All I can say is I am stunned of another new low in USCF politics. I am pro college, adult, military, internet, correspondence and especially scholastic chess. I am doing everything I can to positively promote chess every single day and it is evident from my blog, my activities and my actions.
Unfortunately, some of our chess politicians feel differently. They are elected to do the right things for our sport but they do not.
I just posted a shocking item here (www.uschess.blogspot.com). I do not even know how to respond to it. Many people in scholastic and many parents of young female chess players are outraged. Me too!
These people are even willing to break a legal agreement to suppress the progress of scholastic chess, especially for girls. And they want your votes for 4 years! For what? So the entire federation can be destroyed?
You can read the shocking proposal by a board member for yourself.
What the heck? Are these guys crazy? What are they thinking of?
Susan, as a big fan of yours, I am troubled and annoyed after reading this. Don’t lose your head. Keep smiling and keep doing the wonderful things you do. We love you and we love what you stand for.
With support
Abie
Susan, be strong !
Please take very good care of yourself, both physically and mentally, and be strong. We all love and appreciate you a lot you know. Calm down and be logic and be strong and actually you already are!
Melody, Montreal
This is truly incredible. Why do people keep voting for these clowns?
I am stunned, outraged, angry, and extremely dissappointed at the existing state of USCF. This is truly an amateur organization. The wording, the personal attacks are an affront to decency. You are a classy, accomplished, World Champion, legendary chess player and it is amazing what you have accomplished in your life. You are worth your weight in gold! Ignore these idiots and let us all hope your professional team gets elected and the USA can become a chess powerhouse one day as China and India have done in the last decade.
I think that it will be very sad if they change the name to Irina Krush …What has she done to deserve the title? Maybe if she can go to schools 24-7 to encourage more girls to play, or maybe go to tournaments and speak to girls to stick with the game or flown all over the country to make an appearance so that little girls will see a good role model…I doubt it and I doubt if she can follow in Susan’s footsteps. Susan had to be taken to the doctor at the Corpus Christi tournament, but despite her ailing state, she kept a smiling face – just so that all the children in the tournament stayed positive! I think that speaks volumes about a person’s dedication. If USCF makes the change to Irina Krush, then maybe all the girls and Ms Krush need to boycott the event! Susan, thanks for fighting these “middle aged *****.” They do not have the welfare of chess as their utmost priority!
I assume this motion was proposed by a board member. Did the board go along? If not, you can’t really point finger at the entire board. We already know that one individual does not belong to the board currently.
I love that part when he said that Irina was so much more attractive, etc.! I almost doubled over laughing. Not to say anything bad about Irina, mind you, but since when is physical appearance a criterion for chess tournaments?
There’s a bright side to re-electing this guy (whoever he is) though…the comedy he brings to the table is something I doubt any other candidate has
An anti-chess mentality is at work.
This would be a shocking big deal if the Board voted to approve it.
As it is, one apparently nutty member proposed something, as is his right, and the board has not accepted it.
To me the proposal sounds sarcastic, not serious.
Agree with Melody.
“In short, Irina Krush is the perfect role model for our youth, for the type of person we want to bring into chess. A beautiful young girl is obviously a more attractive role model than a divorced, middle-aged woman.”
Absolutely dispicable! I can’t believe that this is for real. Susan are you sure this isnt a practical joke by someone to just wind you up. I can believe anyone with an ounce of common decency would write something like this.
The proper person to run this tournament is the person who cares most about it and puts their time and resources behind it and I assume you have done this in the the past.
I have nothing against Irina Krush but has she actually had any past experience with this event? Susan you should really check this with her if you know her, surely they would have had to get her permission to use her name before they could do this.
Her name is easy to pronounce ??!!
Susan Polgar v Irina Krush – Hmmm yeh big difference! Perhaps these people need some speech therapy if they find either of those hard to pronounce.
What does Irina think of this? Aren;t you good friends with her?
Dear Susan,
I sympathize with your reaction to the assinine attack. I have a little political experience . With Melody, I advise pauses before your responses, which should be in clear and concise English. An editor’s advice would help!
Mediocrities do their dirty best to survive, so you might not succeed. I’m a realist – and more concerned about international politics – but I despise this kind of petty nastiness you will continue to encounter.
