Texas Dashes Oklahoma’s FOUR-PEAT Dreams 30-22

By Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter

     (Davis, OK, 21 April 2018) Oklahoma’s dreams of a FOUR-PEAT were spoiled by Texas, 30 to 22, in the 16th RRSO chess match between two teams representing each state.  After a 45-minute weather delay, things were looking good for the Okies, thanks to rookie Jimmy Nazario’s decisive win on board 20, at 12:35 PM, giving the Okies a 3-point lead (5.5 to 2.5).  By 1:18 PM, Texas had slowly battled back and knotted the score, (7.5 to 7.5) with a board 4 draw between Oklahoma chess legend Shaun Graham-Bowcaster and Texas rookie Cory Klauss.

     One minute later, Texas Team Captain Chris Wood scored the go ahead point on board 25 and Texas never trailed again.  At halftime, Texas led 14 to 12.  In the first half, Oklahoma had played with all white pieces.  Since the second half would see the colors reversed, and Texas was playing with all white pieces, there was a slight promise Texas could finally halt a three-year drought in this classic match.

     In the second half, Rookie Gabriel Teubner swept board 22 to narrow the gap for Oklahoma (3:21 PM, 16-13).  Then six straight wins by Texas (Rookie Sam Rose, Bob Curtis, Rookie Taj Mohammed, Rookie Katrina Muller, Tom Crane, and Doug Schwetke) made things look like the beginning of a rout (3:47 PM, 22-13).  However, three straight wins by Oklahoma (Rookie Scott Baker, Rebecca Rutledge and Tommy Hay) put that hypothesis in doubt (4:08 PM, 22-16).

     The teams traded points until Texas Rookie Jim Kirk scored an upset “Ace” on board 1 (4:30 PM, 25-18).  Danny Dunn and Rubin Wells battled to a draw in the French Advance opening (4:36 PM, 25.5-18.5).  Oklahoma’s Curtis Williams refused to budge and won on board 9 (4:52 PM, 25.5-19.5).  Finally, Wichita Falls native Kenny Salan swept board 19 to clinch RRSO XVI for Texas (5:01 PM, 26.5-19.5).  The final game ended with a draw, on board 5, between Rookie Francisco Tort and Wayne Hatcher (5:39 PM, 30-22).

     Each team had 11 rookies in the match section.  The final score was Texas 30, Oklahoma 22.  Oklahoma will have to wait for its FOUR-PEAT.

     “We’re real proud of our team’s effort in RRSO XVI.”  Said Phil Stegall, first-year Oklahoma Team Captain.  “Rebecca Rutledge and two of our rookies, Scott Baker and Gabriel Teubner, swept their matches, 2-0.  Paul Hodgden, Shaun Graham-Bowcaster, Curtis Williams, Jeremy Brown, and Tommy Hay also gave us a boost by winning their individual matches.  Our 11 rookies really impressed us.  We’re looking forward to more great things from them next year.”

     “Kudos to Tom Crane and the Tarrant County Chess Club for a delicious Victory Dinner.”  Said Chis Wood, first-year Texas Team Captain.  “The BBQ dinner Tom brought in was absolutely fabulous.  And I don’t know which was more fun; the match or the speed chess tournament afterward.  Sam Rose is one heck of a player; swept his board 2-0 and for dessert went 9-0 in the speed event.”

     Jeff French, Texas Knights Editor, has been publishing RRSO stories for years.  “Jim Hollingsworth twisted my arm to play in my first RRSO,” said Jeff, “and I’m glad he did.  RRSO is an incredible experience.  There’s nothing else like it in the chess world.  And a real bonus for me was selling four Texas Knights subscriptions!”

     Tarrant County Chess President Tom Crane also commented, “Each year the RRSO is a hallmark event for me personally, and this year was no different.  Both teams recruited to win, the event was toughly and fairly competed, and we brought home the ‘Coveted Traveling Trophy’.  My long-term commitment is to continue my involvement with and play in RRSO XXV (our ‘heritage event’).  Special thanks to Jim Hollingsworth for taking a very active role in promotion, planning and execution of the event.”

