Six Texans Excel at Armed Forces Championship

Fricks and Hollingsworth Win Top Texas Titles

During the opening of the Veterans Dinner, Clarese Roberts sang the National Anthem beautifully. No one took a knee and all saluted as she honored our Nation’s flag and veterans with her lyrics. Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

— Jim Hollingsworth —

     (Hillsboro, Texas, 9/30/2018) During the last weekend of September, 18 chess-playing veterans representing four of the current five branches of service converged at Hill College Library for the 2018 Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans Open Chess Championships. Five of them are chess experts with extensive military chess experience. The group included Active Duty, retirees, honorably discharged veterans, officers, noncommissioned officers, lower ranking enlisted, women, and GI Bill students. They came from throughout Texas and five other states, including three from Oklahoma. Six Texans excelled in this Veterans championship. In addition, one player was honored with the “National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award” for exemplary and dedicated service

     Upon their arrival at Hill College, in Hillsboro, Texas, the veterans quickly realized this was not just any ordinary tournament. Many generous donors and sponsors covered their entrance fees. All participants received pocket chess sets from Bay Area Chess. Internet Chess Club (ICC) donated one-year memberships to all. Politicians, college officials and community leaders were on hand to greet the players at the opening ceremonies. A long-distance Skype call came in from Army Chess Veteran Mike Donovan wishing the best for everyone. Lunch was provided for all players and staff free of charge. The college’s “Texas Heritage Museum” (normally closed on Saturdays) was opened especially for all chess playing veterans. They attended a Veterans Dinner, listened to great speakers, and used “one-minute-intros” to share their stories. The capstone event was awarding the “National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award” to Navy Veteran and TCA President Tom Crane for his many years of exemplary service.

     Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, a grand total of $3,913.47 was raised to support this epic championship, including 21 one-year ICC memberships for players and staff. Everything raised was expended, for a net of zero, to ensure a very special experience for all involved. The staff was compensated for lodging and per diem (that's only fair). The organizer was not compensated except for being allowed to play and compete for the major prizes. For him, being able to bring all these chess-playing veterans together was compensation enough.

     A trifecta of titles and awards topped an extensive list of prizes: Texas Armed Forces Champion, Texas Military Veterans Champion and Texas Legacy Champion. These three are equally prestegious and each has distinctive criteria so players are eligile for one but not the other two. After these, a total of nine other major prizes were awarded. The Chief TD's job became complicated because of three standing rules: One per customer, all awards will be given out and the Chief Organizer loses every tiebreak.

     There were other awards. Most were based on special achievement, such as most brilliant game. There were humourous awards, such as for being the lousiest poker player. There was the "National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award" for Tom Crane's many years of exemplary service. And there were surprize awards; some even the Chief Organizer didn't know were coming.

     Keep reading.

Charles Fricks, from Longview, was top scorer for all Texans with 2.5/4 points. He achieved a .500 score against three experts including an impressive Round One victory over Oklahoma Armed Forces Champion Neal Naputo.

Sheryl McBroom took the photo on the right showing Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (red jacket) presenting the award and title of Texas Military Veterans Champion to Charles Fricks.

Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth, from North Richland Hills, was crowned Texas Armed Forces Chess Champion. "I was lucky." Said Hollingsworth. "Last year’s Champion, Rudy Tia, moved to California. The other top contender is Mike Donovan, from Austin. Mike and I have been friends and rivals since we served in Korea 30 years ago. But he is in Europe working on a nuclear reactor. We were expecting the 2009 Army Champion to play, but he didn’t show. The old saying ‘half of success is showing up’ certainly applies for 2018. In any case, I am honored to have this title. I honestly considered myself a longshot."

Adjutant and Air Force Retiree Dale Chaney (left in the photo) presents the Texas Armed Forces Champion title and award to Jim Hollingsworth (right). Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Air Force Veteran and Chess Expert Ron Farrar topped the field with a 3.5/4 score. From Colorado, Ron was crowned Texas Legacy Champion by Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right).

