The view from a USCF Life Member

I am new to US Chess Forums. I have been a member of USCF for over 10 years. This is my first post on US Chess Forums. I like what Paul says. I want to vote for a person like him. He sounds like a true professional who is willing to give to chess. My kind of candidate.

I feel we all should be grateful that a person of Paul's ability is willing to help chess. Of course I have to review everyone with an open mind before my final choice of who to vote for. I just arrived. This is the first thread I have read. Sounds good to me. Thanks for helping chess Paul. I appreciate that. We need help. I always read good things about you. I feel strongly that you will get one of my votes.

Thank You Paul
George

It has taken me a long time to get over here to the forums. I have been a long time uscf member. I very strongly support the Susan Polgar team. I read the opening posting here about some candidates being good chess players etc,

I am a business man. I do not think that being a good chess player qualifies for EB. What is needed by USCF is strong corporate sponsorship and money coming into uscf. The team that Susan has put together will do just that.

I have not personally met any of the 10 candidates. However, I have been reading about them for a long time. I get the feeling that Paul Truong can help chess maybe even more than Susan Polgar. Paul is a super professional. He is the kind of person that we need on the EB. Mikhail is another person who will help get solid sponsors. Randy Bauer everyone likes.

I say for the last 50 years the USCF has wallowed in the mud. Now for the first time we have an opportunity to elect a really professional group to give them a chance to turn chess in American into a profession. I say lets give them a chance. We need to have all 4 of them elected so they can do the greatest good.

I guarantee that their election will not be worse than what I have seen over the years.

I am not going to vote for chess players. I am going to vote for people that can run the USCF Professionally and raise serious sponsorship money for chess. I hope everyone will join with me and vote for all 4 of Susan Polgar's slate. Let us stop playing games with chess in America. Let us give 4 great professionals a chance to show what they can do.

Susan, Paul, Randy, Mikhail is the team that will turn USCF around into a professional organization with money and sponsorships. Let's do it right. Let's take advantage of the talents of these 4 professionals.

George

This is my 5th post. I just noticed my USCF number is posted. I bet very few people have a lower number than mine. I have been on the chess scene for a very long time. John Curdo must have a lower number. LOL.

Anyway chess is ready for some real change and some real action. Susan Polgar is our best opportunity for that to occur. She needs all 4 to be elected so she can accomplish the task given to her. I hope everyone votes for her and her team.

I just want to make a few statements of gratitude.

I am very grateful that USCF allows all members to vote for EB. I believe that is an important post and when I first joined USCF back some 35 years ago, we were not allowed to vote.

I have watched USCF for some 35 years. Back when I first joined one of my major desires was to see chess having the professionalism that would allow chess players to be professional. I wanted to see chess players making the same kind of money as baseball players and other athletes. I wanted to see lower rated but good players able to make a good living by teaching chess. I wanted to see a US that appreciated chess in all its wonderful aspects.

I wanted other things like the ability to watch major chess events like the fischer spassky match live on tv with good commentary.

My one big desire back in 1970 was to see the USCF hire a full time person to get sponsors for chess events. In the early 1970's with the Fischer boom, the public was ready for chess. The sponsors should have been easy to convince to sponsor chess events. However, the USCF did not seem to be able to get its act together and get any sponsors. I could not understand that. It seemed so simple to do.

Over the years I have seen no progress or very little progress in uscf in terms to making chess a professional sport and gaining sponsors.
Today from my perspective of 35 years of seeing no real progress I have lost faith in the leadership of uscf. I know they are all good people. But we need more chess promotion.

I see a tremendous chess promotion happening today because of the efforts of Susan Polgar. She is doing an incredible good job. Her blog is kept up to the minute with interesting chess information and I get to see so much professional chess promotion and her ability to get sponsorship for chess. America has never had such a person. No one can compare to Susan Polgar in making chess popular after of course Bobby Fischer. Although Fischer did not get things organized. Polgar does organize chess.

I see today as a rare opportunity to put the most dynamic person at promoting chess into a leadership position within the USCF. I want everyone to appreciate this opportunity and to grab it. Please do not let this opportunity pass us by.