     For RRSO XVI, organizers used the “BRAZOS” pairing system which had been successfully tested in two Texas tournaments.  Both team captains, looking at the same rosters, worked closely with Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth to recruit players, one-by-one, based on ratings classes.  For example, if Oklahoma had a Class B player without a suitable opponent the other team’s priority became recruiting a Class B Texan.  The result was 26 match section boards, each with an Okie and a Texan facing off for two games that count in the final score.

     “Last year, like too many times before, had a large Murray County Open.”  Said Jim Hollingsworth.  “When one side shows up with too few players, the result is a lot of low rated players (and sometimes masters) in the Murray County Open with no individual impact on the team match.  This year was much better.  A small Murray County Open was available to fill any substitute needs.  The players in the match section knew their games would count.  We received a lot of compliments for being able to fill 26 match boards.”

     “When Jim Hollingsworth approached me with his “BRAZOS” recruiting idea,” said Oklahoma Chess Foundation President Jim Berry, I agreed we would try this for RRSO XVI and make improvements afterwards, just like we do after all RRSOs.  Jim, Tom, Chris, Phil, and I worked very hard to fill the rosters.  I am pleased we had 26 boards filled and qualified substitutes available in the Murray County Open.  However, Oklahoma has 16,000 player games online.  Texas has very few.  This puts our experienced players at a huge disadvantage.  I promise we’re going to do something about that next year and level the field!”

     The rosters were set and announced three weeks prior to allow time for the players to prepare.  However, there were complaints the Texans have very few games online to study.  “The Okies have a 16,000-game database online.”  Said Hollingsworth.  “This does cause concerns.  The level of play rises when both sides have comparable resources.  However, it will take at least two years for Texas to achieve an acceptable level of online games.”  Hollingsworth echoed Jim Berry’s remarks and added the organizers are looking at this issue and will find a way to make RRSO XVII more competitive.

By Mark Crowther
The Week In Chess 1226

The 16th Red River Shootout took place on Saturday 21st April 2018. Oklahoma’s dreams of a FOUR-PEAT were spoiled by Texas, 30 to 22, in the 16th Red River Shoot Out (RRSO) chess match between two teams representing each state. This is the same event the late Frank Kim Berry was very involved with. Texas now leads the series 10 to 6.

Jim Hollingsworth reports: "Texas beat Oklahoma 30 to 22 in RRSO XVI, the annual team match between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. The match had 26 boards with an Okie and a Texan at each. An 8-point margin may seem like a lot, but it really isn't for a 52-game team match. If only two boards had flipped in both rounds one and two, the score would have been tied 26-26 and Oklahoma would have gotten its FOUR-PEAT."

A Day in the Life of an RRSO

By Chess Reporter Victor Yaward

6:15 AM

IHOP EXPRESS - READY TO FEED RRSO CHESS PLAYERS

Roads are clear. Chief Tournament Director (TD) arrives. Visits the Hotel’s IHOP restaurant. The smell of great food fills the air. Jennifer, the Manager, says, “We are ready to feed a lot of hungry chess players!”

