Three’s a charm for Schriever chess champ
by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs
3/13/2007 – SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Three years, three tournaments, three wins.
Robert Bucholtz of the 50th Space Communications Squadron here earned his third consecutive base chess championship on one win and two draws against competitor Adin Umana of the 7th Space Operations Squadron.
The victory did not come easily for Bucholtz, who had not played a match since the 2006 Interservice Championship. Game 1 came down to the wire as Bucholtz forced a draw by three-move repetition with 10 seconds left on his game clock. Game 2 ended with a victory for Bucholtz as Umana’s clock ran out of time. Game 3 ended in an agreed draw as Umana’s pieces bore down upon Bucholtz’s king’s side.
Bucholtz claimed the center of the board early in the first two games, using his pawns to back up one another. In contrast, Umana bode his time, countering Bucholtz’s center position only after his knights and bishops could cover his pawns’ advance.
Here is the full article.
Nice job! Go air force!
Thanks Susan for the post! I’m one of the players featured (Adin Umana). To add a few details, I’m a 1600 player and Rob is a 2000+ who also played in the all NATO team. The Air Force has really embraced chess, having established championships at the base, command, and AF level–all with paid travel, lodging, and food! Many military players here in Colorado Springs are also scholastic chess coaches… I’ll be taking 13 kids & families to the Burt Lerner K-6 Championship in Nashville. Anyhow, good to see the AF initiative posted here.