How do I find out which USCF board members are responsible for promoting this new pill to boost brain power. I want to know who voted for this and who voted against it
Thank you
I was (to say the very least) disappointed to receive 4 or 5 emails regarding this “brain boosting” stuff.
I don’t think USCF needs to be in the drug or supplement business.
This was a major blunder–and I think members deserve an apology.
W.T. Hales, TD
Asheboro Chess Club (Asheboro, North Carolina)
I don’t know who approved the Natrol promotion, I doubt it went all the way to a Board vote, though.
If you received multiple e-mails it is because your e-mail address is on file for more than one USCF ID.
However, we should have filtered out the duplicates.
You can opt out of any 3rd party use of your e-mail address by using the e-mail update form in the Members Only Area, https://secure.uschess.org/MembersOnly.
Chessplayers. They whine and whine and WHINE about how the terrible, awful, incompetent USCF can’t get any sponsorship for chess. Then, when it gets sponsorship, they whine and whine and WHINE about how it’s the wrong kind of sponsorship, and how dare the terrible, awful, incompetent USCF associate with these horrid sponsors.
Do something constructive. If you have a problem with supplements being legal, write your congresscreature. In the meantime, you come up with sponsorship money for chess that suits your lofty standards.
I say, hurrah for the USCF, getting a company to put any money at all into chess, when it’s hampered by so many chessplayers being annoying whiners.
Before this thread started, I did not care who was on the ballot for the USCF executive board. After reading on uschess.org , the use of brainspeed as a drug for players to use during the tournament. The elected members of the Executive Board should have understood this product before it was place onto the website. If the Executive Board did not understand this product, then they should not be on the board.
Having the federation promoting the use of any drug, just to play better at any tournament: is asking all our members to use this drug. If you are a adult, do not care if you want to use this drug. As there is very little science showing any drug can make any player smarter, or better behind the chess board.
Since we have scholastic members, what are we telling the parents and school officials about drugs? How can I go to a local school and tell the parents and school officials about the federation, without the fact the USCF is now wanting players to use brainspeed? The goal of scholastic chess, is to keep children away from crime and drugs. It is not goal of finding the next Fischer, it is to give a postive goal in life. How can I look into the parents or school officials to say its ok to take drugs before and during the tournament. The reason why scholastic chess has done so well with school officials, as there never been any question of drugs.
Since the advertisment of brainspeed is now and was on the USCF website. It is now a overt act to say drugs are fine to take. If the public feel that tournament players are or could take drugs, it will place a mark on each and everyone that plays chess. Look what has happened with pro-baseball or any sport you want to point out. The members in the sport, have to prove they are the best without any drugs. Having everyone feel your in the sport without drugs, will always have people question all the time.
The USCF was not thinking of the social and political problems with this overt act of this drug called brainspeed. This has to change not next week or next year. This policy has to change now. If the policy is to keep with brainspeed, then I cannot ask a scholastic player to join. If the policy is to keep with brainspeed, then I will not have rated or unrated scholastic events again.
As I have an ethical problem telling parents and school officials that drugs are ok to take. How can I support scholastic players to take brainspeed, just to be better then your opponent. If being the director of a scholastic event, if one is on brainspeed, then I’m supporting the use of a drug. I cannot support the use of brainspeed, the only way to make sure the drug is not used in the tournament, is not be the director.
The goal for myself for scholastic tournaments, is to give the children a positive goal. Have the children play chess, to give a positive goal of self worth. How can I say you can become more then the sum of your parts with a drug like brainspeed. Now I cannot perform as a scholastic director, as the federation says brainspeed is ok.
Oh, bilge. First of all, it’s not a drug. If you think that supplements like Brianspeed should be regulated like drugs, then once again, you should write your congresscritter.
The sponsor seems as far as I can see to be a company operating entirely within the law. I think USCF should take their money. If Maker’s Mark wants to sponsor a tournament or a prize, USCF should take their money, too. If Philip Morris wants to take over the Grand Prix and call it the Marlboro Grnad Prix, USCF should take that money. Not to do that is obviously stupid.
What is Chess? What does it teach? What does it require for success and satisfaction?
Strategy! Thinking ahead! Planning for the future.
The most enjoyable moments in chess are those where a few pieces are moved on both sides “AS PLANNED” and a devastating pin or check is discovered. The longer the anticipation, the stronger the joy.
Logically, one would deduce that the people entrusted with leading a prominent chess organization would be leading CHESS into the future. I see NULL evidence of even Zugzwang, let alone the actual planning for Chess’ development to it’s complete potential.
So WHY would these people promote a product to procure some simple pennies in the present with complete disrespect for Chess’ rich past and future prospects?