6:20 AM	Lights on.	No Score
6:25 AM	Chief TD sets up computer and overhead monitor. Places board numbers on player tables. Connie Dunn, Hotel Manager, helps with hooking up the overhead monitor and makes sure everything is perfect. The Chief TD surveys the room. "Our 16th RRSO." He thinks. "This one will be our best ever!"	No Score
7:00 AM	Tammy and Rookie Jim Anderau (both from TX) arrive. Help TD by posting signs and putting handouts at each board. Much appreciated.	No Score
7:05 AM	Thunderstorms! Weather channel placed on overhead monitor. Big line of storms along I-35 from Thackerville to Stillwater.	No Score
7:07 AM	Russ Heise (TX) has flat tire near Eagle Parkway on I-35.	No Score
7:09 AM	Chris Wood, Texas Team Captain, and Arlington Chess Club friends are heading to the rescue for Russ Heise.	No Score
7:30 AM	Players are trickling in as the hit song "RRSO 3" plays in the background.	No Score
7:50 AM	Lawton Chess Club Reunion. Rookie Leon Toliver (right), long-time rival and friend of Chief TD, Jim Hollingsworth (left), arrives.	No Score
8:01 AM	Chris Woods, Texas Team Captain, reports traffic accidents along I-35. Gives ETA of 9:30 AM.	No Score
8:02 AM	Chief TD announces RRSO is delayed until both Team Captains arrive and report they are ready. Everyone drive safely!	No Score
8:10 AM	2d Infantry Division Reunion. Mike Donovan (left) and Chief TD, Jim Hollingsworth (right). 30 years ago both were Army captains serving in Korea. One asked the other, "Say, do you play chess?" Thus began a long rivalry and friendship.	No Score
8:48 AM	Jim Berry, OCF President, reports the Stillwater Chess Club is hydroplaning its way to RRSO XVI.	No Score
8:49 AM	Chief TD announces again RRSO XVI is delayed until both Team Captains arrive and report they are ready. Everyone drive safely!	No Score
7:30 AM	More players are arriving as the hit song "RRSO 3" plays in the background.	No Score
9:00 AM	Phil Stegall, Oklahoma Team Captain, arrives. He starts inventorying his team.	No Score
9:25 AM	Tom Crane, RRSO Policy Board member, arrives. He starts inventorying the Texas Team.	No Score
9:40 AM	Chris Wood, Texas Team Captain, arrives and begins motivating his troops.	No Score
10:10 AM	Shaun Graham-Bowcaster (OK), Murray County Open player, is fixing a flat tire. Delayed.	No Score
10:15 AM	Texas Team Captain compares rosters with TD. Board 8 vacancy filled by Jim Edmonds. Board 12 vacancy filled by Brandon Llewellyn.	No Score
10:20 AM	Oklahoma Team Captain compares rosters with TD. Board 4 vacancy filled by Shaun Graham. Board 16 vacancy filled by Roy Cram. Board 20 vacancy filled by Jimmy Nazario.	No Score
10:21 AM	Tom Crane makes administrative announcements to the players. Then he closes by announcing he is running for Texas Chess Association President and asks all Texas players for their support.	No Score
10:25 AM	Team inventories complete. Substitutions made. Shaun is still running late. He will fill OK’s Board 4 slot when he arrives.	No Score
10:26 AM	Substitutions are announced.	No Score
10:30 AM	Shaun arrives safely and in time for Team Photos. The cameras survive the ordeal, however the SD cards do not. Team photos will have to wait until next year.	No Score
10:43 AM	Chief TD makes brief pre-match announcements. The printed handouts at each table save a lot of talking.	No Score
10:45 AM	Round One begins. The visiting team, Oklahoma, has White. The home team, Texas, has Black.	No score
10:50 AM	Murray County Open gets underway on Boards 27 and 28. 2 round Swiss. 5 players.	No Score
11:16 AM	(B01) Kenny Salan (TX Bd 19) scores the first RRSO XVI point.	TX leads 1-0
11:20 AM	(C41) Rookie Gabriel Teubner (OK Bd 22) scores the first OK point.	Tied 1-1
11:35 AM	(B13) Rookie Max Barnes (OK Bd 18) scores his first ever RRSO win.	OK leads 2-1
11:54 AM	(A05) Rookie Taj Mohammed (TX Bd 11) scores his first ever RRSO win.	Tied 2-2
12:02 PM	(C50) Rebecca Rutledge (OK Bd 26) scores one point.	OK leads 3-2
12:25 PM	(D02) Jeremy Brown (OK) and Chris De La Cruz (TX) draw on Bd 17.	OK leads 3.5-2.5
12:33 PM	(B11) Rookie Omar Abouzahr (OK Bd 24) scores his first ever RRSO win.	OK leads 4.5-2.5
12:35 PM	(B92) Rookie Jimmy Nazario (OK Bd 20) scores his first ever RRSO win.	OK leads 5.5-2.5
12:45 PM	(D02) Danny Dunn (TX Bd 13) scores one point.	OK leads 5.5-3.5
12:54 PM	(A16) Carmen Chairez (TX Bd 10) scores one point.	OK leads 5.5-4.5
12:59 PM	(D00) Tommy Hay (OK) and Rookie Louis Reed (TX) draw on Bd 21.	OK leads 6-5
1:01 PM	(B01) Rafael Llanos (TX Bd 2) scores one point.	Tied 6-6
