(Location 18 different living rooms on April 18, 2020) Playing with the Black pieces, Texas drew first blood on Board 2 to briefly lead 1-0. The Okies knotted things up at 1-1 and managed a 5-1/2 to 3-1/2 halftime lead.
In the second half the Okies increased their lead to 8-1/2 to 5-1/2 and looked poised for a rout. However Texas used its “white pieces” advantage to storm back at 8-1/2 to 7-1/2 and the popcorn bags were refilled.
Jimmy Nazario, a Lawton Okie, scored the decisive point for a 9-1/2 to 7-1/2 margin. The final score was 10-1/2 to 7-1/2 in favor of the RRSO Northern Conference Champions.
Two Texans achieved “ACE” honors with 2-0 sweeps of their opponents: TCA Facebook Guy Jim Hollingsworth and fast-rising Arlington chess star Carter Hall.
Four Okies achieved “ACE” status: Roy Cram of Tishmingo, Jimmy Nazario of Lawton, Tommy Hay of the Challengers Chess Club in Oklahoma City, and Team Captain Elizabeth Braddy of Oklahoma City.
The genesis of RRSO XVIIISS began on March 17th when a saddened RRSO Chief Organizer wrote:
“…., by whatever authority (and responsibility) I possess, implied or otherwise, as RRSO co-Founder and Chief Organizer, I hereby declare RRSO XVIII a 0-0 tie with Oklahoma retaining the title, Frank Kim Berry Trophy, and bragging rights for another year.”
Players on both sides were determined not to allow Grand Master Coronovrus Covid-19 to win, especially after he was declared the Oklahoma Chess Monthly’s “Player of the Month.”
The idea of a “Revenge” match was born. Recruiting started on April 3rd. “S” (Roman numeral meaning one-half) was accomplished on Saturday, April 18th, the same day as the original RRSO XVIII.
The team match was hosted by Internet Chess Club (ICC). Texas Armed Forces Chess, a subordinate element of Bedford’s American Legion Post 379, covered all rating costs. The time control was Game/15;+5 and the online event was dual-rated as ICC standard and US Chess Quick.
The REAL final score is:
Most fanatical chess players in Oklahoma and Texas 18.
GM Coronovirus Covid-19 ….. ZERO.