I made sure to feed my daughter salmon and eggs when she was an infant and toddler and still do at age 6. I am clearly a proponent of filling my daughter’s mind with the essential nutrients and experiences to allow her brain to reach its potentials. But I give her the WHOLE egg. The WHOLE salmon. Not some shortcut. Not some pill promoted to garner shekels.
Just like I am introducing her to the whole game of chess. Beyond strategy there are tactics. There are strong openings. There are checkmates.
Our leaders should be teaching our children that there are NO shortcuts in life. Just as there are no shortcuts in chess. Especially in Chess.
They even warn at the merchandise’s manufacturer’s website that no one under the age of 18 should take these pills. So who will pay when children do manage to get some? When they take dozens of them. Isn’t the current Steroids example a stark enough example? Why begin a journey on a line the rest of the world is beginning to file away.
Which chess players succeed? Those that only try to spring “Fool’s Mate” and Scholar’s mate in every opening??? Or those that build a solid foundation!!?
In this day and age where it is documented that people want too many quick and speedy gratifications I can think of no greater INCONGRUITY than pushing these pills. Chess should be marketed as an activity, which provides contentment and rewards for time and effort. The children of Chess are the future of CHESS. Every move should be planned with them and that in mind.
They say all publicity is good. Not in this case. They are publicizing a mindset, which advocates shortcuts instead of productive time and effort.
We should be publicizing a completely contrary way of thinking for a lasting growing future for Chess and its participants
What parent would send their child to a scholastic tournament, if its’ called the Makers’ Mark High School Challenge … Philip Morris Scholastic K - 5 … Malboro Smoking Scholastic? Its’ just not right.
There are a number of school districts with a zero tolerance for drugs. It is hard to build a scholastic chess club, as any scholastic chess club does not make any money for the district. Do not see people willing to pay money to watch a chess game. There will be some stupid coach out there … willing to give this brainspeed to the team. Society does not have much of a tolerance with any drug. Now think of the civil case the parents have. The parents can go after the coach, but the coach has no money. The USCF does have some money, the federation is pluging this drug for use in tournament chess. Hope the child does not over dose on brainspeed, or have long term medical care. As I can see in a few years the chance the USCF would have to take care of a wrongful death case, they cost a ton of money to settle out of court.
I can’t disagree more with “edgy’s” comments. I find them extremely naive and careless.
I work in the non-profit industry and also have a background in neurology. I don’t know anything about the “Brainspeed” pill, but I was taken a back when I heard that it was a sponsor for the USCF.
Sponsorships, grants, memberships are VERY difficult things to procure as a non-profit. Money is a BIG DEAL. But you need to have proper leadership that won’t compromise its vision to just make money… it’s callous and careless.
The supplement industry has grown exponentially in the last decade. Associating yourself with a supplement can be a PR NIGHTMARE. If you know anything about the supplement business you will know that it has had some very bad backlash.
Ephedra is a prime example of this. This was a simple over the counter SUPPLEMENT that has caused people to die. There are numerous other examples: Kava is a supplement promising relaxation, reduced sleeplessness, and has been linked to liver damage. There are tons of others.
And to head-off any arguments about “safe” supplements. Supplements have been shown to do things from increasing endurance (caffeine) to increasing concentration (Gingko-biloba). But does anyone concern themselves with there possible side effects??!?! Did you know that they have side effects? I’ll take Gingko for example. It can act as a blood thinner and may be contraindicated when an individual is using anticoagulants drugs (e.g., Coumadin or aspirin) or dietary supplements such as vitamin E or fish oil, which also have anticoagulant properties. And very large doses may cause restlessness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Taking a supplemental pill every day (even vitamins) could be dangerous to one’s health, and should be taken with care. Did you know high levels of iron in the blood are becoming a more common problem in the elderly who take vitamin and mineral supplements?
All I’m saying is that supplements, while considered “foods,” can be dangerous. Picking up a sponsorship should not be taken lightly, and should not be an easy decision that is based solely on the money factor.
I would be interested in knowing how this decision came to pass.
Sound like hysterical BS to me. Give me an example: what sport has been harmed by taking sponsorship money from Ephedra makers? For instance, I know NVE was heavily into NASCAR sponsorship–what has the backlash been?
People associate the sponsor with the sport–otherwise there would be no sponsorship. But I don’t think people associate the sport with the sponsor. If there were a point-shaving scandal in the NBA, that would have a bad effect on Nike. But even people who think Nike’s use of sweatshop labor is appalling don’t hate the NBA for it. A cigarette maker sponsored the US women’s tennis tour all through the period of it’s greatest expansion, and the tour was very successful, although the link of smoking with cancer was well-known already.
