I pull up in the parking lot of a gas station on 249 North that has a McDonalds onsite and walk inside what seems to be a usual pitstop on a long drive to gas up then some. Stepping inside an making my way in any McDonalds I see a whole set up of what looks like a Chess Tournament in progress. Kids pouring over the boards in the mid of a crucial match up!
I had planned to make this trip up North 249 in Tomball to see Jim Liptrap who is an active personality on the Houston Chess Scene. When he first let me know he’ll be conducting a USCF Tournament at a McDonalds in Tomball I was intrigued. I had to be there. Jim has been doing this for a long time and his website – chess.jliptrap.us – is the go to place to find out about chess events and activity happening around town!
I find my way around and find Jim seated with his terminal set up conducting the tournament at a corner table and introduce myself to him. Jim greets me with a warm smile, and immediately gets up to grasping my hand for a handshake. He gives me an overview of the event and I find out he has this event every Friday evening from 6:30 pm onwards- “The Friday Knights Tournament“! Its a G/25;d5 format USCF Rated tournament and there are players of all age groups – mostly kids who’re enthusiastic about the tourney every Friday and completely adore Jim. Its an enthusiastic atmosphere when games are in progress and Jim has to be on his feet to look into any situations that need his attention. Much as he is the beacon for the kids participating in the tournament Jim is the beacon for the Houston Chess happenings. Anyone who wants to be heard, wants to be found, wants to be around and be a part of the Houston Chess culture has to be be on Jim’s radar.
Jim was totally gracious to me and gave me what is a wealth of advice and input on various aspects of the Houston Chess culture. Enjoy the pics below!
With Jim at a Friday Knight Night
