The Dirty Hidden Truth
By Susan Polgar
June 2009
www.ChessCafe.com
* Just added evidence of a bribery scheme involving the USCF President Bill Goichberg, another Executive Board member, and others. It has been presented to the court.
How could a national organization, an organization which claims that it has no money to do many things for the benefit of chess and it members, afford to spend $500,000, $600,000, $700,000 or perhaps even more than $1,000,000 in legal fees for political purposes? How could a national organization, an organization which at one time had annual revenues over $6 million, sink this low? Finally, how can we fix the problems, to make things better, when the problems are being hidden and kept secret from the membership at large?
One of the key problems is the structure of the organization itself. It is very difficult to implement sound changes when the leadership is so far behind understanding the rapidly changing business world. If we do not understand our customers and do not offer what they want, we are doomed to fail. So many chess politicians have hung around for decades doing everything imaginable to grab and hold on to their power. Some have done this for three, four or even five decades.
Why? For some, it is very lucrative. For others, they are addicted to power. Many care more about their personal, financial and political agenda than the welfare of chess, the USCF and its members.
Many of my friends, including 3-time U.S. Champion Grandmaster Lev Alburt, have warned me about the dirty and vicious chess politics. I know that it is not easy to make positive changes. However, if no one is willing to step up to the plate and go to bat for the members, how can things get better?
… My experience on the USCF Executive Board in the past two years is like a mirror image of what GM Alburt said, except a lot worse. I am not a chess politician and I have no desire to get involve in the filthy disgusting world of chess politics. I did not want the failed status quo to continue. My sole intention was and is to help chess and the USCF.
In the past two years, instead of working with me and helping me promote chess to benefit our entire sport, some of these chess politicians have spread the most outrageous and vicious rumors and lies, trying to destroy my reputation, my employment at
Knowing that I am a one of the biggest advocates for scholastic chess in this country, especially for girls, some of these people spewed out the disgustingly offensive rumor that my husband and I were child abusers. They claimed that we abused my children and we even forced them to consume hot sauce. This sort of despicable thing made its way to the internet and even made its way to my employer
There were countless remarks and postings telling my husband and me to go “back to where we came from.” Some said this is the United States Chess Federation and not the United Nations Chess Federation, and a foreigner had no business running the USCF, while others were openly discussed ways to deport me back to my native
Ironically, the USCF and some board members have continued to deny that they have had anything to do with this despicable conduct, but their own attorney made sure to demand that I show proof that I am in the U.S. legally and if I “hot-sauced” my children in the past!? Outrageous, but true! Coincidence? You decide.
Some called me a “whore,” “bitch” and worse, with words that are not appropriate to print. They even created a public website about this. I informed the USCF and its board members, but they chose to ignore this and do nothing. Instead of investigating such vile and despicable conduct, the USCF and the board majority spent hundreds of thousands of dollars investigating us!
To support their agenda, misleading and one-sided information was published in Chess Life, the USCF website, in mailings and to the email list so I would have no opportunity to respond or correct the record.
Here is the full 8-page article. You can also read more about what these people have done here.
It is a tough battle fighting “the system“. But it is a fight that all USCF members must take on to save what’s left of this federation. Some of the same people have chased away so many good sponsors, volunteers and even members for years by attacking and destroying them so they can keep control of this federation.
If they can do this to me and my family, they will not spare anyone standing in their way. The USCF will not survive financially much longer if this trend of destruction continues. They have damaged the USCF enough. It is time to bring in professionals to fix and rebuild this federation. Please help me get the word out. Thank you!
Here is another website giving excellent details: http://uscf.fiorechess.org/
Susan, it is extremely depressing to hear that the USCF is more vindictive and abusive than anyone feared.
I understand and applaud your determination to continue on the path despite the uncountable number of morons in the way.
No one would be able to condemn you for ignoring the USCF and to proceed to promote USCF-less chess, but I suspect that they have once again underestimated your resolve.
Please accept my admiration for your tireless work and my hope that an Executive Board that actually gives a damn about chess is elected…
I am curious about something. Awhile back I posted something in regards to this subject and you had it removed and told me to never use this blog for that kind of stuff. All I was doing was asking questions about what was going on and got rebuffed. Now here you are with lots of information about it. I am not condemning you because we need to know but it seems like a double standard. Thanks for all you do in promoting chess especially for the children. David
Kerry, if they think that I would just give up and walk away like they have done to countless others, they’re mistaken. I made a commitment to sacrifice 4 years of my life to help the USCF and this chess community get rid of this kind of practice and start to become a more serious and professionally run organization. I have no idea if I will be able to do it or not but I will give 150% of myself to change the current system.
