In the upcoming US Championship, some of the familiar faces will not be there. One of them is GM Benjamin, a legend and a future Hall of Famer. He has the respect of many including me. He has played in 23 consecutive US Championships! This is quite an impressive streak. Due to various unknown disagreements with the USCF, he decided not to compete this year. I wish him the best and I hope to see him back next year.
He is not the only one who is frustrated with various decisions and problems with the USCF. Many of us are very frustrated including me. The status quo and destructive politics are destroying the USCF and holding back the progress of US chess.
This is precisely why changes are desperately needed. We need to elect ethical business professionals with a passion and understanding for chess and its community. This is why I decided to step forward and run in the upcoming USCF election with a team of very talented professionals who can drastically improve this federation. We cannot afford to continue to elect chess politicians who have no clue of how to fix the problems.
I have repeatedly asked for everyone to unite for the sake of chess and our federation. Unfortunately, many of the chess politicians choose to continue with their destructive path instead of putting the best interest of the USCF first.
If elected, I would ask many chess leaders to be a part of an advisory board. We need the feedbacks from all membership categories such as Scholastic, College, Professional, Internet, Correspondence, Military, etc.
This is precisely why changes are desperately needed. We need to elect ethical business professionals with a passion and understanding for chess and its community. This is why I decided to step forward and run in the upcoming USCF election with a team of very talented professionals who can drastically improve this federation. We cannot afford to continue to elect chess politicians who have no clue of how to fix the problems.
I have repeatedly asked for everyone to unite for the sake of chess and our federation. Unfortunately, many of the chess politicians choose to continue with their destructive path instead of putting the best interest of the USCF first.
I would like to state that we ALL appreciate the generosity of Mr. Frank K. Berry. He is a wonderful and incredibly generous individual. He has helped me and the Susan Polgar Foundation a great deal. I consider him a dear friend. I will support Mr. Berry and his event any way I could.
If elected, I would ask many chess leaders to be a part of an advisory board. We need the feedbacks from all membership categories such as Scholastic, College, Professional, Internet, Correspondence, Military, etc.
Changes are really needed if we want to restore any credibility to this federation.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Mr. Benjamin says: “Please go back to the drawing board and reconsider. Don’t make me fight you.”
…ummm……. Is he really needed at that tourney? What makes him think the tourney needs him?
Aren’t there more strong players in the USA?
Other GMs declined their invitations as well. He’s not the only. I agree with GM Benjamin. The actions by this board are quite unprofessional. They have completely lost touch with reality.
Susan,
I can’t wait for you and your team to be elected. We need you, not the current people. They really have no clue of what’s going on.
Good luck and you have my full support!
So what did the Board do that was so wrong? Please specify.
As a praticing attorney, I would advise Susan not to mention any name. These lunatics are looking for every opportunity to sue her. She’s doing fine right now. Don’t give them reasons to attack you. Just state the problems and don’t name names.
Good luck GM Polgar!
TX Chess Dad
yeah susan. don’t give them reasons to destroy you. you and your team will win big. you and your team will get all the votes from my club and community. you go girl!
GM Polgar, how come Mr. Goichberg is not endorsing you? How come he thinks you and Mr. Truong are bad for chess? I find his email to the USCF members very distasteful. A President shouldn’t act that way. It’s also a big conflict of interest to be the President of Continental Chess and the USCF. But that didn’t stop Mr. Schultz from voting for this. No wonder why Leroy Dubeck endorsed and campaigned for Sam Sloan to be elected to destroy this group.
Just another reason to vote for Susan, Paul, Mikhail and Randy. I have enough of the Goichberg and Schultz era. The last straw for me is when Goichberg and Jerry Hanken trashed Susan and Paul while endorsing Schultz, Lux and Jones. What have Lux and Jones done for national chess recently? Nothing! Nada! Zilch! But that didn’t stop Goichberg from endorsing his friends to keep the status quo. Time for big change!
GM Benjamin, I feel you pain. Sorry about what you have to go through. Good luck to you sir.
Wow! I didn’t realize how bad things are. Do the board members even know what’s going on? Unbelievable! Let’s get GM Polgar in and throw all the politicians out. Thanks for speaking out GM Benjamin!
