Toughest Chess Player in Texhoma to be Crowned
By Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter

Lawton, OK - December 28, 2010. The toughest and most serious chess players in Oklahoma and Texas are packing and will soon be on the road. Their destination, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and the site of the first annual Chessmus Texhoma Championship, an ultimate chess playing experience the likes of which has never been seen before in Oklahoma and Texas. Even the North American Open, an annual endurance contest held in Stillwater, is likely to be eclipsed by the eleven or more rounds being scheduled for December 29th at Fort Sill's RecPlex Recreation Center on Sheridan Road. Registration is from 11 to 11:30 with Round One starting at 11:50.

"We don't care how many players Texas sends." says Frank Berry, the best Oklahoma Chess Team Captain in history. "Our players are tough. So tough, in fact, I'm sure one of our players will walk away with the prize."

Except for the time control (Game in ten minutes with two second increments after each move) many of the details, including pairings and entrance fee, will be determined only after all players are registered. "This is a zero profit and revenue neutral tournament." says Mike Tubbs, Club Secretary for SERIOUS CHESS PLAYERS, one of the US Chess Federation's newest affiliates. "All costs, to include rating fees will be divided equally among the players. By the way, Mr. Chess Reporter, please remind everyone a valid picture ID is required to get on post. Also, US Chess Federation and Oklahoma Chess Forum memberships are required."

When asked about allowing special one day memberships, as often happens in clubs with less serious players, Chief Organizer "Yogi" replied, "We can accommodate those wanting to join the Oklahoma Chess Forum for one day, if they can survive the initiation. However, this is a sanctioned tournament for serious chess players only. Real chess players don't play for just one day if they really want people to take them seriously."

Advance Registration is available and greatly appreciated by emailing the Chief Tournament Director, Jim Hollingsworth at texaschessteam@yahoo.com.

This is a tournament for SERIOUS chess players who are going to have a lot of fun!

Texas Chess Posse Heading for Stillwater

Stillwater, OK – July 21, 2010 (CRN) - The Texas Precision Chess Squad (TPCS), an elite posse consisting of the most serious chess players on the World and Red River Champion Texas Chess Team, travels to Stillwater this weekend to play in the 65th Oklahoma Open, a FIDE championship event named in honor of former USCF President Jerry Spann (deceased). “We don’t have much of a budget since the annual entrance fee for the Red River Shootout is only five bucks.” said Tom Crane, Texas Chess Team Chief Executive Officer. “So, we’re only sending our most serious players.”

The annual Jerry Spann Memorial, sponsored by Oklahoma’s premier chess organization, the Oklahoma Chess Foundation (OCF), is a five round championship over two days. International time controls, to meet FIDE rating requirements, are required so players can earn international rankings. “Although everyone knows Texas is the chess capital of North America,” boasts Rob Jones, Texas Chess Team Captain, “no place does international chess better than Stillwater. We’re very pleased our players have an opportunity to face Oklahoma’s most serious and internationally ranked chess players.”

Frank Berry, International Arbiter and Oklahoma Chess Team Captain, is Chief Director. “It’s always exciting when we play the ‘Texicans’, especially when they’ve been so lucky the last couple of years.” Mr. Berry, of course, was referring to the Real Red River Shootout, the annual team match between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads the series 6-2 despite playing on the road seven times.

TPCS members will be available for autographs and media interviews between rounds. By special arrangement, the Famous Traveling Trophy, the Real Red River Shootout’s official icon, will be on display. OCF organizers have hired the Pinkerton Detective agency to provide security for trophy as well as visiting Texas dignitaries.

Stillwater FIDE North American Open Kicks Off Today

The 29th North American FIDE Open, an internationally sanctioned event, kicks off today in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Frank Berry, International Arbiter, is Chief Director. He and his volunteer staff are also displaying the most impressive collection of chess memorabilia and posters ever to be seen in history. Among the exhibits is the Famous Traveling Trophy, the official icon for the Real Red River Shootout, the annual match between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads the series 6-2 despite playing on the road seven times. Members of the World and Red River Champion Texas Chess Team are present and available to sign autographs between rounds.

Texas Cruises Over Oklahoma 38-22

Texas Retains World and Red River Titles
by Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter

Davis, Oklahoma (CRN) - This past Sunday, 61 of the most fanatical chess players and tournament directors in Oklahoma and Texas battled in the largest team match in Southwestern U.S. chess history. By the time the smoke on the 30 boards cleared, Texas had rolled to a decisive 38-22 victory, its sixth dual championship in eight years, despite playing on the road every year except the second. Texas, boosted by seven chess experts under the age of sixteen from the Dallas Chess Club, started out slowly allowing Oklahoma to even the score. But after the score was knotted at 2-2, Texas methodically began to pull away. By halftime Texas had built an insurmountable 19-11 lead.

The decisive point came midway in the second half when Rafael Llanos thwarted a normally devastating attack by Carl Latino, a Stillwater engineering professor. With the outcome set at 31-17 Texas continued to roll. The final 16 point margin is the largest in series history and marks the second year in a row Texas has won by double digits.