1:08 PM	(E01) Curtis Williams (OK) and Jim Edmunds (TX) draw on Bd 9.	Tied 6.5-6.5
1:13 PM	(A54) Shane Stonehocker (OK) and Russ Heise (TX) draw on Bd 15.	Tied 7-7
1:18 PM	(A25) Shaun Graham-Bowcaster (OK) and Rookie Cory Klauss (TX) draw on Bd 4.	Tied 7.5-7.5
1:19 PM	(B18) Chris Wood (TX Bd 25) scores one point.	TX leads 8.5-7.5
1:21 PM	(A46) Rookie Sam Rose (TX Bd 7) scores his first ever RRSO win.	TX leads 9.5-7.5
1:22 PM	(D00) Bruce Wells (OK) and Rookie Odrie Aponte (TX) draw on Bd 14.	TX leads 10-8
1:24 PM	(C14) Paul Hodgden (OK Bd 3) scores one point.	TX leads 10-9
1:25 PM	(B40) Chris Johnson (TX Bd 8) scores one point.	TX leads 11-9
1:26 PM	(D00) Adam Hart (TX Bd 23) scores one point.	TX leads 12-9
1:31 PM	(D02) Rookie Roy Cram (OK Bd 16) scores his first ever RRSO win.	TX leads 12-10
1:33 PM	(D02) Rookie Scott Baker (OK Bd 12) scores his first ever RRSO win.	TX leads 12-11
1:34 PM	(C26) Rookie Jim Kirk (TX Bd 1) scores his first ever RRSO win.	TX leads 13-11
1:55 PM	(C22) Jim Berry (OK) and Mike Donovan (TX) draw on Bd 6.	TX leads 13.5-11.5
2:23 PM	(E05) Wayne Hatcher (OK) and Rookie Francisco Tort draw on Bd 5.	TX leads 14-12
♘ ♘ ♘	Halftime Oklahoma 12 at Texas 14	♘ ♘ ♘
2:10 PM	For Round Two, the visiting team, Oklahoma, has Black. The home team, Texas, has White.	TX leads 14-12
2:47 PM	(C01) Carmen Chairez (TX) sweeps Bd 10 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 15-12
2:50 PM	(A50) Chris Johnson (TX) sweeps Bd 8 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 16-12
3:21 PM	(A01) Rookie Gabriel Teubner (OK) sweeps Bd 22 for an ACE (20).	TX leads 16-13
3:26 PM	(B18) Rookie Sam Rose (TX) sweeps Bd 7 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 17-13
3:27 PM	(C02) Bob Curtis (TX Bd 16) scores one point and ties his match (1-1).	TX leads 18-13
3:34 PM	(A43) Rookie Taj Mohammed (TX) sweeps Bd 11 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 19-13
3:40 PM	(B09) Rookie Katrina Muller (TX Bd 24) scores her first ever RRSO win and ties her match (1-1).	TX leads 20-13
3:43 PM	(B01) Tom Crane (TX Bd 18) scores one point and ties his match (1-1).	TX leads 21-13
3:47 PM	(D35) Doug Schwetke (TX Bd 20) scores one point and ties his match (1-1).	TX leads 22-13
3:58 PM	(B17) Rookie Scott Baker (OK) sweeps Bd 12 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 22-14
4:07 PM	(D02) Rebecca Rutledge (OK) sweeps Bd 26 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 22-15
4:08 PM	(A17) Tommy Hay (OK Bd 21) scores one point to win his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 22-16
4:12 PM	(A40) Rafael Llanos (TX) sweeps Bd 2 for an “upset” ACE (2-0).	TX leads 23-16
♘ ♘ ♘	Note: The most critical phase for RRSO XVI has arrived. If Oklahoma can hold on, and make the final score a 26-26 tie, Oklahoma will retain the crown and achieve its first-ever FOUR-PEAT.	♘ ♘ ♘
4:16 PM	(B12) Rookie Jeremy Brown (OK Bd 17) scores his first ever RRSO point and wins his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 23-17
4:21 PM	(B38) Rookie Odrie Aponte (TX Bd 14) scores his first ever RRSO point and wins his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 24-17
4:22 PM	(C45) Rookie Rex Rychlik (OK Bd 25) scores his first ever RRSO point and ties his match (1-1).	TX leads 24-18
4:30 PM	(C41) Rookie Jim Kirk (TX) sweeps Bd 1 for an “upset” ACE (2-0).	TX leads 25-18
4:36 PM	(C02) Danny Dunn (TX) and Rubin Wells (OK) draw on Bd 13. Danny Dunn wins their match 1.5 to 0.5.	TX leads 25.5 to 18.5
4:52 PM	(A48) Curtis Williams (OK Bd 9) scores one point to win his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 25.5 to 19.5
5:01 PM	(A65) Kenny Salan (TX) sweeps Bd 19 for an ACE (2-0) and clinches RRSO XVI for Texas.	TX leads 26.5 to 19.5
5:12 PM	(A21) Shaun Graham-Bowcaster (OK Bd 4) scores one point to win his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 26.5 to 20.5
5:15 PM	(B15) Paul Hodgden (OK) and Phil Fiorini (TX) draw on Bd 3. Paul wins their match (1.5-0.5)	TX leads 27 to 21
5:17 PM	(A81) Adam Hart (TX) sweeps Bd 23 for an ACE (2-0).	TX leads 28 to 21
5:22 PM	(C42) Russ Heise (TX) and Shane Stonehocker (OK) split their Bd 15 match with a second draw (1.0 to 1.0).	TX leads 28.5 to 21.5
5:34 PM	(C88) Mike Donovan (TX Bd 6) scores one point to win his match (1.5-0.5).	TX leads 29.5 to 21.5
5:39 PM	(D48) Francisco Tort and Wayne Hatcher split their match with a draw (1.0 to 1.0).	TX wins 30 to 22
♘ ♘ ♘	Final RRSO XVI Score: Oklahoma 22 at Texas 30	♘ ♘ ♘

