Endorsement of USCF Candidates

Dr. Eric Hecht

Dr. Mikhail Korenman

IM Blas Lugo

May 2009 USCF Issue Statement

I am a candidate as a director for the USCF for no other reason than I believe all members of an organization should have an opportunity to make a contribution.

I have been a member of the USCF since 1999 when I first started to play Tournament chess. During that time I have had little interaction with the organization. One might ask, how can you want to be a director of an organization when you have had so little interaction with those that run the organization? Actually, it is for this reason that I am running. The USCF appears to not reach out to its members in such a way, that they reached me; a member for almost ten years!! This is not a passing shot at those who run the organization, because perhaps they do not view it as their responsibility to reach out and touch their members. And again, this is exactly the point. The USCF should be touching its members. It should be sponsoring events, championships, etc. Some of this responsibility appears to have been relegated to the private sector. Some efforts made by the private sector have outshone the USCF. Other efforts are run by those who govern the USCF, but are not done under the banner of the USCF. Maybe this is inefficient, or a conflict of interest, or maybe not. It does beg the question however as to whether the current directors and management of the USCF are motivated to help the USCF succeed, or whether they are content to see their efforts in the private sector succeed. My view is that those who are fully engaged in the business of chess should probably not be running the largest non profit chess organization in the U.S.

I don't think I am the most qualified, or the least qualified candidate. I have a background in finance, and I have served as a director for both private as well as public companies. I am a governor of the Marshall Chess Club. I have worked for several large banks during my career as a financial analyst, and I have been a private investor for the last several years. I have a strong interest in chess, education, kids, and charitable giving. My intentions are pure. I am dispassionate about winning or losing this election. I am willing and ready to serve, or not depending upon what the members of the USCF want. For sure, I believe the USCF members should want and expect, that the USCF be a well run organization that is financially secure. In addition, the members should feel secure that those running the organization are not conflicted. Finally, the members should feel that their organization is working for them, promoting chess education, and chess activities. As a financial analyst, I do hope I could make a strong contribution to the financial integrity of the organization.

Thank you for your consideration.

April 2009 USCF Issue Statement

I'm running in this election because I wish to serve the chess community. I've served as a governor of the Marshall Chess Club and Marshall Chess Foundation, and I've been a senior sponsor of the Miami Open. This year I'll contribute to the NY International Chess Tournament.

I'm a medical doctor and member of the business community. My background in business includes finance and governance. I was trained as an analyst by several of the largest banks on Wall Street, having been a senior member of several firms. Recently, I've served on the boards of several health care companies.

The USCF is a sizeable non-profit business, and as such, needs the type of governance and financial oversight that I've worked on for other organizations. I believe my background could prove useful to the successful running of the USCF.

May 2009 USCF Issue Statement

Support for Dr. Korenman's Candidacy

GM Anatoly Karpov, 7-time World Champion: "I am very impressed with the tremendous progress and development of the chess programs by Mikhail Korenman over the years. He has done so much for chess."
IM John Donaldson, Captain - U.S. Olympiad Teams: "I believe Mikhail has the leadership ability, energy, and vision to help the USCF out of its current problems."
GM Alexander Onischuk, 2007 U.S. Champion: "Dr. Korenman understands professional, amateur, and scholastic chess. He'll be a big asset for the USCF ED."
GM Yury Shulman, 2008 U.S. Champion: "Scholastic chess program, organized by Mikhail, involve a lot of kids in Kansas and now in Illinois."
IM Anna Zatonskih, 2008 U.S. Women's Champion: "Mikhail Korenman is an excellent organizer and dedicated chess enthusiast. He does a lot for popularity of chess in the U.S."
WesFisk, Lindsborg, KS, City Council: "Mikhail has worked tirelessly on the behalf of chess and chessplayers. He is a visionary, who thinks outside the box."

Support for the election was also received by U.S. Champions Onischuk, Shulman, Zatonskih, Goletiani; Grandmasters Akobian, Kaidanov, Ehlvest, Ibragimov, Stripunsky, Khachiyan, Perelshteyn, Goldin, International Masters Donaldson, Schneider.

National media on Dr. Korenman's chess achievements:

"I am grateful for your hard work to promote peace." - Letter from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
"In recent years Lindsborg has witnessed a minor revolution in self-identity, and one man is largely responsible for the shift: Mikhail Korenman has made this town crazy for the game of chess." - National Geographic magazine
"Mr. Korenman's enthusiasm, imagination and web of contacts have been crucial to the burgeoning appeal of chess here." - The New York Times
"In the United States, Korenman has built an impressive resume as competitor, teacher and tournament organizer." - The Star

Dr. Korenman's Statement for the USCF
I am currently living in Chicago and coaching chess in local area elementary and secondary schools. Some of my strong chess credentials include:

Extensive experience working in non-profit organizations.
Excellent success in grant writing.
Organized many successful major chess events, including the U.S. Junior Open and Invitational, the Pan-American, the Final Four, and numerous world class FIDE tournaments and matches.
Initiated the internationally acclaimed "Chess for Peace" program with Gorbachev, Karpov, Onischuk, Shulman, Polgar, Krush, Zatonskih, etc., that was featured in National Geographic, The NY Times, NPR, NBC, PBS, and countless print and TV media across the U.S. and around the world.
Served on the USCF Scholastic Council.
Current member of the Scholastic Committee.
FIDE International Organizer.

