CYCC Vancouver bid.

[Paul Bonham]

Re: CYCC Vancouver bid.

The CFC's fees have not gone up in quite some time. We probably had an issue with the cost of CYCC with a lot of parents at one point but we addressed that by giving more in the area of junior chess. We paid some portion of the entry fees to WYCC for players who finished second and third at CYCC. In previous years we provided team shirts. When NAYCC was in New York we spent some money on shirts to give the Canadian players a team identity. This year Windsor did the shirts for us because our youth fund is a bit tapped after sending four teams to U16 Olympiad tournaments in less than a year in addition to WYCC expenditures. If parents get the sense that we are spending money foolishly (ie not on their kids) or hoarding money then I think you get more resistance.

We do a lot for the kids especially around WYCC and other tournaments like NAYCC and U16 Olympiad. We don't always do the best job of explaining how much we do because by the time it is done several months after we made the decisions, we have moved on to other issues and projects.

It does cost us money to run the CFC and membership and rating fees is what has to pay those expenses. I believe most people understand that.

We occasionally get some flack for the cost of tournaments. The cost of the tournament is only a very small portion of the cost of attending a tournament. Transportation and hotel costs are usually the bulk of the costs for the person who plays in a tournament out of town. On the organizers side halls are usually not cheap and even where they are there are usually many other expenses that the less expensive halls tack on to the final bill. I understand that in Quebec and perhaps in Alberta people are used to tournaments with high prizes, lots of GMs and low entry fees. Alberta can do it because of their arrangement that allows running casinos in order to raise funds for chess. Quebec gets a fair bit of funding from the provincial government and that frees up money raised from membership fees to help subsidize tournaments. I think they also do a great job of tapping the many head offices in Montreal for sponsorship but things are not easy there as recently sponsorship has not been so easy to find and as a result the FQE have had some losses. We can't count on sponsors as it depends on the economy and whether we can find someone favourably disposed towards chess. You can't usually tap the same sponsors over and over.

I am a bit worried about the situation in Toronto and Montreal where venue prices have gone up significantly. Its not enough that they already make almost 100% of the profit but they want to make 120% which is certainly not possible unless a kindly organizer is wealthy and generous.

What all of this speaks to is the slow transition of the CFC towards just youth chess. Even the Canadian Open is now inextricably linked to youth events; it can only be organized as part of a package of events that include CYCC and NAYCC. Which means more kids entering the Canadian Open, which means less and less GMs / IMs entering the Canadian Open, and eventually it just becomes another kids' tournament with a few diehard adults thrown in.

Eventually chess itself becomes a kids' game, just as bridge has become a game primarily for those 70+. The movement towards this may seem glacial, but just as the glaciers around the world are speeding up as global warming affects them, so too is this movement of chess towards kids and away from adults as organizers realize that parents' deep pockets means kids events offer them a greater reward than adult events. The CFC is very complicit in this movement, and I suppose this would be the case no matter who was leading the CFC. Critical mass has been reached and this movement is now unstoppable.

And in fact, the appearance of a movement towards 'pub chess' is a somewhat predictable reaction from the adults, who are no longer getting what they want from the CFC. Perhaps this is the future for adult chess: relaxed play at a pub with fond reminiscing from the oldsters of the days of yore. I can see them saying things like "We actually used to write down our moves, on printed scoresheets no less! And... (shouting over the blare of the karaoke in the background) ...THERE COULDN'T BE ANY NOISE!"

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: CYCC Vancouver bid.

What all of this speaks to is the slow transition of the CFC towards just youth chess. Even the Canadian Open is now inextricably linked to youth events; it can only be organized as part of a package of events that include CYCC and NAYCC.

I'm not sure that is true. Windsor might have taken the Canadian Open even without CYCC. It would have increased the risk of the proposition but it might still be doable where you can count on 60 or 70 local players plus a number from Detroit. Also it might have greatly reduced the number of Windsor players at CYCC since not too many would be keen on travelling across the country and then returning for the Canadian Open with a one day break for the flight.