Seven Dallas Chess Club juniors, all chess experts and some with world youth titles, held their own against a slate of Oklahoma's toughest players. Although their group as a whole came up short 6-1/2 to 7-1/2, it was clear they felt little intimidation from their older and more experienced opponents. US Chess Federation President Jim Berry, a longtime member of the Oklahoma Chess Team, remarked, "Chess starts exactly where these kids are today. They represent the brightest future of American chess."

Afterward, Texan Wayne Xiong made an interesting observation about how the economy and Texas Chess Team are intertwined, "The fact that this year we are hitting an all-time high of 60 players might suggest that a nice rebound of the economy is just ahead of us. For those folks who have lost a big chunk of their lifetime savings in the last couple of years, and are desperately looking for some lead indicators of the financial market to make some important trading decisions, it would be a good idea for them to come to the Red River Shootout to get some inspiration. If some of the brainy chess people in the room develop a new theory called Red River Shootout effect: in a year that Texas wins the Red River Shootout, the stock market will go up or down when Oklahoma wins, it might be more accurate than the out-of-date Super-bowl effect."

International Arbiter Frank Berry, Oklahoma Chess Team Captain, directed the 60 player event. He was assisted by Rob Jones, Texas Chess Team Captain. The victory also makes Rob Jones the winningest team captain in match history with a 2-0 record. Because of the match's newly discovered ties to the economy, details of next April's Red River Shootout IX will most likely be be published in financial magazines as well as the Oklahoma Chess Quarterly, on line in the Oklahoma Chess Form, on the Texas Chess Association web site, and on the famous chess reporter's (Victor Yaward) blog site: http://texaschessreporter.blogspot.com.

REALRed River Shootout Today!

Davis, OK (CRN) - More than 60 of the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas are on the road and heading towards today's team match in Davis, Oklahoma. Texas leads the series 5-2 despite playing on the road six times.

IM leaves Texas Training Camp

Chess Team growing tired of Texas Heat Wave
by Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter

Waco, Texas (CRN) - Citing exhaustion from a grueling training camp schedule and a Texas heat wave, a leading member of the Texas Chess Team has pulled up stakes leaving behind a stunned coaching staff. The player's name has not been released, but Robert Jones, the team's chief diplomatic liaison for Third World Chess States (TWCS), confirmed the Chess Reporter's questions saying, "We lost a good one this time. This will make things much tougher as our weaker players will have to play up at least one board. Texans are tough but that may be too much to ask when facing a fired up Oklahoma team."

Tom Crane, chief match organizer along with Oklahoma's Frank Berry, disclosed the team is considering other training camp sites for 2011. "Waco's a nice site, but we don't want to limit ourselves by locking out other possibilities. The Dallas Cowboys use the Oxnard (California) facilities and we owe it to our players and fans to look seriously at all options." The Honorable Virginia DuPuy, Waco City Mayor, expressed surprise ("Texas has a chess team?") and vowed to do everything necessary to keep chess jobs in Waco. John DeVries, Training Camp Director and a Waco native, expressed relief when he learned about the mayor's support.

As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Both teams are hard at work in two training camps (Oklahoma is practicing at a huge Walter goat ranch). Texas leads the series 5-2 despite playing on the road six out of seven contests. Publicity and results for the match are in the Oklahoma Chess Quarterly, on line in the Oklahoma Chess Form, on the Texas Chess Association web site, and on the famous chess reporter's (Victor Yaward) blog site: http://texaschessreporter.blogspot.com.

Chess Boxing Match added to Red River Shootout VIII

Neighbors and Hollingsworth on tap for Board Six Thriller in Davis
By Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter

Davis, OK (CRN) – The annual match on April 18th between the Oklahoma and Texas Chess Teams promises more excitement than in previous years. On Board Six two old rivals, Teddy Neighbors of the Lawton Chess Club and Jim Hollingsworth from Texas will play chess as well as box to decide their match. “This is happening all over Europe,” says Tom Crane, Chief Texas Organizer for the match, “like London, Germany, and Siberia. It’s time Red River Chess moved to a new level.” Frank Berry, Oklahoma Chess Team Captain, agrees. “The Siberian Chess Boxing Organization (SCBO), Germany (GCBO), and London (LCBO) have all petitioned FIDE, the world chess championship organization, for admission and sanctioning of their events.” He adds, “Now that the Red River Chess Boxing Organization (RRCBO) is involved, CBO’s everywhere have a better chance of joining FIDE.”

Chess boxing involves both players alternating between battling on the chessboard and in the ring. Victory goes to the first competitor who achieves a checkmate or a knockout. Successful chess boxers typically have great hand speed, fancy footwork, and extraordinarily thick heads. Because of these and other qualities, Neighbors and Hollingsworth were obvious choices. “Texas is going down!” Neighbors cried at a recent Lawton Chess Club board meeting. Hollingsworth’s response was “Bring it on.” Both players qualify as heavyweights.

