In the past 24 hours, I received more than 1,000 emails, messages, and phone calls from friends and supporters about this article on chessville. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for showing that you care. I personally apologize if I gave anyone a scare. It was meant for good fun on April 1. Humor is needed from time to time and we all need to laugh and smile more 🙂
Here is the follow up by chessville.
While we tried to make it authentic, we did leave a bunch of clues such as:
– Pictures provided have been published before on my blogs or websites from previous events
– No official announcement from TTU, and many more…
However, there were some important facts in the article which will be officially announced soon. You have to play detective and pick out the real stuff. No, they are good news, not bad 🙂
We love SPICE. We love Texas Tech. We love Lubbock. We love the Knight Raiders. We love the people we work with. We are not quitting. We are not giving up on US chess. We are not quitters.
You have my word that my husband and I will continue to work hard day and night to bring positive changes for our game in spite of the massive road blocks. Thank you for your support. I believe that together we can overcome the racism, sexism and destructive politics to make a big difference for chess.
Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this prank! Happy April 1!
At 1st I thought you truly were leaving the U.S. great prank! Im glad you are staying in America Susan. ; )
lol, that was nice
Susan, you just about broke my heart until I realized it was a joke. Thank you for coming to America and thank you for all that your doing for chess.
Eric
Susan,
Thanks for the clarification. Good joke though. Don’t mind them. They’re only jealous of your success.
JB
(((((((Susan)))))))
You should realy leave and never come back. We don’t need you. The USCF is fine the way it is. There’s no need for you to rock the boat. You should have never come to this country. Go back to where you belong.
Oh Susan, you are such a kidder. I thought “MICE” was the immediate giveaway.
This would have been the most shocking news in the history of US chess. Not to mention the biggest blow since losing Bobby Fischer. Thank goodness you’re staying.
Quick note: GM Polgar…I think you should look at a new chess opening I found recently called “The Polar Bear System”. It’s the Dutch Leningrad with reverse colors. Please study this carefully. It’s almost impossible for Black to counter. It deserves careful analysis. Search Google or Youtube and you’ll find it. Good luck and good health.
Susan: you surprised not me! since the USCF has some strange people, I understand you! Today “April 2” Susan and Judit both come back to the place where they belong. Welcome back!!!
FIDE new list on April 2
1 Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2803 27 1969
2 Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2788 13 1975
3 Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2774 11 1977
4 Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2767 27 1975
5 Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2765 27 1990
6 Aronian, Levon g ARM 2763 27 1982
7 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2752 13 1985
8 Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2751 27 1987
9 Svidler, Peter g RUS 2746 11 1976
10 Leko, Peter g HUN 2741 27 1979
11 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2740 35 1969
12 Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2740 14 1972
13 Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 0 1990
14 Adams, Michael g ENG 2729 13 1971
15 Kamsky, Gata g USA 2726 0 1974
16 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2723 13 1968
17 Ponomariov, Ruslan g UKR 2719 0 1983
18 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2716 11 1983
19 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2711 11 1983
20 Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2711 0 1985
21 Polgar, Judit g HUN 2709 13 1976
22 Bu, Xiangzhi g CHN 2708 16 1985
23 Bacrot, Etienne g FRA 2705 13 1983
24 Ni, Hua g CHN 2703 28 1983
Welcome back both Susan and Judit!!!
Hey, what’s this? I already arranged moving to Hungary!! Going to start unpacking my stuff now Lucky one one April 1 per year, yes, I’m lucky.
“We don’t need you.” WHO IS WE (you mean person, you)? I am not.
Well Kapalik, there were plenty of equally gullible folks on the USCF forums, most of whom are decidedly not Polgar fans. I guess for them it was wishful thinking.
So many people were fooled that you can readily tell it was a good prank. To me, aside from MICE and the old picture, the fact that nowhere did it mention Paul resigning was also pretty obvious. If Susan were really going back to Hungary and Paul was going with her, he would surely resign too.
Susan, that wasn’t nice! You about broke my heart!
But I’m SO GLAD you aren’t leaving!!!!!
