Tarrant Cruises by Waco 12.5 to 7.5By Victor Yaward |
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BRAZOS III Champions Tarrant Chess Team. Front Row (kneeling left to right): Chief Organizer and TD Jim Hollingsworth; Chief Assistant TD Louis Reed. Second Row (left to right): Team Captain Jeff French (Board 6); Sheryl McBroom (Board 10); Chris Johnson (Board 1); Troy Gillispie (Board 8); Nicole Niemi (Board 2); "Submarine Bob" Curtis (Board 4); Doug Stephens (Board 7). Third Row (left to right): Odrie Aponte (Reserve); Russ Heise (Board 3); Christopher Joseph Wood (Board 5); Rick Gran (Board 9). Photo by Carmen Chairez. |
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Hillsboro, Texas (27 October 2018). The Tarrant Chess Team, led by rookie Team Captain Jeff French, defeated the Waco Chess Team 12-1/2 to 7-1/2 in BRAZOS III, the annual team match between the most serious chess players in North Central Texas. This was the third straight victory for Tarrant. Chief Organizer and TD Jim Hollingsworth commented "I looked at every game. The final score does not reflect the high quality of play by both teams. The players knew who they were going to play two weeks out and it was obvious they came prepared. Overall I think most players demonstrated skill levels at least 400 points above their rating." Heywood "Woody" Allen is an American director, writer, actor, and comedian and is credited for saying "80 percent of success is showing up!" This is expecially true in BRAZOS. All players are vetted and promise to show up or notify their team captain before the team rosters are finalized and published. Because "Life" happens both teams recruit Reserve players, just in case. Unfortunately for Waco, two players withdrew after the rosters were final. Their one reserve player, Randy Dixon scored an "ace" (2-0 sweep) to keep Waco in the match. However they still forfeited one game before any pawns moved and, despite galiant efforts, could never dig themselves out of a hole. Tarrant led 7 to 3 at halftime. In the second round Waco, playing with the White pieces, split all boards with Tarrant, 4-1/2 to 4-1/2. But a second forfeit combined with Tarrant's early lead was just too much. There were individual stars shining on both teams. Waco's Jason Lund scored 1/2 point enabling him to move to the top of the All-Time BRAZOS Scorers List. On Tarrant's Board One, Chris Johnson, "aced" his opponent. Two of his teammates, Troy Gillespie and Sheryl McBroom, also "aced" their boards. Randy Dixon scored an "ace" for Waco. The BRAZOS team matches are run like RRSO, the annual team match between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Both tournament directors and nine BRAZOS III players are members of the Texas Chess Team. They are: Jim Hollingsworth, Louis Reed, Carmen Chairez, John De Vries, Jim Anderau, Chris Johnson, Nicole Niemi, Russ Heise, Bob Curtis, Jeff French, and Chris Wood (Texas Chess Team Captain). During downtimes Chris Wood was recruiting new Texas Chess Team players. "Man." he said, "If we could get Randy, Jason, Troy, Gary Lee, and a few others on our team there's no way the Okies can win!"
The Honorable Edith Omberg, Mayor of the City of Hillsboro, officiated the opening ceremonies and the annual BRAZOS Halloween costume contest at Hill College. She was accompanied by Laura Harborth, Board Chair of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and her daughter, Hadley Harborth. Together they inspired both teams to greatness. The players received several gifts as mementos." At the Victory Dinner Mayor Omberg presented the BRAZOS trophy to Jeff French, Tarrant Chess Team Captain. She also announced her pending retirement. "I have enjoyed four good terms as the City's first woman mayor. After our May election it will be someone else's turn. I have lived in Hillsboro all my life and I am very happy I could give something back to the community. I also really appreciate having you chess players in our city each year. It means so much." Jim Hollingsworth expressed the feelings of all present when he said, "Mayor, you will always be our Mayor!" |
Tot | Waco (Visitors) | Tarrant (Home) | Tot | ||||
7.5 | Rtng | Player | Board | Player | Rtng | 12.5 | |
0.0 | 1758 | Carmen Chairez | 01 | Chris Johnson | 1821 | 2.0 | |
1.0 | 1702 | Gary Lee Webb | 02 | Nicole Niemi | 1778 | 1.0 | |
0.5 | 1571 | Jason Lund | 03 | Russ Heise | 1683 | 1.5 | |
1.0 | 1420 | Forrest Marler | 04 | Bob Curtis | 1553 | 1.0 | |
1.0 | 1226 | Robert Morgan | 05 | Chris Wood | 1248 | 1.0 | |
1.0 | 1226 | John De Vries | 06 | Jeff French | 1202 | 1.0 | |
1.0 | 1187 | Jim Anderau | 07 | Doug Stephens | 1194 | 1.0 | |
0.0 | 1133 | Craig Smith | 08 | Troy Gillispie | 1037 | 2.0 | |
2.0 | 1301 | Randy Dixon | 09 | Rick Gran | 0640 | 0.0 | |
F F | 0978 | Dane Fowlkes | 10 | Sheryl McBroom | 0185 | X X | |
Reserve Section = Odrie Aponte 2.0, Sheryl McBroom 0.0 | |||||||
Jim Hollingsworth, Chief Organizer and TD | |||||||
Louis Reed, Chief Assistant TD | |||||||
Sheryl McBroom, Chief Photographer | |||||||
Unless otherwise stated all photos by Sheryl McBroom |
Second Place Waco Chess Team. Second Row (left to right): Randy Dixon (Board 9); Jason Lund (Board 3); BRAZOS Booster Club President Tammy Anderau; Texas Chess Association Vice President Forrest Marler (Board 4). Third Row (left to right): Robert Morgan (Board 5); Craig Smith (Board 8); Jim Anderau (Board 7); Gary Lee Webb (Board 2); Red-Hot-Dot-Com-Liaison Harri Eloranta. Photo by Sheryl McBroom.
Chris Johnson "aced" his opponent |
Troy Gillispie "aced" his opponent |
Randy Dixon "aced" his opponent, 2-0, on |
Jim and Amy Anderau, both from Waco, |
Jeff French, Team Captain |
John De Vries, Team Captain |
Louis Reed |
"Submarine Bob" Curtis |
Gary Lee Webb drew both his games |
Killing time before Round One. |
Three Captains |
BRAZOS Halloween Contest. |
Jason Lund and Forrest Marler |
Round One action. |
Patiently waiting for food at the Victory Dinner. |
Tarrant's Russ Heise won his match on Board 3 |
Jim Berry - Interview - 2007 SPICE Cup |
Starring Oklahoma Chess Players! |
Jim Berry - Interview - 2007 SPICE Cup |
Starring Oklahoma Chess Players! |