This is not about chess, but I have to put a nail in this silly idea. People will boycott the company, because of the sponsor. Example: during the 1980’s there was very few companies willing to take any sponsorship money from the South African goverment or a company from South Africa. Some boycotts work some never work.
Edgy, would you support the New York Yankees if one of the sponsors was Usama Bin Laden? The New York Yankees are not that stupid to take the sponsorship from Usama Bin Laden. As anyone with half a brain would know it would be stupid. Would you accept the sponsorship from Usama Bin Laden, as I’m not so sure about you Edgy?
Just from the tone and concerns voiced in some of the posts, it seems clear to me that this is not a sponsor we want. This is not a product US Chess needs to associate with. These are not issues that are needed at this time or place.
I had not really thought about this issue, and I can see how a mistake like this could be made. Hopefully it will be quickly corrected.
These are both issues that are unrelated to the discussion at hand.
The fact that the company seems to be operating within the law is a smokescreen. Who cares? I don’t see what relevance that has to the disgust most USCF members feel toward the action of their leadership in this issue. Vodka is legal and so are cigars. I don’t want my daughter being told by MY organiztion that she can play better chess if she drinks Vodka, smokes Cigars and pops pills.
I want her to be proud of Chess.
Congressman??? You want us to go outside of our federation to have someone force our leaders to do the right thing? This is MY organization. The leaders of any organization should do what is right for their members. They should do their best to present the USCF in a postive light to promote its health and the health of its members and the health of CHESS in the US.
Who cares that you don’t like supplements?
What’s this? You did a poll while I wasn’t looking? Who says you speak for most USCF members?
No, if you have a problem with supplements being a legal commercial product, I want you to do something about supplements. Sit down and write your congressman and tell him you want supplements regulated like drugs, so they can’t advertise unless proven safe and efective. Is that too hard for you?
This is MY organization. The leaders should do their best to promote the health of the game by getting sponsorship money for CHESS in the US.
There you go once again
Again you accuse me of being anti-supplements. Again you accuse me of being on a campaign to make supplements illegal. Please use facts when you make accusations against someone who never said either of those things. I haven’t even made statements like that about this particular brainpower pill.
And if you want to know how the Chess community feels I suggest you use the easiest method at your disposal. PLEASE Check the overwhelming majority of opinions on this issue on the myriad of chess forums and broadcasts throughout the web like I have.
ty
If you’re not against supplements, there should be NO problem with accepting sponsorship money from a supplement maker. Ther is NO company whose sponsorship wonn’tt be loudly objected to by somebody.
To be perfectly clear, I think the stuff is snake oil. I don’t care–if they want to put money into chess, that’s great.
My, you must have a lot of time on your hands. All that’s going to tell you, by the way, is what the loudmouths think. People who like something generally don’t take the time to blather about it on the Net; people who don’t much care either way–usually the vast majority–even less so.
I just did some quick poking around on Google so don’t consider this in-depth research on the subject. Below are some links and quotes from those links. The USCF President states that we are “embarking on an alliance with Natrol.” I’m reading Natrol to state that only adults should take recommended amounts of a (not yet released) product that only provides a benefit while it’s being taken, requires more research to determine effectiveness, and has not been evaluated by the FDA. There has been at least one case where Natrol was determined to be “making false and misleading advertising claims” and selling “products that contained too much lead”. It also appears that Natrol is counting heavily on this product (with the help of the USCF) to help make up for recent financial losses.
On a personal level, I really hate to see the USCF President implying that the use of these products is critical to tournament play and sees a connection between these supplements and NSCA membership.
biz.yahoo.com/bw/050608/85188.html?.v=1
“Natrol brainSpeed has been developed to take chess players to the next level”
"According to Beatriz Marinello, President of the US Chess Federation, “Clearly chess is a game of the mind and working at the top of your mental processing powers is critical to tournament play. We are delighted to be embarking on this alliance with Natrol and we see a direct connection between brainSpeed and our membership.”
brainspeed.com/Site/index.cf … =Site.FAQS
“Do not exceed recommended daily intake.”
“The brainSpeed ™ products feature formulas to help enhance mental performance for the duration of product consumption.”
“Can children or teenagers use the Natrol brainSpeed ™ products?
No. The brainSpeed ™ products are recommended for use by individuals over the age of 18 years.”
“However, more research is needed to determine the specific effect of Natrol brainSpeed ™ on intelligence.”