David, I created this blog and devoted thousands of unpaid hours for the chess community. But this situation has gone too far. I have no choice but to let everyone know since the USCF leadership abused the system by using Chess Life and the USCF website for their political agenda and not allowing me to respond.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
It’s obvious to everyone else in the world that the USCF is broken….why isn’t it obvious in the US? The US Federation is almost laughable….but not quite..because its in such a sad state of affairs and its so very sad that this is all the Americans have.
I think the public should let them die….simple. If they can’t keep up then eventually they’ll have to pack up and go home. Whats that old saying? The reason they are so vicious is because they have nothing to be vicious about. Really Pathetic if you ask me.
Susan, All
I pray for you.
Bless you
May I find the right deeds and words to assist you in your way to mend the situation in US chess. Your success will have positive affect, I believe, on Chess all around the globe.
Wishing you the best
Sending you my total but humble support
A. Weiler.
The USCF sued Polgar first and in multiple venues. Goichberg and his board violated numerous bylaws and they’re in serious trouble. The legal filings are here: http://www.chessdiscussion.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2556
Bill Goichberg, Jim Berry and Bill Hall conveniently forgot to tell all USCF members that they violated exclusive contracts and got sued by their vendor which may cost the USCF a few hundred thousand dollars in legal fees and judgment.
They also forgot to tell all USCF members that they abused their authority by filing multiple unauthorized lawsuits using over $500,000 of USCF members’ money. Now they’re being held accountable for what they did in the San Francisco court and in Texas.
This is why they won’t give Susan a chance to speak out by using their controlled Chess Life and Chess Life Online with full censor mode on. This is not what Chess Life or Chess Life Online are for.
Bill Hall is publishing “USCF legal update” in Chess Life and the USCF websitewith 3 month old information and he won’t include devastating ruling judges made in multiple states made against the board and the USCF. An ED is supposed to be neutral. He’s putting himself in the middle of this political war to save his job and to cover his mistakes and incompetence. That’s abusing his power and a definite conflict of interest.
If you don’t believe me, ask him to publish ALL filings in CT, TX and CA which find problems with the USCF conduct and action.
How come Bill Goichberg isn’t talking about his involvement in a bribery scheme for delegates’ votes? How come Jim Berry isn’t talking about his cover up of this illegal conduct by the USCF President?
Not only the President was caught red handed, he even lied about it to cover up what he and his buddies did.
On top of this, he’s making the USCF pay for his own company CCA’s legal fees. This is illegal and unethical.
Shame on you Bill! You want another 4 years with Jim Berry, Ruth Haring and Mike Atkins? I don’t think so.
You’ve destroyed the USCF enough already.
Susan
How come you have a lawsuit against the uscf isnt that hurting US chess ?
Jonathan
That’s the political propaganda they’re spreading to try to fool the voters to win the election. The USCF’s insurance is covering for their defense.
The big legal fees come from the USCF suing Susan and investigating her as well as other USCF members, volunteers and delegates.
What Goichberg says is absolute BS. Susan offered to drop the USCF for $1. Goichberg said no without consulting with the delegates. He’s using the USCF to shield his illegal and unethical conduct.
The USCF spent over $250,000 before Susan filed her lawsuit. So what are you talking about. The USCF is also paying money to defend the breach of contract case in CT. That has nothing to do with Polgar. Most of the money spent so far are for litigation, not defense. What a crock by Goichberg and Hall. They’re trying to lie to the members so Goichberg can win his reelection with Jim Berry, Mike Atkins and Ruth Haring. These guys already said publicly that if they win, they’ll continue the lawsuit and maybe file even more.
Susan hang in their and fight your corner.
You know you are right.
Looking from England Chess has a bad enough time getting the right press in the USA,it does not need to be shown in this way.
People fighting each other rather than fighting for chess.
Many organizations have people who hold on to power far to long,the USCF it seems is one of these.
Yes you are correct you are fighting a system,but its a fight that must for the good of chess in America be won.
When people attack you personnly i look at it this way they have lost.
If they must attack you and even your children what kind of people are these to promote national chess.
Keep your head up and stay strong.
