Media Bias, Incompetence, or Deliberately Designed?
By Paul Truong
The NY Times is supposed to be the high standard of journalism. And a well-known chess journalist, Dylan McClain, had a long time column for this prestigious newspaper. He is a chess master himself.
But after the US won a historic Gold medal, he immediately jumped to praise Rex Sinquefield and the KCF (both deserve the credits) in an article (http://www.nytimes.com/…/us-wins-chess-gold-with-help-of-im…) but failed to acknowledge that 40+ % of the team have direct ties to the SPICE program at Webster University.
Even US Team Captain John Donaldson specifically mentioned Webster – SPICE at the 1st Official Baku Olympiad Press Conference, and a simple Google would show this article which came out immediately after the US won Gold (http://www.stltoday.com/…/article_cdf575e6-2710-5c16-ab04-c…) from St Louis’ largest newspaper, which specifically mentioned that Wesley So was a student at Webster University (he arrived at Webster with a rating of 2652 and ranked 99 in the world and left with a rating of 2762 and ranked in the top 10 in the world) and Ray Robson (arrived at Webster with a rating of 2599 and raised it to 2680).
US board 1 Fabiano Caruana started his Chess Career in NY City at the Polgar Chess Center in Queens, NY (not taking credit for his chess stardom but just stating the facts). Again, this info can easily be accessed on ChessBase and many other websites worldwide. Even the Wikipedia page of Fabiano specifically mention this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabiano_Caruana).
I can understand that a journalist who has no knowledge of chess can miss this kind of information. But for a long time chess master to ignore such historic facts? Ridiculous! Is it pure Media Bias, Incompetence, or Deliberately Designed?
Exclusive video of USA, Ukraine, Russia historic medal ceremony at Baku Chess Olympiad https://youtu.be/v9oMRzO57_s
Photos round 1-11 and Closing Ceremony:
Closing Ceremony: https://goo.gl/photos/UmMWCdYaNAw2cDy17
Olympiad day 11 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/p4hn7Bu1aJMi1wgd6
Olympiad day 10 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/PpjGnLVEHR1R49KMA
Olympiad day 9 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/6CfWjjapJL7Gpd9XA
Olympiad day 8 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/R3akNDqge8C5FMtr5
Olympiad day 7 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/E8vRDCQH8CA4qqc26
Olympiad day 6 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/MKEx8yQmzo1KP7iZA
Olympiad day 5 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/GHK3w3yXHTFrywZo6
Olympiad day 4 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/tJ2fJntYh9mqEMcC6
Olympiad day 3 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/FXY2ov9VZn8qRCdf7
Olympiad day 2 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/jwCyfFtgtzJeARie8
Olympiad day 1 photos: https://goo.gl/photos/VEGTVLLGC454Kh6b7
The general public understands the value money, it does not understand the value of education and training. This is true in all aspects of society.
I do agree with this article. Ms. Polgar and Webster University administration should rightfully be specially mentioned on this current historical success of US chess alongside with Mr. Sinquefield and KCF. These chess geniuses were raw talents when they came over here in the US. If they have stayed in where they were surely there would not be significant transformation in them. Those hours of painstaking mentoring and discipline by the chess tutors in Webster U surely did the magic and it is clearly visible. Thanks to Ms. Polgar and Webster U they are now superstars in the world of chess.
Hi Paul,
I’m sorry to say this, but since the first round of the Olympiad you were actively blotting out any mention of Wesley and trying to downplay his major contributions to the U.S. team in your news posts on this site. One of your admins admitted that they were specifically given the instruction not to mention Wesley’s name on every news post. It is very obvious in the pictures you post that you only focus your camera lenses on Caruana, Nakamura, Shankland or Robson. If ever Wesley is in the picture, he is either obscure or far back with his hand covering his face while in the middle of play. It is so irritating because we know there’s a previous drama and backstory behind these actions. Had Wesley performed poorly on Board 3 or the U.S. team failed to win the gold medal then you wouldn’t have made a fuss about it.
Having said that, I do acknowledge (as do a lot of Wesley fans too) what you and Susan have done for Wesley during his transfer to the USCF. We will never forget how you were there for Wesley in the Tromsø 2014 Chess Olympiad when Prospero Pichay and his lackeys tried to bully and guilt-trip Wesley into dissuading him to transfer federations. During his two years at Webster, it is obvious that Wesley learned a lot from Susan’s coaching and expertise thru the SPICE program. Both of you were there during the critical times when Wesley needed it the most and these deeds will never be forgotten. Wesley wouldn’t have reached this stage in his career without both of you.
But by trying to airbrush Wesley’s later successes and achievements, you also inadvertently airbrush whatever goodwill you have built thru guiding Wesley’s career in the past. I really hope that both you guys and Wesley get along and reconnect in the future and benefit from all the current successes that U.S. chess currently enjoys.
I’m just a fan watching from the sidelines.
The instruction is very specific by his handlers. Not the choice of anyone at Webster, SPICE or fellow students.