I was asked an interesting question earlier today. The question is why I do not compete on a world stage while being the head coach of the Webster University chess team, the #1 ranked division I college chess team in the United States (with 8 GMs: Wesley So, Georg Meier, Ray Robson, Fidel Corrales Jimenez, Manuel Leon Hoyos, Anatoly Bykhovsky, Denes Boros, and Andre Diamant)?
Different coaches have different opinions about this issue. I am not sure if there is a right or wrong answer. But for me, I feel that it is unethical and somewhat of a conflict of interest to coach these top notch young players while competing professionally.
When I work with the players, they need to know that they can have full trust in me, and that information which they share with me (their strengths and weaknesses, opening repertoire, or novelties, etc.) will not be used against them, especially by me, in serious competitions.
It is different when coaches work with young scholastic or amateur players. But when it comes to a prestigious and top notch college chess program like at Webster University, with so many young talents and strong grandmasters, I think that it is very important not to cross this ethical line.
How would these young players feel if their own coach, would use the confidential analysis and information, against them in important events like the Olympiad, World Cup, US Championship, or other major events? I think this would break that bond and there will be problems with the trust issue. My job is to help these young players reach their full potentials, and not compete against or try to beat them.
What is your take?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
you’re right. but i can’t help wondering if there are other chess venues in which you could compete but not against your team members? speed chess? bug house? it’s great that judit is such a wonderful public role model for women. but there is a need for more.
/mark kennedy
mtk@acm.org
Who cares? For many of these coaches, it’s about money. Money talks.
Quite sensible. But then again, if you dabble yourself on women’s competition only then I’m pretty sure there’s no risk in crossing that so-called ‘trust’ issue..don’t you think? Just my two-cents..
Why should she play against women only? That’s silly.
Your explanation makes sense to me and I think your decision is admirable, but yours seems like a somewhat unique case. I am frequently surprised at the number of IM and GM-level players who give up competing for various reasons. I know of several GM-caliber players who teach scholastic chess but no longer compete – and it is not because they have reached an age where their acumen has begun to significantly decline. I know how grueling it is to prepare for competitive chess these days. Yet I don’t see many parallels in early retirement among elite athletes in sports or other pursuits. It is hard for me to understand how elite chess players can give up competing. Usually, top performers have a competitive drive that compels them to compete for as long as they are able. I know if I were able to compete at that level, I would not be able to resist.
Many coaches would even sell the secret info to their competitors. It’s all about money.
There are some ethical issues that can be readily solved, and others that are a little more difficult. For top tournaments, the lineup is often set in advance, so as long as a coach avoids playing in the same tournament as any of her/his students, then the “coach/competitor” problem never happens. What’s slightly less clear is whether, in a tournament, the coach should play TNs (theoretical novelties) that had been prepared with or for her/his students.
It think it’s ok to play in events in which you won’t face any of your students. In fact, you could use your game experience to your advantage in training your team members if they have to face opponents that you recently played against. However, I agree that you should not play in events against your team members or other students that you coach privately.
You have nothing to prove, you are one of the best. just focus on helping these students to reach their full potential..
You’re definitely right. I’m actually impressed with your team’s progress. Wesley and Ray has obviously improved