National Master Kevin Qin Goes Undefeated at BVCA's Second Tournament of the Year
17 players, 2 competitive sections, and a perfect score — the Brazos Valley Chess Association delivered another hard-fought day of chess at First Baptist Bryan.
The Brazos Valley Chess Association wrapped up its second USCF-rated tournament of 2026 with a full day of competitive chess at First Baptist Bryan on Saturday, February 28th — running from 9:30am to 4:30pm. With 17 players split across two sections, the day produced exciting games at every board — and a near-flawless performance at the top of the field.
Tournament Results
⭐ 1500+ Section
🏆 U1500 Section
♟ National Master Kevin Qin delivered a dominant performance in the 1500+ section, finishing with a perfect 4.0/4.0 — going undefeated across all four rounds, including a win over our own tournament director. An impressive display of precision chess from start to finish.
The 1500+ Section: A Masterclass at the Top
National Master Kevin Qin was simply untouchable, navigating all four rounds without dropping a point for a perfect 4.0/4.0 finish — including a win over your tournament director. Precise, disciplined, and relentless from the first move to the last, it was a masterclass performance in competitive chess.
Jenny Baranker and Lawrence Roberman both finished with 2.5/4.0, sharing the podium in a well-earned tie for 2nd and 3rd. Every game in this section was deeply contested — the kind of chess that demands full concentration from opening to endgame.
The U1500 Section: Fierce Competition Top to Bottom
Claire Yang Xie claimed clear first in the U1500 section with an impressive 3.5/4.0 — a decisive margin that reflected consistent, focused play across all four rounds. William Plock and Aaron Smallwood each posted 3.0/4.0 to share 2nd and 3rd place, with cash prizes going to all three.
From the first round to the last, this section delivered exactly what competitive chess should look like — hard-fought games, genuine determination, and players pushing each other to their best. We're proud of every single competitor who showed up and gave it everything they had. The fighting spirit in the room was exactly what the Brazos Valley chess community is all about.
About the Tournament
This was a fully USCF-rated event, conducted under the official rules of chess as outlined in the US Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess, 7th Edition. All standards and protocols were followed. View the official US Chess rating report →
BVCA tournaments are open to players of all skill levels across two sections — a competitive rated section for players 1500 and above, and an accessible Under-1500 section for developing players. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each section.
Up Next: March 28th Tournament
BVCA Monthly Tournament
First Baptist Bryan · Register now · Cash prizes for top finishers
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