Open Forum about the Executive Board

This is the first open forum for the US Chess Discussion Blog. Please feel free to share your opinions or perhaps frustrations with the performance of the current board members. What are some of the pros and cons in their performances? What are you looking for with the next board? Perhaps you even have questions for them? I will forward all legit questions to the board and give them a chance to respond. All inappropriate posts will be automatically deleted. We have enough lies and deceits on the USCF forum and Rec.games already.

Thanks!
Susan Polgar

I will start with the first question: Executive Board Members are elected into leadership roles. They supposed to conduct themselves in exemplary manners and make decisions that are in the best interest of the USCF. It is abundantly clear that one of the current 6 board members have violated countless code of conducts / ethics as a USCF member and a USCF Executive Board member as well as rules in the USCF forums. Why do you sit back since August 2006 and give this one unethical board member the opportunity to lie, attack, demean and insult USCF members, USCF supporters and USCF sponsors again and again while violating so many different codes of the law?

Statement by Dr. Korenman for the USCF election

This is Mikhail Korenman at the press conference with Anatoly Karpov, Mikhail Gorbachev and me

It’s not enough to merely have a good idea. People must make the commitment and have the tenacity to make it work. That’s my business philosophy. That’s what I want to bring to the USCF Executive Board.

Making it work – my proposals:

1) For the USCF: Work with the state affiliates to promote more adult memberships and develop more community-based chess clubs (= more USCF affiliates!) Work with corporations to provide sponsorships. We need to build the organization’s concept of development based on scientific research of the USCF data. The USCF should take the lead in promoting chess in the national television and print media.

2) For the Children: Let’s start a few national training facilities for K-12 coaches. These will provide year-round on-line and on-site curriculum support, teaching materials, tests, software, and certification of coaches. Develop national chess curriculum standards to assist public and private schools. Sounds ambitious but by working with the Scholastic Committee and our nation’s universities, we can make it happen together.

3) For College Chess: Work with leading institutions, K-12 schools, and private business on a national research project to study chess as an effective learning tool to improve students’ progress in school subjects and their general knowledge. Support colleges and universities that provide chess instruction and their facilities for the national training centers.

4) For the Chess Professionals: The USA needs more top tournaments. More norm-granting tournaments. More round-robin tournaments with the top world-class players. More long distance Internet chess matches and tournaments. Again, we do this by working together. USCF, with cooperation of corporate sponsorship, should work aggressively with the media to obtain nationwide coverage of major chess events.

All of the politicians can make promises. I stand on what I’ve achieved:

- Founded the first Karpov School of Chess in the country (after obtaining a grant of $261,000).
- Organized professional and scholastic tournaments, including U.S. Junior Open, Pan-American Intercollegiate, two Final Four Intercollegiate championships, two Karpov-Polgar matches and numerous open and invitational tournaments.
- Helped the Scholastic Council to design the Chess Certification Program.
- Teamed with Susan Polgar and Paul Truong to lead scholastic players from all over the US to the first Chess for Peace Tour to Moscow.
- My latest project – Chess for Peace – brought former Soviet President Gorbachev to play chess in Kansas.

I have a Doctoral Degree in Education from Kansas State University. For six years, I taught at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS. Today, I’m President of International Educational and Cultural Services, Inc., member of the USCF Scholastic Council, and a high school teacher. Please visit uschess.blogspot.com for more information about me and my campaign.

I am honored to have received Susan Polgar’s endorsement. I am honored to have worked with her and Paul Truong on numerous scholastic and professional events to promote chess in the US. I am proud to be part of the TEAM of professionals. But I would be most honored with your vote this July.

Statement by Paul Truong for the USCF election

Dear friends and colleagues,

This is an absolutely critical election for the USCF. It’s also one of the most unique elections ever. Why? Because you, the members, have the power to set this federation on the right course for the next 4 years! You, the members, are in the position to take back control of our beloved federation.