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.”
sonoma-county.org/Da/press_r … 091404.htm
“a $250,000 settlement against Natrol, Inc., of Chatsworth, California, and its president Elliott Balbert. The defendants were charged in civil lawsuits filed by the district attorneys with making false and misleading advertising claims for their chitosan-based weight loss products, and with selling weight loss products that contained too much lead”
"defendants are prohibited from making any fat binding or weight loss claims about any chitosan-based product until they first possess valid scientific evidence to support such claims "
biz.yahoo.com/bw/050513/135594.html?.v=1
“Net sales decreased 13.5%, or $2.7 million, to $17.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $20.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004.”
“the Company is optimistic that product introductions such as the new line of innovative Brainspeed™ products, which has been announced but has not yet shipped, will perform well.”
Mr. Elliott Balbert , 59 Chairman, Chief Exec. Officer and Pres - $739,000
Mr. Dennis R. Jolicoeur , 56 Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Exec. VP, Treasurer - $318,000
Mr. Gary P. De Mello , 50 Chief Operating Officer - $323,000
So If I am not against using steroid cream for my poison ivy than I should not be against the steroids killing our youth!!! So If I take some vitamins and minerals to stay alive long enough to see my daughter grow up then I should approve of every single supplement sold under the sun!!!
No. If my father with alzheimers takes this pill that is one thing. If the USCF wants to promote this as a benefit to other alzheimers sufferers I would not object.
This is not something that the USCF should be encouraging innocent children to admire.
It is snake oil in that application. I value children and chess more than that . I don’t want to see either one prostituted.
For Brainspeed lasting more than four hours, you should consult
a physician immediately. 
I have more problem with the idea of promoting a supplement specifically for chess improvement than the basic premise of sponsorship from a supplement maker. Vitamins or supplements can
be good or bad, depending on how they are used.
I hope my opponents do take advantage of this approach! I am friends
with a guy who tried using one of the RB “energy booster” drinks before a round. He was on top of the world for the first half of the game, perhaps irrationally exuberant. Then he fell flat when the potion wore off. I don’t see that either side of the coin helped his chess.
Since I gave up caffiene, my slow play has improved. I gave it up to
help control my blood pressure (along with drinking plenty of water). I
must admit, I don’t blitz quite as well. 
I guess the bottom line for me is this: promoting a supplement to
improve your chess is not a good message. Kids are smart, and it is
only a matter of time until they wonder what other “supplements” might
improve their game.
One of the great selling points of chess to parents is how it can improve
you as a person. This “brainspeed” message flies in the face of what our
chess promotion efforts should be.
If I’ve offended anyone, please take a chill pill. 
Sincerely submitted,
William “Tom” Hales, TD
Asheboro Chess Club (Asheboro, North Carolina)
The USCF has recklessly whored out its name. I am revoking my membership.
As a neuroscientist, I am shocked that USCF has made such an ill-advised marriage with a shady supplement maker. To those who say that these pills are not drugs, you are wrong. Many drugs are legal and unregulated, such as caffeine. Before much was known about cocaine, it was put in Coca Cola. Was it not a drug back then? Did learning its pharmacology and negative properties after the fact somehow cause it to become a drug? Ridiculous.
Edgy, drugs are defined by their physiological effects, not by the fact that those effects happened to be recognized. If you look at the ingredient list for the drug being peddled by the USCF, it is a drug cocktail. Two of its active ingredients are herbal extracts which have not been evaluated by the FDA. Two are known cholinergic agonists, which means they increase the amount of acetylcholine between synapses in the brain. Wow, this is exactly the same effect that the drug nicotine has on the human brain. Nicotine also increases memory and attention, and is one of the most addictive drugs we know of. We can expect the same from these pills. The long term effects of such drugs on the human brain are not know: how does the brain react to long-term exposure (the recommended dosage is 2 pills per day), how does it affect developing brains, what are potential side effects?
Edgy said that we shouldn’t act like such babies when we finally get sponsors, in effect claiming that the ends justify the means. Perhaps we should also team up with the Ku Klux Klan. They want to improve their image, and hey, we need money right? We should uncritically accept the decisions of the USCF board, we should not demand that they make the contract signed with this company public, we should not demand that they consult the members of USCF before making these kinds of controversial decisions. We should be less critical, we should be happy that we have such competent leadership making decisions for us.
What makes it much worse is that this is no ordinary sponsorship, in which the company gets to put up some posters and sell T-shirts and product at a tournament. No, the USCF is irresponsibly and enthusiastically endorsing the product, even suggesting that this is the the future of chess. How many chess players respect the USCF, look to its publications for advice on how to improve? How many kids at scholastic tournaments revere the governing body of chess in the United States? How many of them will become addicted to this drug, which has been endorsed as heartily as if it were a killer opening strategy, or a failsafe tactical maneuver.
Perhaps they should team up with Nicorette gum: it will have similar effects.