Will Susan transform chess in America if given the chance. Well I believe she has a good possibility of doing just that and I also very strongly believe no one else has that possibility today. I believe it is important that she come into USCF EB position with the power to carryout her policies and her ideas to transform chess into a professional sport with many strong sponsors.

There is no sense in bringing her in and then leaving her with no power to carry out her ideas. Therefore I see it as very important that her slate of 3 other candidates also be elected. It is just as important that Paul and Randy and Mikhail be elected as it is to elect Susan. With these 4 in place, there will be no excuses for failure. They will have the responsibility to fix USCF and the power to carry out that assignment. Only by electing all of them can we accomplish what we are setting out to accomplish.

I read on this forum all kinds of negative things. I want to avoid the negative by simply voting for Susan and her entire slate.

Let us look at the remote possibility that Susan might fail. Well we have failed for 35 years. All other paths are guaranteed to failure. So we really risk nothing. Things will not be worse with the Polgar group then with other people. Therefore the only way to have a chance for big time positive change is to have Susan with all her slate elected by a landslide to the EB and give her and them full support to change things.

This is where I stand. I am going to ask everyone here to help me get her elected. Please add your posting ideas about how we can get them elected.

Those who wish to post opposing my idea or who want to be negative on my ideas. I ask the moderators ahead of time to please simply delete all those posts. I hope this thread will remain positive and successful in coming up with ideas to make sure Susan Polgar and her entire slate is elected to the EB this coming election.

I must add that I am so very grateful that Susan Polgar a former incredible Womens World Chess Champion has decided to live in America and work so hard to help promote chess right here. We in America are so lucky. All of us should be so grateful for this lucky opportunity of a lifetime. Please support Susan for the good of chess in America.

I also ask all of the other 6 candidates for election to drop out of the election and throw their support to Susan. If all 6 opposing candidates drop out then we will have a united USCF working toward the goal of a united professional chess association with the goal of getting as many good sponsors as possible into chess. I will be very grateful to all candidates who can put their personal desires aside and drop out of the election for the long term good of chess in America.

Thank You
George
USCF Life Member

A response by Paul Truong

Thank you George for your confidence. However, I think it would give a much bigger message when we have a fair election with all the candidates. The USCF members can then speak up through their votes. They can send a loud and clear message that the status quo is just not acceptable any more.

Many of us will work hard to get out the votes. If we are fortunate enough to earn the trust of the USCF members, I can assure you that we will not let them down as others in the past. We have our lifetime professional reputation on the line and that is why we will not engage in these relentless destructive political games. It is time we put the best interest of US Chess and the USCF first!

Thank you again! Please help us get out the votes!

Best regards,
PT
Time to clean up the USCF!

Dr. Korenman pointed out the fabrication by Mr. Sloan

Mr. Sloan,

I am honored that the USCF EB member spent time to check out my background. I really appreciate it, especially if it took some time from your busy schedule to do non-stop attacks to the chess in the US. I would be very happy if you can spend more time investigating my activities with chess and it would save more chess programs around the country from your personal involvement.

Now, I would like to help you a little and save some of your personal time. I am happy that you searched the Bethany College web site. Looks like the College got a very valuable reader. You could simply visit www.yahoo.com and type my name. Sometimes it helps to save some time. Here is one of many links proved that I was Bethany College Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Director of International Programs - http://cars.acck.edu/news/Letter/2002/02.pdf

You posted the following on the Forum:

The outrageous fabrication by Sam Sloan:
A search of the website of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas will show that no such person is associated with that institution. You keep making statements that are easily proven to be false. Try to start checking your facts before posting anything.

So, your fact is not really correct. I would be waiting for your public apology. Your next comments were about the grant I received. Again, thank you very much for using your valuable time to investigate it. Hope, it saved some other chess club/program form your great investigations.

The outrageous fabrication by Sam Sloan:
It is apparently true that Mikhail Korenman received $251,000 in grant money from the State of Kansas to start the Karpov Chess School in Lindsborg Kansas. However, he spent all the money in pointless publicity stunts like bringing Gorbachov, Karpov and Polgar to Kansas to pose for pictures.

