Raleigh, NC 2-21-11:  The 2011 NC Scholastic Championship attracted 513 players. Congratulations to FSC* graduate 16 year old Samuel Xin (2085) of Charlotte who defeated fellow Charlotte Expert Joshua Mu (2125) in the final round to finish clear 1st Place with 4.5-.5 and pocketed ... nothing, but a trophy?! (unfortunately, prevailing NCCA policy prevents the winner from receiving the $1,500 scholarship until he actually enrolls into college? Last year, 11 year old Will Campbell of Statesville won, but must wait 7 years to collect?)

This year's event was sponsored by Chess Achieves out of Raleigh. In his zeal to stage a memorable event, Chief Organizer Bill Clausen attempted to juggle a 3 ring circus of side events which only added to the confusion. In doing so, he neglected to seek a volunteer (or pay a competent person like last year's Chief Director, Asheboro Organizer Tom Hales, who was mysteriously missing from the mix) to come in and take any photographs of the action nor did they mention the home towns and various schools of the winners. And, as usual, they did not provide even one single game of chess for publication?! (Rd:5 Xin vs. Mu would be interesting to see!)

At this point, I wish to take the opportunity to thank all of the Directors and volunteers who provided their assistance for this event. I have promoted dozens of major tournaments over the past 35 years and I am well aware of the amount of time and energy that goes into it. Please don't confuse this message with an attempt to single out any one person for criticism. The policies which our current administrators follow have been in place for some time. But, it is high time that some of them are changed!

For many years, this author has lobbied for a more equitable payback format and lower entry fees. Considering the amount of money collected and the continued escalation of college expenses over the years, $1,500 doesn't go too far? A prize fund of $5,000 could easily be substantiated. Sadly, of the hoards of players who entered this year, section champions could only win a cheap plastic trophy? Yet, this year's entry fee was as much as $60 at the site? According to the math, a gross total upwards of $25 Thousand Dollars was collected in entry fees. Unfortunately, like the past 2 years, no accounting, whatsoever, has been provided for members of the North Carolina chess community to observe. This secretive covert policy of non-transparency must be reversed. Hopefully, next year, the entry fees will be lower, and the payback will be more fair to the winner and a thorough accounting of the event will be published. Furthermore, regardless of age, the Champion should be allowed to collect his scholarship money instantly.

Incidentally, both Xin and Mu cut their teeth and competed for years at the Charlotte Chess Club! I am very proud of both of them.

I remain,
NM Leland Fuerstman

*FSC is Fuerstman School of Chess