Which means more kids entering the Canadian Open, which means less and less GMs / IMs entering the Canadian Open, and eventually it just becomes another kids' tournament with a few diehard adults thrown in.

That doesn't follow necessarily. There were no Windsor kids that stayed over for the Canadian Open in 2014 in Montreal. Not everyone can take two weeks in a row off from work.

Eventually chess itself becomes a kids' game, just as bridge has become a game primarily for those 70+. The movement towards this may seem glacial, but just as the glaciers around the world are speeding up as global warming affects them, so too is this movement of chess towards kids and away from adults as organizers realize that parents' deep pockets means kids events offer them a greater reward than adult events.

Our next big push will come in the area of what are considered adult tournaments.

The CFC is very complicit in this movement, and I suppose this would be the case no matter who was leading the CFC. Critical mass has been reached and this movement is now unstoppable.

A new trend that I have seen emerging in Windsor is adults signing up for chess lessons influenced by what they see happening with the kids.

And in fact, the appearance of a movement towards 'pub chess' is a somewhat predictable reaction from the adults, who are no longer getting what they want from the CFC. Perhaps this is the future for adult chess: relaxed play at a pub with fond reminiscing from the oldsters of the days of yore. I can see them saying things like "We actually used to write down our moves, on printed scoresheets no less! And... (shouting over the blare of the karaoke in the background) ...THERE COULDN'T BE ANY NOISE!"

Pub chess is club chess in a new venue. It seems to be mainly a 20 something phenomenon which is good. We are seeing these young adults continue to play chess or even start playing at that stage of their life.

Anyway more 50+ events will be coming soon if all goes to plan along with some tennis style senior chess where senior can mean over 25. I think team events where you have four seniors and a junior or four juniors and a senior might be an interesting thing to try. Also perhaps a 50+ team competition. There are lots of possibilities.

[Anish Nyayachavadi]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

These are two clear examples I am aware of violations of the NFP conflict of Interest Guidelines:

Even Ken Craft who is on your executive posted here on chess talk that even an appearance of conflict of interest makes not being involved necessary.

The key word there is appearance.

If a CYCC is held in Windsor, more kids from Windsor will want to play in the CYCC; a decent amount more compared to if a CYCC was held in Quebec. The result of the CYCC being held in Windsor equals more kids interested in playing chess at a competitive level (the CYCC) in Windsor. People without MBAs from Harvard can understand that this naturally makes sense.

Vlad's livelihood is based around coaching chess in Windsor. If more kids in Windsor are interested in playing chess at a competitive level (the CYCC), more kids will want coaching to be successful. As a result, Vlad has more potential clients/students he could teach and generate income from, when compared to a year when the CYCC is held in Quebec.

True intention or not, there is the appearance of a conflict of interest and thus a violation of the NFP.

[Roger Patterson]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

The key word there is appearance.

If a CYCC is held in Windsor, more kids from Windsor will want to play in the CYCC; a decent amount more compared to if a CYCC was held in Quebec. The result of the CYCC being held in Windsor equals more kids interested in playing chess at a competitive level (the CYCC) in Windsor. People without MBAs from Harvard can understand that this naturally makes sense.

Vlad's livelihood is based around coaching chess in Windsor. If more kids in Windsor are interested in playing chess at a competitive level (the CYCC), more kids will want coaching to be successful. As a result, Vlad has more potential clients/students he could teach and generate income from, when compared to a year when the CYCC is held in Quebec.

True intention or not, there is the appearance of a conflict of interest and thus a violation of the NFP.

All those "mights" seem pretty specious. After all, for any possible CFC president, they "might" eventually teach students for money, any event anywhere in the country, especially national events,"might" increase the number of players and hence students, so by that standard, we should have a president who is not allowed and does not promote chess as part of his job.

Not that I agree with the claim that there is a conflict of interest, but even if it were true, the claiments remedy would be limited to forcing Vlad to recuse himself from the vote. The president did not chose the bid for the Canadian Open, the governors did in an open vote. As the result was many to few, that remedy would have had no effect on the actual result. All this sturm und drang about such a minimalist change.