All the best,
Anonymous Frank
BTW I don’t think you’re “middle-aged!” You don’t look it! Keep up with the exercise program! Too many chess players neglect health.
I read the original post on the USCF forums and didn’t know whether to laugh at the utter absurdity or cry at the language which is sexist and degrading to two of the strongest women chess players in the U.S. (maybe the two strongest?) Maybe the other members of the boys club that is the USCF and increasingly the USCF issues forum think that this is amusing. It is not. As the mother of a girl who plays chess and admires both GM Polgar and Irina Krush for their strong chess playing abilities, I am offended. This is putting aside the fact the original poster is obviously ignorant about the USCF’s contractual obligations and it also gives the lie to the idea that he is some kind of USCF watchdog — I think they have the wrong animal. Try a barnyard animal that oinks.
If this was the first day of April, we could all have a good laugh at the “proposal”. But it’s not April 1, and I’m not laughing… Rich
The link should be to
http://uschess.blogspot.com/2007/06/destruction-of-uscf.html
not to
http://uschess.blogspot.com/
Today http://uschess.blogspot.com/ works, but in the future, when readers read to this post in the archives, they would have no idea which post on the uschess blog this post is refering to.
It seems the battle lines have surely been drawn. It is truly UNBELIEVABLE what they are doing.
Susan, I sincerely hope that you and your team get elected so that the USCF can look towards a brighter future.
Also, I must agree with Abie and others that you should not get discouraged by these clowns. You must keep your head up. When a person such as yourself with such a great character and also with your great passion to promote the game of chess it can be expected that others will attack you. There are MANY of us out there who support you and will stand by you no matter what!
More political tactical analysis:
The personal attack had two branches:
1. Provoke you
2. Male wolfpack solidarity
Hilary is a model. Ironically bemused at the attack, turn it to your advantage. Speak from the higher ground – more dismissive than defensive. Just use it as an opportunity to make a clear and simple statement of a saleable position that might get a few more votes. (vs. a flank attack, strike back in the center)
Anonymous Frank from DC
UM…..I read this “proposal”, the reasoning it presents is rather juvenile and uncomfortable to read. I’d be really amazed if it was taken seriously. Susan….why don’t you just start your own Chess Federation and leave these silly people to their own little games.
If this is the kind of thinking that goes on at the USCF then I don’t think you’ll even be able to work with these folks if you’re elected anyhow. I’m serious. You up to it? And poor Irina…put in the middle of this messy proposal.
CU in Ottawa
Mike M
I don’t know Irina Krush but I bet that she would be embarrassed to have her name linked with the person who made the proposal. Let’s not let him turn this into a Krush vs. Polgar popularity contest. They are both wonderful role models for young chess players of both genders but they are in different stages of their lives and careers. The same person who made that absurd motion has posted something even more absurd and maybe even possibly libelous this morning on the USCF issues forum. I’m shocked that these posts are allowed to remain. On the other hand, if it helps to mobilize voters to vote for GM Polgar and other responsible, serious, committed chess professionals, then I hope they leave them up.
None of the board members or opposing candidates spoke out agains this. They’re all hiding behind this lunatic to win the election.
The same people who endorsed and campaigned this lunatic are now endorsing Stephen Jones and Joe Lux. Think about it before you cast your votes.
That’s why I support Polgar, Korenman, Truong, Berry and Bauer. They are the honorable men and woman who will do the right things.
Others would only put their best interest and politics first.
This is a stupid proposal and the one who makes this proposal should be stoned.
This is truly shocking. How come Mr. Schultz, Goichberg, Lux, Jones and others have not spoke out against this? Why do they continue to condone such ugly actions?
Undoubtedly, Bill Goichberg, you read this blog. You need to say something publicly immediately. Your reputation is on the line.
If it’s true that Mr. Goichberg signed the contract with the SPF for this tournament, I find it sad that he hasn’t blasted the fellow board member who proposed this.
This is why I can’t vote for any candidate which Mr. Goichberg has endorsed. This is very bad.
I find it interesting that Bogner, Lafferty, Quinn and Payne are constantly defending the right of this lunatic while ignoring the rights of others. But it’s a free country and anyone can do as they wish.
The best way to handle this situation is to maintain composure, as many here have asked similarly.