In 1990 Ron finished 2nd at the United States Air Forces Europe Championship (USAFE). He won Installation Championships at Sembach Air Base and Keesler Air Force Base. He is also a US Chess Life Member.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Army Retiree and Chess Expert David Hater (left in the photo) was crowned Retiree Champion by Jim Hollingsworth (right), Chief Organizer. David scored 3.0/4. David and Jim first met at the 1989 Armed Forces Championship. They have been friends and rivals ever since.

If one were asked to describe a "real" chess player, none fit that moniker better than David Hater: International Arbiter, National Tournament Director, US Armed Forces Team Member at 14 NATO Championships, Army Chess Team Member 7 times, US Armed Forces Open Chess Champion or Co-Champion three times, and a US Chess Life Member.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Army Veteran Tom Boyd, from California, scored 2.5/4 to win the Life Member Champion title (left in the photo). Tom is a US Chess Life Member. Tom received his title and award from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right).

Tom's reputation as a "chess hustler" in Basic Training, Vietnam and Germany is well deserved. He has played chess in ten states including Texas (California, Idaho, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington).

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Air Force/Army Retiree Jimmy Nazario (left in the photo) was crowned Air Force Champion by Jim Hollingsworth (right), Chief Organizer. Jimmy is from Oklahoma and a member of the Oklahoma Chess Team. Over 30 years of friendship and chess rivalry at Fort Sill bonds these two.

Jimmy claims his major extra duty position is Staff Officer (S2) for the Lawton Chess Club.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

In 2005 Active Duty Soldier and Chess Expert Neal Naputo won the 2d Infantry Division, 8th Army and US Army Championship titles. Now he can add the Texas Army Champion title to his growing curriculum vitae. Neil scored 3.0/4 points and was awarded his title by Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (wearing the red jacket in the photo). Neal is also a member of the Oklahoma Chess Team.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Marines Retiree and Chess Expert John Farrell (left in the photo) scored 3.0/4 points and was crowned Marines Champion by Jim Hollingsworth (right), Chief Organizer. John is a US Chess Life Member and a major organizer of the annual US Armed Forces Open Chess Championship (USAFOCC). In fact, he is a major advocate for bringing the USAFOCC to Texas.

John's chess curicullum vitae is extensive and includes: Texas Legacy Chess Champion (2017), Team Captain of the US Armed Forces Team at NATO Championship (2018), US Armed Forces Team Member at 6 NATO Championships, and Sea Services Team Member 3 times.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Navy Veteran Tom Crane won the title of Texas Armed Forces Navy Champion. This is his second title this year. In March he was crowned Fort Worth Veterans Champion in a Veterans chess championship held at the Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic. Tom has been extremely active in the Texas chess scene since at least 2001. He is one of the most sought after tournament directors in the state. At the Veterans Dinner he was also awarded the "National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award" for his many years of exemplary service. He is President of the Tarrant County Chess Club and most recently was elected President of the Texas Chess Association (TCA).

Chief Tournament Director Chris Wood (left) and Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) award the title of Texas Armed Forces Navy Champion to Tom Crane (center). Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Air Force/Marines Retiree Clarese Roberts (left in the photo) was crowned Texas Armed Forces Women’s Champion by Jim Hollingsworth (right), Chief Organizer. She volunteers regularly at the Fort Worth Out Patient Clinic and is one of the Fort Worth Veterans Chess Club’s most active members.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Air Force Veteran Sheryl McBroom, an active Fort Worth Veterans Chess Club member, was crowned Texas Armed Forces Student Champion. She is a photography major at the University of Texas at Arlington. During her downtime she honed her skills by taking over 1,000 professional looking photos. Some of her photos are used in this article and will be used in her portfolio.

Sheryl McBroom (left in the photo) is awarded the title of Texas Armed Forces Student Champion by Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right). Photo by Clarese Roberts.

Jedwayne Bowser (left), from Grand Prairie and playing in his first rated tournament, won the Texas Armed Forces Unrated Chess Champion title. Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presents the award and title.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Other Awards

Best Photo

Wendie Hernandez, Telecommunications Manager for Hill College, submitted this photo for inclusion in a continuously running Power Point slide show. The Chief Organizer, being an artist and skilled photographer, recognized the outstanding quality of this work and presented a "Best Photo" certificate to Ms. Hernandez during the Opening Ceremony.

