USCF...A dying organization

Originally posted by SwissGambit
If only the USCF can find a way to stop the Sloans, Polgars, and Truongs from suing it to death, it might live a bit longer. 😕

USCF Executive Board (EB) election results are in...

http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9564/539/

As background info, here's Goichberg's analysis of the candidates. Since Goichberg and the Polgar/Truong team are often at odds with each other, the analysis is obviously given from a biased viewpoint, but it's a viewpoint with which I happen to agree -
http://www.checkmate.us/candidates09.htm


The two EB members that need to be defeated (Imho), Polgar and Truong, were NOT up for reelection. However, it seems that the candidates endorsed by Polgar and Truong were defeated by a huge margin (Korenman, Hecht, and Lugo). Of course, I don't know for sure why these people lost so badly, but I'd like to think that maybe the USCF voters are starting to grow weary of the Polgar/Truong operating methods.

There may be a sliver of hope for the USCF yet.

Originally posted by Mad Rook
...
There may be a sliver of hope for the USCF yet.

While I totally agree with the comments around Polgar/Truong, there is no evidence that Goichberg et al have any idea how to turn the USCF around (i.e. make it relevant and financially sound in this era of internet chess). If there's hope, its a mighty fine sliver.

Originally posted by Erekose
While I totally agree with the comments around Polgar/Truong, there is no evidence that Goichberg et al have any idea how to turn the USCF around (i.e. make it relevant and financially sound in this era of internet chess). If there's hope, its a mighty fine sliver.

Yeah, I've never been completely comfortable with the fact that Goichberg also runs the Continental Chess Association, which organizes tournaments in the USA.

It's just been announced on the USCF web site that Susan and Paul's USCF memberships have been revoked. It's a short announcement with few details.

http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9620/544

I've heard rumors that an agreement was made that they'll still be able to play USCF rated games, but I've seen no official statement regarding this issue.

Edit -
And the New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/us/10chess.html?_r=1

Hm...The NY Times article implies that Polgar/Truong are now off the USCF board according to the USCF but not according to their spokesman. More legal fun could await the USCF in this case.

I almost missed this USCF announcement:

USCF Agrees to Settle Lawsuits with Susan Polgar and Paul Truong

http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10070/319/

Probably a sensible result. I don't think drawn out legal proceedings benefitted the USCF, who would likely end up spending a bunch of money and time on the litigation for little return. And Polgar/Truong only benefit if they can win their suit, which seems kind of unlikely.

Polgar/Truong lost, heavily, comprehensively. And rightly.

Yes - given how little Polgar/Truong got out of the settlement, it indicates their bargaining position wasn't real strong. Which is what most of us thought all along.

A couple of questions come to mind:

"As part of the settlement, Polgar and Truong have agreed to never contest the USCF Executive Board’s action in revoking their USCF memberships; acknowledge that they are no longer members of the USCF or members of the USCF Executive Board; agree to never seek, run for, or accept a leadership position in the USCF"

Does this mean they can apply for regular USCF membership going forward? I hope not.

"Under the settlement, the USCF will allow Polgar and Truong to be playing, non-members of the USCF and will be listed as “Playing Non-Member Status.”

I wonder what this means. Does it mean that they can't play in rated tournaments? And if they can, will they have "playing, non-member ratings? " This is just such an odd concept.

"Under the settlement, the USCF will allow Polgar and Truong to be playing, non-members of the USCF and will be listed as “Playing Non-Member Status.”

I think this means they CAN play in USCF events. I read it as essentially "you can play but just because you're playing doesn't imply that you are a member, even temporarily".

"As part of the settlement, Polgar and Truong have agreed to never contest the USCF Executive Board’s action in revoking their USCF memberships; acknowledge that they are no longer members of the USCF or members of the USCF Executive Board; agree to never seek, run for, or accept a leadership position in the USCF"

This appears just to be an agreement to withhold any future legal action regarding their status in the USCF. I assume Polgar (for instance) could always ask to be re-instated. I'm sure the current board would have nothing to do with this, but twenty years from now...?

can someone tell me what bad thing they did, in a simple and concise way please.

start here

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2009/07/bribery-dirty-politics-uscf-corruption.html

and here

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/18indict.html?_r=2

Originally posted by greenpawn34
start here

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2009/07/bribery-dirty-politics-uscf-corruption.html

and here

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/18indict.html?_r=2

mmm, to be honest pawn dude, it seems like a huge bitchin affair!

I've only read bits and pieces.

There is a woman involved, what do you expect. 😉