sunday and Thursday. Currently, I am a member of RedHotPawn. On this site, I have made over 3.1 million moves, which took about 19 years! I still play at RedHotPawn each day! Plus, I have a vast library of chess books. I like chess history! At casual games, I like chess because you can chit-chat with the players and you get to know them. Chess has allowed me to think ahead, and that has helped in life.
What is your proudest chess moment so far?
One of my proudest moments was beating Rudy G. Tia, a Master, in Waco, TX. He is the first master I was able to beat! To me, that was an exciting match to beat a Master! Plus, it was exciting to meet a young master in the making, Austen Green, when he was younger! I am proud to be a Life Member of the United States Chess Federation and the Texas Chess Association!
How are you participating in chess now?
Actually, participating in local Waco chess tournaments, RedHotPawn chess site every day, and teaching as well as playing at the Round Rock Public Library twice a week.
What part of your chess game are you working on right now?
Knowing the end game better because if I can survive the opening and the middle game, I give my opponents heck in the end game!
Who inspires you in chess?
When I started to play, I came across many players. My high school buddies have inspired me to play better. My chess friends were my coaches. Chess is a way to meet many people!
What goals do you have for this season?
My enjoyment is to continue to play and meet others who enjoy the game!
How has being part of Texas chess impacted you?
Raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and later when Ilived in Arlington, TX, there were numerous tournaments in the area. Plus, I started a blitz chess group at my home over 10 years. It was good to have good chess players enjoying the game!
What advice would you give newer players?
Each time, I meet a new player or those who think they know the game, I ask them 2 questions: Do you know en passant? Do you know how to castle? If they do not know, I go to the whole routine in the rules and moves of the game. I explain the basic concepts of the opening and ensure they know how to checkmate. Plus, I recommend 3 books to them if they want to improve their game: 1) Logical Chess Move by Move by Irving Chernev; 2) The Art of the Checkmate by Georges Renaud and Victor Kahn; and 3) The World's Greatest Chess Games by Graham Burgess, Dr. John Nunn & John Emms. I have beaten better players than me using ideas from these books.
How do you contribute to the chess community or see yourself contributing in the future?
Teaching at the Round Rock Public Library on Sunday afternoons and Thursday nights encourages many to know and enjoy the game of chess!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
At the age of 79, I have met many good people along the way through chess and I still do. Chess has allowed me to think ahead and look at what-if type of situations. I am still learning different chess concepts through YouTube! I still like the old chess games. Like Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch said: Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.
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TCA is accepting nominations for player of the week. Please fill out the Google form if you have a Texas player you would like to nominate. The player must be a TCA member.
https://forms.gle/8YK5JEKdCMpVp4TNA
