Over the last few days, I received countless emails about the recent College Chess Final Four which took place in Rockville, MD on April 6-7. Many have questions about this topic. Here are 10 of the most popular questions so far:
– What is the secret in building the strongest collegiate chess team / program in US history in such a short time?
– What is the secret in winning 3 consecutive College Chess Final Four Championships?
– What kind of chess players does Webster University – SPICE institute recruit and can lower rated players qualify?
– Can any university build a good chess program?
– What are some of the benefits for universities to launch chess programs?
– How does it feel being the only female head coach in college chess in the United States?
– What are some of the differences between chess players in the Webster University – SPICE program and other college sport programs?
– What are some of the differences between Webster University – SPICE institute and chess programs at other universities?
– How did you decide on the lineups with so many strong players?
– What should be done to make College Chess much bigger?
If you would like to ask questions about this topic, please send them to SusanPolgar@aol.com. I will select some of the most popular questions then provide candid answers.
How is it different being a player vs being a coach?
How did you get 8 GMs from 8 countries to get along?
How is it different between Texas Tech and Webster University?
Are there chess groupies?
Do you personally cook a lovely lunch for the players like you did at your Chess School in NYC?
What sort of food nourishment do Chess players have to take?
Are your students actually interested in getting a degree, or are they basically chess ‘professionals’ biding their time until they can make a living at chess? Some of your top players are entering tournaments that take them away from school for long periods of time. I think it would be hard to balance chess and school with that kind of tournament schedule.
What do they do to keep in physical shape?
Are your players allowed to have nookies before a match?