Furthermore, the claiments have the causality wrong. Vlad is not doing the Windsor organizers a favour, the Windsor organizers are doing Vlad a favour. Ensuring a 2016 Canadian Open was surely high on his list of things to do and the claiments greatly overstate the personal benefit of being selected to run the Canadian Open. It is more of an obligation to their federation for organizers than it is something for them to benefit.

The reality is the CFC did not have, for the first time in many years, a Canadian Open in 2015, there were not bids at the AGM, and we are well past due the point at which things should be settled for 2016. That Vlad managed to twist enough arms to produce three bids is not a bad thing that people should carp about alleged conflicts or alleged appearances of conflicts of interest based on tenuous lines of reasoning,.

[Anish Nyayachavadi]

Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

All those "mights" seem pretty specious. After all, for any possible CFC president, they "might" eventually teach students for money, any event anywhere in the country, especially national events,"might" increase the number of players and hence students, so by that standard, we should have a president who is not allowed and does not promote chess as part of his job.

Not that I agree with the claim that there is a conflict of interest, but even if it were true, the claiments remedy would be limited to forcing Vlad to recuse himself from the vote. The president did not chose the bid for the Canadian Open, the governors did in an open vote. As the result was many to few, that remedy would have had no effect on the actual result. All this sturm und drang about such a minimalist change.

Apparently people who do not understand the clear NFP guidelines come in a dime a dozen.

The key word is again appearance . The points I stated earlier are clear fact. CFC presidents can be involved in the promotion of chess as long as they are within the NFP guidelines.

When there is a bid from Windsor (one he even stated himself he was actively involved in helping) that pretty conceivably shows the appearance of a conflict on interest relating to Vlad, he should recuse himself. True intention or not, the key word is again appearance.

Rules are also rules. You can't use "the outcome would be have been the same excuse" when there is a clear violation of the NFP.

[Steve Douglas]

Re: Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Apparently people who do not understand the clear NFP guidelines come in a dime a dozen.

The key word is again appearance . The points I stated earlier are clear fact. CFC presidents can be involved in the promotion of chess as long as they are within the NFP guidelines.

When there is a bid from Windsor (one he even stated himself he was actively involved in helping) that pretty conceivably shows the appearance of a conflict on interest relating to Vlad, he should recuse himself. True intention or not, the key word is again appearance.

Rules are also rules. You can't use "the outcome would be have been the same excuse" when there is a clear violation of the NFP.

Yes "rules are rules". Which rules? Quote them please.

You keep harping upon the *appearance* of a conflict yet you also make a bunch of statements which are assumptions. To my knowledge Vlad does not earn his livelihood from chess. I believe he has stated otherwise. Neither does he derive any direct financial benefit from Windsor hosting the CYCC or CO.

Your assumptions that Vlad would somehow benefit financially if youth chess were to increase in Windsor as a result of hosting the CYCC presupposes that Vlad would suddenly have more spare time available for chess lessons.

I suggest you read Roger's post again.

Steve

[Paul Bonham]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

All those "mights" seem pretty specious. After all, for any possible CFC president, they "might" eventually teach students for money, any event anywhere in the country, especially national events,"might" increase the number of players and hence students, so by that standard, we should have a president who is not allowed and does not promote chess as part of his job.

Not that I agree with the claim that there is a conflict of interest, but even if it were true, the claiments remedy would be limited to forcing Vlad to recuse himself from the vote. The president did not chose the bid for the Canadian Open, the governors did in an open vote. As the result was many to few, that remedy would have had no effect on the actual result. All this sturm und drang about such a minimalist change.

Furthermore, the claiments have the causality wrong. Vlad is not doing the Windsor organizers a favour, the Windsor organizers are doing Vlad a favour. Ensuring a 2016 Canadian Open was surely high on his list of things to do and the claiments greatly overstate the personal benefit of being selected to run the Canadian Open. It is more of an obligation to their federation for organizers than it is something for them to benefit.

The reality is the CFC did not have, for the first time in many years, a Canadian Open in 2015, there were not bids at the AGM, and we are well past due the point at which things should be settled for 2016. That Vlad managed to twist enough arms to produce three bids is not a bad thing that people should carp about alleged conflicts or alleged appearances of conflicts of interest based on tenuous lines of reasoning,.

