(Davis, OK.  29 April 2017).  Defending World and Red River Champion, the Oklahoma Chess Team, beat Texas, 15-13, in the 15th Red River Shootout (RRSO XV), the annual team match between the most fanatical chess players in both states.  This was Joe Dean Veal’s first victory as the new Oklahoma Chess Team Captain.



     The home team, Oklahoma, quickly charged ahead by 4 points.  However, Texas, playing with the white pieces, roared back to tie at 6 to 6.  Then Oklahoma scored for a 7 to 6 lead.  Returning Texan Carmen Chairez and Oklahoma legend Bruce Wells, in what has to be the longest game in RRSO history, battled to a draw.  That gave the Okies a 7-1/2 to 6-1/2 halftime lead.

     Early in the second half, Texas surged past Oklahoma for a 9-1/2 to 7-1/2, two point lead.  Things were looking good for the Texans and the hotel staff started chilling champagne in the Texas locker room.  But, the Okies battled back to tie at 10-1/2 to 10-1/2.  From there it was a see-saw battle until everything was knotted at 13-All.  Under match rules, Oklahoma only needed 14 points to tie, retain the title, and win the new Frank Kim Berry RRSO Trophy.  Finally, that epic 14th point for Oklahoma came, thanks to Carl Latino’s powerful endgame finish, on Board 6.



     Tarrant County Chess Club (TCCC) President Tom Crane walked over and congratulated Oklahoma Chess Foundation (OCF) President Jim Berry and Oklahoma Chess Team Captain Joe Dean Veal.  Then, all quickly gathered around Board 4 and watched the final contest.  About five minutes later, Wayne Hatcher won a nail biter over Texas legend Aurelio Gonzales for Oklahoma’s final point.

     All participants gave a moment of silence to remember the late Frank Kim Berry, who directed and played in thirteen of the fifteen RRSO’s.  In honor of his memory, the new Frank Kim Berry RRSO Trophy was also unveiled (far right in the photo).  The trophy’s cost was fully covered by generous contributions from several players:  Mike Tubbs, Phil Stegall, Carmen Chairez, Tom Nichols, Omar Montemayor, Russ Heise, Carl Latino, and Tom Crane.  (Photo by Danny Dunn).



     Three Oklahoma standouts, Logan Zachary and Chess Experts Carl Latino and Wayne Hatcher, "aced" their Texas opponents with 2-0 sweeps.  Texans Azzama Bochenkova and Tom Crane also achieved 2-0 "Ace" honors.

     The FIDE Connection:  After the match, chess analyst Victor Yaward said he felt Texas should have won and theorized why that didn’t happen.  “Texas went into this match with an 84-point average ratings advantage.  This was especially huge on the bottom seven boards (204 average ratings point surplus).  Texas won those boards by a combined 8 to 6 score.”

     “The top seven boards, however,” Victor Yaward went on to explain, “… featured an Oklahoma team with extensive international experience.  Five of the top seven Okies have FIDE ratings.  Three of them scored 2-0 sweeps (Boards 3, 4 and 6). The Okies overwhelmed the Texans, on those seven boards, by a combined 9 to 5 score.  This made all the difference in the world for RRSO XV.  I think this all reflects well on the Oklahoma Chess Foundation because of the large number of FIDE tournaments they sponsor.”

     Jim Hollingsworth directed this historic event.  He was capably assisted by two Oklahoma experts:  Jim Berry and Joe Dean Veal.  He was also assisted by Texans Tom Crane and Chris Wood.  Texan Adam Hart was Sergeant at Arms.  Another Oklahoma expert, Mike Tubbs, was the official RRSO Scribe.  Three Texans contributed some exemplary photos:  Danny and Alex Horvath, and Tom Crane.  Some of their photos are included in this article.

     As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of annual team matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas.  Texas leads the series 9 to 6, but mighty Oklahoma keeps the title and bragging rights for one more year.  Next year's match is already scheduled for April 21, 2018, in Davis, Oklahoma.  Recruiting season starts next January.  More information will be available on the OCF website, the RRSO website and in outstanding chess publications such as "Texas Knights" and the "Oklahoma Chess Monthly."