Lichess’s Blog • Ending the Boycott • lichess.org
Thoughts?
How exactly is US Chess harmed by this “boycott”? Maybe it would have been a problem during the pandemic but with chess having moved back to over the board I doubt it means much. Ironically though one of the changes that caused Lichess to resume cooperation with the Saint Louis Chess Club is “adoption of US Chess Federation’s Guidelines on Safe Play and Conduct.”
I don’t see a current or recent affiliate for LiChess in US Chess records, unless it is under a different name.
I believe they no longer broadcast US Championship type events as they did before. That hurts the members more than it hurts the organization, though.
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It isn’t a good look considering the reach of Lichess: there are more than 40k folks online right now and for some that will be their first impression of USCF.
USCF is not considered in a good light on r/chess either. Seem to remember a thread of folks comparing how quickly Hans Niemann was punished by USCF for a hotel thrashing vs Ramirez.
It is a small sample size, but I regularly run into younger generations that have played on lichess/chess.c*m for years, but never heard of USCF as they have only ever played online.
First impressions are important for the face of US chess.