3-8-17
2017 N.C. Scholastic Championship

Valuable Service to the Scholastic Chess Community, or Huge Rip-off?
by NM Leland Fuerstman

(If you are truly concerned about this issue, read Msg#608 first!)

This weekend, the 2017 North Carolina Scholastic Championship will be contested at the Raleigh Convention Center. Like the past couple of years, the event is sponsored and organized and directed by the North Carolina Chess Association. It is no secret that for some time, I have been at odds with the so-called administration of the NCCA for various reasons, but this issue is one which I feel is the most important. As the years have gone by, though I have suggested otherwise, the Entry Fee for this event has continued to increase... and for no apparent reason. Other than substantially increasing their profit and depositing the proceeds into their "treasury." Considering the secrecy and non-transparency of the NCCA, a few "leaked" details about their financial status have allowed some chess pundits to estimate that they have, or had, over $60,000 in their treasury. Yet, this money is never mentioned by any officer. Since there was no 2016 Treasurers Report posted on their website, it is difficult to figure just how much cash they really have on hand. After all, they have provided no evidence of spending any of it on chess related programs. So, just what are they doing with it?

According to one Director, there may be as many as 1,000 players at this year's event! Let's see... an entry fee between $65-75 X 1,000 = $70,000! (In fact, this year's event attracted over 849 players for a total gross of over $50,000) But, even more glaring is their benevolent selfless act of rewarding the winners; they are giving back $5,000 in scholarships?? Wow! That's a whopping 10% return on their entry fee?? Shouldn't it be the opposite? I know that there are expenses, but this is ridiculous. And, as usual, no accounting details of this tournament will be posted. When I last checked, they had a total of 15 active members of the NCCA. Even all of the officers membership's had expired. But, I feel confident they will be at the site bright and early to collect the cash.

I remain,
NM Leland Fuerstman
charlottechessclub@gmail.com