Chess Team Battles to a Draw in Trans-Atlantic Rivalry

With 16 laptop computers and an Internet connection, UT Dallas Chess Team members squared off Friday against the University of Belgrade.

After 15 intense chess matches, the UT Dallas chess team had won eight games and The University of Belgrade seven. As the final seconds ran off the clock of the 16th and final game, however, the Serbian team pulled even with eight wins, marking the first tie in the history of the Transatlantic Cup.

“Once again, it was another very exciting match to watch. The UT Dallas chess team came in as the underdog, but our preparation with coach Milovanovic paid off,” said Jim Stallings, the chess program director.

“The five UT Dallas women team members were key to this result. They were lower rated on all boards and yet held strong. The UT Dallas men dominated on the very top boards,” added Stallings.

After six years, UT Dallas leads the series in match wins. Half the matches have been decided by one point or less.

The UT Dallas chess team’s next tournament is the UT Dallas GM Invitational at the Hyatt Regency North Dallas Dec. 15-20. The GM Invitational prepares team members for the 2011 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship. This year the Pan-American will be hosted by UT Dallas at the DFW AP Marriott South  Dec. 27-30.

The chess masters playing in Friday’s matches had support from the UT Dallas cheerleaders, as well as Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend (above), who made the ceremonial first move.