PART I : The politics of greed, incompetence and betrayal
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS Chapter One.
Just for fun, I put the entire CFC president's message to pictures: Enjoy!
THE CFC PREZ' MESSAGE IN GL4
''Let's talk about chess!! After all, that's why we are all here. ''
''Topalov-Kamsky is tied after four games. A big surprise.... ''
''Chess in Toronto has been dormant for many years.....''
''...but Brian Fiedler's PriceWaterhouse Coopers Toronto Open has stirred up a lot of excitement. Kudos to Alex Ferreira for reviving the Hart House Chess Club and weekend tournaments in Toronto.''
''There are rumours that some local organizers will be putting a bid in for the 2010 Canadian Open and CYCC.''
''Its nice to see local activity!! ''
''The CYCC and Canadian Junior look like fantastic tournaments and Mark Dutton is organizing a great tournament in Vancouver in April. Check out all the tournament announcements on the discussion board and start planning your summer now!''
''I'm looking forward to my first tournament in years and so long as Sicilian theory hasn't changed since the 1970's I should be fine. ''
''Of course, the really big CFC news is the selling of the building. Unfortunately, it was one of the few pieces of real estate that didn't increase in value over the past 20 years.''
''But the sale was necessary and will ensure that the CFC can stand on its feet.''
''Bob, Paul, and Vince did a phenomenal job moving the office, along with many volunteers. It was a huge task and there were many late nights.''
''Fundamentally, it doesn't matter where the physical office is. Good people can get the job done regardless of geography.''
''On the political front there is still a lot to be done.''
''I've put forward two motions designed to stop the financial bleeding.''
''The CFC spends about $10,000 in putting tournament results into the rating software. We've been losing about $30,000 a year so a $10,000 savings is substantial. If we are going to have a balanced budget in 2010 this is a very important step to take.''
'The last thing we want to see is the funds from the sale of the building frittered away.''
''There has also been a lot of debate on the Discussion Boards about the Tournament memberships.''
''Personally, I'd be happy to eliminate them altogether....'''
.... but I doubt that motion would pass. Instead,I suggest we move it from $10 to $20. Some people think that a $10 increase will prevent people from playing but this is such a nominal amount.''
''A bad movie costs $13.50 and last two hours.''
'' A great tournament lasts all weekend.''
''On that matter, if memory serves, membership cost more in 1972 (adjusted for inflation) than it costs now. People became members because they wanted to play tournament chess. No other reason, but it was reason enough.''
''One weekend Swiss provides 20 hours of pleasure...''
''...so membership works out to about $2 per hour. What other entertainment costs so little and provides so much?''
''I don't think that people stop playing chess because its too expensive, they stop for other reasons.''
''The webzine is up but it does need more work. It needs to be much easier to navigate so that it becomes a real destination for chess in Canada.''
''I've added a thread on the Discussion Board and I hope all of you will make some suggestions. ''
''There are also other things going on but nothing to report.''
''Everything seems to take longer,has more loose ends, and more questions, than are anticipated.''
''The goal is still to present a balanced budget by the end of the fiscal year, April 31st.''
''Best wishes to all. '' David
spraggett on chess
