Should Chess Be Promoted? Are changes needed?
For years, chess in the United States relied on the incredible success of Bobby Fischer. Memberships went up. Interest in the game went up. Revenues went up. Everything seemed to look good. Unfortunately, that is not the complete picture. Because of the meteoric Fischer boom, too many people sat back and relied on the natural growth. Not enough has been done to capitalize on this trend to expand organized chess even further.
All of a sudden, due to the Internet boom, books and equipment sales became a very competitive business and companies with outdated business models were left behind. In addition, millions of chess games are being played daily on the Internet instead of over the board. This begs for a new and improved direction for federations and organizers to keep up with the constant changes in business climate.
I contend that in order to keep our chess industry healthy, it has to be properly promoted. It all comes down to marketing. And this does not have to cost much or even any money at all. But many people disagree. Some even went out of their way to stop chess promotion. They believe that chess is fine the way it is and little or no changes should be made to help chess in this country.
What is your take? Should chess be promoted? Should things be changed ASAP to ensure that organized chess will not become extinct? What do you think? What are your recommendations?
No changes are needed. We just need Bill Goichberg to run the USCF until 2013. We also need to get rid of Polgar and Truong and all stop allowing foreign grandmasters to come to this country. I urge everyone to sign the recall petition against Polgar and Truong which is endorsed Alarie / Lafferty / Hough / Goichberg / Berry / Bauer / Sloan / Payne and all true Americans.
Chess most certainly needs promotion for many reasons…one being its positive effect upon childrens’ logical thinking abilities. Also, the first post is from a complete idiot that keeps posting things here to inflame readers.
Other than GM Polgar and Mr. Truong…the USCF is rotten to the core.
GM Polgar is the greatest chess ambassador this nation has.
Are you crazy? Lafferty and Mottershead are much better chess ambassadors and promoters. They brought chess news to the NY Times. They’re also supporter of Bill Goichberg, Berry, Bauer and Hough. I would vote for Mottershead, Alarie, Payne and Lafferty for the EB in a second. The USCF needs true patriotic Americans like them. The line has been drawn. We need to keep out all the foreigners.
I think it best if everyone ignore the troll posting the “foreigner” posts. If this person is ignored, he will go away eventually.
GM Polgar and Mr. Truong are far more loyal American citizens than Bobby Fischer was.
The question wasn’t about citizenship…it’s about marketing. So, everyone…just ignore the insulting troll…he’s bored on this Sunday and has nothing constructive to say.
I think America’s top GM’s should gather in a sort of “Chess Congress” and over time, let the ideas flow as the success or failure of chess marketing will surely rest upon how well our top players think abour reform of the USCF or beginning a new chess organization to represent U.S. chess…and just get rid of the USCF.
I’ve often advocated this concept. Not that it is feasible right now…but, it is an idea worthy of at least talking about in an intellectual manner.
Susan,
What were the specific steps you proposed to the USCF board?
Why was your proposal turned down if it costs no money?
Did you make any proposal for the US Championship?
I believe that amateur chess player in the United States would be better served by an organization that focuses on the concerns of amateur players.
Let all the professional players, professional organizers and professional promoters have a different organization to promote their interests.
In addition, the concept of chasing after sponsors, in my opinion is fallout from the impact of the old Soviet practice of subsidizing chess in the Soviet Union for propaganda purposes.
I accept the argument that chess is beneficial for young minds. I accept it to the extent that I argue it should be handled as a curriculum issue, not as a promotion issue.
crwydryn
If somehow u can get chess into Indian and chinese schools, believe me chess will have great future.
The internet has basically destroyed tournament chess as its traditionally known. That’s not a bad thing it’s evolutionary and like music downloads etc people need to adapt which hasn’t happened very quickly for many industries. Look at the music Industry…its having the same problems, the labels have lost their monopoly.
I think Chess needs to enter the 21st century and have more of a web based approach. ALso, I believe that the majority of USCF and CFC members are now kids….which is perfectly logical and I think the focus needs to be on the up and coming generation…IE more of a focus on Children….Chess is a wonderful game and will not die out. It will simply take a little imagination and use of the new mediums. Low corporate interest in the game has always been the bane of chess in democratic countries. I’d suggest the case be made of the games value in childrens education.
Plus its a fun game to play….but I’m certainly not going to shell out hard earned cash if I can play online for free at a great site..(Fics is what I use) This seems sort of logical to me.
Mike Magnan
Susan wrote:
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It all comes down to marketing.
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No, not “all” is marketing.
The product is a big part of the problem; not just the publicity for it.
The USCF Elo rating is the product sells the most memberships. But as a product it has become outdated and thus is not fulfilling its membership potential; because it is still not yet tied to interweb play.
Who else on the ExBoard is trying to create a connection between a USCF Elo rating and online play?
Which ExBoard members are actively or passively resisting the online connection?
GeneM
CastleLong.com …for FRC-chess960
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Chess should be promoted for being a wonderful game and an enjoyable pastime. But the more it’s promoted not just as a game but (also) as a competitive sport, the more I have doubts about it.
Chess will never be a “mass” phenomenon like jogging or poker. I am afraid any “large-scale” attempts will fail, in chess. But don’t listen to me; I’m a pessimist.
When someone can win $7,000 for a Rock-Paper-Scissors competition, but our US Chess champion will only get $8000 there is a serious promotion and funding problem.
It is the image of the USCF and the organizers of such events(the USCF again).
It’s quite simple. Susan and Paul garnered over $100,000 in prizes and scholarships for a champoinship for girls. And all the USCF can come up with is $8,000 first prize for the Chess Champion of the United States….what a joke. You tell me who the fools are.
