After posting part of an article written by Peter Long, who is a Project Manager at the Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific which advocates the use of Chess in education and facilitates regional chess development, and also a FIDE (World Chess Federation) Trainer and International Arbiter, I received a message from Bob Messenger, one of the censors of the USCF forum. He wrote, “I’ve removed this post because it quotes such a substantial part of the original article as to violate the article’s copyright. It would be permissible to post a summary with a link to the full article.”
Although I am loathe to summarize the words of anyone, much preferring to let their words speak for them, I have decided to comply because anyone involved with Chess should read what the man has to say concerning his “mixed feelings” concerning what he saw at the World Schools championships.
I urge everyone to read, and discuss the whole article, because, after all, is that not why we have a forum? The entire article can be found here:
so, you post an article for others to comment on. do YOU have an opinion?
i don’t find what Mr Peter Long has discovered with youth chess is markedly any different than with any other youth endeavour. you ever been to youth tennis tournaments? wrestling?
I found it interesting that the very first thing listed in the article was the problem/need for translation of disputes. Originally FIDE required that arbiters know at least 2 languages, but that is no longer true. Such a comment makes you wonder if FIDE doesn’t need to reevaluate this, or at least make knowledge of a second language mandatory for arbiters working any of the FIDE sponsored [i.e. controlled] events.
The answer to your question is, “Yes.” I have, and continue to have, opinions. They can be found at my now defunct Armchair Warrior blog, which can be found here: xpertchesslessons.wordpress.com
No, I have never been to a youth tennis or wrestling tournament. I did, though, attend a Boys Club during my youth, and also worked there after receiving a scholarship to attend college, which including working twenty hours a week at the Boys Club. I have attended many youth Chess tournaments, including the 2009 Super Dupers in Nashville.