It’s Saturday Open Forum. The big chess news from the USCF is the official resignation of Executive Board member Joel Channing, one of the most successful business people to be elected to the Executive Board. I posted about it here. I also posted about my vision for chess in the United States here.
Super British GM Mickey Adams just won the Ruy Lopez tournament in Merida, Spain. Indian GM Sandipan is leading Gausdal with GM Kaidanov trailing by 1/2 point.
FIDE just announced that the bid for the Topalov – Kamsky match has been extended until April 23. The Bulgarians fiercely protested and I posted it about it here.
Last but not least, my weekly Sunday Newspaper Chess Column will debut on April 20, 2008. I will link all the articles right here on this blog as well as on http://www.chessdiscussion.com/ forum.
It is Saturday Open Forum. The Forum is yours. What would you like to discuss?
The USCF is beyond repair. The Bulgarians are screwed again. Too bad.
I’m hoping GM Kaidanov wins! Good luck!! I hope the Kamsky-Topalov match will be signed, hopefully in a neutral country but, if not, then play it anyway…the better player will win.
THe USCF needs to be replaced by a new chess organization and I think Susan should be involved as her proven success and dedication to chess is absoutely amazing.
And, I do hope everyone will ignore the troll that’s posting insulting and anti-immigrant remarks. This person is just wanting to disrupt this forum.
Thanks, Susan, for all you do.
If Polgar is so good for chess then let her go back to Hungary where she belongs. Goichberg worked hard for 40 years to get to where he’s at. Why should he reliquish his power? He clearly has the support from his board and his group. Why shouldn’t an American run the USCF? What’s wrong with you guys? Wake up and end this stupid immigration policy. Let’s close the borders and chase them all out. Just look at the US Championship. It;s full of foreigners and true Americans like Benjamin and Christiansen are no longer welcome. It’s time to take back America and the USCF.
Susan, where would you like to see the Kamsky-Topalov match held? Is the latest bid legal, seeing as it arrived after the deadline?
Is the USCF a U.S. government orginisation? If so why doesnt the FBI indict and arrest these bastards Goichi, CONVICTED FELON Sam Sloane and the rest of the criminals in the USCF!!!!?
The USCF is not a government entity. It claims to be the “National governing body for chess in the U.S. It is a not-for-profit organization (no doubt! They make no profit these days).
Membership is dropping. Money is wasted. It’s been run for so long (until Susan was elected) by criminals that did not have chess in the U.S. as their primary interest.
Susan was the best thing that happened to the USCF in a long, long time. Yet, she cannot do everything by herself.
The only thing that makes the USCF “Official” is people accept it as such. Hence, if enough people would accept a new, better organization…then the USCF would no longer be “official.”
We need a rival organization. And, to “fix” the USCF we would have to wait until the current corrupt board members’ terms expire (Susan and Paul excepted…they are doing all they can), get rid of Goichberg…but how?
The USCF is an entrenched Oligarchy of knaves and fools that have no idea of how to run a business! What needs to happen is for Susan and many other well respected GM’s help found a new organization.
It would take some time but it can certainly happen. There is no “quick fix” for the USCF at this point in time.
With so many of America’s best GM’s disgusted at the USCF, then I’m sure some (or many) would offer assistance in some manner to create an organization that truly represents American chess.
I think this must be considered…I think susan and several others have the talent to get a new organization promoted, funds raised, and look at how successful SPICE has been!!! This proves she can be a valuable asset to a new American Chess Organization. In the Next spice tourney just look at the high class GM’s participating!
It can be done and I don’t see why people don’t AT LEAST consider the pros and cons of this. Why waste years trying to “fix” the USCF when they are losing good people due to the other corrupt members?
We should spend that time working on a new American Chess Federation.
I know Susan has an opinion on this…I believe she thinks it’s possible.
She has given her all for U.S. chess…and we can within a few years have new, better, and better funded American chess Federation.
Let’s discuss this…the pros and cons logically. We need to find out what American GM’s think.
Sometimes a “little Revolution,” as Thomas Jefferson said, “is a good thing.” And it’s time for a Revolution in the American chess community…to declare Independence from the USCF with a new organization.