Adding chess boxing to RRSO VIII is the brainchild of Robert Jones, the 2009 Texas Chess Team Captain. Other ideas he has unsuccessfully advocated include giving extra match points to women players, rook odds and move to the lower rated team, and playing every other match in Texas. Registration for the two-round event is at the Treasure Valley Casino, I-35 Exit 55 & Hwy 7, in Davis, Oklahoma on Sunday, April 18th, between 9:30 and 10:45. The first round begins at 11 am sharp. Except for the Board-Six boxers, there is no early registration or weigh in. For questions, Oklahoma players should contact Frank Berry at fkimberry@AOL.com. Texas players can contact Tom Crane at tcrane5000@yahoo.com or by phone 817-296-4287 or Robert Jones at 214-212-9185 or email jonessoc@juno.com.

As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads 5-2 despite playing on the road six out of seven contests. Publicity and results for the match are in the Oklahoma Chess Quarterly, on line in the Oklahoma Chess Form, on the Texas Chess Association web site, and on the famous chess reporter's (Victor Yaward) blog site: http://texaschessreporter.blogspot.com.

Latest on the REAL Red River Shootout

Stay tuned for breaking news about the REAL Red River Shootout, the annual match between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads the series 5-2 despite playing on the road six times.

En Passant

Robert Smeltzer

The Chess World mourns the passing of Robert Smeltzer, one of its most active players. The US Chess Federation's records show this gentle man played in 2,995 rated events since January 1, 1991, including some Red River Shootouts. Plans had been made to ensure he traveled and played in RRSO VIII next month. He will be missed on both sides of the river and our deepest sympathy to his family.

Two Frogs Grill Braces for Texas Chess Team

By Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter (now on Facebook).

Ardmore, OK (CRN) - Two Frogs Grill is pulling out all stops in its preparations for a visit by the top ranked Texas Chess Team on April 18th. The team, consisting of the most fanatical chess players in Texas, will make a pit stop after returning from competition with the Oklahoma Chess Team earlier that Sunday in Davis. "We had a busy season a few years ago," says Andy the Two Frogs Manager, "when both the Texas Chess Team and the Texas State Democratic Legislature Representatives visited Ardmore. Both were a bit rowdy, especially the chess players, but we think we'll be ready this time."

As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of annual matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads 5-2 despite playing on the road six out of seven contests.

Chess fans everywhere can follow the progress of the Texas Chess Team and other chess celebrities several prominent chess web sites including: The Oklahoma Chess Forum, Oklahoma Chess Foundation, and on the famous chess reporter's (Victor Yaward) blog site: http://texaschessreporter.blogspot.com:

April 18, Eighth Annual Red River Shoot Out (Sunday)
State Team match open only to OK and TX residents as defined as where USCF has your address. Two rounds G/60+30sec. Must have current USCF membership and rating. Treasure Valley Casino, I-35 Exit 55 & Hwy 7, Davis, OK 73030. EF: $5, Masters Free, all registration on site. Reg: 9:30 to 10:45. Rds. 11 and 2. For questions OK players contact Frank Berry at fkimberry@AOL.com; TX players contact Tom Crane at tcrane5000@yahoo.com or by phone 817-296-4287 or Rob Jones at 214-212-9185, jonessoc@juno.com

TARRANT COUNTY CHESS CLUB WINS CHESS SCRIMMAGE

North Richland Hills, Texas (TCR) - The Tarrant County Chess Club easily vanquished all challengers on Saturday in a scrimmage set up for for clubs in the Texas Chess Team's farm club system. Surprisingly, Denton, normally a powerhouse chess club, tied for second with Irving and Lewisville. "I am pleased to see the Tarrant County Chess Club play so well." said Jim Hollingsworth, one of the founders of the Red River Shootout. "But, this is an indicator of the work we must do to bring the other clubs up to a competitive level. All of us have to play better to beat Oklahoma in April."

As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of annual matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads 5-2 despite playing on the road six out of the past seven contests. The next match is scheduled for April 18th at Treasure Valley Casino in Davis, Oklahoma.

Chess fans everywhere can follow the progress of the Texas Chess Team and other chess celebrities on the famous chess reporter's (Victor Yaward) blog site: http://texaschessreporter.blogspot.com.

Welcome to the Chess Reporter

Hello and welcome, Chess Fans.

This site is dedicated to news about Texas Chess, particularly the World Champion and top ranked Texas Chess Team which will defend its title against Oklahoma in April during RRSO VIII.

As all serious chess players know, the REAL Red River Shootout is a series of annual matches between the most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas leads 5-2 despite playing on the road six out of seven contests. Match details are available on the Oklahoma Chess Forum's web site:

April 18, Eighth Annual Red River Shoot Out (Sunday)
State Team match open only to OK and TX residents as defined as where USCF has your address. Two rounds G/60+30sec. Must have current USCF membership and rating. Treasure Valley Casino, I-35 Exit 55 & Hwy 7, Davis, OK 73030. EF: $5, Masters Free, all registration on site. Reg: 9:30 to 10:45. Rds. 11 and 2. For questions OK players contact Frank Berry at fkimberry@AOL.com; TX players contact Tom Crane at tcrane5000@yahoo.com or by phone 817-296-4287 or Rob Jones at 214-212-9185, jonessoc@juno.com

Keep checking this blog for both breaking and interesting news about the Texas Chess Team and the REAL Red River Shootout.