Dear Chess Fans,
I agree that the prize fund is totally inadequate. In fact, it is embarrassing. Those GM’s who are participating are amongst the best in the world…it is not easy to earn the title of GM. MOreover, the women’s U.S. Champion is not even awarded an equal prize as their male counterpart. A shame in and of itself.
The USCF supposed to represent the interests of chess players (at all levels but especially those participating in the biggest tournament in the U.S., that is, the one tournament that will decide who the Chess Champion of the United States is.
Did anyone know that the U.S. CHECKER champion makes more in their championship than in our sport? I do not mean anything negative toward checker fans, I am merely making a point.
The USCF could offer more for professional chess players that play for the U.S. title.
I say, if enough Grandmasters, IM’s, NM’s, and other leaders in the American chess community stand united, then a they could form a NEW organization.
The current USCF is, as the old adage goes, “Rotten to the core.” I am not a GM just a concerned USCF member.
But I truly believe if enough of the best known GM’s, IM’s and others simply unite…a new organization can be formed and allow the USCF to go into oblivion.
I propose that the top U.S. players (GM’s, IM’s and others) agree to meet at a Congress (rather like the Americans did right before the American Revolution…they met to discuss issues at the “First Continental Congress.”
I say that American chess needs a “Continental Congress” so that their can be a meeting of minds and exchange of ideas between the top US players and potential sponsors.
Out of the ashes of the USCF could arise a new organization that does what, in theory, the USCF supposed to do.
At the very least, such a meeting would lead to a very constructive exchange of ideas.
Remember one other old saying, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
It’s time for America’s best chess players to unite for if this never happens, REAL change might be “evolutionary” and not a bit quicker and “revolutionary.”
Respectfully,
Tim Harris
I say let GM polgar and her team fix the problems. If the politicians continue to derail her efforts then we should create a new federation. But give her a chance first.
Just my 3 cents.
There’s no doubt that a lot of adult members came back so they can vote for Susan and her team. This is the most exciting team in recent uscf history. But Bill Goichberg didn’t give Susan any credit for rallying the troops. He took the credit for himself and endorsed his buddies Schultz, Jones and Lux. Are these the people who will excite and energize the USCF? I don’t think so. This shows you the thinking of the current USCF people. Mr. Goichber is publicly attacking Susan to protect the failed USCF.
USCF Life Member from TN
Things have to change or the USCF is doomed. GM Benjamin is right about the state of the USCF.
First, good for GM Benjamin for having principles. I trust him a lot more than I trust the ineffectual USCF board. Second, I’m glad that someone raised the issue of Bill Goichberg’s conflict of interest. A few individuals like Brian Lafferty seem obsessed with Susan Polgar’s potential conflict of interest as a tournament organizer/promoter if (when) she is elected to the USCF board. But Goichberg organizes far more (and potentially more lucrative) tournaments than Polgar. Why hasn’t anyone raised his conflict of interest? I thought it was crazy when they forced Greg Shahade off the USCF board because of his sister’s position as editor of Chess Life Online.Surely he could have recused himself from any discussions or votes concerning his sister. But does Goichberg recuse himself from voting on issues that might benefit him and his company, CCA. Oh, yes, and the postscript from the “brilliant” decision to let Greg Shahade go was the election of Sam Sloan. Let’s hope that the election of Susan Polgar and her slate brings forward thinking professionalism to the USCF. P.S. I agree with the poster who cautioned Susan not to name names. When you’ve got sharks and barracudas like Brian Lafferty and Hal Bogner in the water, you need to watch your back at all time.
I’m very disappointed in this current board. They have completely lost touch with reality. This can’t go on. I rejoined the USCF so I can vote for Susan and her slate.
I didn’t realize the problems are this big. I’m so thankful for this blog. Thank you Susan! Thank you Paul! Please be careful with these people. They’ll do anything to get you.
AZ Chess Dad made a very good point. People like Lafferty and Bogner don’t want the truth. They want what’s best for them. Of course Bill has a big conflict of interest. But he doesn’t understand this. Schultz doesn’t understand this. Hanken doesn’t understand this. They all don’t understand this. They’ll continue to stick together for their own agenda. I would have a lot more respect for Bill if he would endorse and welcome Susan and her team. But he chose to send out email and create a wesbite to attack her. This is as unethical as you can get.
I support GM Benjamin’s position. I support GM Polgar and her slate. I don’t support the current board. Time for change is now in this election!