You and Paul should really resign from the board and be replaced by Harry Payne and Donna Alarie. They’re real Americans. You’re not.
Susan check out Chessbase joke
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4543
Its about Fischers letters 😀
Here are some of the colorful quotes from Mr. Brian Lafferty, supporter of Ms. Alarie, one of the people behind the recall drive to get rid of Paul and Susan:
“What a piece of sh*t she is. Not that it’s at all surprising.”
“As*hole = Kenneth Sloan”
“”Oh John, you are so ignorant…”
“A notation on the web site says it has been assigned to a judge. I suspect it has been filed. Bravo to the plaintiff!”
“…At this point, IMMHO, bankruptcy would be the best medicine this organization could ever be given. Get a Trustee in Bankruptcy in and the EB out; freeze the assets; restructure the organization.”
Kamsky, Nakamura, Onischuk, Seirawan,
Kaidanov, Gulko, Krush…they’re not real Americans. Real American is Bobby Fischer!!!
I’m so happy Susan is staying!!!!! It’s great to have her here for Chess!
The negative comments being posted here about her are sickening. It gets them nowhere.
No one really seems to talk about this when brought up, but why can’t their be another, new, American chess federation (or some title) and just forget the USCF. I really think if enough GM’s and well known IM’s and NM’s were to back this then funds could be raised and it would become “official” in time.
It’s at least something to think about. It’s just like starting a new business…but, with the right name recognition, a new American chess organization could be successful.
I’m not a businessman…but I think the idea is at least worth considering. And I think Susan should be a part of it.
Thanks for all you do!!
Who is using my name to slander GM Polgar?
Maybe crazyman Sloan and his girlfriend Brian Laugherty?
The Real Kapalik
“Polgar fans” include Physicians, professors, professionals from a variety of fields. Actually, I am a Psyciatrist and far from “gullible.” I do, indeed, find many of the anti-Polgar posts as the writings of a person with a) Borderline Personality Disorder NOS b) paranoia…which could be a symptom of a variety of mental health disorders c) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (DSM IV code 300.3 and probably the most likely candidate but the one(s) posting insults about Mrs. Polgar here are certainly obsessive by nature I am inclined to believe but formal evaluation is necessary d)Anxiety
and other things of which counseling could most likely help for the illogical animosity directed toward Mrs. Polgar.
Often when a person feels “threatened” they lash out with verbal assaults toward their perceived “threat.” It’s all a warped view of reality. It can be treated. It’s rather akin to the “fight or flight” sense.
Your proclivity toward irrational thought patterns and statements could best be studied by a psychologist that “profiles” criminals. Professionals can glean a lot from words and those coming from the anti-Polgar person(s) posting here are in need of help. Serious self-esteem issues. I hope the person(s) posting these remarks gets the counseling/psychotherapy so obviously needed.
Kapalik is really courageous posting insults anonymously. The more you spam, the more we understand why Goichi and his gang must go. Thanks for confirming my opinion.
I think a new Chess Federation should be made called: “Dumb Overrated Obviously-stupid Dastardly Open-mouthed Oligarchy” or D.O.O. D.O.O. Chess Federation.
It should be headed by Donna-yo-momma Alerie, Brian Laugherty, Samantha Slaon, Goich-nerd, Brian Otters-brain, Marcus “The Girl Scouts are trying to kill me” Roberti, The gutless Berry Wonder-twins, The pretender Dandy Bauer, and finally mommas boy Gordo Rain-man “Get a job you bum!” Parker.
More typical scummy style of Brian Laugherty and company:
“Was Polgar Rejected by the Hungarian Federation…..to play for them? Or was she looking to fry a bigger fish in Hungary
and parts East?”
“Was it all a prank? I have it on good authority that they were
attempting to negotiate a buyout of their TTU contract but that TTU
refused.”
I agree with the tactics used to get rid of Polgar and Truong. We must get rid of all freaking foreigners. This is the US Chess Federation and not the United Nations. They have no business being here.
“Anonymous said…
I agree with the tactics used to get rid of Polgar and Truong. We must get rid of all freaking foreigners. This is the US Chess Federation and not the United Nations. They have no business being here.”
