Factors impacting the evolution of USCF Chess

All Things Chess
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Charles Kalme. His city, Philadelphia, hosted in 1956. Fischer won there and in San Francisco, 1957.

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Would you subscribe to the multiple intelligences theory developed by Howard Gardner?

“Some recent philosophers seem to have given their moral approval to these deplorable verdicts that affirm that the intelligence of an individual is a fixed quantity, a quantity that cannot be augmented. We must protest and react against this brutal pessimism; we will try to demonstrate that it is founded on nothing." - Alfred Binet, Les idées modernes sur les enfants, 1909”

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If you are asking me, I am not familiar with Howard Gardner’s theories.

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And if you are asking about the winner of the first U,S. Junior, there was an article in Chess Review. I recall the name Friedman (from Cleveland). Perhaps his first namr was Larry?

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Returning to Don’s thinking, how were conditions in 1955. Who were the interesting people? How were you treated? Was first prize a typewriter?

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nice topic and discussion so far. :slight_smile:

here’s my 2 cents, please correct me if i’m wrong as i might be, sorry if i am:

  1. the uscf doesn’t give free tournament software when you get an affiliate.

  2. the uscf doesn’t let people look at their HUMONGOUS and EVERCHANGING rule book for free online, let alone print it out for free.

  3. the uscf updates their golden database only about once every 6 months,sometimes late at that, basically whenever they feel like it.

[i]System Manager’s Note:

This is incorrect. The Golden Database file is updated every month. The most recent update is the one that goes with the October 2011 rating list, and it was posted on the USCF website on September 10th. It is available through both the TD/Affiliate Support Area, secure2.uschess.org/MembersOnly. You do have to scroll down the page to get to the list of Golden Database files.[/i]

  1. the uscf charges for memberships forever unless you get a lifetime membership which costs a fortune despite the fact that all they have to do now is put information into a database, and it seems logical to only charge a one time fee now.

  2. the uscf charges 25 cents per game to rate it.

  3. the uscf just raised the fees for memberships again during the middle of the biggest recession in ages and despite the fact that the economy is teetering on the edge and is in danger of heading further down the toilet.

  4. it costs a lot to be a uscf affiliate, and that’s on top of your own personal membership, and they force you to get their magazines whether you need or want them or not.

  5. they have great chess magazines, esp chess life for kids.

  6. they have a great national ratings database, arguably some room for improvement, but all-in-all a great ratings system.

well, that’s my 2 cents, these are the things that are important to me and weigh heavily on my mind as i consider staying or seperating with the uscf. i like factors 8 and 9 and they are the only 2 reasons why i put up with 1 through 7. i’m always looking for ways to improve my chess club and cut costs so honestly, this is not a threat, but i’m just saying, it seems like there’s a really good chance that i’ll choose to not renew my uscf membership or affiliate in within a year or two if things stay the same.