It can be done…and I think we know it can.
“Seneca”
fiercely? they just wrote some letter. topa is the king. kram is not bad for a contender to the chess crown, though slightly underrated he is.
you’ve made an important contribution here – unearthing what, on first blush, looks to me like the seeds of yet another in the seemingly unending string of USCF scandals.
I just read that Kamsky page you linked and you are entirely right – it will cause a big controversy, even in the US, leading to yet more embarrassment for the USCF potentates who seem to have endorsed Kamsky’s foundation without bothering to do any due diligence (i.e. impose any conditions on how Kamsky would use his foundation).
On that Web site you mentioned, he calls Kasparov a KGB stooge, and all but labels Kasparov’s respected chess foundation a fraud. In fact, Kasparov is loved in the US, and his chess foundation still has a major presence here. So once this gets out, there will be a big backlash…perhaps against Kamsky, but certainly against USCF politicians who have now allowed a prospective recipient of donations (Kamsky – his “foundation” was set up solely to funnel donations to HIM), to publicly insult a sponsor/provider of funds for chess in the US (the well-established Kasparov Chess Foundation).
This obviously wasn’t what they (or anyone) expected when the decision was made a couple months ago to endorse Kamsky’s foundation. That decision happened after Kamsky appealed to the USCF for direct financial support (supposedly to help him prepare for Topalov) and was turned down. That led to a minor groundswell among USCF members who said, OK, we know the USCF can’t afford to give any of its own funds to Kamsky…but surely it can help him attract donations from well-wishers, to be made through a separate foundation. And that’s what happened. It was envisioned as simply a mechanism to help Kamsky, now an American (note: I too thought the part about considering switching his affiliation back to Russia is true – but given Rustam’s language about Putin and the KGB, it’s hard to imagine the Russians would take him back now!), advance his bid for the WCC.
In fact, the March Chess Life drew an explicit parallel between Kamsky and Fischer (Fischer’s death was the cover story, then there was a big “gatefold”, or cover-inside-a-cover, touting Kamsky’s WCC quest).
I too was under the impression that Kamsky was on good terms with Topalov and Bulgaria. Looks like the heavy hand of Rustam is being felt again! There’s no getting away from him….
Posted by: Jon Jacobs at April 11, 2008 18:45 on chessninja
We should spend that time working on a new American Chess Federation.
I’d rather call it The SP American Chess Organization.
If you’re too lazy to read posts from people that are concerned about chess and are merely expressing their opinion…then don’t read them and just don’t comment.
This is an important topic and it is, so far, quite reasonable.
If you’re so “bored” with the subject and think some posts are “too long,” it just shows you’re too lazy to read….
Some issues simply can’t be explained in a few sentences. So, I suggest you either don’t read the “long posts” and stick to the single sentence posts.
Regarding Kamsky and Topalov, Gata did earn his match with Topalov…but I must say that I’m surprised by his comments about Kasparov.
Regardless, the match should be played and the better player will advance and play the winner of the upcoming Kramnik-Anand Match.
If both Kramnik and Topalov win their match…we’ll have another scandal in their WCC match (as Kramnik, if he wins, would regain the title, and if Topalov wins would play Kramnik…again).
So, there’s not much we players can do but sit back and watch events unfold. I just hope the match is played between Kamsky/Topalov, and we’ll see what happens.
But, I agree, this is another stain on the USCF.
I would like to know what Randy Bauer, Randy Hough, Jim Berry and Bill Goichberg have done for the USCF or US Chess since August 2007 other than dragging the USCF into multiple lawsuits and destroying our finances?
Why did they vote to promote GM Kamsky’s personal foundation instead of promoting or raising money for the USCF and our Olympiad teams?
When will Eric Moskow become an IM? Any bets?
I’ve become increasing frustrated with the lack of progress of the uscf. What can we do to remove Goichberg or any other board members who’s holding the uscf back?
I’d like to know your opinion on the question: Why did Magnus Carlsen get much more chances to play in elite events than Sergei Karjakin while they were rated equally?
