Hillsboro, Texas (7 October 2017). In BRAZOS II, the Tarrant Chess Team, captained by Adam Hart, fell behind early and quickly trailed 4-0. Chief Tournament Director Jim Hollingsworth, pulling double duty as a Tarrant player, halted the slide by forcing a draw with Waco chess icon Carmen Chairez. The Tarrant players found their momentum and surged to an 8-5 halftime lead. In the second half, Tarrant never trailed and continued building its lead for a 14.5 to 11.5 final score. |
 The Honorable Edith Turner Omberg, Mayor of the City of Hillsboro, Texas, officiated the opening ceremonies at Hill College. She was accompanied by Chelsea Adamson and Xavier Cook, Chamber of Commerce Representatives, and together they inspired both teams to greatness. The players received several gifts as mementoes including a commemorative edition of "The Reporter." At the Victory Dinner she presented the new BRAZOS trophy to Adam Hart, Tarrant Chess Team Captain (the photo shows Chief Tournament Director Jim Hollingsworth on the left, Mayor Omberg in the center, and Adam Hart on the right).
"We are thrilled by the return of the most serious chess players in North Central Texas, to our beautiful city." said Omberg. "This is icing on the cake for the great things happening here. During the past year, the IKO roofing shingles factory opened with 60 or more new jobs. At least ten busineses are expanding or opening new facilities. Things are really booming in the City of Hillsboro."
Team Captain Adam Hart and two teammates, Chris Johnson and Chris Wood, "aced" their match opponents with perfect 2-0 scores. Waco's two "aces" were Team Captain John De Vries and Jason Lund. John De Vries was also co-organizer along with Chief TD Jim Hollingsworth. Several BRAZOS II players (Tom Crane, Bob Curtis, John De Vries, Bram Foster, Zachary Graber, Adam Hart, Russ Heise, Jim Hollingsworth, and Chris Johnson) are members of the Texas Chess Team.
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