What has happened to the USCF in recent years? Well, it hasn’t been great at all! Every time the USCF took a step forward, it also took two steps backward. There was little sense of pride. There was little sense of responsibility. There was little attempt to positively promote chess or the USCF. There was little sense of urgency.

However, there were plenty of internal political wars. There were plenty of horrific business and financial blunders. There was plenty of frivolous spending for political reasons. There was plenty of dishonesty and unprofessionalism.

Some believe that if it ain’t broken, why fix it? I would say something is broken when we’re losing money year after year. There’s hardly any room left for errors. As each day went by, this federation fell further behind. With massive overheads, shrinking revenues and outdated technology, we’re doomed to fail again.

Every year is a new excuse. Every year is a new finger-pointing game. The Executive Director and his staff weren’t allowed to do their jobs because some board members wanted to micromanage them. We wasted so much time, money and resources dealing with nonsense by chess politicians instead of focusing on improving many needed areas.

What are some of my areas of expertise? What can I bring to the table?

I spent the last 5+ years volunteering my full time to positively promote chess in the US, especially for the Susan Polgar Foundation. I was able to secure more publicity and media coverage for all the events that I was involved with than the entire USCF. I helped create countless headline-news chess events.

The Susan Polgar Foundation awarded approximately $400,000 in scholarships and chess prizes in the last few years. We did it with virtually a zero budget. I proved that we don’t have to spend tens and thousands of dollars to positively and correctly promote our game. We just need to know how to do it and have the passion and diligence to follow through.

I can bring my unique expertise in marketing, promotion, management and public relations, areas that the USCF sorely needs. When doubters said that the US Women’s Olympiad Training Program would not work, I spent two years without pay to help the team as their captain, manager and personal coach. We came home with an unprecedented 4 medals (2 Gold and 2 Silver), first ever in US history.

I can help restore the much-needed integrity, credibility and professionalism back to the USCF. If you’re happy with the status quo then I’m not the right person. If you want success and accountability then I can make a big difference immediately. Thank you!

Statement by Randy Bauer for the USCF election

As a 30-year life member, I love the USCF. Please help me save it. With your support, I believe we can.

We face many important issues, including securing our finances, fostering chess interest in the US, and building and serving our membership. We must address these, but no Executive Board member is going to constructively change things based on our current circumstances -- we cannot make progress while our leadership is divided and divisive. We must focus on electing a Board that can collectively work to improve our organization.

Lately, the Board has been distracted from the work it needs to do. Important discussions and decisions have been sidetracked by internal dissension. We can no longer afford this politics as usual -- we need a change.

Change has to start with the people we elect. We must elect Board members who are honest, effective and accountable.

Our Board needs to convey and demonstrate professionalism, collective competence, teamwork and good judgment. We need to get beyond decisions based on the ability to get a majority vote on any one issue and move to a willingness to cooperate and communicate with all, an understanding of group dynamics and how to work collectively for the larger goals of the USCF.

Make no mistake -- this is a lot harder to accomplish than it sounds. There are candidates who can make it work, but others who cannot. We need Board members who are able to work with others: Lone Ranger types need not apply. We need Board members of sound judgment: people you can trust to make reasoned decisions, even under pressure. We also need a Board guided by a sense of service, not motivated by a desire for attention or to create a spectacle. Finally, we should elect people of solid character -- those who will act ethically and honestly toward each other and the USCF.

I’ve spent much of my professional career leading teams dedicated to improving finances and services for large, complex organizations. These have included balancing a $5 billion state budget without raising taxes, creating strategies that improve results and reporting, and supporting award-winning initiatives that cut bureaucracy and create innovative change. We can do the same for the USCF.

Two years ago, I was elected to a one-year term on the Executive Board. I am proud that during that year we balanced the budget (only the second time in nine years). We also voted to move the USCF office and successfully implemented that change. While I didn’t originally support the vote to move, I did everything I could to make it successful, and it was implemented without negatively impacting member services.

