Actual graphic image used to advertise RRSO VIII.  Designed by the artist Elizabeth Girard.  She is the daughter of RRSO Co-Founder Jim Hollingsworth and was an accomplished chess player by age 7.  He used to take her with him to small chess tournaments at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  She beat a lot of Soldiers at the Caisson and Cannon recreation centers - often in only four moves.  Her two sons, Alex and Mason, had no choice but to learn to play chess.

She would probably play RRSO chess, but lives in another state.

Three Oklahoma Chess Stars enjoyed a brief recess from the RRSO action and enabled what is probably the most recognizable photo in OCF History.  USCF Original Life Chess Master Tom Braunlich (standing left) has won three Oklahoma State Chess Champion titles (2006, 2009 and 2011).  He has also been Chief Director of 39 USCF rated tournaments (since 1991) and organized or helped organize numerous chess tournaments throughout Oklahoma.

RRSO VIII was the first rated event for National Chess Master D La Pierre Ballard (standing right) in many years.  Because USCF's online records only go back to 1991 he was assigned a 2100 rating for pairing purposes.  During his younger years, there was ample time for National Master Ballard to build and improve his chess skills.  Along the way he won three Oklahoma State Chess Champion titles (1964, 1966 and 1971) and defeated World Champion Bobby Fischer in a simul.  After all that, Life caught up with him.  Raising a family and building a successful career had priority.  He became a Whatever happened to ___? trivia question for Oklahoma chess historians.  RRSO VIII was a long overdue and welcome homecoming for National Master Ballard.  After RRSO VIII Frank Berry, Rob Jones, and Jim Hollingsworth pooled their knowledge and resources (including a 40 year plus collection of Chess Life magazines to determine his correct status and rating.

Over a thirteen year period (1997 to 2010) Odell Hall (deceased and sitting in this photo) played 1n 126 rated chess events throughout Oklahoma.  He was a strong Class A player and, based on his early rated achievements, was a strong chess player before he ever heard of USCF.  In early 2007 he accomplished a feat all chess players dream of but few achieve; victory over a chess master in a rated tournament.

Photo by Mike Tubbs