By Victor Yaward, Chess Reporter
Colleyville, TX (09/06/05). Today, Tom Kunierz, Watauga Chess Club President and 2005’s Texas Chess Team Captain, welcomed an overflow crowd of players, fans, and spectators to the Watauga Chess Club’s new Colleyville home. In a special presentation he awarded ceremonial “keys” to Darrel Knobloch and Tom Crane for their exemplary work in locating superior training facilities for the Texas Chess Team’s largest affiliate. First American Title Company has generously agreed to share space with the Watauga Chess Club on Tuesday evenings. There is no shortage of volunteers to clean up at closing time so the club doesn’t have to worry about shutting down at 9 PM just so the janitor can go home.
After Crane and Knobloch received their keys, Mr. Kusnierz was caught by surprise and designated as a “Life Member” of the Watauga Chess Club. Immediate Past President Tom McCaslin presented a commemorative plaque with Mr. Kusnierz’s family and friends present. The Watauga Chess Club’s “Life Member” award is considered the club’s highest honor. Out of an estimated 750 Watauga Chess Club members Tom Kusnierz is only the fourth to receive such recognition.
The Colleyville site is the Texas Chess Team’s second to open in just one week. The Denton affiliate, headed by Greg Pease, now meets every Monday in the Denton Public Library. “To beat Oklahoma, it’s vitally important that we provide the best possible training environment, especially for our younger and less experienced players.” says Kusnierz. “With Denton opening full-time and now this wonderful site in Colleyville we are that much closer to winning Red River Shootout IV.”
As all serious chess players know, Red River Shootout IV will be the newest chapter in the annual match between the most fanatical chess players in Texas and Oklahoma. On April 22, 2006 both teams will meet on the Chickasaw Indian Reservation, considered to be neutral territory while located one mile north of the Red River. A recent Oklahoma Chess Forum poll favors Texas, 66% to 33%, however Oklahoma is the defending champion and considered the team to beat in the Southwest. Match details are available in Chess Life, Oklahoma Chess Quarterly, Texas Knights and other printed chess publications.