What is BVCA?
About the Brazos Valley Chess Association
The Brazos Valley Chess Association was born from a simple passion: bringing the transformative power of chess to every corner of our community.
Our Story
From a young age, founder Houston Lovett saw chess as more than just a game—it was a tool for building critical thinking, patience, and genuine connection. What started as small chess clubs at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library and the Community Homeschool Center quickly grew into something bigger. Houston offered tutoring, ran workshops, and built a grassroots chess community one student at a time.
In February 2025, that passion became official. The Brazos Valley Chess Association was formally founded and registered with Brazos County as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting chess education and competitive play throughout the region.
Our Founder & President
Houston Lovett is a passionate chess coach dedicated to helping players of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential. As President and Founder of the Brazos Valley Chess Association, Houston has built a vibrant local chess community and serves as a US Chess Federation certified Tournament Director.
Beyond his leadership roles, Houston is an accomplished player with a peak Chess.com Rapid rating of 2333 and a Blitz rating of 2210. This places him in the 99th percentile of all over 220 million members on the platform—a powerful testament to his exceptional skill and dedication to the game.
Houston's coaching philosophy is rooted in patience, enthusiasm, and a personalized approach, ensuring every student not only improves their game but also develops a lasting love for chess.
Our Mission
We believe chess belongs to everyone. Whether you're a beginner discovering your first checkmate or a competitive player preparing for nationals, BVCA provides the instruction, tournaments, and community support you need to thrive.
We've partnered with the City of Bryan, the Bryan+College Station library system, homeschool organizations, and the Texas A&M Chess Club to bring quality chess programming to our community. Through tournaments, coaching, workshops, and clubs, we're building a chess culture that celebrates learning, competition, and connection.
Join Us
The Brazos Valley Chess Association isn't just about moving pieces on a board—it's about building community, developing minds, and fostering a lifelong love of the game. Whether you're looking for coaching, want to compete in a tournament, or are interested in bringing chess to your organization, we'd love to have you as part of our chess family.