I must also congratulate you on your excellant schoolastic chess work.
Bill Goichberg and Bill Hall abuse the system by using Chess Life and the USCF website to campaign. It’s unethical. But what can you expect from these guys?
Unfortunately for them, they can’t stop the truth from coming out. They can’t stop people from finding out that some of the board members were involved in a buying votes scheme. They can’t stop people from finding out how much money they’ve wasted for their own agenda.
Goichberg and Berry must go. Their slate members Ruth Haring, Brian Mottershead, Brian Lafferty and Mike Atkins must go as well. The USCF needs fresh blood not corrupt chess politicians.
May you succeed, for the best of future uscf.
how do you get a ballot if you dont get the chess life mag ?. Also when is the election ?
Jonathan
Just out of curiosity, what does “Hot Sauced” mean in this context?
“Just out of curiosity, what does “Hot Sauced” mean in this context?”
It means that is how Jackass is going to be treated in Jail.
Currently on the home page of the USCF website they are blaming your lawsuit for budget cuts and the fact that they had to cut personnel by 20% and go down to a 4 day work week. But for that statement to be accurate, all of the USCF’s legal fees would have to come from the case brought by you. Aren’t there other cases commenced by the USCF and others against you? So isn’t the statement on the homepage misleading?
Is the new membership option of not receiving the ChessLife mag part of a scheme to discourage fewer votes for future elections??
USCF needs a big shake-up!!
Is there a reason to “save” the USCF rather than start a new organization?
Bill Hall is lying again. This is part of the BS to save his job due to his own incompetence.
The legal fees of the USCF is covered by the insurance company. The $500,000+ Bill Hall, Bill Goichberg and Jim Berry authorized to spend is to investigate and sue Polgar. It also includes the fees they have to pay to defend the case in CT caused by Bill Hall and Bill Goichberg violating the EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT with Chess Cafe.
So Bill Hall is lying to the members on purpose to help Bill Goichberg, Jim Berry, Ruth Haring and Mike Atkins win the election so he can keep his job. He knows that if others win, he’ll be unemployed and probably be sued for his illegal conduct.
Reading Bill Hall’s statement it sounds like the 4-day work week is the plan the staff came up with to make the 20% cut in the personnel budget.
Don’t worry Susan. The truth will be known and truth will set you free!
Your loyal supporter
Jimmie Beatty
Don’t worry Susan. The truth will be known and truth will set you free!
Your loyal supporter
Jimmie Beatty
susan please dont give up the cowards n abbies tht they r have nothin else better to du then u mock u paul ur fanmily wht does tht say abt them corwardly corrupt liers dont want the truth to come out please as i loyal supporter dont give up the problem is they dont want woman in charger simple as tht u r smarter brilliant intelligent n u only want whts best 4 chess certainly not 4 more yes of corrupt liars phonies enough is enough they should act there age not shoe size gro up act mature they kno ur rite they have to paly this game no wonder y they dont play game they get butt kicked as they should goodluck dont ever give up hope u winn to prove them wrong
Susan,
I read the entire 8 pdf documents you placed concerning your lawsuits.
It was so hard to believe all the things you had to face.
Pride will be the downfall of the USCF. It would have been easier for all if they had accepted your $1.00 settlement.
They are blaming the 20% cuts on you. I say keep the course and stay firm.
abed
http://www.claudiachess.blogspot.com
I’m not an attorney so the one question I have is why sue the USCF rather than suing Goichberg et al personally? It seems that suing the USCF, if successful, will destroy the USCF, whereas ther seems to be evidence of wrongdoing by individuals – bribery of delegates, breach of contract with chessCafe, defamation, etc. etc.
I’m an attorney (not in the US) and IMO, she had to sue the USCF to require proper discovery. As long as these individuals are hiding behind the USCF, she doesn’t have a choice. That’s why she sued the USCF then offer the $1 settlement offer. This way, if the USCF accepts this offer, these individuals can no longer hide behind the USCF.
Susan,
I have read your blog posts and the posts of your detractors. I applaud your tireless efforts promoting chess.
However, I don’t understand why you filed a lawsuit against the USCF while maintaining a seat on the board? Aren’t you in effect filing suit against yourself?
I don’t know who is right or wrong as there are always two sides to the story, so I’ll let the courts decide.
bfn,
There are specific reasons why the lawsuit was filed against the USCF. Please feel free to read my filing here: http://chessdiscussion.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2556
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Isn’t bribery a criminal offense? Then how come the USCF is not pushing for criminal charges against Bill Goichberg, Randy Hough and Jerry Hanken, as well as Jim Berry and Bill Hall for covering it up?