Another sad chapter for the USCF.
My membership lapsed 2 years ago. I just rejoined so I can vote for Ms. Polgar, Mr. Korenman, Mr. Bauer and Mr. Truong. I’m hopeful that they can change many things.
Go GM Polgar! Please lead the USCF! We need you!
Mr. Lemoine:
If you want to help GM Polgar, don’t get her in trouble. If she names any name, they’ll go after her. People like Mr. Lafferty and Hal Bogner are waiting to destroy her. Mr. Bogner has a lot at stake in this election. Mr. Stephen Jones is his guy. He stands to benefit greatly if Mr. Jones is elected. Just let things play out. She needs to continue to let the members know the truth. I have faith in her.
Cordially,
Voice of reason
This is terrible. How could the USCF make decisions to harm our players? Who’s in charge? Who did this? Can you fire them?
This is the sad reality folks. Nothing will change as long as the same people are in power. They have taken the USCF as far as they could. It’s time we put in the more energized and more talented people in charge. GM Susan Polgar has my full support. I also support her team.
We need people with four things:
1.Good personal and professional ethics.
2.People who can bring effective management to the USCF INCLUDING the ability to work constructively with others with who they may disagree.
3. We need board members who are totally open about who they are and what they.
4. The understanding that they serve not themselves or their friends, but the membership as a whole.
We will all miss GM Benjamin, Christiansen, Finegold and many more top players. Thanks Mr. Goichberg! Will you support GM Polgar and her team now or will you continue to allow this federation to sink?
We have 10 candidates:
* GM Susan Polgar
* Mikhail Korenman
* FM Paul Truong
* NM Randy Bauer
– Stephen Jones who has done very little if anything for chess on a national level in recent years
– Joe Lux who is a chess TD and chess teacher who has done little to promote and enhance chess on a national level
– Don Schultz who has done a lot for chess but both good and bad
– Jim Berry who is very good for chess but not known much on a national level
– Mike Goodall who has done very little or anything for chess on a national level
– Sam Sloan who has no busines being on the board
My votes will go for Polgar, Korenman, Truong and Bauer
Just another example of why USCF needs a thorough housecleaning. Susan, I hope you have your broom ready. (Er… to sweep with, not to fly on! 🙂 )
And what’s this about an email from Goichberg? I’m a USCF member and didn’t receive one. Was it recent?
I received the Goichberg e-mail but assumed it was because I had played in a CCA tournament this year. If he used the USCF mailing list as opposed to his CCA mailing list to send out that piece of propaganda, it would be a real conflict of interest.
I received it too but I never played in any CCA event. Not sure how he got my email. But in either case, it’s in poor taste for him to publicly attack Susan and Paul. What would he do if they get elected? Bill being the President of CCA and USCF is a big problem as well.
Hi All,
I most certainly hope Susan and her team are elected. They can and will bring respect, dignity, and honor back to both the USCF and the sport we all love.
I think she will win. I think many of those that GM Polgar endorses will win, too.
But, if for some reason this didn’t happen (God forbid), then I firmly believe that America’s best players should form a new organization.
This idea, though difficult to accomplish, could certainly be done. Again, there is strength in numbers! If enough of our best GM’s, IM’s all of the best known players stand firm and unite, then I think many current USCF members would come over to their new organization.
It’s just an idea. Ideas take time and effort to come to fruition. How could a new U.S. Chess organization be formed? I cannot answer this. However, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Step 1: A meeting between the best U.S. players to discuss a new organization or just simply exchange ideas to cure the ills within the USCF.
But, I believe a new organization is not only a possibility, with a united front of our best players and their legions of fans, it is certainly feasible to start a new and better American chess organization.
It would take time, money, and effort. But, it is one way to stop the USCF IF a good, new executive board is not elected and reshapes it. If this happens, then that’s great!
IF not, then I really believe chess fans would follow America’s best players and support them in the founding of a new chess organization.
Tim Harris
Regarding the idea of forming a new American chess organization, if we could get many of the state chess organizations on board with this idea, along with the best players in the U.S. (as their fans will follow them), we could build a better chess organization.
It’s an interesting idea that is worthy of discussion, not just here on this blog, but also amongst the best chess players in America.
Could anyone confirm that the USCF actually received $25,000 from Anderson (provide some evidence)? If Benjamin publicly mislead the readers he is liable for libel.