Just for your information, Mr. Sloan, that the grant was received through the KS Department of Commerce and the chess program helped to generated over $2,000,000 in economic impact to the Lindsborg community of 3,200 people. You can contact Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce directly to verify this information. Sorry, you forgot to mention it. Oh, yes, you also forgot to mention Lindsborg Open tournaments with FIDE norms and players from 20 different countries who plaid there. Not good, Mr. Sloan. Something was missing in your investigation …

The outrageous fabrication by Sam Sloan:
This alone cost more than $50,000. Eventually all the money was lost, Korenman left town and the Karpov Chess School no longer exists.

Well, how about www.anatolykarpovchessschool.org. You did not have a chance to visit this web site. See, I helped you tremendously to save some time. The Karpov chess school has never been closed. Moreover, just yesterday they announced an open position to hire a new Director. Perfect timing. I think, in English in means that you lay again. I would be waiting for your public apology. Not to me. To the Karpov chess school in Lindsborg.

Well, here is the last great statement:

The outrageous fabrication by Sam Sloan:
Then Korenman asked a group of Chicago chess organizers for funds. They gave him $800. Korenman spent their money too and still has not done any of the things he said that he was going to do with it. As a result, nobody in Chicago will give Korenman another dime.

Unfortunately, a little problem here, Mr. Sloan. I did not ask anyone for any money in Chicago. I had a signed contract to organize the event. And, it was private source who donate money for such event to cover this cost. Your source of information unfortunately was not correct again! Need to apologize, Mr. Sloan.

Regarding the statement that nobody in Chicago is given me any money. Another little problem, Mr. Sloan. I just start receiving some sponsorship money (and I contacted 2 people who knows about that) and planning to set up some chess events in South Chicago suburban’s that are not in a chess word, yet. Little problem here again! But this time, it is OK. It is just new information. You don’t need to apologize again.

Next time when you need any additional information, you are welcome to check with me. I may (!!!) try to help you. At the same time, I would be happy to give you some weekly assignments (remember, I am a teacher!) so you can spend some time with your homework. What is the name of the elementary school I went in Russia?

Hope, it would save some club/program from any of your personal attacks….

Dr. Mikhail Korenman

Fix the USCF

A USCF member just created this website. The name of it is www.FixTheUSCF.org. Please feel free to check it out!

The highest level of sportsmanship

In the Open Section of the Susan Polgar National Open Blitz Championship, 2 players tied for first with the score of 5-0 going into the final 6th round. FM Paul Truong obtained a winning position and he was a full minute up on the clock. While trying to launch a knockout attack, he miscalculated and his sacrifice backed fire. He ended up losing material.

Then the players ended the game with lightning speed. On move 79, Paul made his move and his opponent ran out of time. His own clock showed only 0:08 (less than 1 second)! As he pointed out the time forfeit, his opponent captured his last pawn. Since the sequence was so fast, there was a short moment of confusion in regards to if the time ran out before the final capture.

However, there were 3 TDs present and witnessed the action as this was the championship game. All 3 TD unanimously agreed that time did run out before Paul's opponent captured the last pawn.

His opponent was very distraught because he missed a draw by less than second and by 1/2 move. Seeing this, he turned to the TDs and asked that since this was not a USCF rated event and only a fun event, can he offer his opponent a draw?

The TD basically said that it would not be allowed IF it would have been a USCF rated event. However, since this was only a fun event, he can do it if he wishes. Paul then graciously turned to his younger opponent as said: "You fought great and deserve at least a draw on the board. I offer you one."

The draw was accepted.

One of the spectators said that this was the highest level of sportsmanship that she has ever witnessed in chess. She also said that this was a great lesson for her students to see as she is a scholastic chess coach for one of the most famous chess teams in the country. Many others also agreed and so do I.

Q&A about election issues

Steve in Tennessee asked:

-What is the nature of the business relationship between Polgar and Truong?
-Does Truong still serve as Polgar's business manager?
-If so, how will that effect the interaction of the various members of the EB should both be elected?