In no way should Susan deviate from her work-ethic, as this would allow them to get away with it.
I understand that what is needed in response to a social assassination, as ugly as it can get, is to resolve now to behave in a highly mature manner in response, and to let the Polgar fans take up the stand.
This garners respect in people.
Although the event is attempting to get personal, it is a test of Susan’s character.
This is the suffering of one who has a high degree of publicity.
I read this morning on the USCF issues forum that Bill Hall had asked Hal Bogner, Brian Lafferty, David Quinn and Wayne Praeder to be on a committee to revamp FOC (Forum Oversight Committee) procedures. I don’t know about Praeder and I note that Quinn has moderated his rhetoric of late (compared to some of his posts last summer) but the other two have been quite outspokenly critical of GM Polgar and Paul Truong. If you are going to put together a committee to revamp FOC (and I don’t necessarily think it’s necessary), then make it a balanced group of USCF members. I question the judgment of anyone who approved of that committee. What is going on over there?
Seriously,
Is this SS way of hitting on Irina Krush?
She has a good name for chess. Imagine being Krushed by Bonecrusher Krush.
I think he is imagining more than that. Like his head being crushed by her thighs or something?
Once Intel, IBM, Microsoft or any number of other potential sponsors read this… which they will, don’t be naive enough to think they donate money blindly, the game is over for the USCF.
This letter is now a PUBLIC RECORD a will circulate for years on the internet I am afraid. Mark my words this will come back to haunt the USCF in unforseen ways in the future.
I am shocked that some of the other board members did not react to quash it before it got out.
The problem is people like Goichberg and Schultz, as good as they are to chess, are clueless in many areas. They don’t understand that everything is out on Google will be permanent records and it WILL harm chess. But they choose to stay silence so that Sloan can destroy their opponents for them.
Since they have no vision and no platform, this is the only chance they have to win. It’s sad for chess. Instead of Schultz and Goichberg passing the torch to the next generation to run the USCF, they decide to hang on and harm others.
Goichberg’s mindlessness is not suprising given the type of person he obviously is.
The reality is Susan Polgar, although “middle-age” is actually far more attractive both physically, mentally and socially then Irina Krush. She represents what all those girls should be striving for…work hard, keep focused and despite all adversity your beauty will shine through.
Let Goichberg continue to reveal to everyone what he fantasizes about when he thinks about womens chess. It’s just exposing him for what he really is and what chess really means to him.
Let’s not insult Mr. Goichberg. No matter what you think of him, his handling of chess politics or this federation, he has done a lot.
Yes, I am disappointed that no board members or opposing candidates have spoken out about it. This only further reassures me that changes are needed and if we continue to elect the same type of people, we will get the same results.
We are living in the 21st century and some of these people still believe that women belong in the kitchen. They said so in a number of their posts.
But let’s not disrespect anyone. I am personally very thankful for all the wonderful things that Mr. Goichberg has done for chess. Let’s fix the problems and let’s make this federation more respectable, viable and strong.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Reelect Don Schultz, Sam Sloan along with Joe Lux and Stephen Jones! We don’t need any foreigner running the USCF. They should go back to to where they came from.
The USCF was fine before she got here and it will be fine after. No changes are needed.
So what if Goichberg doesn’t speak out against his fellow board members? He doesn’t like you and he doesn’t want you on the board. He is campaigning against you so why should he speak up for you? Get real.
In effect, his proposal is nothing more than a vendetta and should be recognized as such (but this is the USCF, after all). His struggles to find justifications for naming your tournament after Irina Krush are simply embarrassing and make the proposal read like a satire.
I am speechless at this new outrage. No doubt Irina Krush is a beautiful and charming young woman, but she has not even done half the work Susan has done to promote girls’ chess. Moreover, this tournament was created, driven, and promoted solely by Susan. It is bizarre and illogical to even think of having anyone else’s name affixed to this tournament besides the one person who has been the single driving force behind it from the start: Susan Polgar.
We MUST get Susan’s team elected and remove these malicious, irresponsible goons from the board.
If I was Bill Goichberg, I would ban Susan Polgar from the USCF. We don’t need a woman in charge. It would be a tragedy if she and her team win.
What does she know about chess politics? Nothing. How can she make deals with people who have been in the system for decades? Does she want to change things because it’s 2007?