Ms. Hernandez is a great supporter of Texas Military Chess and serves as the College's chess liaison.

Photo by an unknown Hill College staffer with extraordinary photography skills.

Audie Murphy Award
(Most Brilliant Victory)

Major Audie Murphy was a Texan, born in Hunt County on June 20, 1925. In WWII, he was one of the youngest Soldiers in the US Army. His exploits were many. Perhaps the most famous occurred when he mounted an abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun. For an hour he killed or wounded 50 German Soldiers; stopping only when he ran out of ammo. After the war he continued to serve in the Texas National Guard and Army Reserves. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Published under Fair Use Doctrine.

Audie Murphy Award
(Most Brilliant Victory)

Jedwayne Bowser won the Audie Murphy Award for playing the white-side of the Smith-Morra Gambit brilliantly against an expert (center in the photo). Games Judge Jeffrey Spyrison (left) and Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presented the award.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Texas Rangers Award
(Hardest Victory)

In 1844, Samuel Walker joined John Coffee Hays’ Ranger Company. They were outnumbered, 80 to 16, against the Comanches in the Battle of Walker’s Creek. Walker was seriously wounded but recovered and became a Ranger Captain in the War with Mexico. He made suggestions to improve the Colt revolver and the improved “Walker Colt” is named after him. He died at the Battle of Huamantla (1847).

Published under Fair Use Doctrine.

Texas Rangers Award
(Hardest Victory)

Charles Fricks won the Texas Rangers Award for playing a hard draw with the white-side of the Pirc [B08] against an expert (center in the photo). Games Judge Jeffrey Spyrison (left) and Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presented the award.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Battle of the Alamo Award
(Most Heroic Loss)

For 13 days in the late winter of 1836, Colonel William B. Travis, Alamo Commander, and 189 brave Texians and Tennessee volunteers withstood a siege by Mexican General Santa Anna and 4,000 Soldiers. The final assault began early on the morning of March 6th. Afterward, a Mexican Soldier wrote a letter to his family. His Commanding Officer, Colonel Mora, ordered a sharpshooter to climb a tall pecan tree and "get that colonel by the cannon" on the north wall. Colonel Travis suffered a bullet wound to the right side of his head and fell. Then he pulled himself up on the wheel of the cannon and ran his sword through Colonel Mora, "the two embracing and falling together."

Published under Fair Use Doctrine.

Battle of the Alamo Award
(Most Heroic Loss)

Clarese Roberts won the Battle of the Alamo Award for her incredible game against a strong expert in round one (center in the photo). Games Judge Jeffrey Spyrison (left) and Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presented the award.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Battle of San Jacinto Award
(Best Comeback Victory)

After the fall of the Alamo and Goliad, General Sam Houston, accompanied by fleeing civilians, retreated his 1,400-volunteer force to the Northeast to allow time for recruiting and training. His men were frustrated and impatient to attack the enemy. Up to 500 deserted because they felt their Commander was a coward. Meanwhile, General Sant Anna split his 6,000-man Army into three columns. One focused on pillaging and burning villages. The second focused on capturing the Republic of Texas Capital and Government. Santa Anna personally led the remaining column, with 700 Soldiers, in pursuit of the Texans. However, a Mexican courier was captured caring dispatches with Santa Anna’s plans. Santa Anna was camped near the current city of Houston and reinforcements swelled his ranks to over 1,500 Soldiers. With such a massive force, Santa Anna saw no need to post sentries. The Texans launched a devastating attack lasting only 18 minutes, however pursuit and exploitation went on for hours. General Houston was wounded in battle. The following day, Santa Anna was captured wear a private’s uniform. Losses: Mexican, 630 dead, 208 wounded, 730 captured; Texan, 9 dead, 30 wounded.

Published under Fair Use Doctrine.

Battle of San Jacinto Award
(Best Comeback Victory)

Carmen Chairez won the Battle of San Jacinto Award for playing an incredible Ruy Lopez Closed [C84] with the white pieces against a strong Navy veteran. Games Judge Jeffrey Spyrison (left) and Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presented the award.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Route 66 Award
(Traveling the Longest Distance)

Historic Route 66 stretches 2,000 miles, from Chicago to Los Angeles, with the midpoint in the Texas Panhandle, near Amarillo, Texas. Our award winner traveled nearly that same amount of miles.

