The local TV networks, print media and local radio stations are all covering the 2007 SPICE Cup, in addition to the NY Times, TWIC, Chessville, USCF online, Chessdom, MonRoi, etc. I expect many more chess and general news sources to do the same shortly.
In a very short period of time, more than 65 sponsors and supporters stepped up to make this tournament happen. With this kind of media attention, I hope to be able to raise more sponsorship for more prestigious events like this in the future.
Being able to find sponsors and generating media interest for chess have long been problems for US Chess and the USCF. This shows that it can be done if things are done right. I hope that the USCF will take notice and start making this a priority instead of wasting time and resources for nonsense.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone who is involved in this project. It is truly a team effort!
This is fantastic. You’re better off this way. The last few rounds will be very exciting.
Your campaign of non-constructive criticism of the USCF continues.
This is most unimpressive, especially as you are Chairman of the USCF.
If there is some positive change you want to achieve for the USCF, then call us to rally to that flag – rather than your personal fund-raising efforts.
Good luck with the rest of the tournament: impressive that the players who came on time and are staying to the end are so flexible with the rescheduling.
“More than 65” is an interesting number.
It seems that it is definitely less than “70” and probably less than “nearly 70”.
68 and 69 would qualify as “nearly 70”.
So I infer that “more than 65” is either 66 or 67. The question is – which ?
🙂
Susan:
Clearly you are doing a heck of a job attracting sponsors to put together the SPICE Cup. But I think the second poster is right (inasmuch as I loathe his tone). Since you are USCF chairman, perhaps now is the time to get the USCF itself involved in these kinds of efforts that you’ve been doing yourself so successfully. If you are finding that the USCF is actually a hindrance rather than a help then let us know why.
I have to second anon @1:53 and scugrad. Whether you like it or not, you are now the Chairperson of the USCF. So saying “I hope that the USCF will take notice and start making this a priority instead of wasting time and resources for nonsense” is like questioning your own credibility. Of course, changing a certain culture is not like flipping a pancake. But please avoid saying these kinds of things unless you are willing to share some information to us that you have tried to do so, and failed.
Good job on raising the sponsorship, and I hope this trend will continue 🙂
Yes, I am willing to say so publicly. Enough is enough. The USCF is going down a horrendous path. GM Lev Alburt faced the same problem when he was on the board. So did GM Seirawan when he tried to run for the board. The USCF lacks strong and capable leadership, direction, and focus. And instead of doing things in the best interest of the federation and chess, we have personal ego, personal interest, and politics standing in the way. I tried to do my best to unite the board. But that does not seem to work anymore. We are still doing things that do not work. How can we expect different results when we keep on making the same mistakes over and over again?
I ran for the USCF EB to help the USCF improve on various areas. But I do not have the majority votes to make changes. Due to the ridiculous legal situation, I cannot go into a lot of details. But I will speak out when everything is done. I am sure the USCF memberships would love to know what is going on behind the scene and some of the blunders that have been made which cost the USCF so much time and money. But for now, I can say various things in general.
We, as the EB, have spent too much time, effort and money for absolute nonsense instead of finding money to fund programs for scholastic chess, World Youth, Olympiad, professional players, military chess, correspondence chess, etc. We could potentially waste tens and thousands and even perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees in the next few years if this board stays on its course.
If it was not for Mr. Frank K. Berry sponsoring the US and US Women’s Championships again in 2008, we could potentially have nothing. We had 3 prospective sponsors wanting to be involved but some of the actions by the USCF stopped them on their tracks. We are having problems funding the 2008 Olympiad team. The USCF continues to do things to destroy relationships with sponsors and supporters. We are operating in an inefficient and unprofessional manner.
I do not run the USCF. I am just one of the 7 voices and votes. The current USCF structure does not work. This was pointed out by Mr. Erik Anderson and others. As I have said before, I am not giving up. I will continue to fight all the way until my term expires in around 4 years. But someone has to speak out or else it will be business as usual.
Susan Polgar
I will add one more point. People asked how I am able to do so many projects with little manpower and resources. I would like to use a chess analogy.
First, I have a goal / target. I know what I want to accomplish. Then I find ways and stay completely focus to achieve that goal.
The problem with the USCF right now and as far as I can remember is there is a lack of direction and focus. We react instead of plan things out.
I would like the USCF to focus on solving the pension / profit sharing, other legal matters and the website issue as soon as possible (which is being done on various degrees). Then I would like to the USCF to focus on raising the level of memberships, revenues, sponsorships and promotions, etc.
Susan Polgar
http://www.chessdom.com/news/spice-cup
http://www.kcbd.com/global/story.asp?s=7342103
http://knightlychess.blogspot.com/2007/11/2007-spice-cup-international.html
http://www.chessobsessed.com/
http://uschesstrust.org/WP/
http://affairsofchess-wydarzenia.blogspot.com/2007/11/international-masters-of-chess-compete.html
http://www.monroi.com/ChessTournament/SpiceCup/home.html
http://www.chessclub.com/activities/relays.html
http://koti.mbnet.fi/kimmoko/susanpolgarblog.php
http://goddesschess.blogspot.com/2007/10/reshevsky-memorial-at-texas-tech_31.html
http://szachy.blogspot.com/2007/11/2007-spice-cup-international.html
http://www.boston-blitz.com/
http://www.queensack.com/index.php?itemid=5
http://www.chess-international.de/ticker/
http://chesscom-chesscoach.blogspot.com/2007/10/suscribase-bucanero.html
I fully agree with you Susan. This board lacks leadership. The meeting in Crossville was conducted so unprofessionally. The President was clueless and he was even late for the meeting. I feel for your frustration. Congratulations on what you’re doing with SPICE.
It’s impossible to make things work if she’s not allowed to do her things. She’s a proven winner and they’re fighting her the same way the fought against Alburt. I put the entire responsibility on the shoulder of Goichberg who controls the majority votes.
I knew this was going to happen. Goichberg and Susan will never see eye to eye. He’s for big Swiss for CCA while she’s for promoting the game professionally. Their view clearly clash.
If Susan is successful in raising money for the SPF and SPICE, isn’t it obvious that the USCF would benefit greatly with her experience and star power?
Therefore, shouldn’t we question why the board majority doesn’t allow her to lead this area? I do hope she’ll expose the incompetence and corruption behind the scene. We need a new direction, not the CCA direction.
After 30 years of being a member of the USCF, I see little changes. It’s still the same games by the same principles and they’ll never allow people like Seirawan, Ashley or Polgar turn the USCF into a professional and competent organization. The same people keep on using people like Sloan to spring dirt on their political opponents.
I would like to see the accounting for legal fees the USCF will spend for this year and next.
The AF4C, SPF, KCF, Kids Chess, The Right Move, the National Youth Chess Foundation, UTD, UMBC, UTB, SPICE, Chess in the Schools and so many other organizations are doing great except for the USCF. Isn’t that alarming? This is a gigantic problem that existed for decades and nothing will change until incompetent folks are thrown out. Hang in there Susan. The next election is in 2 years and we’ll get you the help you need.