Press Release
For more information, please contact:
Mike Wilmering
Communications Specialist
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
GM Finegold Resigns Position at CCSCSL
SAINT LOUIS (August 16, 2012) — Grandmaster Ben Finegold has resigned his position as the Resident Grandmaster at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL). Citing personal reasons for his departure, Finegold and the Chess Club are parting on good terms, and the club hopes he will continue to support American Chess at all levels, from developing strong scholastic players to coaching players at the top tier.
GM Finegold was hired to be the Resident Grandmaster at the CCSCSL in January 2010, and he was integral in helping shape the growing scholastic chess movement in Saint Louis and in helping organize numerous world-class events.
Tony Rich, executive director of the CCSCSL, thanked GM Finegold for his service to the Chess Club.
“Ben was a valuable addition to our staff, and we are thankful for his expertise and input throughout his tenure here,” Rich said.
From the USCF on August 8th
Strong US Squads Set for Olympiad in Istanbul
August 8, 2012
Two strong teams are set to represent the United States at the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul from August 27th to September 10th. The overall team is led by reigning US Chess Champion and World #5 Hikaru Nakamura. The team also includes GMs Gata Kamsky, Alexander Onischuk, Varuzhan Akobian and Ray Robson. GMs Yury Shulman and Ben Finegold will coach the team. Captain IM John Donaldson said, “The 2012 Olympiad will be super strong but our team, the first ever from the United States to average over 2700 FIDE, will have its chances if we play to the best of our ability.
In a period of one week, drastic changes happened. GM Finegold is no longer the grandmaster in residence at the St. Louis Chess Club. He is also no longer the coach of the US Men’s Olympiad Team or the Lindenwood University Chess Team. He is a very popular player and a respected coach. It would take a big name player to replace him at the St. Louis Chess Club and Lindenwood University. I wish GM Finegold the best and hope he will continue to make an impact in chess.
He must have made someone angry. Damn.
I’m very sorry to see Ben leave the St. Louis chess scene. I wish him well.
I will guess that everybody like him, but he has health problems or a family member has health problems or he fell in love with nice lady or (and less likely) he will now join team-Lady-GaGa.
What ever it is, I hope it works out for the best.