Dear Steve,

Paul is my business manager and one of my best friends for more than 20 years. The amount of business inquiries that I receive daily is too much for me to handle. I need to be focused on other things that are more important to chess. He screens the majority of the inquiries. If or when he feels that the inquiries are legitimate, he then passes them on to me and I take it over from there. If I need a second opinion about various issues, I ask him and a few other trust friends. It is always helpful to have honest feedbacks from people you can trust.

Paul handles the media, publicity, PR and technical stuff for me, my website, blogs, chess center and the Susan Polgar Foundation. He does not get paid for what he does. He also does not have access to my finances. This was his #1 condition for helping me. He has helped me for years on an unofficial capacity and in an official capacity in the last 5-6 years or so.

Yes, he is still my business manager. He is also my chess trainer and second. One can judge his coaching ability by my results in the 2004 Olympiad, the Mayor's Cup, Women's World Chess Cup and 3 US Open Blitz crowns.

It has no effect with how we deal with other board members if we are both elected. In the last 5 years, we had numerous interactions with various board members or USCF staff. They can probably tell you how many times we have disagreed on various issues.

What some people seem to miss is Paul's expertise and mine are as different as night and day. Our personalities are also very different. We are 2 completely different people and we disagree on many issues. That has no effect with the Susan Polgar Foundation. In fact, it actually helps. All one has to do is see the accomplishments and success of the Susan Polgar Foundation. There is no need to speculate as the facts are there.

Best wishes,
Susan Polgar

Jerry MacDonald asked:

JLM: Based on the fact that you have been business partners for some time, do you feel that this will expedite some of the changes you want to make in the USCF?

SP: It is absolutely needed. I am disappointed to hear some people said that they would not vote for a group of people no matter how qualified they are or how much they can help the USCF. This is precisely why the USCF has faced so many problems in the past.

Let's go back to the past 4-5-6 years. Which candidates have done the most positive things for Chess in this country and the USCF? Everyone will say great things about themselves on paper. Would you hire someone based on their paper resume? Would anyone say something negative about themselves? No. Therefore, why not look at the reality? In my opinion, the top 5 most productive people in the past 5 years are (in no particular order):

Paul Truong
Jim Berry
Mikhail Korenman
Randy Bauer and me

Are we all perfect? No. Are any of the candidates perfect? No. But these are the 5 that have done the most positive things for the USCF and US Chess in the past 4-6 years. In fact, if there is only one position open, the one person I would vote for is Paul Truong. Why? Because he has the experience and skills that no one has ever possess in the USCF. He will make the biggest impact for this federation, even more than me. How do you think the Susan Polgar Foundation can accomplish what we have done so far with virtually a zero budget? Look at the things he has done with PR, Marketing, Promotion and other areas with again virtually zero budget. He single handedly can accomplish more things than sometimes an entire company or department. I have seen head hunters trying to recruit him in the past 5-6 years and offering him an obscene amount of money but he said no to all of them just to help chess for free.

JLM: Do you feel that cooperation amongst board members is one of the most important needs in this coming year?

SP: Yes. The USCF as an organization has wasted so much time, money and effort in the past year just to defend and protect itself from the conducts and actions of Mr. Sloan. Can we afford another 4 years of this? Absolutely no. Board members do not have to agree. But they must have a basic level of respect for each other. They must also be willing to sit down and discuss or debates issues in good faith.

JLM: Can you make a statement, to rest cautious minds, that checks and balances inheriant from constructive debate will still be in place regardless of who is elected?

SP: I have always done this and I see no reason to change it. I do not intend to change if I am elected or not.

Shortly after I posted this, Mr. Sam Sloan once again lied and tried to fool the USCF members. This was my response to another USCF who did not allow Mr. Sloan to get away with his usual lies and deceits:

Thank you for noticing it. It is very unfortunate and embarrassing to see a board member behaving this way. Instead of focusing on fixing and improving the USCF, so many people have to waste countless hours dealing with a few destructive, vindictive and delusional people.

Just to clarify, only two people have access to my blogs. I have a separate webmaster (Mr. Justin Jenkins) for my websites. When I post (more than 5,000 items in the last 20 months), it will show something like this:

posted by SusanPolgar at 2/16/2007 01:32:00 PM

When Paul Truong posts (less than 5 times out of more than 5,000 items), this is what it will

show: posted by Admin at 2/16/2007 09:38:00 PM

Thank you again for not letting this individual getting away with this kind of fabrication.

