WFM Devina Devagharan won the 2018 Texas Women’s Chess Championship with 3.5 points in four games. The 2nd Place Award, on tiebreaks, was presented to Yue Chu (3 out of 4 points).
The new 2018 Texas Women’s Novice Chess Champion is Ambriette Reed with 3 points.
The 2018 Texas Women’s Unrated Chess Champion is Barb Swafford (1.5 points). At Saturday night’s Women’s Banquet, Barb Swafford also received the Texas Chess Association Heart of Texas Award for years of selfless service.
Other special awards were presented to several of the players. Best Photo Award (for posing with a nice chess board and pieces while wearing chess board dress and one black shoe and one white shoe) was presented to Wendy Reed. Tammie Jo Shults Award (for biggest upset) was presented to Clarese Roberts. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War Award (for most brilliant game) was presented to Woman Candidate Master Camille Kao. Saint Joan of Arc Award (for most hard-fought victory) was presented to Woman International Master and National Chess Master Dr. Alexey Root.
Rheanna English nominated her victorious opponent for the Molly Pitcher Award (for best comeback win) with these eloquent words: “This game exemplifies what it means to be a chess player. Facing an opponent desperate for a little pride, the pressure was on. Greatness is measured in part by your composure kept when someone is really digging into you. This player dug deep into her soul to go home with this award. Many rating points were saved in this heroic fight.”
The Game Judge remarked how this game featured tremendous pressure on the eventual winner who was on the ropes early and came back to win. Woman FIDE Master and National Chess Expert Devina Devagharan was presented this award.
The 2018 Texas Women’s Chess Championship was held June 23 and 24 in the North Richland Hills Library. A Women’s Banquet was held on Saturday evening. Several guest speakers welcomed the players and provided uplifting words of encouragement at the opening ceremony and banquet. They were: The Honorable Rita Oujesky, Council Member Place 2; the Honorable Tom Lombard, Council Member Place 3; Courtney Kincaid, Assistant Library Director; and Maritta Del Rio Sumner, Ph.D., President and CEO of Sumco, LP.
Several Texas Chess Association officials also gave speeches at the opening ceremony and/or banquet: Region 1 Director Claudia Munoz (Woman Candidate Master and National Chess Expert), Region 2 Director Tom Crane and Texas Knights Editor Jeff French.
Local Director Jim Hollingsworth was Chief Organizer and TD. Club Director Jeff French was Chief Assistant TD. Senior Director Tom Crane was Chief Floor TD. Club Director Claudia Munoz (Woman Candidate Master and National Chess Expert) was Section TD. Dale Chaney was the Adjutant. Louis Reed volunteered wherever needed. Five local chess clubs gave tremendous support for this epic Championship event: Alliance Chess Club, Arlington Chess Club, Fort Worth Veterans Chess Club, Tarrant County Chess Club, and Serious Chess Players (American Legion Post 379 in Bedford). This Championship was fully funded by generous donors and sponsors through the Texas Chess Association.
