Oklahoma Holds Off Texas for 8th RRSO Victory

By Victor Yaward, Ace Chess Reporter

(Davis, Oklahoma and Watauga, Texas, April 18, 2020). The Oklahoma Chess Team, top-ranked and Northern Conference Champions, held off a determined Texas Chess Team for an incredible tie in the 18th annual Red River Shoot Out (RRSO). As defending Champions, Oklahoma retains the title, trophy, and bragging rights for a year. “To be the Champions, ya’ gotta’ beat the Champions” (Frank Kim Berry, 1945-2016).

“I am so proud of our players for holding the line against a tough and determined foe.” Said Oklahoma Team Captain Phil Stegall. “I was afraid we might have a letdown after winning last year by such a close score (24.0 to 22.0). At next year’s training camp, we’re going to focus on the fundamentals: levered pawns, Knight versus Bishop endgames, and not getting cocky. We all look forward to getting another three-peat in the record books.”

Rookie Texas Team Captain Troy Gillispie assessed his team’s performance. “Despite the final score, our team's performance was outstanding. Every match, from Board One down to Board 29, was crucial. I’m especially pleased with our nine rookies. They gained valuable experience. We’re going to put all that to work next year. In 2021, it’s going to be LOOK OUT, OKLAHOMA. HERE COMES TEXAS!”

Next year’s RRSO, the 19th in the series, is scheduled for April 17, 2021, in Davis, Oklahoma. Interested players need to check the website (http://rrsochess.com) for details. The recruiting season begins on January 15, 2021. Slots are in high demand and fill quickly. Potential players are advised to contact their team captain quickly and promise to show and play (“Hey Captain, I am in!”).

As all serious chess players know, the “REAL” Red River Shoot Out is a series of annual team matches between Oklahoma and Texas's most fanatical chess players. Since the first match in 2003, 706 challenging chess games have been contested by over 300 players in 18 matches and other RRSO events. Oklahoma has the title, the famous Frank Kim Berry RRSO Trophy, and bragging rights for another year. However, Texas leads the series 10 to 8 despite playing on the road year after year after ꟷ except this year. Due to a quirk in the schedule caused by a pandemic, both teams played at home this year.

An Important Message to all RRSO XVIII Players

17 March 2020

My friends,

      I regret informing you RRSO XVIII is cancelled. All players currently registered and recent withdrawals will be given full participation credit in the RRSO record books and on the website, RRSOCHESS dot Com. There are many obvious reasons for this decision. The OCF and Tarrant County Chess Club Presidents were consulted last Wednesday. The decision then was to stay the course and wait for more information. Obviously, there is no shortage of information.

• The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
• The President declared COVID-19 a National Health Emergency.
• The Governor of Texas declared COVID-19 a State Health Emergency.
• The Governor of Oklahoma declared COVID-19 a State Health Emergency.
• The President of the Chickasaw Nation declared COVID-19 a Tribal Health Emergency.
• Chickasaw Nation owns the hotel and casino.
• The CASINO IS CLOSED until April 1st.
• They are furiously scrubbing everything.
• The question is will that prevent new COVID-19 exposures?
• COVID-19 is increasing exponentially in Texas.
• On Saturday there were 28 cases.
• Now there are 83.
• COVID-19 is increasing exponentially in Oklahoma.
• On Saturday there were 2 cases.
• Now there are 10, including in Stillwater.
• The CDC guidelines are for groups no larger than 50.
• The President's guidelines are for groups no larger than 10.
• Right now the rosters have 27 Okies and 28 Texans.
• One more Okie only needs a rating to make this a beautiful 28-board match.
• Overall I am tracking 59 total players, staff and volunteers.
Projected bystanders push that number closer to 65.
• Two out of three are age 50 plus and at greatest risk. Recall I ask for everyone's birth year?
• Antibiotics do not work against COVID-19.
• No COVID-19 vaccine is expected for 12 to 18 months.

      For all the above facts, by whatever authority (and responsibility) I possess, implied or otherwise, as RRSO co-Founder and Chief Organizer, I hereby declare RRSO XVIII a 0-0 tie with Oklahoma retaining the title, Frank Kim Berry Trophy, and bragging rights for another year.

      As I close, my deepest respect and appreciation to:

• The RRSO Presidents, Jim Berry and Tom Crane. Both recruited for us.
• Texas Team Captain Troy Gillispie. He also recruited for us.
• National Chess Master and Chief TD Bart Gibbons. This was his first RRSO.
• Oklahoma Team Captain and Chief Assistant TD Phil Stegall. He also recruited for us.
• Rebecca Rutledge, our outstanding Chief Recruiter.
• US Chess Original Life Chess Master Tom Braunlich. He promoted RRSO XVIII in his exemplary Oklahoma Chess Monthly and recruited.
• Volunteers Mike Tubbs, Tammy Anderau, Tammy Mata, and Josie Braddy. Josie volunteered to "take one for the team" and was on Board 26.
• Connie Dunn, our wonderful Hostess.
• The RRSO players. Of course. I really love the RRSO players.

      See you in 396 days and a wake-up at RRSO XIX (Saturday, April 17, 2021). Website: http://rrsochess.com/