USCF Original Life Chess Master Movses Movsisyan helped Oklahoma dominate Texas by "terminating" his opponent.  In the RRSO record books a "Terminator" is one who achieves victory over a match opponent from the other state by a 2.0 or 1.5 score.  He is tied for Top Nine in that category as this is written.  RRSO VI was his second RRSO event.

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth

USCF Original Life Chess Master Jim Rohrbaugh represented Texas on Board One.  Jim has been a Texas chess icon for many years.  He was the San Antonio City Chess Co-Champion in 1998 and 1999.  He is also a member of the San Antonio "2300 Club" limited to San Antonio area chess players who achieve a 2300 rating.  RRSO VI was his first RRSO event.

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth

USCF Original Life Chess Master Tom Braunlich and the Most Fanatical Chess Player in Texas, Aurelio Gonzalez, battled in a hard fought match on Board Three.  Eventually Tom scored two points for Oklahoma.

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth

Mike Crockett, USCF Life Member and Local Tournament Director, represented Oklahoma well in RRSO VI.  He scored his first ever "Ace" on Board Seven (a 2-0 shutout against a match opponent from the other state).

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth

Oklahoma Chess Expert Tom Nichols (on the left in the photo) used to be one the Army's toughest chess players and is an RRSO co-founder.  Tom scored an "Ace" result against a young Glenn Baumann (from Texas).  But this story's ending is only the beginning of another.  His Texas teammates say Glenn was so impressed with Tom's play he told them he wanted to be just like Tom when he got older.

A few years later (2013), Glenn achieved an Expert rating and won the Oklahoma State Chess Champion title.  Coincidence or destiny?  In either case, this is now a historic photo of two really tough chess players.

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth

At RRSO, the entrance fee is low ($5) but the stakes are nearly priceless.  When the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas meet in their annual team match they don't play for just a few rating points.  They play for the honor of their state, for bragging rights and the right to own the famous "Traveling Trophy" for another year.  In this RRSO VI photo, Texas Chess Team Captain Tom Crane (left) passes the icon of true chess excellence over to Frank Berry (right), Oklahoma Chess Team Captain.

Photo courtesy of Frank Berry Archives - graphics by Jim Hollingsworth