I could be wrong here but maybe someone can correct me.
I think Bill G’s position as President will be voted upon again at this years meeting. I read that he was to be voted out by the present powers that be. Bill had previously given me the impression from reading on the Forums that he would work with Susan if she were elected. I suspect that Bill might have made a deal with the powers to get their vote so he can remain President. So he attacks Susan and favors the other side, the side he made the deal with.
Joe Lux, reading his statement in Chess Life has apparently worked with NY state and NJ state chess. Goichberg holds the World Open right there in Philly. a few miles from NY and NJ. He needs chess players from these 3 states for a successful tournament.
This is also a high density chess playing area with many uscf voting members.
From my reading on the USCF Forums, I find Joe Lux to be one of the most negative attackers around. In my opinion he never posts positively. He always seems to attack and he attacks very vigorously. I personally do not like Joe Lux. Never met him or any of the candidates but I dont like his attitude. Jones is an attacker also in my opinion. He simply is not around the forums so much so he is not attacking so frequently. Both of these guys have done nothing for national chess recently as far as I am concerned especially when compared to the overwhelming work that Susan and Paul have accomplished. They never answer any questions on the forums about their candidacy views.
If my memory is correct, I think it was Joe Lux who said he did not know what to do and he asked the members what to do. Did not give me the feeling he is a leader. He seems to be wallowing in the mud.
I can see finally how so many posting here are beginning to see the rot at the USCF. But it is much worse and far deeper than what is seen here. The situation has gotten to a point that it is dangerous to even post at the forums. Any support for Susan will be attacked vigorously.
They pushed out Greg Shahade and put in Sam Sloan. Everyone I talked to was saying
Vote for anyone except Sam Sloan. And everyone was against Sam Sloan getting elected. But there was no positive person to support. The Ballots never arrived at most members mailboxes and very few votes were cast. Sam somehow was elected. We all must be very careful on this election. We must get everyone to vote for all 4 members of the team. We can not afford to sit at home and hope we win. We must get out to all the voters at all the tournaments and chess clubs and make sure everyone votes for sure this election for all 4 team members.
This is not some movie. This is the real thing. We must win this election or we are in big trouble. It will be easier to get elected into USCF then it will be to try to start up a new organization. The USCF is recognized by FIDE and as such it will be extremely difficult to replace them.
I ask everyone here to make a pledge to go to all the local chess clubs and tournaments and get the vote out. Remember all scholastics 16 years old can vote. Make sure they vote. If every 16 year old scholastic member in the USA votes we will have a good block of votes that will greatly help win this election.
My view of GM Benjamin’s complaint is that the USCF has never done anything. AF4C came along and did a great job for some years. But USCF never does anything.
Go back to 1972 and read Bobby Fischer’s complaints about USCF. It sounds like Joel Benjamin because nothing has ever been done. Susan is the first person to come along who can make a difference.
Remember we must get the entire team elected because we will need to votes to make the changes. Susan all by herself will be almost helpless to make changes. all the other EB members will simply attack her at every point. Remember we must elect the weakest member of the team to get more votes than the strongest of the opposing candidates. That is not going to be easy. It will take grass roots help to get out the vote.
Susan
What will happen if the ballots do not arrive in the voter’s mailboxes. The last election most people never received a ballot so they could vote.
I would like also to hear what it was the board did that was incorrect.
AF4C decided not to sponsor the tournament this year. It seems it took a long time for this to become clear, although there were indications almost immediately after the 2006 tournament that they had lost interest in further sponsorship of the tournament.
It seems to have taken unduly long for it to become clear that AF4C wasn’t going to sponsor 2007. Perhaps the USCF was in denial; perhaps AF4C was being coy.
In the end, both AF4C and the USCF powers-that-be blamed it on Sam Sloan (the man everybody loves to hate) and his web site. I’ve always had a hard time believing that this was the real reason rather than a face-saving story on which AF4C and the USCF could agree.
In any case, by the time it had sunk in that AF4C was not sponsoring the tournament in 2007, it was late in the game to find another sponsor willing and able to put up the money required.
Thankfully, Frank Berry has stepped up, although for a much smaller prize fund and a different style of tournament than it has been in the past few years. I think altruism is the overriding factor in Berry’s sponsorship, but it would not surprise me to learn that he has some other reasons. Even if there are some ulterior motives, altruism must be a major motive, and Berry deserves everybody’s gratitude for coming through.