Roger, the conclusion of your first paragraph is too all-encompassing. It isn't that the CFC President should not "promote chess" (depending on how that is defined), it is that he should not make a living teaching chess in a specific and small geographic location. The very fact that he does this AND that he remains CFC President is itself a conflict of interest. How is anyone to know that there aren't many CFC "secret deals" going on that favor Vlad's source of income?

As we all know, chess in Canada is very hard to manage because of geographic considerations. Anish's point about "appearance" is very relevant here: the President should appear in all respects to be fairly representing ALL of Canada.

It is likely that the NFP act doesn't take such things into consideration, probably because nobody thought about it. But it IS quite an obvious consideration once you are presented with it. The membership of the CFC should not stand for it imo. But at the end of the day, it's just organized chess, and it's just in Canada, and if the membership has no spine, well, I for one am not going to lose any sleep over it. Perhaps we have to realize that with chess, allowances have to be made for the fact that it is so dirt poor that the President can't give up his teaching and still remain personally solvent.

My problem with this bidding situation is not the outcome itself, but that the bidding process was allowed to proceed at all. As soon as Vlad was informed that Caesar's Windsor was offering $100,000 in savings to the CFC, Vlad should have stopped the bidding process and declared this deal was too good to turn down and was good for chess in Canada. Or if he can't stop the bidding process and declare a winner, then at least call up the other parties, inform them of the deal, give them the lay of the land and a chance to stop all their work. What I gather from this thread is that this was not done, leaving the Quebec, Kingston and Vancouver groups to think they had a shot of winning the bid.

The entire CFC is wronged in having a Windsor chess teacher as its President, but in this specific situation, the bigger wrong was done to the Quebec, Kingston, and Vancouver bidding groups. And again, the point about "appearance" is manifest: despite the mechanisms of the vote that you point out, it still "appears" as if everything was rigged to choose Windsor.

[Anish Nyayachavadi]

Re: Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Yes "rules are rules". Which rules? Quote them please.

You keep harping upon the *appearance* of a conflict yet you also make a bunch of statements which are assumptions. To my knowledge Vlad does not earn his livelihood from chess. I believe he has stated otherwise. Neither does he derive any direct financial benefit from Windsor hosting the CYCC or CO.

Your assumptions that Vlad would somehow benefit financially if youth chess were to increase in Windsor as a result of hosting the CYCC presupposes that Vlad would suddenly have more spare time available for chess lessons.

Exact rules as quoted from http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c...4.html#docCont. An official government of Canada website.

141. (1) A director or an officer of a corporation shall disclose to the corporation, in writing or by requesting to have it entered in the minutes of meetings of directors or of committees of directors, the nature and extent of any interest that the director or officer has in a material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with the corporation, if the director or officer

(a) is a party to the contract or transaction;

(b) is a director or an officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or

(c) has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction.

Part B: Vlad has already stated his involvement in the Windsor bid and I can presume he has had more involvement in the planning stages (like an adviser as last year). This is fine, as long as he recuses himself from the vote as he is the President of the CFC.

Part C: You can label what I'm saying as "assumptions" but circumstantially (all that actually matters), a case can be made of a potential conflict of interest (as I stated in an earlier post). I "harp" on appearance because we cannot determine Vlad's true intentions (and in the court of law, the true intention defence is almost futile), but one should recuse himself from the voting process if there as even an appearance of a conflict interest.

A back and forth debate can occur what is Vlad's livelihood, but unless we see actual proof on either side (a tax return from the past year for example) to prove or disprove, this point is currently irrelevant. Even going by his side, he spends at least a quarter of his time teaching chess, so the earnings from this would be significant as a percentage of his income.

The point about Vlad's spare time is also somewhat flawed as any business man can attest, having an increased number of interested clients/students has multiple potential rationale financial benefits (obviously). You are able to raise prices just as a simple example (Supply and Demand. Limited Supply of teaching hours and a high demand for teaching = the ability to raise prices thus financial benefit).

