Newsom Violates Rules of Decency?!
Creates Yet Another Chess Organization on the Side?!
By NM Leland Fuerstman
(Again, Newsom shows his disrespect for our Royal Game by purposely failing to address me as National Master Leland Fuerstman. You don't salute the person, you salute the uniform... I achieved the Title of National Master in November of 1984 at the age of 37! I played 57 tournament games with a Masters rating. Through the years, I readily admit that my skill level has declined; however since 1991, Gary Newsom (1969) and I have played 41 times which included 22 wins versus his 14 for a +8 record against him. --- Soon, I will be 65 years old; and I'll bet I can still kick his butt!)
A few days ago, I, along with almost every member of the CCC received a "private" hate-mail from overwrought NCCA President Gary Newsom!? Apparently, it was a response to my most recent message posted on the CCC website. Message #466 addressed a number of extremely sensitive unresolved issues associated with the outgoing officers of the NCCA. The very idea that Newsom would use such underhanded, covert tactics and go to the extent of personally E-mailing every CCC member, and then "warn" them that they are
not
allowed to publish his words, nor respond publicly to
his comments is ludicrous and outrageous! Just exactly
who does he think he is? Though he
may look just like
Kim Jong Il,
this is not Communist Korea!? It is the United States
of America where we "all" have a right to stand up and
voice our opinions... If you can't stand the heat,
then maybe you should get the hell out of the
kitchen... Since almost every chess player in the entire state of North Carolina is scared stiff to ever openly ask questions or voice their opinion for fear of reprisal, I felt it necessary to do so. After all, in a free society, when one holds office in a non-profit organization, all of it's members, as well as the general public, have a right to critique the officers and ask questions. That is precisely what I did. But, according to Gary Newsom's special set of rules, you, and I, don't have that right??! Because, as usual, nowhere in his entire confusing diatribe does he address any of the issues which are stated in my message save for my reinstatement as an NCCA member?
I did not renounce my U.S. Citizenship. (by the way, I am a Vietnam veteran; In what branch of service did Newsom serve?), I quit a chess organization! I publicly stated that as long as the current administration is in power, Gary Newsom President, I did not want to be a member. Specifically: "...considering the incompetency of our current administration, right now, I do not want the Charlotte Chess Club to even be associated with the NCCA in any manner." End of Quote. There are absolutely no provisions in the NCCA "articles of incorporation" that cover membership other than that which I have already quoted in Message #466. Nowhere does it state that a previous member who quits can not rejoin. They just seem to make up the rules as they go along...
Gary Newsom's statement that "Leland has tried since we began in 2008 to shut down Queen City Chess Club" is the most obvious example of "projection" I have seen in some time and an outright lie!? To set the record straight, Newsom contacted me just prior to opening his Queen City Chess Club and asked me to shut down the Charlotte Chess Club so his club could take over?! When I refused, he stated that he intended to proceed, anyway. On a number of occasions since then, I have suggested that we trade links. Each time, he has refused. Furthermore, a while back, I paid a surprise visit to the QCCA and was curiously welcomed with open arms only to receive an extraordinary E-mail the following day denying my future participation? What a jerk?
I have NEVER instructed anyone NOT to participate at the QCCA nor does anyone have any documentation to prove otherwise. In fact, I have, on a number of occasions, told new players about the Tuesday night club, without malice! Isn't the idea to encourage people to play chess, not to prevent them from playing because of a personal grudge? Though it was an obvious conflict of interest, Newsom not only sent private E-mails to numerous members, but as President, he actually authored a message on the NCCA website instructing everyone not to participate at the Charlotte Chess Club even though I had not violated any rule of chess. My crime was attempting to ask questions and express my opinion. Questions which Newsom never seemed to be able to answer. This is all documented. Unlike Newsom, who conveniently misused the E-mail addresses from the CCC Roster which was designed to allow members to communicate with each other in case they need a ride or just want to play chess, (The NCCA could improve the quality of their site by including E-mails as well; or is that just too much trouble, too?) I have never attempted to prevent players from participating at the QCCA, period. Furthermore, I'm not really sure why Newsom decided to E-mail all of the members of the CCC other than to attempt to poison their opinions about me? Though he claims to be there every Tuesday evening, the fact is that Newsom only played one game out of 5 in the last QCCA event that was rated? I, on the other hand, participate in every round of the CCC and publish every game, win, lose or draw.