If this Goichberg troll is so smart then just do what Susan and Paul have done. It’s not like it should be that difficult if a couple of “foreigners” can do it according to your ignorant line of thought.
Put up or shut up I say.
I am so glad that the concept…even if it’s just an abstract idea right now…of the possibility of organizing a NEW chess federation other than the USCF, is a starting point. We can get no where at all without discussion and it must begin somewhere. Here on this blog…later, maybe a more open dialogue with some well known American players….Certainly, absolutely, GM Polgar and Mr. Truong should be involved as they have done a lot…and GM Polgar so much for chess in the form of scholarships and the Polgar foundation.
The idea of a organization that represents “class” players and one that represents 2200 and above is interesting. Especially since, it is a fact, that so much money going into the USCF is in the form of scholastic chess.
There is so much money in this nation and, like anyone starting a new business, the key to success is marketing. The product “Chess” is already known…so it’s marketing and promoting the idea.
I really believe that this topic should be discussed more. I’m not saying not to try to fix the USCF but it seems at this point that it’s too much time, trouble, political chaos, and corruption amongst a few trouble makers that is keeping the USCF from gradually getting out of the terrible position it is currently in.
GM Polgar has already prove, long before she was on the Executive Board, that she can raise money for chess, promote it, and is well know and respected in America and abroad. But, she can’t do everything by herself.
You have some of America’s best GM’s not participating in the U.S. championship this year because of, as some of them say, the USCF.
Isn’t it time that these GM’s come together at some point or, in some manner, “brainstorm,” and lets come up with some solutions. We’ve let our concerns be known for a long time…it’s now time for action.
A new chess organization is probably the best answer in the long run. By the time the USCF was “cleaned up” we could have a successful new organization and let the old rotten felons in the USCF sit and do nothing…which is exactly what they’re used to doing.
Discussion! It’s time for action. I don’t think the USCF can be fixed. And, again, GM Polgar can work day and night (which she does) but she can’t do everything by herself. She needs us, the fans, the opinion(s) of the state chess organizations, a “meeting of minds” of the top U.S. players, and BEGIN the discussion of what to do…begin a new chess organization or, if it is possible, then fix the USCF.
It’s so easy to say “This is what’s wrong…” but we must now come up with solutions! And one person or even two can’t do alone!
So, I think we must get a dialogue started amongst the top U.S. players, see what their ideas for solutions are, and just begin a dialogue.
Progress will come from this and everyone knows that there is NOTHING wrong with coming together in some manner and at least discussing the topic of A) A new chess organization or B) how to fix the USCF.
Fixing the USCF will take so much time. Years. Why wait?? In a few years we could have a good start with a new chess organiztion.
We have the people with the talent, brains, and willingness to work hard at it…GM Polgar has proven she can and will work hard and can promote and raise money for chess. Plus, she is well respected by the best American players.
We need them, too. We need their ideas.
There is a way to begin the process and it’s with dialogue…
Question is: Of all those that are disgruntled with the USCF (GM’s, IM’s, etc) how can we get enough of them together (in any format) to have a dialogue?
It’s time and we, the chess community have NOTHING to lose by discussing this, and EVERYTHING To gain!!!
What say you? The chess community? I’m not talking of the trolls supporting the felons in the USCF..but those that are truly interested in the future of American chess.
We can do something…there is power in numbers. Never forget this.
In these days and ages everything must be promoted. I doubt there are many Americans who don’t know what Coca Cola is. Yet, that huge and successful corporation can’t afford the luxury of not promiting, advertising itself continuously.
Need I say more?
No jokes here….does anyone know if any person or organization has ever approached (formally of course) the dozens of Billionaires in the U.S. to see if they might sponsor something?
I’m sure Susan might know the answer…I hope she might respond..but I know she is so busy.
People like Bill Gates and countless other American Billionaires contribute to educational causes….if no well-known individual or organization has asked for funding from such people, then how do we know they might not sponsor a tournament or donate funds?
I mean…it’s all a tax write of for them.
Gates gives away money to causes all the time…and he’s but one of dozens of Billionaires in this nation.
Susan, has there been any official contact with anyone in the chess community with a person like Bill Gates (or other billionaires) and, through their foundations or representatives, see if they would sponsor a tournament or donate to chess since it is so educational?
I certainly don’t know if anyone has ever asked these super rich folks. But, why not? There’s nothing to lose and it it gets their face on TV and some positive publicity, then one of the billionaires might give quite a bit of money for chess.
Who knows unless you try?
It’s not as silly as it sounds.
I don’t necessarily agree with all the USCF bashing going on this blog.
For one Susan needs to stop acting as an eternal candidate since the election is over. Now she needs to show she can build consensus and alliances to get things done. You will still need these skills to get things done as USCF president.
While getting together to discuss how to improve the USCF is a good idea, I think it makes more sense to fix the USCF then starting another weak organization.
The GMs also has a role to play. It is just not enough to boycott the US Open which is a good first step. They also need to come together and articulate why they are boycotting and push for change.
I think Susan is doing all she can do…she is but one person. Long before she was elected to the Board, she had proven her dedication to chess.
I think that there must be a “meeting of minds” so to speak, and bring together the top American GM’s, IM’s and let’s begin discussing what to do.
I don’t think a new organization would be any weaker than the USCF already is and it’s only getting weaker. I’m not saying there must be a new organization but I think the idea is worthy of debate and should be considered….along with other ideas.
The USCF is only as strong as its membership and people’s faith in it. Membership has gone down and faith in its ability to represent chess in the U.S. is spiralling down quickly.
I would welcome a new organization. It can be done. It should be considered. And, if the top GM’s backed it, then you bet people would follow. It’s just a matter of marketing and money.
It’s time. Let the USCF rot.