Me with IM Anna Zatonskih, WIM Jennifer Shahade and IM Irina Krush.
I do not know who will be on the 2006 US Women’s Olympiad Team but I definitely will not join the team. When I decided to create the US Women’s Olympiad Program in 2002-2003 to prepare for the 2004 Olympiad, it was done to help Women’s Chess in America.
Even though we came back with the first ever team medal (Silver) in addition to 3 additional individual medals (1 Silver and 2 Gold), some chess politicians managed to destroy the most successful women’s chess program in US history, a program that helped produce two National Champions (Rusa Goletiani 2005 and Jennifer Shahade 2004), a Continental Champion / Samford Winner (Rusa Goletiani 2004) and an IM (Anna Zatonskih 2005).
I wish the future US teams the best of luck. It will be a long uphill battle for our players. Other countries are improving at a rapid rate while we have no plan to help our future generations. It shows that chess and politics just do not mix.
I’m sorry about the treatment that you and your teammates received after coming home with medals. Politicians don’t care about anyone but themselves. It’s clear why the USCF members voted the entire group out.
Mary
I am deeply saddened to here this. I love chess. I love international competitions and I love susan polgar! I think the olympiad is a great chess event that gets tarnished a bit for me when top players don’t participate. Indeed, the U.S. Women’s team will not have a chance without you susan, but I do understand your frustration. It just seems that politics always seem to destroy good things and its always the little people (like myself) that lose out in the end.
Did you already tell the story of this ruination earlier on your blog, Susan? If so, could you remind us the date? Or if not, could you give us the short version of how they ruined your team?
how long Has Anna Hahn lived in the US ?
Uzeromay, basically, there is no program or there has not been a program for 2006 even though the next Olympiad is only 6 months away. We trained for almost two years last time. There are many other things but this is the most disappointing one.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
http://www.PolgarChess.com
If I recall correctly, the US team played (and won?) against Hungary. Was it difficult personally for you to play against the country of your birth?
Why is it interesting how long Anna Hahn lived in the US?
Q: Sarpvinash said…
If I recall correctly, the US team played (and won?) against Hungary. Was it difficult personally for you to play against the country of your birth?
I discussed the situation here:
http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1986
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
The future US Women’s Teams will go nowhere without Susan. They have never done anything until Susan stepped in to do things the right way. Leave it to the chess politicians to screw things up.
Jorge
This post should be spread around the chess community, like such sites as Chessbanter.com, and the Daily dirt Chess Blog put out by Chessbase. The USCF’s actions, or lack thereof with respect to the United States Women’s Chess Team is utterly dispicable. They should be shamed into making sure that this situation NEVER EVER happens again. The “egg” on those beaurocratic faces should never be allowed to dry!
Reading about this in your book Breathing Through had me wondering one thing. As a grandmaster is it difficult to ask your team coach if you should accept draws and trust their decision, especially if they are not also a very strong grandmaster?
Draw in three, the coach has no say in it. It is the duty of the captain. We have to trust our captain 100%. In addition, we had the best captain ever. If it wasn’t for him, the team would have had no medal (including me for individual medals).
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
Who cares about Anna Hahn? The USCF sent the best 4 players and they accomplished the unthinkable. Anna doesn’t even play chess anymore and she’s not committed to chess.
Vandala
Because of the actions of some of the board members against the women’s team, I voted against them in the last election. Their actions were despicable. They didn’t have the best interest of chess at heart.
Dylan
This blog is great! They erase comments they don’t like.
I am sorry to disappoint you but this blog is not for anonymous posters to come and spread their political agendas.
There are other forums for that. All political postings will be deleted. All insulting postings will be deleted.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Don’t worry Susan. You’ve done a great job and we appreciate all that you do. Don’t let a few trouble makers stop you.
Vin
The truth will set you free.
The 4 best players were chosen in 2004. That is why the team won the Silver.
Susan – Please keep working to promote chess for women in the USA. You have done a wonderful job and you need to continue.
The USCF is totally inept in promoting chess in the USA and supporting our players internationally!
Only individuals like you will be capable of promoting chess in the USA.