Saint Louis University (SLU) and the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) are locked in a tight race for first place in the Collegiate Chess League as teams approach the end of the regular season and push for playoff seeding. With most teams having just two matches remaining, SLU, with a 4.5/5 score, has the inside track to the top seed, while UTD has the most total points with 5/6. The Quarterfinals take place on November 14.

Division I Standings: Fall 2026

Mizzou Catches SLU In Dramatic Final Round

SLU and the University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) have been the most dominant teams in the Collegiate Chess League for most of the last few years. This season, SLU has thrived, competing for the top seed while Mizzou has struggled, losing matches to UTD and Texas Tech. Despite their different fortunes, the match between these teams was the most competitive of any in division one this season. 

SLU started well, winning the first round 3-1 and the second 2.5-1.5. A 2-2 third round meant that SLU needed just one point out of the four final-round games to take the match. However, Mizzou saved their best for last, dominating the final round 3.5-0.5, and earning an 8-8 tie, the only tied match of the season so far.

Here's a clutch victory by GM Aryan Tari in the final round that helped to secure the match tie.

SLU Defeats Defending Champion UTD

The last-round collapse against Mizzou has been the only blemish on SLU's otherwise stellar season. Their most impressive victory came against the defending champions from UTD, a team that has won their other five matches. UTD held a narrow 4.5-3.5 edge after two rounds, but SLU dominated the second half of the match, taking seven of eight points. That success earned them a comfortable final margin of 10.5-5.5.

GM Viktor Gazik led the way for SLU, scoring 3.5/5, including the following victory against GM Sankalp Gupta.

Check out the week six broadcast by Joe Lee.

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