His sponsorship provides enough funds for basically an amateur tournament. There is nothing wrong with amateur events; but Joel Benjamin and some of the other traditional participants are professional chess players. They play for money. The title of US Champion isn’t sufficient . That is reasonable enough, since playing at their level requires a big time commitment and to a professional a title like US Champion probably doesn’t mean so much. There is nothing wrong with wanting money to play chess and being unimpressed by titles.
As for the USCF, I do think it is a little unseemly for the USCF to be taxing $15K out of the prize fund, after having
not come through with a professional event.
The AF4C breakup money should have gone entirely into the prize fund.
It’s too bad that the USCF finances are so tight that they feel they have to scramble (and look bad) for the sake of a lousy $15K. The USCF is chronically in money trouble, and any money that passes their way seems to stick to their fingers.
But the truth is that the $15K is mainly symbolism. Even if the USCF forked it over, it isn’t enough to make the tournament anything like it was under AF4C sponsorship.
So the bottom line is that this year it doesn’t work out for Joel to play in the event. That is disappointing for Joel and his fans (including me); but it isn’t a tragedy, and I think Joel is letting his disappointment and his disdain for the USCF get the better of him a bit. I would have respected him more, if he had just sat out this year, and bided his time until the tournament suited him better.
Personally, I think the US Championships *should* be professional events with large enough prize funds to attract the best American chess players, including the professionals. There are precious few professional-level tournaments in the U.S, and surely the national Championship should be one, if there are any at all. The USCF should strive to find sufficient sponsorships to fund large prize funds consistent with the tournament being professional. I don’t want to see USCF revenue (my membership fees) going into financing these events. I’d prefer to see my membership fees being used to fund efforts to get sponsorships.
But if the event can’t be staged as a professional event with sufficient prize money to attract the likes of Joel Benjamin, I don’t see anything wrong with it being organized as an amateur event, as it will be this year.
In the years when that is the case, the US Champion will be somebody playing for the prestige of the title and the love of the game, rather than for cash, and that won’t include Joel, et. al. I can’t see that as bad, either.
can someone post this email that people talk about? thanks
i assume since it went out to a bunch of people that it isn’t a private email
Dear USCF officials and players,
I am writing this message because I am greatly distressed that an e-mail I sent to this group has been circulated on various forums, newsgroups, and blogs. My e-mail of March 7 was intended to be a private communication and was not in any way intended for public consumption. Let me assure you all that I did not circulate that e-mail, nor did I send it to anyone not on this list or authorize anyone to circulate the contents. That means, first of all, that someone on this list leaked the message to public outlets. Publishing private communications is a serious offense and I believe the Board should investigate this matter to discover what happened. If a Board member is responsible appropriate measures should be taken.
Secondly, I believe that my statements are being used and may be used in the future by candidates in the upcoming election. I deplore being used as a pawn in this manner. I have not, am not, and do not intend to endorse or campaign for any candidates.
If I had been asked to approve the circulation of that message, I would have refused. I have endeavored to be measured and respectful in all public comments I have made in regard to the USCF and U.S. Championship. While I am disappointed in the course the U.S. Championship has taken I do not wish to spoil it for those who are involved in it.
I do authorize the circulation of this message in order to set the record straight.
Sincerely,
Joel Benjamin
Mr. Joel Benjamin,
Could You confirm that the USCF actually received $25,000 from Anderson and provide us some evidence?
USCF officials:
I am extremely distressed by the recent announcements for the 2007 U.S. Championship. Let me start by thanking Frank Berry for his generosity. He and others in Stillwater are doing their best to make something out of nothing Dear. But the USCF is not doing its part.
The $65,000 prize fund (with players paying expenses) is grossly inadequate. With 32 players (and possibly more) the average prize will be around $2,000. This is in contrast to that figure serving as the minimum figure last year!
The proposed $15,000 contribution from the USCF is embarrassing. The “buy-in” plan makes a mockery of the tournament (though I expect very few takers anyway). The disbursement of any extra funds generated by this plan is completely unacceptable. It has to go directly to the players! The line about “replacement of the $10,000 sanctioning fee” is fooling no one. You have already announced that Anderson is contributing $25,000. Does the USCF actually have the audacity to pocket that money and try to turn a profit on this tournament? I sincerely hope you reconsider this plan. You will only embarrass yourselves and enrage the players.