Can the members sue Goichberg, Hall, Berry and the whole gang for wasting over $600,000 of members’ money?
I have been trying to follow the happenings surrounding these lawsuits, and I must say that I am completely turned off by the unethical behavior of that political gang of thugs running the USCF, using the organization’s message board as their political tool. Their behavior, while extreme, is not that all uncommon for people who get involved in political leadership of organizations. It has been my experience, in many cases, they usually begin to confuse themselves with the organization itself.
I believe that I understand what you are doing, Susan, and I believe that most of your troubles emanate from certain people’s jealousy. You are doing what they wish they could do.
It is they who are bankrupting the USCF, and they are trying to hang that albatross around your neck. Good luck to you and your family.
It’s time to bring in the cavalry.
Yes!!! That cavalry is Bobby Fischer !!! We need to bring him back from Iceland and install him on the Executive Board. I don’t think he has much personal ambition left and would basically serve as a counterweight to the spendthrift/deadwood types now on the Executive Board. The press coverage this would bring to the USCF international attention and it would not cost much, just transport from Iceland to the USA and back. We could get a letter from Obama that would waive the tax penalties and George Bush’s arrest warrant on him. I am sure Obama would not mind because they both disliked the Bushes. In my view, this is the only way to save the USCF.
Big shame on Goichberg and all the people who were involved in this. Good luck Susan!
Susan, how long will this whole battle with the lawsuits and everything take? will this ever end?!
one tournament organizer recently made an excellent bid to the USCF to host various national championships in Chicago. One
of Goichberg’s most profitable chess tournaments also takes place in Chicago at a similar time. The motion to award a multiple year bid to the Chicago organizer would have passed 3 (Yes) – 2 (No) -1
(Abstention) if Goichberg had recused himself from voting due to his conflict of interest with Continental Chess. Goichberg refused to recuse himself, and his Board majority refused to ask him (Goichberg) to recuse himself, and the motion was at a 3-3 deadlock when the Board voted. The USCF sees annual cash inflows in the range of $3.2 million through the dues of its 80,000 members, grants, gifts, advertisements,
bequests, sponsorships, et cetera. At one time, the USCF annual
revenues exceeded $6 million. For the last thirty years, Goichberg,
through his constant presence on the USCF Executive Board, has managed to unlawfully cause many thousands of dollars to be unfairly directed to his pocket, his political allies, and the coffers of Continental Chess.
This is why Goichberg, Berry, Atkins, Haring and other Goichberg’s friends must not be elected. The corruption must end.
Reliable sources report that the USCF is completely out of money.
This means that the USCF has exhausted the entire $350,000 bequest that it received earlier this year and has exhausted its entire line of credit too.
It is time for Bill Goichberg and Bill Hall to resign and step aside.
They are incompetent and simply cannot do their jobs.
Goichberg should be investigated criminally. How come the USCF is hiding such important facts from the USCF members? This kind of corruption must stop. Jim Berry, Mike Atkins and Ruth Haring will help Goichberg continue his personal and political agenda, one which costs the members more than $600,000.
Goichberg and Hall also got the USCF sued by a former vendor by violating the exclusive contract. These people have no respect for the laws or the USCF bylaws. Time to throw the bums out.
susan thanx 4 all u du u c this is wht is called judgement they r judgin u ur family mockin u if ne 1 has seen jesus of nazareth they will here wrds he who is among u who have not sinned then let him cast the 1st stone who so ever lives in glass house should not throw stones b storng keep fightin dont give up thts wht they want u 2 du then they will win so beleive in all u du we r totally support u n ur efforts thanx
The current board of the USCF reminds me of a great quote…
‘The fact which the politician faces is merely, that there is less honor among thieves than was supposed, and not the fact that they are thieves’ – Henry David Thoreau
Dear Susan,
It is really sad to read about what these people have done to you.
I am from India, and I know cases here in our State in India where a similar case has happened. A player by the name of “Saurav Barve” was Blacklisted and exposed by the Influential people of the Board. They exposed him on their official website so that he could not make any changes or reply to what they had written about him. This has ruined not only his Chess career but also his career as a Software Engineer.
Here is the article about him:
http://www.mumbaichess.org/