Makerspace Chess Tournament a Strategic Success

Strategic thinking and focused competition took center stage Nov. 13–14 as the iMake Innovation Center hosted its first two-day chess tournament, drawing students from across campus for a multi-round event centered on skill development and peer connection.

Designed to balance accessibility with competitive rigor, the tournament opened Thursday with pool play, giving participants multiple opportunities to compete in round-robin matches. The format encouraged players to refine their approach while gaining exposure to different styles of play.

Friday’s championship bracket featured top performers from pool play and introduced rapid-style rounds that required quick decision-making. Matches reflected a high level of sportsmanship, with students demonstrating patience, adaptability and respect for the game.

Luis Rosas earned the tournament title following two days of consistent play, receiving recognition for his disciplined approach and tactical awareness. His performance reflected the analytical focus the tournament was designed to promote.

Chess programming at the iMake Innovation Center, commonly known as the Makerspace, aligns with the center’s broader goal of offering student-centered learning experiences that support critical thinking and problem-solving.

“We hope that this tournament becomes the first of many, creating new opportunities for students to engage through strategy-based learning,” said Donnell Layne, director of the STEM Innovation Center and Makerspace.

The Makerspace team is exploring additional game-based and strategy-focused programming in response to student interest, with future offerings expected to remain inclusive, low-barrier and skill-focused.