New Chess Center No Threat to "Original" CCC! But, Why Are They Copying Our Name?! Many Questions Still Loom: Is it a non-profit organization or not? by NM Leland Fuerstman So, they finally took my advice and decided to concentrate their efforts on scholastic chess. One club dies a quiet death, another is born...  This time, the proprietors will attempt to run a "business" which is scheduled to keep it's doors open 6 days a week?! Whether or not that concept will work in Charlotte remains to be seen. Back in 1980, a couple of partners and I opened a parlor on Central Ave. called the "Divan" which featured chess and backgammon which had become very popular at that time! Since our business was properly capitalized at the onset, we did not ask our patrons for "donations." Though we did sell some food, in an attempt to make more money, we also sold beer! The Metrolina Chess Club began meeting there on Wednesday evenings, but on the other days, we featured darts, war games, backgammon, cards, speed chess, tournaments, etc. The problem was, many of those chess players, and other bohemian types who don't have jobs, were notoriously cheap!? And, the monthly revenue could not sustain the overhead. Most successful businesses feature a "personality." In this case, the personality was NM Leland Fuerstman. Though it did survive for a few months, due to physical and mental exhaustion, I quickly sold my share and tripled my investment. Shortly thereafter, the "Divan" was promptly replaced by an antique gallery. So much for my "dream" to open a chess parlor... Considering the fact that I had "sold" the Metrolina Chess Club to the new owners, in early 1981, the Charlotte Chess Club was born! At first, we met at Athens Restaurant near CPCC and then a litany of restaurants followed. For the past 5 years, we have meet in the private room of the Skyland Family Restaurant. Though other chess clubs and so called associations have cropped up through the years, they have all failed. In fact, after being "privatized" last year, the Queen City Chess Association is now completely defunct. On the other hand, the Charlotte Chess Club has survived for over 33 years! We currently have 69 paid members. NM Leland Fuerstman owns and operates the CCC and has never stated otherwise... furthermore, every member of the CCC has the right to vote! "Charlotte Chess" has always been the trademark of our club. It is the name of our website: www.charlottechess.com and it is the official name of our USCF Affiliate: Charlotte Chess Club A6002860. One would naturally expect any new organization or club to choose a name which would be distinctive and avoid confusion. However, in defiance of fair play, NM Peter Giannatos and his ill-adviser, well known "chess bully," Gary Newsom, whether due to their shear lack of creativity or their unlawful determination to intentionally infringe upon our club name, decided to call their new business, "Charlotte" Chess Center & Scholastic Academy?? Queen City Chess, Royal Rooks, Tiger Chess, etc., were all distinctive names... why do they have to steal ours?? Why not Peter's Chess Center & Scholastic Academy?! Some believe they are "purposely attempting to confuse people in order to ride in on the coat tails of the Charlotte Chess Club's 33 years of success..." Regardless, whether their intentional infringement upon our club name is grounds for a lawsuit or not, it surely demonstrates their indifference to me and the CCC. Such a disrespectful attitude is a guaranteed recipe for failure; at least from the adult perspective. But, their potential scholastic problems are yet another "sensitive" issue. Since he already has a poor reputation for not responding to E-mails, youthful proprietor Giannatos may have bitten off more than he can chew with this lofty endeavor. According to their professionally designed website, (if he does the same job as he did for the website for which he was previously responsible, don't expect much... no games, images, articles or updates) most of their events will be dedicated to scholastic players. One can only assume that there will be enough "adult supervision," similar to that which is required by law in our public schools in order to insure the safety of our children. But, more disconcerting is the idea that there will probably be a mixture of adults and kids on certain days. Yet, their system for control has yet to be defined. From my experience, this so called chess center will probably attract a few "regulars" who will be required to pay $5 per day. These guys will surely attempt to get their money back by playing speed chess for a dollar or two... Question: Will gambling be allowed at the CCC&SA? After all, my 9 year old grandson, Nathaniel Fuerstman 14773760 (105), may play there someday and I want to make sure that it's a safe and wholesome environment for him. And, of more concern to some, is their plea for donations. I have studied their website very carefully and nowhere do I see any statement regarding their status as, nor their intention to become an official non-profit organization?! After all, using ".org" in their website address implies that they already are?! If they are, naturally they would have the proper business license and the necessary liability insurance. But, if they are not, then the contributions which their patrons benevolently provide will NOT be tax deductible. Question: Is the CCC&SA an official 501-C3 non-profit organization or not? Then, why not state that in their literature? Some call it intentional deception... NM Peter Giannatos' celebrated instructor's skills notwithstanding, considering the idea that only 3 out of every 100 new businesses survive for 1 year; and only one of those lasts 2 years, their chances of success are bleak. Some fear that paying $120 for a membership to a business which is only conceptual might not be a wise investment. Furthermore, due to work and family responsibilities, most players can't participate more than 2 nights per week. So, only time will tell whether they will be able to continue to pay their rent... As an ambassador of our "royal game," I want everyone to play chess everywhere, all of the time! But, allowing another organization to infringe upon the use of our name goes a bit too far. I hereby formally demand that NM Peter Giannatos and Gary Newsom cease and desist from using the word "Charlotte" in the title of their newly formed chess business. I also request that the CCC&SA not intentionally conflict with the "original" CCC meeting on Wednesday evenings and that they avoid conflict with our already posted Saturday 3 rounder dates. Knights Templar VIII March 29!! Don't worry; I feel sure that some members of the Charlotte Chess Club will play in both clubs! So, first, let them alter their name. Then, I will wish them luck and possibly even participate there myself. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club