Published under Fair Use Doctrine.

Route 66 Award
(Traveling the Longest Distance)

Tom Boyd traveled 1,792 miles to play in the 2019 Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans Open Chess Championships (left in the photo). Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right) presented his award at the Veterans Dinner.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award

Named after Air Force Retiree Bill Wall. Mr. Wall is a retired US Air Force Officer and Texas Armed Forces Champion (1993). His life impacts and inspires thousands. Two of his students became masters at age 10. He played in 5 Air Force Championships and 20 Air Force base championships. He played chess at 56 military bases. He organized and directed hundreds of rated and unrated tournaments around the world. Mr. Wall is the Author of 30 chess books, over a dozen e-books, and over 1,000 published articles. He's the past editor of numerous chess publications and officer in numerous chess organizations. In 1992, he finished 2nd in TCA President election.

Criteria for this award include: Honorable Military Service, a Texas chess connection, extensive years of selfless service, and an extraordinary impact upon the chess-playing community.

Honoree names are a closely guarded secret until the presentation ceremony. The 2017 Honoree was Army Veteran Carmen Chairez.

National Chess Master Bill Wall
Texas Legacy Award

At the Veterans Dinner associated with this championship event Tom Crane became the second person in history to be honored with the "National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy Award" for exemplary and dedicated service.

Tom Crane (center) receives the National Chess Master Bill Wall Texas Legacy award from Carmen Chairez (right). Jim Hollingsworth (left) looks on.

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

More than an Ordinary Tournament

     The 2018 Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans Open Chess Championships was designed to be an epic Championship event rarely experienced by a lucky few. There were hard fought games as well as time set aside for additional fun. On Saturday evening, after the Veterans Dinner, some retired to their rooms for study and rest. Others were real party animals and gathered in the Hotel Lobby for a few hands of Texas Hold-Em. Two full poker kits had been purchased to ensure both chips and cards were plentiful. The only questions that remained were who would have the biggest stack of chips at the end and who was actually the lousiest poker player?

Master Poker Player

Most people would have been grinning from ear-to-ear if named "Champion Poker Player." But Chief TD Chris "Poker Face" Wood (left) stayed in character while receiving his prize, an only-used-once poker kit, from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth.

Was he happy? Was he sad? Wanna' bet?

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Lousiest Poker Player

When the smoke cleared at Saturday evening's Texas Holdem-Em game, one player had the smallest stack. At the Awards Ceremony he good naturedly accepted a used-only-once poker kit as well as everyone's best wishes to use it for a lot of practice.

Photo withheld to avoid disparaging anyone (but he's a really good chess player).

We Interupt These Proceedings for a Special Announcement

     As the Awards Ceremony drew to a close three out-of-state players had already received plaques. They retreated into the crowd and began calculating how much time was needed to go to DFW Airport, return rental cars and catch flights. Twelve awards were on the agenda. They knew the rule was one-per-customer and they had each already received one. They weren't paying close attention and were noticeably startled by:

CalChess Armed Forces Champion

"We interrupt these proceedings for a special announcement. CalChess. the State Chess Association for Southern California, contacted us with a special request. It is our great honor to present the title of CalChess Armed Forces Chess Champion to Tom Boyd."

Tom Boyd (left) receives the CalChess Armed Forces Champion title and award from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right).

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Georgia Armed Forces Champion

"We interrupt these proceedings for a special announcement. The Georgia Chess Association contacted us with a special request. It is our great honor to present the title of Georgia Armed Forces Chess Champion to David Hater."

Chess Expert David Hater (left) receives the Georgia Armed Forces Champion title and award from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right).

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Oklahoma Armed Forces Champion

"We interrupt these proceedings for a special announcement. The Oklahoma Chess Association contacted us with a special request. It is our great honor to present the title of Oklahoma Armed Forces Chess Champion to Neal Naputo."

Chess Expert Neal Naputo (left) receives the Oklahoma Armed Forces Champion title and award from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth (right).

Photo by Sheryl McBroom.

