By Emil Danielyan
Armenia’s top male chess players were rewarded handsomely with government cash on Thursday for their victory in the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin that has made them objects of nationwide popular admiration.
A statement by the Armenian government said the six grandmasters and their coach Arshak Petrosian will be each be paid 7.5 million drams (about $18,000) from the state budget for their triumph in the game’s prime team competition.
The most highly rated of them, Levon Aronian, had already been awarded 5 million drams by the government last December following his victory in the individual Chess World Cup held in Russia. Aronian, 23, is currently third in the world chess rankings.
The Armenian chess team was given a hero’s welcome as it returned to Yerevan from Turin early on Tuesday. Hundreds of people, many of them dancing and singing, gathered in the city center to greet its members.
You can read the full story here.
In other countries, chess players are very much respected. I am very happy for the Armenian players. They deserve it. When my sisters and I won in 1988 and in 1990, we were invited to the Parliament House (equivalent to the White House) and we were greeted as national heroes by the Prime Minister (equivalent to President) himself. We are also rewarded for our accomplishments.
Professional chess players in this country are not well respected at all. When our 2004 Women’s Olympiad Team came home with the historic medals (2 Gold and 2 Silver), the Chess Life (Kalev Pehme) editor at that time refused to put the picture of the team on the cover of magazine. He did not think that our historic accomplishments were important enough. Our Olympiad training program was also promptly canceled.
On top of that, the USCF President at that time (Beatriz Marinello) refused to pay the Olympiad bonuses to the 4 players even though we all had signed mandatory contracts with the USCF. If we did not sign the contracts, we could not go. She said that the USCF made a mistake offering us the bonuses. What a way to thank the players! Even though she was advised by some top USCF officials that the USCF had a legal obligation to fulfill the signed contracts, she told the team members to sue the USCF if we did not like her decision.
It took more than a year to resolve this issue and only after a new President and Executive Director were in place. Even though I won 4 medals including 2 Gold, I had to agree to forfeit my $24,000 bonus (bonuses were paid based on medals $7,000 for each Gold and $5,000 for each Silver) in order for my teammates Irina Krush, Anna Zatonskih and Jennifer Shahade to get $5,000 each as stated in their contracts.
I made this decision because they are young players and I did not want them to get so turned off by nasty politics and quit chess. Anna and Irina became the anchors for the 2006 US Women’s Team. If I did not make this decision, we probably would have ended up in court for years. I am still being attacked until today by some supporters of Beatriz Marinello who believe that the US has no business sending the best teams to the Olympiad. They believe that sending the best team is a waste of money. They want to see no training program and no serious training structure. They proudly stated many times that they were rooting for the team to fail. This was our memorable welcome home!
What a ugly story about what can go on behind the scenes. Lets hope the men’s team that earned the bronze doesn’t suffer the same humiliation.
Is this the same Marinello who switched her endorsement for Bessel for political favors? Why is she still a board member? She should be banned in chess.
People like Beatriz disgusts me. She should not be in any chess position.
What a sorrowing story.
Out with Marinello and all US chess destroyers!
Any petition to change USCF rules, so they can kick her out through the front door?
Beatriz Marinello is one of the worst presidents ever. She’s been out to kill women’s chess in the past many years. She blocked many initiatives I proposed for Arizona and the west coast.
What actually did make the chess life cover then? Actually not that month, but you have to give them at least four months to cover an event. (nice magazine guys, although I dont have a birdcage to line with it).
An example: Var Akobian wins World Open in July 2004. He doesnt make the cover for several months.
These are very disturbing actions by the former USCF president. I hope she’ll never be elected again.
classplayer, they put some graphics on the cover instead of the players. It was the first issue of 2005 I think.
I can’t believe what the USCF did to the 2004 team. Shocking! Americans rooting against their own team? Despicable!
Yeah, let’s hope they don’t do the same to the men. Marinello should step down immediately.
Marinello should never be allowed to hold any chess position ever again. What a disgrace!
Shame on you Marinello!
BM is a traitor! She gave up her federation to make a deal for herself. Her loyalty is only to her ego and fame. She’s responsible for her entire slate to lose in the last election. She’s now a liability for the USCF.
Don
Can someone remind Marinello about Natrol? It shows the integrity of Marinello. Drugs for kids? You have to be kidding!!