I agree with the tactics your parents used when trying to avoid having you. The rubber broke unfortunately.
A new chess organization should be considered….maybe it is not feasible but there is nothing wrong with considering the idea. Again, if enough GM’s, state-chess organizations, funds, and publicity for the new organization is made possible (over time), then it could succeed and the USCF would eventually cease to exist.
An organization is only as good as the faith members have in it. It’s quite apparent that the USCF has lost enough credibility to begin, at the very least, to begin a new organization.
Perhaps there should be a “National Chess Convention” that includes representatives from all state chess organizations, the top GM’s, IM’s, and other well known American chess figures, to discuss either creating a new organization.
There is power in numbers. The USCF is quicky deteriorating and I see no reason to not have sort of a chess “Constitutional Convention” and debate the issue of a new organization.
It is possible. There is nothing wrong with discussing it in a serious manner.
The USCF is a dying organization. A new one is needed. If a schism is created, so be it. Eventually, the stronger will win and be recognized and the “stronger” will be the organization that the chess community has the most faith in.
This isn’t a topic to be made fun of. All I say is it is worth discussing. I didn’t say nor do I know if it is possible. However, there are people whose knowledge is better on these matters and could at least get together and discuss it.
Nothing to lose and everything to gain.
And the pshyciatrist was right…these anti-Polgar posts are a sign of some serious personal issues on the part of the person(s) posting them.
I think the post from the psychiatrist was rigt on the money! These posts insulting Susan are quite obviously the product of a deranged mind.
I think a slander/libel lawsuit against these anti-Polgar freaks is in order.
What a sad and shallow mindset for the people who said the MICE joke was offensive or insulting. Great April Fools, really fooled and riled a lot of people.
Susan and others:
I have to put forward that I don’t think this joke was a bit funny. And, yes, I guessed it quickly from the clues.
Firstly, let me say that Susan, you are representing approx. 82 thousand USCF members and as a CEO of USCF are a “public” representative. Compound this by the seriousness of the current political and legal (possibly criminal) issues within recent USCF events, I find it extremely distasteful that you chose your position to be used as a subject for a “private” and adolescent joke here. There were many other subjects you could have utilized which would have been fun and creative, but this wasn’t amusing in the least. It was a horrible choice. It was terribly unprofessional for what we expect from you, and it contributes to the USCF problem making it worse. April 1st is no excuse. Please act like an adult.
I voted for you and all your “dream” team in the hopes of removing the likes and the behavior of the status quo – particularly Sloan whom I thought was indicative of problems in the board. The last I expect is having someone pollute it with more unprofessional bad behavior. I expect that you should continue with that original vision – whether you are successful or not is secondary, but trying and staying focused and giving it your best shot is all that matters. These personal jokes and venting is contrary and damaging.
[…Actually, I am a Psyciatrist and far from “gullible.” I do, indeed, find many of the anti-Polgar posts as the writings of a person with…]
Although I might agree with the observation of dissonance, I find it really remarkable that someone in the medical profession is making a diagnosis on a web site. How unprofessional.
Moreover, your diagnosis is so brittled with insecure DSM sitings that I have to question your credibility as a whole.
Well, I guess there gives another reason psychiatry is regarded as a lower science to Neurology, and one small step up from Psychology, Psychoanalyst, or plain witch doctor. Psychiatrist? I’m totally unimpressed.
Protect America,
You might have a point. Lets ask the Polgar Foundation and the Kasparov Foundation to leave, and ask Kamsky to go back to his own federation. And don’t forget the ex-Soviets and other European GMs and IMs.. they should all go play chess back to their home country. And what’s up with all those Asian kids winning tournaments? Hey! Nakamura wasn’t even born here.. he should go too!
It really seems like a flawless plan to make chess grow in the US. I think the USCF should implemented it, what can they lose? they’ve already screwed up everything else.
Protect America said…
You should realy leave and never come back. We don’t need you. The USCF is fine the way it is. There’s no need for you to rock the boat. You should have never come to this country. Go back to where you belong.
