About the OCBCF

The Optimist Coastal Bend Chess Federation is a group of volunteers who have a stake in chess. With the support of chess coaches and chess families, we have created an amazing chess community.

OCBCF organizes and runs a large number of chess tournaments in the Coastal Bend area of Texas each year. We have been involved in helping kids through scholastic chess since 1995 and have made an impact in the lives of many people. Chess players continue to be listed among the honor graduates at most CCISD High Schools.

Our mission is to help kids improve socially and scholastically using the game of chess as a way of teaching thinking and social skills.

Some of the events we host or support include:

  • Local Scholastic Chess Tournaments at least once a month
  • Art Walk Booth: Free Chess games or lessons for everyone!
  • National Chess Day
  • Scholarships for each division: Primary, Elementary, Middle School, and High School
    • Chess supplies and gift cards for the lower levels
    • Large college scholarships for High School (9th-12th grades eligible)
  • Financial Support to attend local and state chess tournaments
  • Friendship and social interaction for the kids
  • Chess Summer Camp

Our Team is made of chess coaches and parent. Each event we host is completely by volunteers. We each have our reasons for supporting chess.