That is the focus I will bring to the Board: I will approach each issue on its merits – as an independent voice. However, once the Board has decided, I will work with all members to successfully implement those policies. Together, we can make a difference. I ask for your vote for constructive, positive change.

My statement for the USCF Election

Chess is my life! This is why it’s so important to me to help chess. Unfortunately for all chess lovers, the USCF has had many serious problems in recent years. I would like to help turn this federation around.

Here are some of the past major problems that need to be corrected in order for the USCF to prosper:

- Too many bad financial and business decisions
- Too many decisions made for political reasons instead of the best interests of US chess and the USCF
- Too much micromanaging of staff by the Executive Board
- Too much frivolous spending without long-term vision
- Too little effort to raise much-needed revenues to ensure the good health of this federation
- Too little focus on positive chess promotion in the United States
- Too little focus on many membership categories such as adult, collegiate, correspondence, and military chess
- Too little effort to retain our memberships, especially the scholastic members
- Too little integrity, honesty, credibility and professionalism by some board members
- Too little accountability of our board members
- Too little respect for our members, partners, supporters and sponsors
- Too little willingness to keep the USCF up with the times

The current state of our federation is not healthy! We’re losing money year after year while other chess organizations thrive. Sponsors don’t want to deal with us. Supporters are tired of our internal political destruction. Some board members have repeatedly violated the USCF code of ethics as well as the members' trust. There is no end to this destruction in sight unless we demand positive changes by putting the most capable people in place.

Here are some of my areas of focus for the USCF if I’m elected:

- Restore respectability, integrity, credibility and professionalism to the USCF
- Reestablish 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

I highly recommend three other candidates. Here are my reasons:

Paul Truong: He’s by far the most successful person in chess marketing, promotion and public relations. He can bring something to this federation that no one could in the past.

Mikhail Korenman: He has a strong record in promoting and organizing chess events. He’s a member of the USCF Scholastic Council. He’s well respected by many people, including former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, 7-time World Champion Anatoly Karpov, and many others.

Randy Bauer: He has had tremendous success as the budget director of the state of Iowa, dealing with a multibillion dollar budget. We need his financial expertise.

Please join me in this mission to reform the USCF. The future of the USCF is in our own hands. We cannot continue to status quo. It’s not working. It’s sinking this federation. In the upcoming months, I’ll discuss many important issues in detail at www.susanpolgar.blogspot.com and www.uschess.blogspot.com.

Thanks for your support!

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

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!

Candidate Statement by FM Paul Truong

FM Paul Truong

I have twenty years of experience in senior management, marketing and PR, specializing in branding, customer retention, advertising and innovative promotion.

I’ve been in chess for 37 years. I’m a Life Master and FIDE Master with numerous national championship titles. My other chess experiences include co-authoring best-selling chess books, coaching national scholastic and Olympiad champions, organizing many high profile chess events, being an award-winning chess journalist and photographer. I was also the captain / business manager of our historic 2004 Silver Medalist U.S. Women’s Olympiad Team.

In electing me, you’re choosing a uniquely qualified business professional with a passion for chess, who will relentlessly restore credibility, integrity, efficiency and professionalism to the USCF. I'll work diligently with other board members to achieve sound and balanced budgets, create innovative and effective marketing programs, increase revenues, promote memberships in all categories and build a positive chess image.

Thank you for your support!

Candidate Statement by NM Randy Bauer

NM Randy Bauer

Three years ago, I was elected to the USCF Executive Board to work to improve our finances. In that year, the USCF had its first budget surplus in eight years. We’re again facing similar tough challenges, and I am committed to working with like-minded members to getthings back on the right track.

We must restore stability to the USCF. We need lessnegative discord and more positive results. We need seasoned, capable leaders with solid background, experience, temperament and ability to work together. We are running out of time and cannot afford anything else.

I have over twenty years experience providing leadership, financial responsibility, a focus on results and improved services for multi-billion dollar enterprises. With no chess income or special interest, I will be an independent voice for the general membership. I pledge to do my best to be a positive, unifying force on the Executive Board.

