L to R: Dr. Hal Karlsson, Chase Watters, Dr. Jim Brink, Walter Albeldano, me, Bryan Pernes and Stephanie Ballom

The Texas Tech University Knight Raiders chess team recorded its best finish in team history at the prestigious Southwest Collegiate Championship held last weekend (March 8 – 9) in Houston.

The globe behind us has a very rich history. This is Texas Tech University 1688 Coronelli Terrestrial Globe, one of only three in North America. It was designed and constructed in the Venetian workshop of the Franciscan Father Vincenzo Coronelli.

In 1920, it was purchased by American newspaper magnate and tireless art collector William Randolph Hearst from a Paris antiques dealer. The globe was left crated until 1941, when Hearst auctioned it off. Texas Tech University purchased the globe in 1968 from Dallas oilman Robert B. Moody as the library’s one millionth acquisition.

Due to its deteriorating condition, the 300 year old globe was removed from public display in the mid 1980’s. Realizing the globe’s historic and aesthetic significance, then Texas Tech Regent James E. Sowell provided funding for an extensive conservation treatment. This restoration, which was dedicated to First Lady Laura Bush in May 1997, has made it possible for the Coronelli Globe to be on permanent exhibit in the Southwest Collection / Special Collections Library.

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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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