CFC - A way forward

[Ben Daswani]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Firstly, in case you haven't been made aware, you'll receive a free life membership.

Secondly, for the majority, membership equates to having a rating. The magazine has been cancelled and I believe the CFC will soon stop selling books and equipment. For males rated between 2100 and 2500, it means you get to observe your trifling-ass national federation waste thousands of dollars sending adults who are worse than you overseas. I'd rant, but I want to leave work in a couple of minutes to catch an early Seabus. I'll rant on Monday.

Thirdly, I may never become a world champion chess player, but there are tonnes* of other activities of which I may become world champion. Shotput? Maybe. Yodelling? Probably. Posting stupid shit on chess message boards? TWO-TIME DEFENDING CHAMP.

*it is not actually possible to weigh a number of activities

[Hikaru Nakamura]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Since I am fairly new to Canada, can someone explain to me what is included with membership? Is it a magazine, (I thought I saw someone say the print edition had been cancelled?) or anything else in particular?

Ben, good luck becoming world champion, you are gonna need it...

[Jason Lohner]

Re: CFC - A way forward

The first thing that the CFC has to do is stop its false advertising. I received my 'renewal' letter and it states that 'Chess Canada magazine included except for Jr Participating.'

[Ben Daswani]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Either way, the bottom line is that in order for chess to become really successful on the continent, it is likely someone will have to become World Champion.

Fine, I'll do it.

[Hikaru Nakamura]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Both Jonathan and Jean are right when it comes to North America and their chess models. However, one huge difference between Canada and the US is that in the US, the scholastics are hugely successful and many teachers make a very good living off of it. For instance, in a given situation the USCF can raise about $50k from a scholastic nationals event, which sadly to say proves just how inept they are when it comes to their finances (heading for bankruptcy). What Canada lacks, it would seem, is the income revenue. How the federation can be restructured to be profitable, I am not sure, but there must be some new ideas from somewhere.


European Models:
In Europe, there are several big advantages as opposed to North America, first of all chess has a much longer and richer tradition. One thing which I can almost NEVER find in either Canada or the US is multiple rich benefactors or sponsors behind teams, whereas when one looks at the leagues (Bundesliga,French,Spanish) the better clubs probably shell out about $3k a match when there are usually 10-11 games which is $30k. Based on what I know from having played in Europe and on a few clubs now, they all charge low fees to members and get substantial funding from either sponsors or the local governments (proof that socialism is better).

Hopefully things can change in Canada soon, but who knows. Either way, the bottom line is that in order for chess to become really successful on the continent, it is likely someone will have to become World Champion.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: CFC - A way forward

If that doesn't work, the next idea is "Lefthanders' Chess Club".

I'm still working on my over the board club and federation. The Inner Galactic Chess Federation. It's open to the entire Milky Way, however, I only expect new members and growth to come from Planet Earth.

So far WE have only one member. Myself. I am a member, CEO and I own the Federation. It was my idea and it's MINE, MINE, MINE!!!

Chess players seem to be used to slow moving federations, so I am moving slowly as to not dazzle anyone with my innovations. Being a correspondence player, I must carefully plan my course of action and run it through a computer. Blunder check it.

Right now I'm waiting for the new members to roll in. Being an Inner Galactic Federation, it will be hard to check the new members and validate their credentials. Our motto is:

You are who you say. Your character is limited only by your imagination.

[Jonathan Berry]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Jean and Nigel are both right! If people pay you nothing, or very little, or a whole sledload of money, what they want is confirmation of their own plans. Unless you're being paid a moderate amount for advice, it is ignored.

So feel free to ignore this gratis advice. The Euro (excluding the UK) models tend to rely on chess clubs. A player belongs to the national federation through the club. How that would translate to highly-individualistic North America is anybody's guess. It might be just the glue we need. And for those of us who are loners, we could have a Buen Vestido Anti-Social Chess Club, with no meeting place and thus no geographical limits.

Since this is gratis, I'm free to have a bit of fun with it. "Buen Vestido" literally means "well-dressed" (thank you, Frank Veszely, for your campaign of "dressing up for chess"), but I wouldn't use the expression in the name of a real organization without asking a native Spanish speaker first. Do those two words carry even the slightest hint of transvestism? I haven't done that since doing a sendup of opera diva Joan Sutherland at a "talent" show at age 10. Smile.

If that doesn't work, the next idea is "Lefthanders' Chess Club".

[Nigel Hanrahan]

Re: Feel free to elaborate

Discussion at the Streathan & Brixton Chess Club about ECF resignations.

Egidijus - you might have to search around this and other related threads at their blog to get the whole discussion, but it is worth the effort.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: Feel free to elaborate

A little while ago I stumbled upon a discussion at the Streatham and Brixton Chess Club blog (in England) . ... I recommend having a look.

Could add the link. (lazy to google)

[Nigel Hanrahan]

Re: Feel free to elaborate

OK, I didn't want to put you on the spot. I just read your remarks and figured you would be willing to add to them.

Jean Hébert: I see, for example, how Open tournaments are organised in Europe and see no reason why we keep doing things differently here with little success.

If you were willing to add to this, for example, I would find that helpful.

--------------------------------

A little while ago I stumbled upon a discussion at the Streatham and Brixton Chess Club blog (in England) . Jonathan Berry made a few remarks there as well. There were some good ideas there, as they are in the process of evaluating their current practices. I reccommend having a look.

[Jean Hébert]

Re: Feel free to elaborate

Perhaps it would be helpful to provide a few more details about those excellent models elsewhere, Jean. Feel free to elaborate.

Helpful for whom ? Who is involved in organizing and listening ? I now know from experience that most people have to find their own answers by themselves. Otherwise they kind of resent you for "having all the answers" and do as they wish anyway. If they consult you, it is to get approval. Period. Of course I don't have all the answers, but I see, for example, how Open tournaments are organised in Europe and see no reason why we keep doing things differently here with little success.

When I mentionned "excellent models" I was not referring to any chess federations in particular because in my view most of them are dysfonctionnal by nature. They mostly care about their own survival and usually forget about their primary mission.

[Nigel Hanrahan]

Feel free to elaborate

... there is no excuse anymore to overlook excellent chess models elsewhere and simply pretend that here "things are different" and look the other way.

I know that Argentina, for example, has a large mass membership with a very low annual fee. Some countries have much better government support. In Britain, they seem to be considering a more Canadian set-up with respect to fees and they are having their own problems.

Perhaps it would be helpful to provide a few more details about those excellent models elsewhere, Jean. Feel free to elaborate.

[Jean Hébert]

Re: CFC - A way forward

From what I understand, Quebec (FQE). If I'm mistaken, feel free to correct me! ;)

If we are looking for a model that works, we better look elsewhere. North America (Canada + US) is the Third World of Chess! The chess situation in these two countries is simply getting worse and worse. It is not even developping, it is simply undevelopped! Chess works much better almost everywhere else. With today's means of communication there is no excuse anymore to overlook excellent chess models elsewhere and simply pretend that here "things are different" and look the other way.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: CFC - A way forward

Kindly elucidate. Nobody ever pays me nuthin'.

From what I understand, Quebec (FQE). If I'm mistaken, feel free to correct me! ;)

[John Coleman]

Re: CFC - A way forward

N.B. Another major chess organization in Canada DOES offer a hefty commission to the Organizer/TD when he/she collects an annual membership fee at one of their events!

Kindly elucidate. Nobody ever pays me nuthin'.