Saint Louis Leads Collegiate Chess League Race
Saint Louis University and the University of Texas, Dallas are battling for first place as regular-season play nears its end.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in eSports
Saint Louis University holds a 4.5/5 score in the Collegiate Chess League, while the University of Texas, Dallas has 5/6 total points. Most teams have two matches remaining before the Quarterfinals on November 14.
Why it matters
The standings will determine seeding for the Collegiate Chess League Quarterfinals, giving the top finishers a path into the postseason. Saint Louis's recent results have strengthened its position in the race for first place.
Saint Louis University's 4.5/5 league score and 10.5-5.5 win over UTD stand against UTD's 5/6 total points. Remaining matches for most teams will determine the final standings before the Quarterfinals.
The players
Saint Louis University
A private Jesuit university in St. Louis, Missouri, whose chess team is competing for the top spot in the Collegiate Chess League.
University of Texas, Dallas
A public research university in Richardson, Texas, whose chess team is the defending league champion and a contender for first place.
Viktor Gazik
A Grandmaster who scored 3.5/5 for Saint Louis University in its recent matches.
The details
In a recent match, Saint Louis University won the first round against Mizzou 3-1 and the second round 2.5-1.5, with the overall match ending in an 8-8 tie. Saint Louis then defeated UTD 10.5-5.5, taking seven of eight points in the second half, with GM Viktor Gazik scoring 3.5/5.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Latest reported Collegiate Chess League standings and match results.
November 14, 2026: Collegiate Chess League Quarterfinals.
Season Trajectory
The Collegiate Chess League's regular season determines which teams advance to the November 14 Quarterfinals. Saint Louis University and UTD are positioning themselves for seeding as most teams still have two matches left.
Fans following the Collegiate Chess League can use the remaining regular-season matches to track which teams will earn quarterfinal seeding. Standings shifts over the next two matches could decide who advances to the November 14 Quarterfinals.
The takeaway
Teams with a strong second-half finish can overcome early setbacks in league play, as Saint Louis University showed against UTD. Following the remaining regular-season results will clarify the picture before the Quarterfinals.
What happens next
The Collegiate Chess League Quarterfinals take place on November 14, 2026, with the remaining regular-season matches determining seeding beforehand.
Further reading
For more on competitive play, see the eSports coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chess.