Happy New Year -Anish

[Steve Douglas]

Re: Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Exact rules as quoted from http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c...4.html#docCont. An official government of Canada website.

141. (1) A director or an officer of a corporation shall disclose to the corporation, in writing or by requesting to have it entered in the minutes of meetings of directors or of committees of directors, the nature and extent of any interest that the director or officer has in a material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with the corporation, if the director or officer

(a) is a party to the contract or transaction;

(b) is a director or an officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or

(c) has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction.

Part B: Vlad has already stated his involvement in the Windsor bid and I can presume he has had more involvement in the planning stages (like an adviser as last year). This is fine, as long as he recuses himself from the vote as he is the President of the CFC.

Part C: You can label what I'm saying as "assumptions" but circumstantially (all that actually matters), a case can be made of a potential conflict of interest (as I stated in an earlier post). I "harp" on appearance because we cannot determine Vlad's true intentions (and in the court of law, the true intention defence is almost futile), but one should recuse himself from the voting process if there as even an appearance of a conflict interest.

A back and forth debate can occur what is Vlad's livelihood, but unless we see actual proof on either side (a tax return from the past year for example) to prove or disprove, this point is currently irrelevant. Even going by his side, he spends at least a quarter of his time teaching chess, so the earnings from this would be significant as a percentage of his income.

The point about Vlad's spare time is also somewhat flawed as any business man can attest, having an increased number of interested clients/students has multiple potential rationale financial benefits (obviously). You are able to raise prices just as a simple example (Supply and Demand. Limited Supply of teaching hours and a high demand for teaching = the ability to raise prices thus financial benefit).

Happy New Year -Anish

Hmmm. Let's see here. Part A doesn't apply. Part B only applies because of presumptions of yours. Part C is propped up by "circumstantial" logic, which is apparently all that matters, according to you.

If you think you've got a leg to stand on then do something other than slinging mud.

Steve

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

The directors and voting members know exactly what interest I have in the contract. Nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

I will make no money from these tournaments. I will do lots of work for free to make them a success. If I had taken pay for doing these tournaments, it would have been a trivial amount. I have already done quite a bit to ensure that they are a success. The claim that I will profit from a Windsor bid is silly. I am doing Skype lessons these days so I am not limited by the students I can find in Windsor. Two of the kids that I have worked with on Skype managed to finish in at least a tie for second at CYCC 2015 along with the four that made it from Windsor. Actually Skype allows a higher bandwidth of examples, I have found. I have no problem finding new students. Most of them did not play in the last CYCC. Usuallly I get new students by word of mouth or by parents or grandparents watching me teach some of my students in the library. I encourage my students to teach others to play chess and I am proud that many of my students have taken up my suggestion to do so. I help them by explaining my process and curriculum for new students which is not anything revolutionary but it does seem to work. Maybe I'll write a book someday.

Its pretty weak to claim that there is even an appearance of conflict in a situation where I am doing what could be two full time jobs for zero pay. By all means consult a lawyer and ask him to explain the concept of an invitation to treat as that is the only thing I am guilty of.

Oh and Neil running for CFC Prez. Please. We've had enough paper tigers. Its probably not healthy for anyone to be president for too long either for the individual or the organization. If someone substantial ran I could be persuaded to step down though when I do I will become more powerful than you could ever imagine (Obligatory pop Obi Wan Kenobi Star Wars reference).

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Vlad and his supporters cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Yes "rules are rules". Which rules? Quote them please.

You keep harping upon the *appearance* of a conflict yet you also make a bunch of statements which are assumptions. To my knowledge Vlad does not earn his livelihood from chess. I believe he has stated otherwise. Neither does he derive any direct financial benefit from Windsor hosting the CYCC or CO.

Your assumptions that Vlad would somehow benefit financially if youth chess were to increase in Windsor as a result of hosting the CYCC presupposes that Vlad would suddenly have more spare time available for chess lessons.

I suggest you read Roger's post again.