5:40 PM	Victory Dinner (BBQ) is served. The hit song "RRSO 3" plays in the background. People start telling jokes like: "How many Okies does it take to screw in a lightbulb?" and "Why did the Texan cross the road?"
6:00 PM	5-0 Speed Chess Tournament begins. Not rated. $1 entrance fee. Winner-take-all. Color Allocation: Odd v. Odd, low number has Black; Even v. Even, low number has Black; Odd v. Even, low number has White. This event is supposed to be noisy. Bantering and laughter are allowed and encouraged, but not kibitzing.

#	Player	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total
1	Chris Wood	X	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	3
2	Tom Crane	0	X	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2
3	Cory Klauss	1	1	X	0	½	0	1	1	1	1	6½
4	Taj Mohammed	0	1	1	X	1	0	1	1	1	1	7
5	Odrie Aponte	1	1	½	0	X	0	1	0	1	1	5½
6	Sam Rose	1	1	1	1	1	X	1	1	1	1	9
7	Brandon Llewellyn	1	0	0	0	0	0	X	½	1	0	2½
8	Bob Curtis	0	1	0	0	1	0	½	X	1	0	3½
9	Louis Reed	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	½	1½
10	Adam Hart	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	½	X	4½

7:40 PM	RRSO Rookie Sam Rose caps off his great day with a 9-0 sweep of the speed chess tournament. His prize winnings are shown in the photo. By acclamation, "Submarine" Bob Curtis achieved "Top Banterer" honors. His prize is free entry to RRSO XVII.
7:45 PM	Photo Ops and celebrations begin. In the photo (on the left) Tom Crane, RRSO Policy Board Co-Chair, holds the original "Famous Traveling Trophy" donated years ago by Omar Montemayor and the Wichita Falls Chess Club. Chief TD Jim Hollingsworth is in the middle. Texas Chess Team Captain Chris Wood (on the right) holds the new "Frank Kim Berry RRSO Trophy."
7:50 PM	Alliance Chess Club's RRSO Rookies. Brandon Llewellyn (left) is a high school physics teacher and chess club sponsor. Odrie Aponte (center) is one of his students. Louis Reed (right) is President of the Alliance Chess Club.
8:00 PM	Cleanup begins. There is a lot of good food left over.
8:25 PM	The Chief TD is the last to leave. He makes one last sweep to ensure no signs remain on the walls and everything is in order. Then he pushes a large luggage cart filled with food pans, boxes containing TD supplies, and a laptop computer towards the door. He pauses and turns for one last look at all the tables still set up in the tournament hall. "Next year is our 17th RRSO." He thinks with a smile. "That one will be our best ever!"
8:30 PM	Lights out.