I find it especially galling that some Board members were openly hostile to Erik Anderson’s attempts to organize the Championship, likely sabotaging a $100,000 prize fund. If any of you thought you could do better, the fiction is surely put to that notion.
I have played in 23 U.S. Championships, every one since 1981. I have never declined an invitation, nor even considered not playing. But this proposed tournament is so outrageous that I don’t think I could participate. Please go back to the drawing board and reconsider. Don’t make me fight you.
Sincerely,
Joel Benjamin
posted by sam sloan, uscf eb
This whole episode shows you what a big mistake it was to allow Sam Sloan to run for the board last year. Joel Benjamin’s letter evidently was sent to the USCF board in confidence and Sloan leaked it. Nothing is confidential with him. He is a loose cannon who has no business being on the executive board of the USCF.
I don’t know who “leaked” Joel Benjamin’s letter, but it has the appearance of an open letter, and if it was sent to USCF Executive Board members, other USCF officials, the thirty of so other participants in the US Championship, and other US Grandmasters, it can hardly be regarded as a “confidential” letter.
Interestingly, GM Benjamin’s letter was sent on March 7th and all but one of the recipients managed to understand that it was not intended for dissemination to a wider audience and managed to keep it confidential for two months. That said, I am glad that Sam Sloan leaked it because it shows that a very respected, non-partisan GM is also unhappy with the atrocious way that the USCF board handled the U.S. Championship this year.
sam sloan posted it and then bragged about it.
breaking news…
$75,000 first prize award!
unfortunately, not for chess but for the US Barbeque Championship.
I am not kidding.
breaking news…
$75,000 first prize award!
unfortunately, not for chess but for the US Barbeque Championship.
I am not kidding.
Maybe it’s been floating around in cyberspace for two months but the first time it was posted on the USCF website was this morning and that was by Sam Sloan, a USCF board member.
Susan, where did you get Joel’s email? Did you have a copy of it before Sloan posted it? Where did you get your copy from?
I believe that she posted it after Sloan posted it this morning but am not sure.
Bill Goichberg forwarded GM Benjamin’s email to me. When I saw it, I deleted it.
This is not the first time that Mr. Sloan has posted confidential information to the public.
Here was my response to President Bill Goichberg:
This letter was published in the official USCF forums. I have deleted the entire email by GM Benjamin when I found out that an EB member once again leaked confidential materials.
This is a long sad pattern of the USCF. The same person has also leaked countless confidential info in the past. I hope you and your board will severely punish the offender. Will you ban the offender from posting permanently to prevent more damages in the future or will it be another meaningless censure?
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Post by sam sloan:
Take a look at what has happened. This morning, in response to a
question somebody asked about why Joel Benjamin is not playing in this
year’s US Championship, I dug out a letter Joel Benjamin had written
two months ago on March 6, 2007 explaining his objections to the US
Championship.
Benjamin sent that letter to me, to the other board members and to the
other grandmasters who had qualified to the US Championship, except
that he did not send the letter to Polgar, even though she is a
grandmaster who is qualified to play in the US Championship.
As a result, Polgar did not know about the letter until I posted it
here this morning.
For those of you who do not know how this blog works, I have installed some codes to track various abusers of this blog.
The posts that I deleted usually come from the same 4-5-6 people who have been banned from posting here.
In addition, as I stated repeatedly and I will restate now, anonymous attacking posts usually are the first to be deleted. This is my personal blog. This is not the forum for abusers to come and do as they wish.
This is not rec.games and this is also not the USCF forum. If posters cannot follow the rules, they do not get to post again. Free speech does not mean you are allowed to spread outrageous lies and vicious attacks on my personal blog.
