| Intentional
Deception by 'Chess Bully?!' By NM Leland Fuerstman (Note: The information in this message was provided to me by reliable reporters and other members of the CCC who participated in the event) Over this past Labor Day weekend, 3 separate chess tournaments were conducted concurrently at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro, NC. Each was sponsored by Carolinas Chess Initiative A6037942. The two organizers involved in their private business are Gary Newsom and Dr. Walter High. A total of 276 players participated in the North Carolina Open! And, a total of 79 players participated in the US Masters. The third event was for Scholastic players. Many who participated reported that it was a pretty extraordinary tournament and that they were glad they attended! However, taking on such a complex promotion does have it's drawbacks. According to a reliable source, a major sponsor fell through and the organizers lost money. Therefore, a vote of thanks should be show to Newsom and High who undertook the risk and provided this great event for the North Carolina chess community! However, no major event is without it's problems; particularly one with 3 separate tournaments taking place simultaneously! After the events were rated, a number of concerned members were confused by the unsubstantiated "TD credit's" given to a curious list of "assistant" Directors. In the case of the US Masters, the Chief TD was listed as International Arbiter Thad Rogers. However, according to witnesses, Rogers could not only be found in his private room where he sold books and equipment, but he maintained complete control over the Masters section; even staying late after the event ended to make sure that the "norms" which had been earned were promptly submitted to the FIDE! Rogers continues to be a driving force for chess on the entire eastern seaboard and will be conducting the 2013 LPO! The Chief Assistant TD was listed as NTD Kevin Hyde who was observed doing the computerized pairings and seemed to be completely in charge. The Assistant TD listed was Cahyono "Cha Cha" Nugroho who was responsible for posting data on the NCCA website, but was never seen in the playing area acting as a "Director?" In the NC Open, the Chief TD was listed as "chess bully," see (Msg 514) or (Msg 517), Gary Newsom. However, other than standing up in front of the crowd on Saturday morning and announcing that he was the "Chief TD," he was rarely seen in the tournament playing area. The Chief Assistant TD was listed as Fun Fong, a "Local" TD" from Georgia, who was observed doing the computerized pairings and seemed to be completely in charge but was never seen on the floor. In addition, two Assistant TD's from Georgia were also listed: Elena Gratskaya and Frank Johnson. Ms. Gratskaya played one game in the event. And, though she is registered as a "Club" Director with very little experience, she was listed as Chief TD of the U2000 Section? According to witnesses, she was not observed directing in any capacity and rarely seen in the tournament playing area. (uh, they would have remembered!) But, LTD Frank Johnson, who is also listed as the Chief TD of the Under 1700 Section, actually played in 6 rounds of this 5 round event in the U2000 Section!? Curiously, he participated in Rd:1 on Friday evening and won, and then "re-entered" to participate in Rd:1 on Saturday morning as well?! (That's a new one on me!!) Furthermore, according to witnesses, he was not "identified" as a TD, and NEVER performed any TD responsibilities or duties? Apparently there are no USCF rules which prevent organizers from misrepresenting their actual degree of assistance in these events? One could naturally assume that their policy would be, "the more Senior TD's, the better!" But, it is offensive to other Senior Directors who have earned their credentials in a proper and honest manner and remain disturbed by the USCF's lack of oversight. In the case of these events, all of this was authorized by Gary Newsom. The most common lament in North Carolina right now is, "where were all of those tournament directors that he listed?... I never saw them!?" In retrospect, according to the USCF rules and guidelines, most of the "assistant directors" which were listed did not qualify to direct in sections with more than the allowable number; 50 or 60 with an assistant; but there were 67 in the case of Club Director Gratskaya, who was listed as Chief TD of the U2000 Section? Regardless, according to witnesses, "she did little to nothing?!" This is more than just fudging. Some believe that though it may not be outright fraud, it is, at best, intentional deception. One can only speculate as to what Newsom's motivations were? In effect, the results which were submitted seem to indicate that there were "plenty of qualified TD's" working at those events, when, in reality, that was not the case. I was told that the only TD who could be observed regularly on the floor really doing his job was TD Keith Hooker. It would be nice to be able to "pick your horse after the race if over," but that's not the way it works in the real world!? Why weren't those Chief Tournament Directors and Assistants introduced and identified to the players BEFORE the event began??!? One member who participated in the Top Section of the NC Open voiced this complaint about the paucity of Directors. "... They were 'on the floor' visibly identifying themselves as "staff." Strangely though, I asked one such person about my opponent leaving the room and he told me he would notify the TD. Was he referring to Newsom? I had no idea who was directing my section." wishes to remain anonymous Actually, the Chief Tournament Director listed on the official printout was Gary Newsom. The Chief Assistant TD was Fun Fong and Frank Johnson and Elena Gratskaya are listed as Assistant Directors. One player speculated that, "Johnson probably lost his last round because he was so distracted by his overwhelming Director's responsibilities..." (LOL) The fact is, he played in all 5, correction, 6 rounds of the U2000 Section and did not assist as a Director in any manner?! According to USCF Rules p.242, "the Chief TD has the ultimate authority and responsibility for the tournament. In general, the Chief TD must be physically present during play and should not himself be a player in a tournament he or she directs." According to USCF Rules, p243. "Assistant TDs gain credit for their experience when their duties include pairing and rules enforcement." In effect, tournament Directors are required to be on the floor and available to the players for the duration of the entire event. Just pinning a badge on your lapel which says "staff" does not signify that you are a Certified Tournament Director. My question is, why was it necessary to bring assistants up from Georgia when we have so many popular, well qualified Directors right here in North Carolina? Rumor has is that "the chess bully" again waited until the last minute to assemble his TD team and couldn't come to an agreement with certain key TD's. --- Otherwise, the tournaments seemed to be a success, though I doubt that any accounting of the events will be published -- since it was run by a "private company." But, many members believe that because it was the official NC Open, a thorough accounting should be made available. By the way, I wonder how much money the NCCA made off of the deal? Because, according to their advertisement, NCCA membership was NOT even required. --- So much for that. Right now, my next task is to find out whether Ms. Gratskaya might be available to assist in directing some future CCC events!! Have a nice day, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club, 72 paid members www.charlottechess.com |