Clocks, Cups and Comebacks at the Cinco Ranch Library Open

Fort Bend Library – Cinco Ranch Branch · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Five rounds. Twenty-five minutes on the clock. Scoresheets, handshakes and three shiny trophies. The Cinco Ranch Library Open brought real tournament chess right to our backyard, and our players brought the fight.

The final round: David and Arnab on Board 2, every second on the clock counting.

Saturday’s open was a 5-round Swiss at G/25 with a 5-second delay, open to everyone, walk-ins included. The field ran from a sharp young junior to seasoned club veterans, and every board had a story. Clocks ticked, scoresheets filled up, and the room went quiet in the way only a chess tournament can.

Every Board Had a Story

A junior player studies Board 1 while his opponent looks on — Board 1: chin in hand, calculating.

Arnab records his move as David reaches for a piece on Board 2 — Board 2: record the move, press the clock.

Wide view of the tournament room at Cinco Ranch Library with games in progress on three boards — Three boards, full concentration.

Want to feel the tension for yourself? Pull up a chair and watch the action unfold.

Board 1 in action.

Board 2: every move a decision.

Podium Moments

When the last clock stopped, three players walked away with hardware.

David holds the champion's trophy while shaking hands with Jay — Champion: David takes the gold.

Jay gives a thumbs up standing next to champion David and his trophy — A thumbs-up for the champ.

Champion: David. Steady, sharp and fun to watch, David earned the top trophy and a well-deserved round of applause.

Arnab receives the runner-up trophy from Jay — Runner-up: Arnab with the silver cup.

A junior player smiles holding his trophy next to Jay — Our junior star shows off his trophy.

Runner-up: Arnab. Arnab battled all afternoon and finished with the silver cup.

🏆Winner’s Trophy: Antariksh Baksi. Our youngest competitor went toe-to-toe with the adults and went home with a trophy and a big smile. Watch out for this one.

🥈1st Runner Up: Arnab Baksi

🥉2nd Runner Up: David Castaneda

In Their Words

We asked two of our players to tell us how it went, and what we can do better. Here’s what they said.

It was a lot of fun.
David, Cinco Ranch Library Open champion

David told us it was his first time back over the board in a while, and that he really enjoyed the group. His one wish? A heads-up. He nearly forgot the tournament was that day, so reminder emails would help.

Arnab on the event, and how to grow the field.

Arnab thanked the team for organizing and said the players enjoyed every game. His tip for growing the field: list our tournaments on the Houston-area chess websites local players already follow. More eyes means more players, and more exciting games.

You Asked. We’re On It.

Event reminders: subscribe to our emails and you’ll get a weekly roundup of what’s coming up. We’re also adding reminders before each tournament.
Wider reach: we’ll be listing upcoming tournaments on the Houston chess calendars players already check.
Keep the feedback coming: tell us at the board, or through the chat on our website.