Oh really? Have you checked the best 10 “American” chess players lately? Have you checked American chess players in general? Even the ONE player USA had who mattered in the world of chess, was the son of a german and a hungarian.
The USCF is fine the way it is? You must be joking. The Americans, out of 300 million people, unable to squeeze out even one world class player. You should kiss the feet of those foreigners who are willing to help the “TV grown pseudo-intellectuals” ridden America, where the top intellectual achievement is to win a million dollar on a tv show called “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” Where as it turns out, most are NOT.
So, you go back to whichever hole you climbed out from, be glad you can add 2 and 2 together (if at all) and be glad that some foreigners are still willing to help. The day may come when they won’t.
To anon 9:53am:
Thanks for your comment. However, I disagree. It is one day of the year which we can joke and laugh in good fun. Unfortunately, many things in the article are true.
I am fed up with the behavior of some of my colleagues. I am disgusted that they wanted to use my children as pawns in their political games. I am appalled of the unethical conducts by some board members. I am tired of the blatant misrepresentation of some of the board members to the USCF membership. I can prove everything I say and they are desperately trying to hide the truth from the membership.
It is inexcusable that some of the board members are willing to put the USCF at serious legal risks for their personal agenda. I am tired of the politics as usual. The only difference is I am not going away. I will stay and fight all the way. If things do not change for the better, I am afraid that the USCF will face a lot of problems surviving.
As I stated to the NY Times and in other places before, some of the board majority will have to answer for their conducts in the proper venue. I will not allow them to distort the truth and play games with my personal and professional reputation.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
To anon 9:53am:
One last item, I brought up at least 10 points many months ago. I challenged them to show that I am wrong. None of the board members could publicly deny them. Why? Because they know that I can prove everything I said. Mr. Goichberg could end the damages to the USCF right now to help this federation get back on the right track. He has the votes to do it. Financial losses will be in the 6 digits. How much does this federation have to lose before the federation admits that mistakes were made?
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
An even fairer clue was that the HTML title bar of the Chessville link said “Published on April Fools’ Day :-).” The title bar shows up at the very top of your browser window where it’s easy to miss it. Other clues were that Hodmezovasarhely looks rather built up in the photo, “MICE”, Sofia leaving too, and more… If Paul’s role in Dresden is true, congrats!
What is the Hungarian term for an April Fool’s prank? The word foga’s, pronounced FOG-ash, can mean: trick, catch, and also dish, platter, or course of a meal—but my dictionary doesn’t make clear if it can mean a nice trick, or only a nasty one. If the former, then it sounds good in English too to say that Susan served up a plate of Aprilish Fogash :-).
But as with other April Fool’s posts I’ve seen, they originate in germs of truth. Hopefully the “negotiations” Susan referred to will eventually result in a fair deal that allows everyone to resume moving forward without tricks or catches…
Yes, Ken. My role with the Dresden Olympiad as well as Paul’s are true. Relocation is false 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.ChessDiscussion.com
Susan:
Thank you for your response. I am also quite disgusted with the behavior of the board toward this whole matter toward you. Yes, the personal attacks are stressful and I understand your frustrations and your need to vent and purge your frustrations out. I really understand that. And I understand you are new to a political position. This might be the first “large” organization you have had to play a management role in. Its equally if not more stressful for us t since we cannot do anything about it, and all we can do is watch this disaster happening in front of our eyes. We are not on the board or on an exec level there to be able to act and make sure there is due process here – which is totally lacking.
But, what is more important here in all of it is keeping your cool – conserving your energy and not venting out. It can be viewed as a sign of weakness and that they are winning against you or affecting you. The more they attack, the more insulting it is to us directly. The more you respond or counter respond openly in public, the more damaging it can be to you. Advise? Talk to the lawyers. Make sure they approve or at least give you some advise of anything you say. You shouldn’t need to say anything.
As for myself, I am so frustrated by the USCF and having no other organizational option to go to play tourneys. I don’t know what to do. I was hoping to go to Las Vegas in June, but what with all this infighting, I am seriously thinking of canning any plans for it. In some ways I wish the whole board would dissolve and the USCF would go bankrupt. At least it might be rebuilt with new management, or maybe someone else would start a new organization that has better organizational skills.
