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posted on 2-10-15
NCCA Neglects Report on LotSConfusing Payout Leaves Some Players Scratching Their Heads!?
By NM Leland Fuerstman
If you're interested in reading an article about the recent Land of the Sky event in Asheville, don't waste your time looking for it on the NCCA website?
Their statewide news has not been
updated since December 18, 2014,
yet many significant events have transpired around
the state since then. At first, their self proclaimed
porcine website "editor," Jeffery "Pig" Jones,
indicated that he would "update the website each
week!" Then, citing his overwhelming workload, (apparently pizza sales increase
significantly during Super Bowl season!...)
he reported that "it would be updated every 2
weeks..." then, every month, and now after almost a
month and a half, it has still not been updated?
One pundit stated that "Jones
put it into high gear posting a lot of things in order
to get elected; now that he's an officer, where are
the updates?" The advertisement for this year's LotS event boasted a prize fund of $14,000 based upon 225 "full" entries. But, after all was said and done, while 100% of the prizes offered to the *Grandmaster Section was paid in full, the U2200 Section had to suffer with a payback of only 60%... even though the section contained twice as many players who paid the same Entry Fee as the Top Section?; I was told that more money was paid back in the U1700 Section?! In addition, the goofy splitting of the "Class B" section with a 500 point gap made absolutely no sense? Large tournaments should be divided into "classes." Finally, 3 different "Entry Fees" were available for this event making it virtually impossible for anyone to accurately calculate how much he might win. According to info which was published on the NCCA Forum, combining those full, half and quarter entry fees equaled 135 "full" entries. O.K. What this really means according to the math, is that in order for U2200 clear 1st Place winner NM Emmanuel Carter to win the full stated 1st Prize amount of $1,000, another 40% or approximately 85 more players would have been required! So, why didn't the advertisement say, "U2200 prizes based on 300 players?!" because, in fact, that's what it was! Furthermore, again, according to the math, if 300 player had participated and the entire $14,000 prize fund were paid in full, the organizer would receive between $10-12 thousand dollars. (One would assume that since the hotel rooms were sold out, the organizer met the agreed criteria and paid nothing for the use of the hotel). That makes it difficult for anyone to believe that his formula was designed to serve the best interests of North Carolina chess players...
One must remember that the "Land of the Sky" has been a premier annual North Carolina event which in previous years, this author was an active participant on more than a dozen occasions! In fact, one year I played and almost defeated US Champion GM Roman Dzindzihashvilli (2665) but ended up blundering in the end and losing? Yet, just the opportunity to play him coupled with the congregation of all of the GM's around my board is something I will never forget! However, times change, and people change. The smug, non English speaking no-name Grandmasters who participate now spend little time with anyone other than themselves. They show up on somebody else's dime, do their deed, collect all of their money, and leave... Where are the images, personal interest stories, games or any other anecdotes related to these revered demigods? Not only was it not important to the organizer nor his Director to write a full report but apparently no representative of the NCCA went to the effort of doing anything save for publishing the individual payout info which was graciously provided by event Director NCCA President Kevin Hyde. (only a dozen or so people have suggested that I ask Hyde to provide the precise number of entries in each category... Don't hold your breath) Otherwise, I shall assume that his report is accurate. *By the way, don't forget to include the entry fees from the GM's and IM's who won money, which would amount to appx. $1,000!!
As for Hyde being the ONLY director for the entire 215 player event, the USCF has guidelines requiring the necessary "presence" of tournament directors on the floor at "major" events; guidelines which, apparently, were not followed. And, it was reported that, as usual, McCartney was involved in yet another loud incident with LM Pohl with no TD available to address it?
Paradoxically, in the final analysis, as long as 215 players actually participate in order to foot the bill, large events which feature no-name Grandmasters continue to be a viable venture. Regardless, tournaments come, and go. Who can forget the "Billy Watt Memorial"!? This was a 3 rounder generally held in a school in the small town of Statesville, where as many as 200 players would gather every year! (Where is the honorable Robert Singletary when you need him?!!) But, even that faded away. So, as I stated, times change, and people change. And, the NCCA desperately needs change...
I am proud to report that the Charlotte Chess Club, which signs up new members year round, has a total of 65 currently paid members ($20 per year for existing members, $25 for new). Now, according to a painstakingly precise count by a concerned member, the NCCA ($10 fee) currently has a total of 53 current members of which 28 are life members!? (and most of the LM's are either no longer associated with NC chess or deceased). That means that there are actually only 25 current regular members of the NCCA compared to the CCC's 65!? But, more disconcerting was a statement previously posted on the NCCA Forum by NCCA Secretary Treasurer Tom Kabasakalian stating that "it's not my job to 'glad hand' everybody to sell NCCA memberships..," well, Sir, if it's not your job, then whose job would it be? Not only has he failed to show up and interact with players at major events in order to sell memberships (like past Vice President Dr. Walter High went to such trouble to do, and predecessor Gergen Hoekstra did so religiously) nor send out even one reminder by E-mail to members who need to renew nor make any statement whatsoever on their website nor Forum, but he hasn't even bothered to renew his own membership which expired on December 31, 2014??? However, he has done an exemplary job of preventing members from observing the books..? At least he has posted his contact information.
However, though he was voted in as President in October, NCCA President Kevin Hyde has still not included his E-mail address nor his phone number on their contact info page?? Nor has Vice President of Scholastics Venkataraja Shanmugavadivel posted his personal contact info?? Nor is there an image of any of the officers posted nor one single written report made since their election? But worse, is the fact that each of these officer's membership expired on December 31, 2014 and neither has made any effort to rejoin. (one member quipped that "they probably haven't rejoined because they don't think it's a good deal!" LOL)
Well, it's not a good deal. In fact, it's negligence and incompetence at it's worst... The main page is a joke with it's stupid flashing unrelated advertisements. (Really, how long must that be endured?) The upcoming tournaments page is in complete chaos, allowing date duplications with events taking place within close proximity and including weekday events which confuse the reader. There is simply no one paying any attention to the concerns of the organizers who are being "edged out" of the game by other promoters who refuse to co-operate? Other than a Forum which is dominated by the same sycophants and members of the mutual admiration society, the NCCA website has little of value to offer. (according to CCC member Carl McKern, they still won't allow him to post even though he requested it, ... Hey, wake up Moderator! Who's minding the store?)
Now, here is the kicker. After Hyde was elected, we traded a few E-mails, the last of which recommended that a very well qualified and experienced member take over as "Editor" for the good of the organization. (Not me). Unfortunately, since my last very logical, informative and friendly E-mail, for whatever reason, I have received no subsequent response from Hyde. Instead, he posted on the NCCA Forum that he decided to have a series of "conference calls" whereby members could participate with their comments and complaints. The first one hour conference call included President Hyde, Vice President Jones, Sara Walsh and Tom Hales. It is my understanding that though issues were discussed, little was resolved. And, then his second conference call included Hyde, Sara Walsh and Tom Hales?! Three people, really...? Unfortunately, the issue of bringing in a new website "Editor" was not even mentioned in either call? In fact, other than being paid for his services as the lone Director of LotS, which didn't even require NCCA membership, Hyde has accomplished little for the NCCA. Nor have the other officers who seem to have done very little or absolutely nothing since their election. So what's new?
I'll tell you "what's new!" The Charlotte Chess Club now meets at McAlister's Deli on Park Rd! Join us each Wednesday evening to dine, socialize with other adults and play one rated game at 7:30pm. I will see you at the CCC!
NM Leland Fuerstman
Charlotte Chess Club
www.charlottechess.com