Texas Tech wins 2011 Final Four!

Special videos:

Photos from the 2011 College Chess Final Four in Washington, DC: https://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/2011FinalFourInWashingtonDC

Photos from the heroes’ welcome at Lubbock International Airport:
https://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/WelcomeHomeKRNationalChamps

Celebration with Chancellor Hance, President Bailey, Provost Smith, and VP Munoz: https://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/2011FinalFourTTURecognition

In only our second year competing in Division I, team captain GM Davorin Kuljasevic scored a clutch win against the highest FIDE rated player in the Final Four, GM Leonid Kritz, in the last match to bring the biggest College Chess National Title to Texas Tech!

This is a huge upset because Texas Tech came into the tournament as the 4th seed with average rating of 50 points lower than the other 3 teams. It is like David versus Goliath.

This is the strongest Final Four in history as each team has at least 3 Grandmasters and 1 International Master. The average USCF rating of the four teams is about 2580! If the tournament starts over tomorrow, there is no telling which team will win. A single move could decide the fate of the entire tournament.

I would like to thank Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. for sponsoring this spectacular event. The entire Final Four was first class all the way.

Final standings

1. Texas Tech
2. UTD by tiebreak over UTB
3. UTB
4. UMBC

The National Champion Texas Tech Knight Raiders chess team arrived in Lubbock at midnight after a series of long delays. But it is all worth it as they came home to a cheering crowd.

KR Recognition with Chancellor Hance, President Bailey, Provost Smith, and VP Munoz:

Here is the link to 40 pictures from the special banquet this afternoon to honor the Texas Tech Knight Raider Chess Team, 2011 National Champion.

Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance, President Dr. Guy Bailey, Provost Dr. Bob Smith, Vice President/Vice Provost Dr. Juan Munoz, Lady Raider Basketball Coach Kristy Curry, Deans, Department Chairs, and many other VIPs came to congratulate the Knight Raiders.

Go tech!

https://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/2011FinalFourTTURecognition