Good luck.If things don’t work out, dont worry…you did your best. Looking back that should be what you remember.
anon 9:53am
Thank you anon 9:53. I do apologize again as I did last night if the prank offends anyone. It was meant as good fun only.
I am so frustrated as Paul and I continue to have big success in what we do with the SPF and SPICE while the board majority completely blocks Paul and I from helping the USCF.
Canada, Mexico, Germany, India and other countries are asking me to help them promote chess while the USCF refuses free in-house professional help.
This is why I said that sometimes we just need to laugh or smile to get rid of the tension. I will continue to do what I do to help chess in spite of what the chess politicians do. I will also continue to speak out and let the members know the problems.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
I agree completely with anon 9:53 AM. Very good posts!
Personally, I can never understand why telling outright lies is supposed to be ‘funny’.
I would never, if I had any in the future, tell my children the stupid Father Christmas lie, for example. I would not needlessly lie (for that is what it is) to my children.
Fun and humour can be had without having to resort to untruths.
I do approve very much of what you are doing otherwise.
Perhaps I have missed something, but can you tell us why Bauer and Berry turned against you. Their support would have made all the difference.
Bauer stood on your ticket, so I think we were entitled to expect him to have supported your position. He was therefore elected under false pretences.
Also, according to what you said at the time, Berry was also supposed to be a ‘good guy’.
So are you able to explain to us what has happened? Why do they now oppose you?
I am sure, given the results on election night, most of us did not expect this outcome.
Berry is Goichberg loyalist and Bauer is a Marinello’s loyalist. Bauer lost his reelection bid badly until Susan took him under her wings. He’s a typical politican.
Personally, I don’t care about Bauer or anyone on the board….except GM Polgar! She is the one who is out doing work everyday for chess…she is the one promoting our sport moreso than anyone…
And that is just the way it is.
Bauer has free will and if he does something that isn’t agreeable, then it isn’t Susan’s fault. She has…time and time again…proven her love and dedication to chess….to the promotion of chess….and doing so much for our sport.
Anyone who thinks this is wrong is an idiot. We’ve all had friends who, in certain instances, “stabbed us in the back.”
Things happen beyond our control and GM Polgar is doing all she can do. She is only one person on the Board.
She reads these posts and sees both the negative and positive comments (positive comments being far more than negative!) and she knows she is supported by far more than any other board member and that she can do more for chess, just on her own, than any other board member.
She knows she is loved by so many for her dedication to chess. If we all were as dedicated to chess (or anything for that matter) then the world would be a better place.
It’s so funny…her name will be in the history books and the idiots that dare insult her will be forgotten.
That, ultimately, is the greatest victory of all.
Keep up the good work, Susan, and when you read negative comments on this blog just laugh…
America needs heroes. We need role models other than the idiot rock stars and drug using baseball players (etc).
We have one in GM Polgar. She is a superstar in America…and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it….
And I love it. We appreciate you!
Bauer is a Marinello loyalist!? (Apologies for my ignorance). It seems a very poor misjudgment on Susan’s part to have taken him on, then. Surely just about anybody would have been better.
Posted at Chessville’s forum by senior editor Kelly Atkins:
I hope everyone enjoyed the April Fool’s Day prank! Phil & Paul deserve the credit for coming up with the idea and making it happen, and a special thanks to Susan for playing along. Even one of Texas Tech’s administrators got in on the fun discussing how the university would rename SPICE. The NYT got drawn into the joke, and Susan received more than 1000 messages & phone calls from supporters trying to change her mind. We were all amazed at how big the story became and how many people fell for it! A good time was had by all. :-))
Keep purging all you want. Ill be back
Small things amuse small minds!
“Anonymous said…
Small things amuse small minds!”
My small mind has a yeast infection.
I need to get cream for it…
Did you think that was funny? Cause it wasnt….You made me nearly have a heart attack!!!….Oh well…Glad your staying and it was only a joke :)!!!