By Chris Walz
A US Army soldier recently captured his third consecutive Army Chess Championship at Fort Myer, securing a place in his third Inter-service Chess Championship at Point Loma in San Diego.

Rudy Tia, who also won both championships in 1997, said he wasn’t too excited.

“I’ve won it three times in a row now. It has become an every day thing for me. I just concentrate on my next match,” he said.

Nancy Presley from the Community and Family Support Centre said Tia, who is assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, wins every year and practices his game feverishly in order to excel in the sport.

“We love to see people who love the game this much,” she said.

“He really enjoys these tournaments.”

Tia has only played chess competitively since 1990 and has the highest point total in the Army at 2109.

His score leaves him only 91 points shy of reaching Master’s status.

Chess player Michael Cerezo, from Parks Reserve Training Area in Santa Clara, said everyone already knows everyone’s style and technique.

“I know going into the game Tia plays very slow but he can beat you before you step up to the board,” he said.

“You have to know your openings, play smart and play carefully. It’s like a 200-pound guy fighting a 120-pound weakling. If the small guy connects with an uppercut, it’s over.”

– American Forces Press Service

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