Indeed. Rustam Kamsky seems to believe that Kasparov & Karpov are working with KGB:
http://www.01chess.com/article1.php
Who is on the board of directors of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, and how money is being used which is received for The Other Russia, administered by Kasparov & Greengard?
http://www.theotherrussia.org/
http://www.kasparovchessfoundation.org/
It looks like Michael Khodarkovsky, President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation misled the public and chess students that he holds master title.
http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2007/
01/another-uscf-fide-scandal.html
I’m looking forward to the Kamsky – Topalov match. It’s going to be a riot! What can possibly go wrong with Rustam and Danialov on the same site??? Lol!!
From what I read of Channing’s resignation on Gambit (NYTimes chess column), it was due in part of Channning’s recommendation that the USCF be insured against internet blog liability being rejected by the board. Goichberg said insurance cost $13,000 per year in past years and cutting this would save the USCF some money.
No one is stupid enough to sue a broke organization so this move on Goichberg’s part seems reasonable to me. I suspect Channing resigned because he interpreted Goichberg’s and the board’s rejection of his recommendation as a vote of non-confidence of himself. I don’t see this as evidence of USCF dysfunction unless it was the last straw.
I’m just curious as to exactly why Goichberg is so hated on this forum. Did he have anything to do with the controversial move to Crossville? Did he hire friends and family to USCF positions? Was he responsible for holding a national tournament in Oklahoma? What, exactly, did he do to earn him vitriol?
“Goichberg is so hated on this forum. Did he have anything to do with the controversial move to Crossville? Did he hire friends and family to USCF positions? Was he responsible for holding a national tournament in Oklahoma? What, exactly, did he do to earn him vitriol?”
Goichberg decided on a personal crusade to destroy Susan Polgar through his actions against her and her chldren as President of USCF. As a result of this, Goichberg has earned the scorn and curses of thousands of Susan Polgar fans from around the world.
There will be parties of celebration when Goichberg is out of power. He has no right to soil the reputation of GM Polgar!
Pass it on!
The post which was deleted came from some fake Rev. J.D. Walker. The IP and header matched. Another one caught.
Blog police
That’s not the moderator of this blog. It’s some wise guy pulling the fake reverend’s legs. Hahaha. This is funny. These idiots have nothing better to do that sitting around smelling each other’s garbage. LOL
A fake reverend? That’s too funny. Must be Laugherty since he’s known to create multiple handles on these forums. What a bunch of losers.
To anon 9:01 am,
I agree with you about closing the borders and too many foreigners coming in. But don’t pick on Susan. She is the type of person we want and don’t have enough of. Hard working mother, who cares about our youth and is trying to help them. Shame on you!
There should be no exception. We need to close our borders to everyone and ship Polgar and all the other foreign grandmasters back to where they belong. We got rid of one board member. Now comes the next two. Then we’ll have power for the next 4 years. Get em outta here.
I’m just curious as to exactly why Goichberg is so hated on this forum. Did he have anything to do with the controversial move to Crossville?
He was against it.
Did he hire friends and family to USCF positions?
No.
Was he responsible for holding a national tournament in Oklahoma?
Yes. Since the person putting up the money wanted it there, and there weren’t any other offers, I don’t quite see why this would be considered a slur.
The comments are ridiculous. Goichberg is a dinosaur who is missing the forest for the trees but let’s not knock GMs whether U.S. born like Benjamin or foreign born like Polgar. As an amateur chess player and chess parent, I’m tired of all this backstabbing and infighting. You want kids to stick with chess. Then start behaving like grown ups. Kids and their parents look around and see the b.s. that goes on both on the USCF board and the chess politicians and with local coaches badmouthing other coaches and they start streaming toward the exits. People don’t want their kids to grow up to be chess players when chess players behave like a bunch of babies. You’ve got a small pie. Instead of fighting to the death over a sliver, you should all put down your toy guns and agree to work together to grow the pie.
Who cares if Polgar got some universities to give scholarships? So what if she organizes tournaments for the pros. She’s a Hungarian and she has no business being here taking power away from true Americans like Goichberg, Berry or Bauer. I’ll never vote for any foreigner. If they want they can start a foreigner chess federation.
