In this photo, from left to right, are veterans Troy Gillispie, Matt Wood, and Jim Hollingsworth. Mr. Gillispie is a veteran of the Vietnam War Era. He is also the Director of Outreach for TCA Affiliate Arlington Chess Club. Mr. Wood is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). He is also the Pastor of Belmore Baptist Church, the tournament's host. Mr. Hollingsworth was reactivated from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). He is a former TCA Vice President and is President of TCA Affiliate Texas Armed Forces Chess. Both Hollingsworth and Gillispie are Life Members of TCA and US Chess.

Nineteen players participated in the 2013 San Angelo Veterans Day Swiss conducted in Belmore Baptist Church in San Angelo. Julio Villegas, Sr., a provisional Over-The-Board (OTB) player known for crushing opponents on Chess.com, swept the field with a perfect 4.0/4 score. Senior Tournament Director and Texas Chess Association (TCA) Region IX Director Brenda Hardesty was the Chief TD. Club Tournament Director Danny Hardesty assisted her. San Angelo Area Chess, an official TCA Affiliate, sponsored this US Chess-rated event.

In the above photo, from left to right, are veterans Troy Gillispie, Matt Wood, and Jim Hollingsworth. Mr. Gillispie is a veteran of the Vietnam War Era. He is also the Director of Outreach for TCA Affiliate Arlington Chess Club. Mr. Wood is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). He is also the Pastor of Belmore Baptist Church, the tournament’s host. Mr. Hollingsworth was reactivated from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). He is a former TCA Vice President and is President of TCA Affiliate Texas Armed Forces Chess. Both Hollingsworth and Gillispie are Life Members of TCA and US Chess.

Future Warrior

Jacob Wood (left), with Jim Hollingsworth (right), was awarded a commemorative chess board and set from TCA Affiliate Texas Armed Forces Chess (photo by Troy Gillispie).

Many Junior Chess Players participated in the 2013 San Angelo Veterans Day Swiss. During the lunch hour, they participated in a one-question trivia contest. It was a tricky question, and only one person got it right, “How many trucks are on an Army Post?” Jacob Wood, with Jim Hollingsworth above, was awarded a commemorative chess board and set from TCA Affiliate Texas Armed Forces Chess (photo by Troy Gillispie).

Jacob is the son of Melanie Wood and Pastor Matt Wood. He is a homeschooled junior. His hobbies include chess, fishing, reading, and video games. He is currently working to earn the Trail Life USA Freedom Award. The requirements are rigorous and significant, like the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Scout Award and the Girl Scouts of America’s Gold Award.