Chess Masters: Local brother, sister dominating chess world

HARLINGEN — William McNutt and his little sister Kaitlynn play chess any time they have the opportunity.

The Harlingen brother and sister chess duo don’t see chess as just a game —it’s a lifestyle.

They have played in Las Vegas, Canada and have been invited to play overseas in chess tournaments.

The two are coming off some stellar winning streaks at the Chess Championships in Edinburg and Houston recently.

“I have played in these tournaments every year since the second grade,” said William, 12.

In the chess world William and his sister Kaitlynn, 9, are ranked in the top 50 in the country for their age by the U.S. Chess Federation.

“We are putting Harlingen on the map as far as chess is concerned,” said Willa McNutt, mother of the two chess players. “It looks like there is no stopping this.”

William is ranked 42nd in the country.

His little sister is ranked 20th in the country in her age division.

The two have been playing chess for as long as they can remember.

One of their most memorable games took place in Central Park in New York and the same club where the legendary chess grandmaster Bobby Fisher learned to play.

Ask them about their last match — they can replay it move-for-move in detail.

“I like playing chess because it helps you in life,” Kaitlynn said. “If you make a blunder, it’s a mistake in life.”

She says that on the grand chess board, every move counts.

“I always try to learn from my brother’s chess moves,” she said. “So one day I can beat him.”

The two placed in the top two in the South Texas Scholastic Chess Championship. And both placed in the top five in the Houston tournament.

The tournament recently held in Edinburg drew hundreds of players from around South Texas. And Houston players came from as far north as Dallas.

“The first five rounds were pretty easy,” Kaitlynn said about her early rounds going into the championship in Edinburg. “My opponent offered a draw in the championship and I accepted it.”

The chess game sometimes lasts up to five hours.

Kaitlyinn’s draw tied her for first place. Her big brother William also tied for first in his age group in Edinburg.

“The first day was kind of hard,” he said. “I had some good opponents.”

The two play chess every day when they have time.

When they are not at school or traveling to the next big tournament, they are practicing chess together.

William said its fun practicing with his sister.

“We play chess, and we discuss how to move the pieces,” William said. “I like to advance my pieces toward my opponent’s king so I can get a check mate.”