Steve

I do earn a portion of my livelihood from teaching chess. It is typically at a rate of pay that is one quarter of my real livelihood which is computer and business consulting. Whenever I need money I go go back to that real calling which can be lucrative but is not as much fun as teaching a kid or an older individual to play chess. I did turn down a fairly lucrative contract that would have started soon before CYCC 2015 because that would have left the main organizer Chau Diep to fend for herself. I'm sure she would have handled it but when you give your word that you are going to be there when you are needed, you really should show up.

With respect to chess lessons in Windsor the harvest is great but the labourers are few. I have spent quite a bit of time lately trying to convince some very strong players to move to Windsor. Yes I must really be interested in increasing my lessons and prices. NOT!

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Roger, the conclusion of your first paragraph is too all-encompassing. It isn't that the CFC President should not "promote chess" (depending on how that is defined), it is that he should not make a living teaching chess in a specific and small geographic location. The very fact that he does this AND that he remains CFC President is itself a conflict of interest. How is anyone to know that there aren't many CFC "secret deals" going on that favor Vlad's source of income?

Actually most of the secret deals favour all of Canada.

As we all know, chess in Canada is very hard to manage because of geographic considerations.

Its not that hard. Organize more tournaments. No need to manage that. You should try that with your silly variants instead of wailing and howling that we won't do it for you. You might lose some of the bitterness that way.

Anish's point about "appearance" is very relevant here: the President should appear in all respects to be fairly representing ALL of Canada.

You and Anish obviously never went to business school. When I am prime minister then my job will be to fairly represent all of Canada. My job is to act in the best interest of the CFC. As long as I do that, I am doing my job.

It is likely that the NFP act doesn't take such things into consideration, probably because nobody thought about it. But it IS quite an obvious consideration once you are presented with it. The membership of the CFC should not stand for it imo. But at the end of the day, it's just organized chess, and it's just in Canada, and if the membership has no spine, well, I for one am not going to lose any sleep over it.

Actually they showed a great deal of spine. I have never been more optimistic about the CFC's prospects. So sorry about the poor showing of your variant.

The entire CFC is wronged in having a Windsor chess teacher as its President, but in this specific situation, the bigger wrong was done to the Quebec, Kingston, and Vancouver bidding groups. And again, the point about "appearance" is manifest: despite the mechanisms of the vote that you point out, it still "appears" as if everything was rigged to choose Windsor.

Everything was rigged to choose the best bid. Now that bid has to deliver. I'm sure it will.

[Paul Bonham]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

You and Anish obviously never went to business school. When I am prime minister then my job will be to fairly represent all of Canada. My job is to act in the best interest of the CFC. As long as I do that, I am doing my job.

What a coincidence that the best interest of the CFC "just happens" to be many events all centered on your area of residence and with an emphasis on juniors from whom you "just happen" to make money teaching chess.

To the CFC members residing in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northern and eastern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland....especially adult members... you are all SOL in Vlad's World. The CFC is a business first and foremost, and you are redundant.

Vlad has obviously never heard of Sam Walton of Wal-Mart fame and the business model that led to Walton becoming one of the world's wealthiest men. From Wikipedia: "Contrary to the prevailing practice of American discount store chains, Walton located stores in smaller towns, not larger cities. To make his model work, he emphasized logistics, particularly locating stores within a day's drive proximity to Wal-Mart's regional warehouses, and distributed through its own trucking service. Buying in volume and efficient delivery permitted sale of discounted name brand merchandise. Thus, sustained growth— from 1977's 190 stores to 1985's 800— was achieved."

Walton went against the prevailing business models and emphasized logistics to achieve success. Obviously this just didn't happen overnight: like any businessman, Walton had to spend money to make money. If the CFC really thought like this, it would take some of its Foundation money and spend it to create regional chess centers with full CFC branding, centering on chess but also offering (for the kids) math, science, art in a way that schools aren't doing, making it all fun (probably much closer to what CMA is doing), and for the adults, maybe some discussion forums on computer technology, on politics, on science, on philosophy. The logistics would be the delivering of all of this to each location equally, making one CFC Center just like all the others in terms of offerings, with qualified people at each location to make sure minimum standards are being met. You start with a few locations and you expand as revenues come in.