My Candidate Statement for Chess Life

I have completed my Candidate Statement for Chess Life and sent it to the office yesterday. I will publish my statement right here tomorrow after the deadline.

Your opinions are needed

February 1, 2007 is the deadline for the first candidate statement in Chess Life. Each candidate is entitled to 150 words. What do you think I should put in my statement?

Membership Poll

There have been countless debates about the adult membership and printed vs. electronic Chess Life. Which do you prefer? Reading electronic Chess Life 1 week earlier and getting $12-$15 discount or printed version?

Choices:

- Full price membership with Chess Life
- $12-$15 discount membership with electronic Chess Life
- Either is fine

Click http://poll.pollcode.com/fjyE to vote.

What's important to you?

What are the most important USCF chess issues to you?

* Tournaments Chess
* Scholastic Chess
* Chess Life Magazine
* USCF Website
* College Chess
* Internet Chess
* Anti-Cheating
* USCF Membership Dues
* USCF Ratings
* Other

Click http://poll.pollcode.com/OAg or here to vote!

My personal and professional recommendation

There are some good candidates and there are a few unqualified candidates in the upcoming USCF Executive Board Election.

I asked these 3 top notch people to join me in reforming US Chess and the USCF! Here are my reasons:

Paul Truong: One of the most important pieces of the puzzle for a new USCF! The USCF has never had anyone who understands Chess Marketing & PR and who has the knowledge, proven experience, desire, passion and determination to promote chess positively. In my opinion, Paul is by far the #1 Chess Marketing & PR guy in the United States and perhaps one of the best in the world. By promoting the image of chess and the USCF properly, it will open many doors to new opportunities including more needed revenues and recognition for our sport. Without this vital aspect, chess will go nowhere. We will just be bickering about how to save money and cut services to our members as usual.

In addition to these skills, Paul is also an individual with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Paul is a proven winner and he has succeeded in every project that he was involved with, including the historic 2004 US Women's Olympiad Training Program and the 2004 US Women's Olympiad Team that brought home the first 4 ever medals (2 Gold and 2 Silver). He is also a USCF Life Member, Life Master and FIDE Master with multiple National Championships under his belt.

Mikhail Korenman: A very important piece of the puzzle for a new USCF! For a long time, there has been too much bickering and animosity among various membership groups such as Scholastic, Adult, Internet, College, etc. Mikhail is a person that can help bridge that gap. He has successful organized big events that involved all these groups. Without unity, the USCF cannot survive.

Some of his major events include Chess for Peace with former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, Anatoly Karpov and me, the US Junior Open, the US Junior Invitational, Lindsborg Open, Lindsborg Invitational and Pan American Intercollegiate, etc.

Mikhail is also another individual with strong morals, integrity and honesty. He is another proven winner! We need someone like Mikhail on board.

Randy Bauer: Another very important piece of the puzzle for a new USCF. Finance is his expertise. While Randy was on the Executive Board a few years ago, the USCF achieved a balanced budget. Randy is committed to honest finances and improved services for USCF members and will provide seasoned, sensible leadership on the Executive Board.

Randy has over 20 years professional experience in budget and finance, including nearly 7 years as budget director for the State of Iowa. During that time, the State received multiple national awards for innovation and excellence in its budget processes and financial reporting.

He has been actively involved as a chess player, coach, director, writer, editor, and elected state and national representative for over 30 years. He is a life member of the USCF, a national master, former Iowa state champion and Minnesota junior, junior high and senior high champion. As a competitor, he has won over 30 Grand Prix tournaments.

We need someone like Randy to work with Mr. Joel Channing, the current VP of Finance to make sure that we have a sound budget. I am confident that we can do it with their incredible experience and expertise in this area.

Summary: I strongly recommend the 3 people who can promote chess and the USCF properly to maintain and enhance our visibility and revenues, unite the memberships to keep our current members and bring in new ones and to keep our finances sound and strong.