Best wishes,
Susan Polgar

Your Open Forum

I apologize for not posting here in the last few days. The main reason for that is I am completely stunned and disappointed with the extreme level of dirty, destructive and vicious chess politics that exist within the USCF right now.

I may not be perfect but I have done everything possible to conduct myself with grace and dignity throughout my entire 33 years in chess. I have given 150% of myself to US Chess and the USCF in the past 5+ years. For these people to attack, insult, lie and trying to destroy my personal and professional life is just unthinkable. If they can do that to me, what would they do to other less known people who want to help the USCF?

Where is the leadership? Why are they so afraid to fix what is wrong with the USCF? Why are they so afraid to make the USCF better?

I am having a hard time coming up with words to express how I feel. I do not expect anyone to like me or agree with what I do. However, I do expect a basic level of courtesy and respect that should be given to any normal human being. Is this how they would treat their wives, girlfriends, mothers or daughters? I sure hope not!

This post is dedicated to you. What is your feeling about the USCF? What do you want to ask? The forum is yours!

Internet Chess and the USCF

Joe Lux asked the following question:

What is your stand on ICC-USCF relationships?

This was the answer from FM Paul Truong, one of the most valuable candidates in the upcoming USCF Executive Board election:

I think the USCF should reach out and partner up with ICC, FICS and other reputable Internet servers. Why? There are several reasons:

* I truly believe that the past management / boards missed the boat because they did not understand the importance of the Internet. Some did not think that it is important to improve the USCF to stay current.

I was in college from the early to mid 80's. My first and main major was computer. Even though I did not pursue a career in computer (I decided to go with Marketing and Management), I constantly train myself to stay current.

I remember playing in a number of Bill Goichberg's events back in the 80's. I also remember how he used to make pairings using index cards. Now, TDs can use WinTD or SwissSys to make pairings faster and more efficient. Whether we like it or not, technology will improve.

* There are a lot more games played on the Internet today than OTB chess. Many kids and even adults I know have never played a single OTB tournament game and yet they have played thousands of online games. This opens up an incredible opportunity for the USCF to increase memberships and revenues.

* I never liked the idea of "exclusive" contracts with any server. If the USCF does that, they will alienate others since many of these online members are very passionate about the server they play on.

I would like to see the USCF having co-promotional agreements with many reputable servers. This would be a win-win situation for all sides. This can be done without costing the USCF a penny and it can bring to the USCF badly needed revenues.

If elected, I will push for co-operation between the USCF and online servers. ICC is obviously ranked among the top servers in the world. FICS also has a strong membership core. PlayChess and WCN are some other big names.

Best regards,
Paul Truong

Keeping the campaign promise

I am not sure what happened but out of nowhere, this was posted today on the USCF forum by former USCF President and current board member Beatriz Marinello:

"Susan' statements are quite arrogant. I do not think she truly understand scholastic chess and the work that many of us do in the schools. Sam Sloan is a secundary issue for scholastic chess. Susan did not even go to school herself, she was a home schooler. Working in the schools, specialy for those who teach as part of the curriculum, requires very specific skills and credentials. These statements are so out touch with reality. Its true that the USCF can do a better job promoting scholastic chess, developing teaching materials and providind more resources for teachers and coaches, but at the moment no group will walk away from the USCF. Most schools programs are not even relate with the USCF, except for the top players which play over the board chess."

After this statement, I received quite a few email from outraged USCF members and they wanted to give Beatriz a piece of their minds.

I responded with the following:

"I would like to thank everyone for their comments about this issue. Whether we agree or disagree with Beatriz, let's give her the respect she deserves as the former President of the USCF. Let's also thank Beatriz for her dedication to chess.

As I clearly stated in my candidate statement, some of my many goals if I am elected are:

- Restore respectability, integrity, credibility and professionalism to the USCF.
- End the petty and destructive politics.
- Develop strong cooperation and support for adult, scholastic, collegiate, correspondence and military chess, etc.
- Re-establish a sound and balanced budget.
- Establish a strong professional marketing and PR system.