The destructive USCF politics for the past decades will end if I am elected.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
23 consecutive US Championships is quite a feat. It probably could have continued much longer. Some others who will have played in several consecutive US championships after next week are Boris Gulko playing in his 19th consectutive, Alex Yermolinsky playing in his 15th consecutive, Dmitry Gurevich playing in his 14th consecutive, and Gregory Kaidanov playing in his 12th consecutive. GM Walter Browne will pass Joel in most championships played with 24, although not consecutive.
the focus shouldnt be on what unethical behavior the uscf has done in the past. i want to hear what needs to be done to correct the problems. what specific steps are going to be taken. to many master of the obvious statements pointing out the deficiencies of the uscf. lets hear some specific solutions. i mean its easy to blast the uscf but lets face chess is not popular in the US for a reason. i believe this has little to do with the uscf and more to do with the present hip hop culture of video games and gangster rap. the game doesnt appeal to the mainstream public. theres no excitement for the younger generation. theyd rather be playing video games or doing drugs than playing chess.
Susan,
I hope that when you win election, you can work with Mr. Goichberg. Everyone should consider what a positive force the CCA tournaments are to US chess. Is there a conflict of interest with him being involved in the USCF? Maybe this would matter if it wasn’t chess we were talking about. Should he be watched and his actions monitored? By all means that is what the Board should do. I would imagine that is part of a board members job. On the other hand, everyone associated with the USCF should be doing what ever it takes to promote the game of chess. You and Mr. Goichberg have spent a great deal of your lives doing just that. Seems like something in common is there. I can’t imagine what tournament chess in the US would be right now without the CCA. Whether he endorses you or not, whether he continues involvement in the USCF or not, I hope the two of you can work to build a better future for chess in America.
I have high respect for Mr. Bill Goichberg and I would be honored to work with him on the same board. I have never said anything to the contrary.
The problem is a few destructive chess politicians like to create problems that are not there just because that is how they would do things.
I have no problem with Mr. Randy Hough, Mr. Joel Channing or Mr. Don Schultz. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I didn’t receive Goichberg’s email, but you can read Goichberg’s comments concerning the USCF Executive Board candidates (including his reccommendations).
In a nutshell, he recommends Joe Lux, Don Schulz, Jim Berry, and Steve Jones. Randy Bauer and Mikhail Korenman are his #5 and #6 choices, but he faults them a little for joining the Polgar slate.
As regards Susan Polgar, he credits her for her promotional activities, especially for girls’ chess. But he has strong words about her negative campaign. He faults her for her relentless negative comments about the USCF, which he says she has failed to support by any specifics, other than misrepresentations of USCF finances. He has the same criticisms (only stronger) of Paul Truong. And unlike Susan, who he gives a mixed review, Goichberg doesn’t have really anything good to say about Truong, other than to say he seems to be “well qualified” in media and public relations. But he apparently questions whether Paul is telling the truth about his 20 years of business experience.
Goichberg’s strongest crticism is reserved for Sam Sloan, whom he thinks is beyond the pale. He doesn’t have anything to say about Mike Goodall one way or the other.
Susan,
Thanks for responding. You already have my vote and I love playing in Bill’s tournaments. As a poor, but dedicated chess player I just wanted assurance that everyone can work together to keep tournaments availabe to mainstream players such as myself. Chess politics mean nothing to me. The running of the USCF really only matters in that it is done fairly and that tournaments are promoted to be there for us players. I love your enthusiasm for chess. That is my validation for voting for you. Again, thank you for your response.
So let me get this straight. The USCF President endorsed a number of people who either have done NOTHING for chess on a national level or has no ability to excite the membership and most of the memberships have no idea who the hell they are. But he endorsed them because they are his friends?
And he trashed the most successful, most exciting, most competent and most qualified people because…they don’t play his game? OK. I got it! Thanks for telling us. I will vote for the best candidates which are Susan Polgar, Paul Truong, Randy Bauer and Michael Korenman.
Perhaps Bill forgot that he was the reason why his opponents endorsed and campaigned for Sam Sloan to be elected. It was a revenge toward Bill for his political style. Thank you Bill for convincing me to vote for the people you decide to trash.
Enough of this soap opera. It’s time to get rid of all these incompetent board members and bring in the new blood. I can live with any of these 5:
Susan Polgar
Jim Berry
Paul Truong
Randy Bauer
Mikhail Korenman
I will definitely not vote for Sloan, Goodall, Lux or Jones. I would reconsider Schultz if he can show me his respect toward Susan and her team. Otherwise, I consider him a politician who cares only about his own agenda.
Greg Shahade was very good for chess…on all levels. His dismissal was a major faux pas, and a black eye on the federation.
At the same time, I am not sure a new “cabal” is the answer to the current “Seldon Crisis” in the USCF.