Welcome to Hillsboro

     Hill College and the City of Hillsboro were chosen for several good reasons. The Hill College Library is an excellent facility for a tournament this size. Interstate 35 is less than two miles from the Library allowing ease of travel for all participants. Plenty of restaurants are available with delicious resonably priced meals. An a bundance of modern hotels offer lowcost lodging. The event was far enough away from the DFW Metro Area to encourage those players to stay in the contracted hotel, resulting in better room rates (the organizers guaranteed 10 rooms and 12 were filled). And chess-playing veterans from other major poulation centers would be encouraged to play (such as Austin and San Antonio).

     However, the HUGE "Red Carpet" treatment presented by the entire Hillsboro area community was a welcome benefit for all players (and we are extremely grateful).

State Senator Brian Birdwell

State Senator Brian Birdwell, from Granbury, greeted all and met with each veteran individually to pass out commemorative coins. "Welcome and I am so happy to be with fellow brothers-in-arms." Said Senator Birdwell. "We have 57,816 veterans in District 22 and it looks like some of the smartest ones, chess players, are here today!"

"I know many of you served in the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. I thank each of you for your service. I served too, and it still feels so surreal that I stepped out of a restroom and became one of the first casualties of that war." Senator Birdwell was a U.S. Army officer, working in the Pentagon on 9/11, when an airliner hijacked by terrorists crashed into the building. Senator Birdwell described how his buddies discovered him in the hallway and rescued him. He knew who they were. But, he was burned so badly they couldn’t tell who he was. He suffered burns over 60 percent of his body with nearly half being third degree. His recovery after 39 operations, months of hospitalization, and numerous skin grafts can only be described as a miracle. "I praise Christ and the love of my wife and family for my survival."

Photo by Sheri Hemrick.

Vicki Hidde, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce President

Vicki Hidde, President of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, greeted all the veterans with: "I apologize if I may seem a little emotional. I really am happy you all are gathered here. I am thinking about my father and how I wish he could be here. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and was a Prisoner of War. He never talked about his experiences and, as a young girl, I didn’t know all he had gone through. I wish I had known. I wish he had told me. He did have a buddy from Iowa who visited every year. They would talk, and I would hear some things, but not a lot. Please tell your families about your service. Someday your stories may be all they have, and it will mean so much."

She went on with "I do have a chess story. I am a lousy chess player. In the 1970s I had a ‘Comodore Pet’ computer with a chess game program. I checkmated that program in only 13 minutes. The engineers who developed the program needed an hour to find a mate. They offered me 50 bucks to show them how I won the game. When I did they said my moves were so illogical it was incredible I managed to win. I really didn’t know what I was doing then. When I sit before a chessboard today I still don’t."

This reporter is old enough to recall an episode from the old Star Trek TV show. Mr. Spock was extremely frustrated because Captain Kirk kept beating him with totally illogical chess moves. Perhaps if Ms. Hidde had been born a century or two later she would be at the helm of a starship traveling at lightspeed across the galaxy. Their stories are quite similar. [Victor Yaward]

Ms. Hidde closed with "We all admire good chess players. On behalf of the entire Hillsboro community, thank you for visiting our city!"

Photo by Sheri Hemrick.

Lizza Trenkle, Vice-President of Student Affairs

Lizza Trenkle, Vice-President of Student Affairs, greeted all. "The Hillsboro and Hill College community are key to the growth of our service area and have a positive impact on our youth, business, industry and economic development. This includes veterans. We love our veterans. A lot of veterans use the Hazlewood act and GI Bill to go to school on our campuses. Our Texas Heritage Museum is normally closed on Saturdays. However, we opened it especially for you."

Lizza Trenkle, Vice-President of Student Affairs (left), received a chess set and board (donated by the Tarrant County Chess Club) in appreciation from Chief Organizer Jim Hollingsworth

Photo by Sheri Hemrick.

Special Thanks

     The 2018 Texas Armed Forces and Military Veterans Open Chess Championships was an epic Championship event. The Staff worked hard to make it a success. We needed a lot of support from many donors and sponsors. A total of $3,913.47 in financial and in-kind donations were raised. 100 percent was expended for a net of ZERO. This space is created to mention them and express our great appreciation. Each received a certificate for tax filing purposes.