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Chessville
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Chessville Plays 20 Questions...
Beatriz Marinello: I started playing chess at the age of 13. Since then, chess has been a very important part of my life. I became a National Women's Champion of Chile when I was 16 years old; in 1985 I was awarded the Women's International Master title. My interest in organizing chess tournament began in the 80s, I organized my first national championship in Chile at the age of 20 years old, and later on I organized other international competitions. I moved to United States in 1990 after coming to play in the NY Open and meeting my ex husband. The following year in 1991, I played in the US Women's Championship pacing in third place; I represented the US in two Interzonals: 1991 Interzonal in former Yugoslavia and 1993 in Indonesia and 1994 Chess Olympiad held in Moscow. I started getting involved in scholastic chess in 1991 as an assistant coach of Dalton School in NY. In 1993, I made the decision to develop my own chess programs and I accepted a teaching position in Public School #9 in NYC. I had the opportunity to teach chess as part of the school curriculum to all the students in the schools including the gifted program, regular Ed and special education. With the help of the parents we setup one of the most prominent and successful chess programs in NYC. At the same time, I started a chess program in Public School # 6 convincing the Principal to incorporate chess as part of the school curriculum. My vast experience and vision in scholastic chess gave me a national recognition and when the USCF open the position for a full-time Scholastic Director, some friends convinced me to apply for the position. After a couple of months of an ongoing selection process that considered over 30 candidates, I was appointed USCF National Scholastic Director in January of 1997. The experience of working for the USCF office and my involvement in shaping and creating policies gave a good understanding of the organization. I have the reputation of being a very hard working person; I was determined to move scholastic chess to the point that would it much more visibility and success. In 2000 I decided to stop working for the USCF and go back to teaching chess. Although I loved the job in the USCF, I always missed teaching children. In the year 2000, I was involved in organizing the World Chess School Chess Championship over the Internet with Kasparov Chess.com. During the same period, I started programs in Westchester NY teaching chess as part of the school curriculum in Westorcharde School in Chappaqua and setting up an after-school program for over a hundred children in conjunction with the Recreation Department in Chappaqua. Simultaneously, I was teaching chess for all the Kindergarten students of the nationally recognized Horace Mann School, as well as running their after school chess program. When in 2003 I was selected USCF President, the first woman President (some people call me Madam President), many people though that my agenda would be oriented to scholastic chess only, but I am also a chess master and organizer. My degree is in accounting. Therefore, I have a good background in finances and organization. The financial situation of the USCF called for immediate and decisive actions. I am a very goal oriented person. My Board and I understood the need to make our primary goal the improvement the finances. This is what we are doing at this moment. As someone who has achieved the master strength at over the board chess, I have a good feeling of the commitment it takes to become a strong chess player and an appreciation of the difficulty in earning a reasonable income from chess. This understanding is invaluable when making decisions that affect the livelihood of the chess professional. Chessville: What is your vision for the future of the USCF, and your road map for realizing that vision? BM: The USCF is facing many challenges relating to membership retention and reaching out to new members. We need a comprehensive analysis of the value of becoming a USCF member. Our main services are Tournament, Ratings and Chess Life Magazine. These areas need to be improved by upgrading the existing technology aiming to move into the information business. The USCF should be the most dynamic source of information for supporting our affiliate's base. Expanding our affiliate's base is also crucial for marketing purposes. In addition, we will find a good model of interaction between over the board chess and Internet chess. Goals for 2004-05
fiscal years: Chessville: Should the USCF support amateur chess at the expense of it's international players and teams? To what degree should the USCF's resources and efforts be divided between these two? BM: Chess belongs to all of us. In my opinion, the USCF has a fundamental responsibility with players of all levels. The USCF does not do enough for the professional players. In the United States we do not have the infrastructure to support titled players. The alternatives here are to engage sponsors and develop a fund raising program. Playing chess in the US in good tournaments in tremendously expensive, I remember when I made the decision to become a full time chess teacher instead of pursuing a career as a chess player. At the time, I knew that I did not reach my maximum potential as a player but the sacrifices that I needed to make to achieve this goal were undoable for me financially. In that end I love teaching chess as much as playing the game, so in my case I did not matter, but I imagine how frustrating this is for other people. For children
chess is a great game, they do not have to become chess master to fully
benefit from learning and playing chess. Many recreational players
just love playing. Perhaps the personal challenges in their lives such
as working to support a family and expending quality time with their loved
one is a bigger issue. Chessville: The USCF membership numbers have been rapidly shrinking. Currently there are approximately 21,000 adult members, but until relatively recently that number was 30,000+. At the same time the organization is experiencing serious financial problems. What is, in your opinion, the main reasons for this trend? Do members flee the USCF out of discontent with the organization or due to a lack of offerings? What is the plan for rebuilding the membership roles and reestablishing the financial stability of the USCF? BM: Life in the United States is wonderful; we have access to many things. However, in order to obtain this lifestyle people are required to work long hours and prioritizing their expenses. The Internet makes it easier for people to play chess from home without having to leave their families. Plus, this is far more affordable. The USCF needs to adjust to the changes in the market and become more community oriented. Chess should be a family activity. Chessville: At least one USCF Executive Board member has suggested an a-la-carte membership (allowing potential members to choose which services they want/need and therefore which ones they pay for), which would radically lower the threshold amount of dollars to join the organization. Do you support this, or have superior ideas to regain membership numbers? BM: We need a more detailed analysis of the market as well as to rethink our goals. I am not a conservative person, but I believe in making intelligent and informed decisions. Chessville: Various options for the relocation of USCF headquarters have been aired. These include a move to