These are all critical areas that the USCF desperately needs NOW. We cannot afford destructive chess politics as usual. This is why we need the right team to make the right things happen for US Chess and the USCF!

Thank you for your support!

In an unofficial poll created by a USCF member, here are the results:

1. Polgar 2. Bauer 3. Truong 4. Korenman

5. Jones 6. Schultz 7. Lux 8. Berry

9. Goodall 10. Sloan

Unofficial Poll

Here are the top 4 finishers in the unofficial poll created by a USCF member:

1. Susan Polgar
2. Randy Bauer
3. Paul Truong
4. Mikhail Korenman

--------------------

5. Stephen Jones
6. Don Schultz
7. Joe Lux
8. Jim Berry
9. Mike Goodall

10. Sam Sloan

The dirty and disgusting truth about USCF politics

This is how chess politicians play chess

Some of you may misconstrue this as an attack. However, I think it is time to bring up some facts. Lies and deceits must be stopped for the sake of the USCF!

As I repeatedly mentioned before, I have no interest to be involved in chess politics. Unfortunately, something incredible happened in the last election that forced me to try to save the USCF.

During the last election, Mr. Sam Sloan, a person who spent time in jail, a person who have no respect for the laws, got elected to the USCF Executive Board. How? Here are just three of the many reasons:

1. He LIED about his past to the USCF members. He misled the USCF members by stating that he was never convicted for any crime. He lied before, during and after the election about this and many other very important issues.

2. There is a feud between various chess political groups dating back to many decades. One of the groups is currently in power. The opposing group decided to get even by campaigning and supporting Mr. Sloan to destroy the other side. They succeeded.

3. The current voting system does not give the USCF members too much information by any candidate and there is no way to dispute the lies. Therefore, even if someone wanted to point out the lies and deceits by a candidate, they cannot effectively do it in a large scale. Most USCF members do not know what kind of a monster this person is.

This kind of dirty and destructive chess politics have been going on for a long time. It is not going to change by itself. The level of hatred and animosity is way too much. That is why I decided to do something to fix it. I know people from all political parties and some truly have the best interest of the USCF at heart. Unfortunately, not all of them do.

My goal is to reach out and unite all sides for the common good of our sport. But it is not easy. As I just mentioned, Mr. Sloan is one of those individuals who does not play by the rules. He is also someone with no morals or integrity. He will lie and distort the facts for his own benefits and he does this day after day. His supporters will do the same.

No one in their right mind and no one who has the best interest of chess and the USCF would ever endorse or protect an individual like this. This is a man who proudly bragged on his website about countless sexual relationships with young people and he even had their pictures on his website. And his supporters defend this. Need I say more?

That is why I refused to do business with any individual or any company that support the unethical and illegal conducts of Mr. Sloan. They do not deserve my support and I am sending them a strong message. If they want my support then they need to learn to stop destroying the USCF.

The latest disgusting and illegal deed from Mr. Sloan is he released confidential USCF information to the public as well as releasing confidential personnel information to attack his opponents. Not only that, he even falsified information about other candidates to discredit them. As I stated earlier, Mr. Sloan has no respect for the laws. He has no respect for anyone.

What are the options?

If various people sue Mr. Sloan, they will get no where. He has no money so what do you win? Nothing and you have to pay big bucks to take legal actions.

If various people sue the USCF for allowing and providing Mr. Sloan a forum to lie and deceive USCF members then people say that you do not care about this federation.

If various people do nothing then they will continue to lie and deceive USCF members.

The only solution is by showing people like Mr. Sloan the permanent door in the next election and all elections to come. People like Mr. Sloan do not belong on any Executive Board. People like Mr. Sloan have no comprehension of honesty, integrity or strong morals. People like Mr. Sloan have no business representing the USCF, an organization with more than 40,000 young people.

If elected, my team and I will do our best to end the destructive chess politics and concentrate on making improvement in many critical areas. We have to fight hard to take back our federation. This federation can no longer endure and tolerate people like Mr. Sloan.

Thank you for your support!