A significant loss for Texas Chess. Luis Salinas was a chess expert, president of the Dallas Chess Club, and former Assistant Director of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Chess Program. But we all know him as one of the country’s most prolific chess organizers/directors. He was a FIDE Arbiter, an International Organizer, and a US Chess Senior Tournament Director. His impact on chess in DFW and Texas cannot be overstated. Not only from the many events he organized over the years but also from the example and tutelage he provided for many new organizers and directors.
Luis Salinas worked thousands of US Chess rated tournaments. His last was the 78TH ANNUAL TEXAS STATE AND AMATEUR, held on May 29, 2023.
Former Vice President of the Texas Chess Association Jim Hollingsworth wrote a story about Salinas for TexasChess.org in December 2020, mentioning Salinas’ chess story and naming Salinas player of the month. Read that story now.
Luis Salinas will be missed in Texas Chess, but his influence, example, and legacy will continue.
I have known many great people who have contributed much in chess. One cannot begin to describe the influence he had as Region III Director, and as an organizer in countless TCA and DCC events. Luis was my mentor, friend, and confidant. His loss is beyond measure. I personally will miss him greatly.
Rob Jones
Louis kept the pulse of chess in Texas and the Dallas Chess Club to the very end. On March 7, a few days after the 2024 North Central Texas Scholastic Chess Championships, I called Barbara Swafford and asked how things had gone. She told me Luis sent her a text at 5:00 AM complaining the online crosstable was wrong. We both had to laugh because, with all his challenges, Luis never quit.
I was looking at an RFP for the 2026 US Chess Middle School Tournament and it reminded me of Luis I worked with Luis on a few tournaments while working for a local hotel in downtown Dallas more than 15 years ago, but I remember him fondly. I am saddened by his departure and can only hope someone with the same passion fills his shoes. What a sad day for all of us.