Florida, a move to Crossville (TN), and recently Mr. Karpov has offered a building in Kansas. Is it still in prospect to move away from the NY City area? BM: Just clarification, GM Karpov did not offer a building in Kansas; this offer was made in an informal way by Mikhail Korenman who runs the Karpov Chess School in Kansas. At the moment, the Executive Board made the decision to reopen the bidding process to relocate the USCF office. This is a process that will take several months. Chessville: How do you see the role of internet chess servers, such as US Chess Live, ICC, FICS, Play Chess, etc.? Are these helping to promote chess in general, undermining organized chess as we know it, or perhaps a little bit of both? BM: Over the board chess and Internet chess are perfectly comparable. In the upcoming year, we will be improving this area by working with multiple companies on a wide range of projects. Chessville: Some years ago, the USCF entered the chess server market by offering server play at US Chess Live for its members. How do you see the future of US Chess Live? Has it fulfilled its promises? BM: The area is under continues evaluation. Chessville: There has been broad criticism that USCF does not utilize the internet sufficiently. Have you plans to do anything differently in regards to the federation's web site, and other potential uses of the internet? BM: Yes, I do. However, I prefer not to comment at this point, since we are still having an existing contract until Nov. 2004. Chessville: Do you see the USCF ever getting back into the book & supplies business? What formed the decision to outsource this activity in the first place? BM: The USCF is not getting out the business; we will skill able to generate revenues from B&E. We found a good partner to run this operation. Chessville: What steps, if any, will you & the Executive Board be taking to increase the level of corporate sponsorship of chess in the US? BM: Today, I am writing a proposal for a potential sponsor. The USCF is in need of a professional who can handle this area. All ideas are welcome. Chessville: The USCF recently entered into an agreement arranging for the resolution of the controversy surrounding the selection of members of the Women's Olympiad team. Can you explain what happened, and why the USCF agreed to the resolution that it did? BM: Compromising in process of solving a difficult situation is necessary sometimes. The important aspect now if to fully support our teams in the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Spain.
Chessville: What is your opinion of the future for Distance Chess technology, such as was used last year in the St. Petersburg-Paris match, and the implications for America's aspiring young players? BM: This is an interesting question; chess competitions in the future will be far more technologically oriented than now. If the national federations around the world and FIDE do not advance with the times, it's likely than in 20 years from now organized chess as is known now will be obsolete. Chessville: Joel Lautier said in a 20 Questions interview here at Chessville that "...the professional chess world is currently in a complete mess." With all of the troubles FIDE has had the past few years, do you think it is possible to reform FIDE from within, or should it be scrapped altogether in favor of a new organization? BM: I agree with Joel Lautier in his statement about professional players. Reforming FIDE can only be done from within. In the future we should expect a decentralization of FIDE operations and the arrival of other groups competing with FIDE. Personally, I would much prefer an internal reform of FIDE. Chessville: What is your opinion of the Association of Chess Professionals? Are you a member? Should the USCF seek to develop a relationship with the ACP, or work towards the goals they have identified, and if so, how? BM: It's too early to predict the future of the Association of Chess Professional. However, I recognize the value of its role in advocating for better conditions for players. Unfortunately, the opportunities for professional players are so limited that in most cases they will accept poor conditions, just because they do not have a better choice. Chessville: Prior to your current position as President of the USCF Executive Board, you headed up their Scholastic program. What successes did you have there, what legacy did you leave, and how is that being pursued by your successor? BM: I addressed this question in the beginning. Once I complete my term as a USCF President, I am looking forward to continue with my work in scholastic chess. As the moment, my time is very limited. I view my current role as a mission that will contribute to better chess in the future. Chessville: An increase in self-esteem by young players might strongly promote chess into heavily-funded mainstream educational activities. As the national organization for chess in the USA, has USCF ever tried to initiate formal studies to evaluate the effect of chess on young players? BM: I agree, we have a lot to do in this area. This is why the USCF will be hiring a full time Scholastic/fund raiser Director in the near future. Chessville: What strategies do you think will retain younger players in the game? BM: Children do lots of things, and membership retention issues in scholastic chess will always be an issue. The important thing is to make sure that we plan a seed of love for the game that will last for the rest of their lives, regardless if they play in chess tournaments or not. Developing appreciation for chess is an important aspect of teaching chess to children. Chessville: From your perspective, which rising young chess talents have the potential to become the next American World Chess Champion? What would that mean to chess in the US, and what, if anything, should the USCF do to promote such a possibility? BM: There are many young talented players. However, in my opinion the only one who has a chance to become a world class player is GM Hikaru Nakamura. His success is due to the support of this parents and his personal determination. The American life style and our current infrastructure do not support the goal of creating a World Champion. Our best chance is to expose as many children as possible to the game, provide them with a good setting for competitions, create a chess school for talented players, and offer scholarship opportunities. Chessville: As a gender issue, GM Susan Polgar is strongly promoting chess for young women in the USA. Do you think there are cultural influences which keep younger female players out of chess, or fails to retain them? What can the USCF do to promote greater female involvement in the game, or should they? BM: Any effort to promote chess is vital and important. Yes, I believe that there are some cultural influences that make chess very intimidating for women. I still remember the first time I went to a chess club. When I walked into the club and I only saw senior players smoking and playing chess, I always went away. Of course, I was alone. Providing a support system for young players allows a smooth transition from scholastic chess to club chess. The USCF can work towards forming partnerships with other organizations that share similar goals. Chessville: Thank you for taking the
time from your busy schedule to answer these questions. Chessville
wishes the USCF all possible success in promoting chess and chessplayers.
¡gracias! Visit the United States Chess Federation today! Index of Other 20-Questions Interviews
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