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.

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

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.

Candidate Statement by Dr. Korenman

Dr. Mikhail Korenman

Born in Russia. Received Ph.D. in Education from Kansas State University. Currently living in Chicago and teaching high school science.

I have immeasurable experience working in non-profit organizations (http://www.intecsus.org/) with success in grant writing (received $261,000 to operate Karpov School of Chess in Kansas). Organized many successful events, including U.S. Junior Open and Invitational, Pan-American, and Final Four Intercollegiate, as well as FIDE tournaments. Member of the USCF Scholastic Council.

Initiated the Chess for Peace program that featured former Soviet President Gorbachev which was covered in the National Geographic magazine (05/06), New York Times (12/24/05), NPR, NBC, PBS, any countless print media across the US and abroad.

Some of my goals are to work with the Scholastic Committee in promoting coaches certification/training program; stabilize the USCF budget; conduct chess research; create more international events in the US; promote college chess as well as other membership categories.

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