Additional Chess Awards:

2006 USCF Special Service Award
2005 Rotary International Service Award
2005 Community Service Award (Lindsborg)
2005 FIDE International Organizer
2004 USCF Chess Organizer of the Year

With my experience in multiple facets of scholastic, college, adult, professional, and women'x chess, I can help make the USCF a much stronger organization.

Vice-President, Illinois Chess Association
President, International School of Chess

April 2009 USCF Issue Statement

I am currently living in Chicago and coaching chess in local area elementary and secondary schools. Some of my strong chess credentials are:

Extensive experience working in non-profit organizations.
Excellent success in grant writing.
Organized many successful major chess events, including the U.S. Junior Open and Invitational, the Pan-American, the Final Four, and numerous world class FIDE tournaments.
Initiated the internationally acclaimed "Chess for Peace" program with Gorbachev, Karpov, Onischuk, Shulman, Polgar, Krush, Zatonskih, etc., that was featured in National Geographic, The NY Times, NPR, NBC, PBS, and countless print and TV media across the U.S. and around the world
Served on the USCF Scholastic Council
Current member of the Scholastic Committee.
FIDE International Organizer.

With my experience in multiple facets of scholastic, college, adult, professional, and women's chess, I can help make the USCF a much stronger organization.

May 2009 USCF Issue Statement

I learned chess in Havana, Cuba when I was 13 years old. Since then I have devoted my life to this wonderful game. I became an International Master at 23, and I achieved my first Grandmaster norm in 1996 at the NY Open. I have been an active chess player as well as an organizer and trainer for the last 25 years. In 1996 I founded the Miami International Chess Academy where I have taught countless players of all ages.

For the last several years I have been organizing the Miami International Open and many other important events. I have much proven success in multiple facets of chess. I am absolutely positive that I can help our chess federation in many ways if I am given the opportunity to serve.

If elected to the USCF Executive Board, I plan to bring harmony and new energy to our organization. I would concentrate my efforts in raising memberships, securing much needed sponsorship, and finding effective ways to cut expenses to make this federation stronger. I have immeasurable experience and success in these areas, and I can help make the same happen for the USCF.

This is an absolutely important election because the USCF needs a new course of direction immediately. You, the members, can make this happen! We, as an organization, cannot afford to continue throwing away money frivolously, especially in this very difficult economy. We, as a members' organization, must be fiscally responsible.

The current financial state of the USCF is extremely fragile! According to the Federation's statistics, the USCF lost approximately 1,500 members between February 2008 and February 2009. The USCF also lost $419,968 in the first 7 months of this fiscal year (this information was provided by USCF Chief Financial Officer Joe Nanna).

Instead of investing money wisely in areas that can help the USCF grow, hundreds of thousands of dollars were wasted on unnecessary lawsuits in the past two years.

I am not interested in chess politicking. I am not interested in political power. I am only interested in making the USCF stronger and better.

If elected, one of my first motions will be to stop wasting what is left of members' valuable resources on legal fees by ending all lawsuits immediately. Money saved could be redirected to better adult, scholastic, collegiate, correspondence, and military chess.

Specifically, if elected, here are my pledges to USCF members:

I will work hard to restore and maintain a sound and balanced budget every year that I am on the board
I will work hard to protect members' assets
I will work hard to find ways to cut unnecessary expenditures
I will work hard to develop a strong support system for adult, scholastic, collegiate, correspondence, Internet and military chess
I will work hard to find ways to raise the membership level
I will work hard to bring in new sponsors for the USCF
I will work hard to promote full transparency in all USCF dealings.

April 2009 USCF Issue Statement

I learned chess in Havana, Cuba when I was 13 years old. Since then I've devoted my life to this wonderful game.

I became an International Master at 23, and I achieved my first Grandmaster norm in 1996 at the NY Open.

I've been an active chess player as well as an organizer and trainer for the last 25 years. In 1996 I founded the Miami International Chess Academy where I've taught countless players of all ages.

For the last several years I've been organizing the Miami International Open and many other important events. I have solid proven success in multiple facets of chess. I can help our chess federation.

If elected to the USCF executive board, I plan to bring harmony and new energy to our organization. I'll concentrate my efforts in raising memberships, securing much needed sponsorship, and finding effective ways to cut expenses to make this federation stronger.