There’s nothing wrong with the USCF. Bill Goichberg, Sam Sloan, Joe Channing, Don Schultz, Randy Hough and Beatriz Marinello are great board members.
I don’t want to see any foreigner running this federation. This is my country. I’m proud to serve my country and send those immigrants back to where they came from.
The USCF needs people like Stephen Jones, Joe Lux, Don Schultz, Mike Goodall, Sam Sloan and Jim Berry. They’re born and raise in the USA and they know how things work.
It’s a clumsy proposal, and not evidently backed by Irina Krush which would be legally necessary I guess.
This was posted by Chris Falter on the USCF forums:
Susan is a wonderful role m0del for young ladies like my daughter Melody.
* She was the first woman to qualify for the GM title under the same standards as men.
* She has won 2 FIDE Women’s World Championships and 2 unofficial women’s world championships (blitz and rapid).
* She has organized dozens, if not hundreds, of scholastic tournaments.
* She has encouraged universities to donate $100s of thousands in scholarships to some of our top g1rl chess players.
* She has organized a training camp for our top g1rl players.
Irina Krush is a fine player and a fine person. It could very well be that in the future she will invest herself heavily in developing our female talent, and she will be a role m0del with as much impact as Susan. Who knows…perhaps more! But she has not reached that point in her career yet.
Susan is the chief organizer of the National Invitational that bears her name. She has worked hard to line up scholarships from Texas Tech for tournament winners. She has come up with a terrific deal for parents who do not have unlimited resources to travel across the nation and spend $thousands on travel, hotels, and food. While the USCF should not necessarily rubber-stamp her every idea, this one is well worth considering.
Full disclosure: my daughter was this year’s Polgar qualifier from SC. The SC Chess Association offered $350 in assistance to help her go, but the difference between $350 and the expenses we would have incurred was far too steep a hill for us to climb this summer. We had to forgo the opportunity (and have made other plans), and the SCCA is offering assistance to the second place qualifier. I hope the alternate can go, but I think her family’s financial situation is even tighter than ours.
My own experience tells me that if Polgar can find a way to offer every qualifier a free slot, all expenses paid, the USCF should say thanks and run with it. This would also allow state associations to redirect the resources they would have spent on Polgar qualifier assistance to other worthwhile causes. Virtually everyone wins in this scenario.
Could someone (like Mike Nolan) tell us how many of the Polgar participants have played in the US Open over the past 4 years?
Finally, I find it repugnant that the Board member who hosts a web page entitled “Still Even More Proof That G1rls Can’t Play Chess”, and bases the role m0del value of women chess players on their physical attractiveness, is lecturing Susan Polgar on how best to encourage our promising female juniors.
Susan has stated that today’s all-g1rls programs are an intermediate step to help develop a critical mass for a women’s program. My daughter Melody has a pioneering spirit, but she is the uncommon type who is willing to swim against the tide. (She was one of 2 g1rls among the 250 Little Leaguers in our town a couple of years ago). The social dynamic at most scholastic tournaments can discourage many g1rls from pursuing chess. Susan’s approach makes sense to me.
N.B. My home internet filter prevents the correct spelling of g1rl and m0del.
_________________
Chris Falter
If this is how the USCF is run … imagine FIDE… no wonder promoting chess is hard work and depends solely on the goodwill of great players
I just received a post card from USCF President Bill Goichberg. He basically said that Paul and Susan are bad for chess and they should not be elected. I fully agree with Mr. Goichberg. We need to send these two back to their countries. The USCF doesn’t need some immigrants coming here thinking they can change our ways. Just look at Continental Chess. Bill Goichberg ran it fine for years. I’ll second his advice: Vote for Jones, Lux and Schultz! I’ll also vote for Sloan because he’ll work on getting rid of Susan and Paul. We need to work these men to work under the leadership of Mr. Goichberg.
I can see why no major non-ches related sponsor has wanted anything to do with the USCF. Efforts like this from a board member shows that it isn’t just politics but immaturity and pettiness. Susan Polgar and Bill Goichberg clearly have different views and approaches towards the US chess situation but they are actually doing something constructive. This is just sad and petty and maybe some of the criticism about chess is right – it attracts a lot of odd people. Just sad.