There are a number of reasons why most of the stronger players in the Charlotte don't play at the Queen City Chess Club anymore (I am told that the main complaint is the overwhelming and uncontrolled commotion generated by a room full of noisy little kids?!). But, is has absolutely nothing to do with anything that NM Leland Fuerstman has done other than provide an excellent venue for chess at the Skyland Family Restaurant on Wednesday evenings and a great, informative and constantly updated website! Unfortunately for Gary Newsom, he has finally exposed himself to such a degree that many Charlotte players have become fed up with his self-serving devices. The deliberately dubious design of a recent Reverse Angle tournament, whereby he pocketed 45% of the money (See Message 0457) is one example of that? And, who can forget the infamous "privitization" of the QCCA which left many of his own members wondering where all the money went? (See Msg 0436).
More recently, it was announced that since he had been so successful organizing the North Carolina Open, officers of the SCCA contacted Gary Newsom and requested that he conduct the upcoming South Carolina Open!? Most members are not aware that when Newsom first assumed the NCCA Presidency, he briefly worked as an instructor for the CMSCA until they cited a conflict of interest with his own scholastic chess organization, "chessadventures.com" which is now defunct. Now, it has been announced that his, and NCCA Vice President Dr. Walter High's new chess company, "carolinaschessinitiative.com" will be sponsoring and directing the S.C. event!? It was further promised that "any player who has not competed in USCF competition for 2 years or more gets a FREE $59. ENTRY!? Wow! How benevolent!
However, some are questioning whether the fact that Gary Newsom is the President of the NCCA presents a conflict of interest, again? Apparently, there is either money to be made or lost. Some question whether that may present potential legal ramifications? At any rate, it probably would have been best to advise all NCCA members ahead of time. But, more disconcerting is the idea that these officers are so quick to help bolster chess in another state, but seem to have ignored the needs of areas in North Carolina like Wilmington on the East coast and Asheville in the west where other than the annual LotS, there is a paucity of activity. I'll bet the guys from those areas would appreciate a FREE ENTRY, too! Anyway, exactly how is what they are doing good for North Carolina chess?
This leads me to question why so many volunteers have resigned from the NCCA webmaster's position? Through the years, I have always known Phil Lowder to be an honest and truthful gentleman who knows the difference between right and wrong... some speculate that this may be why he quit. And, does anybody know why it was necessary to change servers?
Considering the current circumstances of the QCCA, Newsom's artificial attempt to revive his club will probably be short lived. I strongly recommend that he divert the few remaining adult players who still linger there to the Charlotte Chess Club and concentrate his efforts solely on Scholastic players. That way, he can make his money on Tuesday, play with us on Wednesday evening and defend his honor against some of the best chess players in the entire state! Yes, even Gary Newsom is welcome to participate at the Charlotte Chess Club. (We let McCartney back in, didn't we? LOL - Hey, he may not be my best friend, but he certainly has a right to compete; Question: Just how does not competing make you a better chess player?!)
Over the years, I have become the default chess watchdog for the rights of the "little guy" in North Carolina. In this case, those little guys are scholastic players who are required to pay increasingly high entry fees while excessive profits remain unaccounted for? What Newsom refers to as my "rant" are legitimate questions which every member has a right to ask. Unfortunately, evasion and personal counter attacks have always been his trademark response. Furthermore, the hate mail he submitted to all CCC members was inappropriate and reprehensible. I say, good riddance to Gary Newsom.
As usual, I will see everyone at the Charlotte Chess Club on Wednesday evening to socialize, dine and play one rated game of chess.
I remain,
National Master Leland Fuerstman