Interview with Hal Bond
by chessdom.com
Mr. Bond was the supervisor of Kamsky – Topalov match in Sofia, Bulgaria
Mr. Hal Bond from the Canadian Chess Federation is the match supervisor, whose nomination was accepted by both Kamsky and Topalov for the match in Sofia. Mr. Bond agreed to an interview for Chessdom.com during game 7 of the match.
Q: Mr. Bond, thank you for accepting the interview. What are your impressions about the match thus far? (note – 7th game was still in progress)
A: It’s been a very exciting match, every game has been played with serious intent, there’s been no quick draws and I am very pleased with the level of play, you know, the intensity, the battle – it’s great.
Q: As a match supervisor, appointed by FIDE, did you have any remarks or objections regarding the organization or conditions?
A: Both sides are very professional. The organizers have staged the match at a very high level, both players have enthusiastic managers, so this makes it interesting, but in fact they are both okay to work with. When we have some issues, we discuss them, we resolve them and the match continues.
Q: You probably talked with Mr. Sutovsky, has he had any objections?
A: There were a few small things at the beginning of the match, they were resolved within the first day and after that it’s been very smooth.
Was there any violence?
I’ve met Hal at several tournaments here in Canada. Heck of a nice guy.
Hi, I met Mr Hal at two youths tournaments in Ontario. The first tournament encompassed all the qualifying students from the Guelph, Ontario and surrounding district. The second was a much smaller tournament, somewhat a ‘meet’ involving around 10 participants.
My son had been first place in the ‘big’ school tournament, winning 5/5 opponents.
The second tournament, however, was a different story. Mr Bond was the organizer and I introduced my child as honestly as I could, I mentioned his win, some of his personality traits, namely his ability to lose without ‘rolling in the mud’, meaning graciously!
I also added his love and passion for the game.
I dropped off my child and waited outside the room after helping to set up the boards. Then, I left home because some acquaintances were there and willing to stay. I came back later a couple hours later, the games were still going and my son was still in a game. I clearly saw a sign of distress on his face but hoped for the best.
On the way home, my child broke down like never I have seen him do. Crying and sobbing and repeating the scenarios and comments that Mr Bond had made.
I couldn’t believe my ears and if it wouldn’t have been for the pleading of my Don, was ready to go back and inquire personally if the account was for real.
First of all, my child a 4th grade was put only against grade 8 kids.
Secondly, Mr Bond kept coming back to my son and asking him somewhat sarcastically ” so! Your dad said you’re a smart player huh!”.
Thirdly, he overturned a win my son had against one of his ‘pupils’.
There were more inconsistencies if I may say but primarily a totally unprofessional misconduct and a poor stewardship in promoting a beautiful game.
It’s taken me three weeks, before I resumed playing with my son again. I work timid to ask, hoping that his experience dilutes itself and he, my son, regains trust and love in the game.
As for Mr Hal Bond, he’s a piece of work and a failure at that.