“If they want they can start a foreigner chess federation.”
Uh, its called FIDE.
You really are dumb!
Wow. (o_0)!
To 8:58:00 PM CDT…
Amen!
I gave up on the USCF long ago. It’s beyond repair. Susan was the last hope and while she’s achieving incredible success at SPICE, our leaders at the USCF is keeping her away. Good going guys. You’re a bunch of geniuses.
Re the 6:05 CDT post:
obvious man said…
“Goichberg is so hated on this forum. Did he have anything to do with the controversial move to Crossville? Did he hire friends and family to USCF positions? Was he responsible for holding a national tournament in Oklahoma? What, exactly, did he do to earn him vitriol?”
Goichberg decided on a personal crusade to destroy Susan Polgar through his actions against her and her chldren as President of USCF. As a result of this, Goichberg has earned the scorn and curses of thousands of Susan Polgar fans from around the world.
There will be parties of celebration when Goichberg is out of power. He has no right to soil the reputation of GM Polgar!
Pass it on!
Saturday, April 12, 2008 6:05:00 PM CDT
“[A]nd her children”? Not a credible claim.
If you were in the habit of signing your name, Obvious Man, you would not be experiencing your current problems.
“”[A]nd her children”? Not a credible claim.
If you were in the habit of signing your name, Obvious Man, you would not be experiencing your current problems.”
Again, you mistake me for someone else. On the Internet, everyone is a dog. As we all know, dogs have a good sense of smell and I smell a dirty rat-like Laugherty attack.
You guys work together with Goich-nerd and Sloani to attack innocent people. Just read Sloanis reply to the judge. It mentions not only personal information leak to Sloani, but it attacks Susan’s children! Laugherty, you and Sloani are evil human beings! How can you stand yourselves?
I believe my attitude towards Sloan may be on record somewhere, most obvious man.
The opinion that Sloan has in the past advanced Goichberg’s interests is not exactly an uncommon one: I have expressed it myself.
Assuming arguendo that all you say is correct, to ascribe a *particular vile act* by Sloan to Goichberg would seem unjustified.
Offered merely as a curiosity. Use Acrobat search to find the cited passage….
http://tinyurl.com/5p6mgm
THE EVOLUTION OF CRAYFISHES OF THE
GENUS ORCONECTES SECTION LIMOSUS
“The section of the limosus stock inhabitating the Pliocene Cincinnati River and the Cincinnati
Uplands was forced westward through sluiceways nicked into the Knobstone scarp by
the Muscatatuck River. After surviving in the unglaciated re-entrant of southern Indiana,
the population spread eastward in post-Kansan times to occupy the gently sloping west-facing
flank of the Niagaran scarp in southeastern Indiana. The species probably did not occupy
a very wide area for the Muscatatuck drainage was bounded on the east and south by the
unbeveled lip of the Niagaran limestones. Had the species reached Laugherty Creek or the
Ohio River, O. sloani would be represented today in the crayfish fauna of Kentucky.”
I’m not a lawyer but all this anti-Polgar, anti-immigrant talk is so sickening that I can’t even express it in words. Susan has children that were born here, are American citizens, she is an American citizen, and the garbage controlling the USCF has tried every way possible (I’m certain in other ways which we don’t even know about) to try and destroy Susan’s excellent reputation.
It will never work.
If there are any attorneys out there….couldn’t all the “anti-Polgar” posts and negative things said of her by the criminals within the USCF right here on this blog, be considered “defamation of character?” What about slander?
There are ways to find out who is posting these hateful messages by tracing their IP address. But, generally speaking, couldn’t they be sued for defamation of character or slander?
I don’t know the law but at least, isn’t there a legal mechanism to shut these people up….all the insults toward susan could be considered harassment.
Can someone who knows the law (an attorney….a paralegal)…please give an opinion?
Thank you.
There was an Aggie talking with a man from Texas Tech. Both were watching a dog clean its nether-regions. The Texas Tech man asked the Aggie, “Don’t you wish you could do that?” and then Aggie replied “I sure do! But I am afraid he would bite me!”