NC Open given to Georgia promoter, Conflicting ads?, Neglects Experts?! Meeting too early!?

The North Carolina Championship, was originally designated by the NCCA "constitution" to be a "closed" event held annually on Labor Day weekend (early September). The simple premise was to conduct an annual event which would determine the various "Champions" of our own state. For unexplained reasons, the date of the tournament has been changed as well as it's soverignty. Worse, control of the event has been given to an out of state promoter who will surely make a handsome profit?!

Over the past 22 years, after I was President of the NCCA in 1985, out-of-staters have spoiled the results of our State Championship with late round victories which prevented NC players from winning the Title? This is patently unfair?? Don't we already have enough "major" tournaments in this state, ie. LPO, LotS, Class Ch's, which are "open" to all? Why must we taint our own State Championship with out-of-state ringers??

When I observed the prize structure of the 2007 NC "Open" on the NCCA website, it was apparent that every class and sub-class offered lucritive prizes, except in the Top Section where absolutely no prize was offered for players with ratings between 2000 and 2099?? The reason, according to honorable NCCA President Randy Wheeless, was that in past events only a few 2000+ players showed up??! (Duh, I wonder why!!?) He agreed to add a $100 prize to the neglected sub-class?! (Does this mean they can't win the Under 2200 money and can only win $100??) The Under 2200 and Under 2100 money should be the same, period. To neglect some of the strongest and most active chessplayers in the state, who have often dedicated their lives to this Royal sport in favor of rewarding "lower class" players who may rarely ever compete is ludicrous!

But, to my amazement, when I observed the "Tournament Life Announcement" in the October issue of Chess Life magazine, it advertised "9 Sections" with a separate Under 2200 Section (with no under 2100 prize offered, of course)!? Obviously, there seems to be a mis-communication between the out-of-state promoter and our honorable President. This is sure to cause confusion at the site?

Finally, if any self ordained enlightened despot wants to take over the organization, since nobody ever shows up anyway, simply gather a few of your cronies at the annual meeting at 8:45am?! and vote yourselves in! (Officers voted in next year). Lets face it, with late finishing games, late night drinking and partying with speed chess til' the wee hours of the morning, etc, most can hardly make it on time to their 4th round game?! Therefore, doesn't it make sense to hold the meeting at 10am, just prior to that round?!! It allows every member to be present and participate without making any special effort to do so! (I did this in 1985; since everyone was already assembled, the meeting took all of 10 minutes!)

By now, most players have already decided whether they are going to this year's event. I will wait until the Top Section confusion is resolved before I make my decision. In addition, a few weeks ago, I requested of the President that he provide me with a copy of, and make public, the actual cash prizes paid out at the LPO. So far, I have not received that information. I hope this will not be the case with the 2007 NC Championship... in my humble opinion, I believe ALL "NC State Championship" money should stay in North Carolina.

Very respectfully,

NM Leland Fuerstman