How's that for thinking out of the box? Poor Vlad is probably having convulsions now that he sees what it REALLY means to think like a business person.

The CFC is instead locked into a spendthrift mentality where its only focus is chess, its only offering is competitive events (standard chess only), its only goal is to help bring the junior cream to the top. Instead of all of the above, it debates on how often to issue an online magazine, all centered on standard chess of course. Don't even THINK about associating chess with other serious lines of thought and research. Just chess!

What happens in that business model is exactly what one should expect: most kids who are not part of the cream and don't rise to the top leave the game entirely, starved of recognition and attention, finding that the fun they found initially in chess has been methodically removed by a federation with a one-track mind. A small percentage who love chess more than they want a normal social life, or who don't go to university and become computer scientists or doctors or lawyers, will hang on. This is how it has gone for decades, and it's not going to change based on anything that's happening right now. But some people just can't see past the end of their nose to realize there's nothing new under the sun.

Vlad speaks optimistically of the Caesars Windsor deal acting as a blueprint for future such deals... what that really means is future JUNIOR events, because no respectable hotel chain is going to make such offers for adult chess players. These guys know their business. Kids playing chess means high income parents and relatives with money to burn and ready to be fed and entertained outside of chess event times. Adult chess players means mostly unemployed / underemployed single men staying at the Motel 6, at least 4 to a room to save money and eating at the FatBurger or bringing in a knapsack full of Doritos and potato chips.

So the future is ever-more junior chess, and it seems the epicenter will be Windsor and probably southern Ontario in general although I would expect Vancouver, with its large Chinese population, to eventually latch onto this model. This will help the CFC survive, but in 20 years neither it nor organized chess (in Canada at least) will resemble what it has been up to now. It will be almost kids-only, adults will be chased away, increasingly embarrassed by lopsided losses to 14-year-olds who sneer at them as they struggle to stay in the game.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Well duh! You are suggesting the the Chess Federation of Canada focus on something other than chess. Something like your silly variant that adds elements of random chance. Not going to happen any time soon.

Caesars is actually more interested in the adult end of the spectrum. If these events are successful in Windsor look for some big things not just in Windsor. You have to start somewhere.

It appears that Cogeco is blocking chesstalk for some reason. I can no longer post from home. I am likely not going to be posting as much to chesstalk as a result unless that can be resolved with Cogeco. I am posting this from a nearby Tim Hortons on my netbook which does not work from home for Chesstalk at least like every other computer at home.

[Anish Nyayachavadi]

Re: Vlad cannot understand NFP Conflict of Interest Guidelines

What a coincidence that the best interest of the CFC "just happens" to be many events all centered on your area of residence and with an emphasis on juniors from whom you "just happen" to make money teaching chess.

-Paul Bonham

Need I mention the point Frank Broughton brought up?

If you actually took a look at the bid, a good portion of the "organizers" are parents who Vlad gets money from for coaching their children.

-Frank Broughton

Going back to the point of "what's in the best interest for Canadian Chess," is it really in the best interest to just give a big "screw you" to Western Canada. Yes the CFC has paid for some players to go to the WYCC and Olympaid teams from there, BUT not everybody can afford to go fly out to Windsor. Not every family has the financial income or confidence to spend a couple grand on their 1400 rated kid. There is a great chess culture out there (the excellent work the Alberta and B.C Chess community does sets a national example for how things should be run) and they are just as passionate and hard working as anybody in this federation towards chess. Just because the membership numbers aren't as high doesn't mean they should be ignored.

Instead of being rewarded for their efforts with a national event, they get the cold shoulder, by Vlad saying "its in the best interest" to put all three major events in Windsor (need I add the CYCC is being hosted in Windsor for two straight years). Way to be for "the best interests of the CFC" by telling half your federation that "its in the best interest" that they don't get a national event. Is it also interesting as Paul said

What a coincidence that the best interest of the CFC "just happens" to be many events all centered on your area of residence and with an emphasis on juniors from whom you "just happen" to make money teaching chess.