The USCF cannot afford to continue to endure the constant bickering, finger pointing, hatred and animosity toward each other. I do not want to engage in any war. I do not want to play any dirty or destructive political game. I just want to help chess. We have a lot of work to do. Let's give Beatriz the last words and let's move on.

Thank you!
Susan Polgar"

Another USCF board member added this:

"Susan Polgar has never been to school a day in her life. She has no academic qualifications. As far as I am aware, she has never taught a regular chess class in a school. She has also never organized or directed a scholastic chess event."

Every single point in this statement is completely false and a number of USCF members have pointed out the facts. I will not bother to respond to such irresponsible statement.

As I promised, I will not engage in the ongoing dirty and destructive political games that have harmed this federation for so long. I will continue to promote chess relentlessly and help lead the USCF back to the right direction.

Thank you for your support!

Uniting ALL chess players

Uniting ALL chess players!

t the Polgar Chess Center, we run tournaments for adults, kids and mixed. There is no animosity between the two groups. The adult players help the young members and they respect each other. We have adults' nights, kids' nights and open nights. That is how things should be. There is no reason why everyone cannot get along with each other and respect one another.

Unfortunately, for some reasons, there is a big rift between the Adult and Scholastic groups within the USCF. This started from the top with some board members playing politics and taking sides. This has gone on for way TOO LONG and not too many people are doing enough to help solve this problem.

This is one of my missions if I am elected to the USCF Executive Board with the right team. In fact, I plan not only to promote adult and scholastic chess but also college, military, correspondence and Internet chess as well. The Susan Polgar Foundation has also supported many of these groups in the past.

The USCF CANNOT survive if we keep on attacking and destroying each other. All chess groups are important and they all deserve our attention and recognition. Even though the young players (under 16) cannot vote, we must listen to what the parents, coaches and players have to say and find a way to make things work.

I worked with ALL chess groups in the past. I made things work. Why can't the USCF do the same? There should be no destructive and petty politics in chess. We also need to cut out the bureaucracy and we need to do what is right. It will work if we want it to work and I will make it work!

What is your take?

Info about the USCF EB Election

2007 Executive Board Election

Updated January 18, 2007

In 2007 the USCF will hold an election to elect three (3) members to the USCF Executive Board for terms of four (4) years beginning at the conclusion of the 2007 Delegates Meeting and one (1) member to complete the remaining two (2) years of Robert Tanner's term, effective with the certification of election results.

The original Call for Nominations appeared in the November 2006 issue of Chess Life. An updated version of it is available HERE.

A random drawing was held at the USCF office on January 18th to determine the order that the candidates will appear on the ballot

The 10 candidates, in the order in which they will appear on the ballot, are:

1. Susan Polgar
2. Randy Bauer
3. Mike Goodall
4. Joe Lux
5. Sam Sloan
6. Stephen Jones
7. Paul Truong
8. Jim Berry
9. Don Schultz
10. Mikhail Korenman

Candidate statements will appear in the April issue of Chess Life and each candidate will be allotted 1/2 page in the May and June issues of Chess Life, and will be posted on the USCF website.

The ballots will be distributed to voting members in June (the method of distribution still to be determined) and will be counted in July. The ballot counting will commence at the USCF offices in Crossville TN on Wednesday, July 25th. Any USCF member is welcome to observe the ballot counting.

My Candidate Statement

I love chess and it pains me to see so many problems with the USCF in recent years. I would like to change that.

The current state of our federation is not healthy! Sponsors do not want to deal with us. Supporters are tired of our internal political destruction. Some board members have violated the USCF code of ethics as well as the members' trust.

Here are some of my areas of focus for the USCF:

- Restore respectability, integrity, credibility and professionalism to the USCF.
- Re-establish a sound and balanced budget.
- Develop strong cooperation and support for adult, scholastic, collegiate, correspondence and military chess.
- Establish a strong professional marketing and PR system.
- End the petty and destructive politics.

In the upcoming months, I will discuss many important issues at www.susanpolgar.blogspot.com. Please join me in this mission to reform the USCF.

Thanks for your support!