| Wlodzimierz Holsztynski (wlod) 2005-04-27, 7:45 pm |
| Rating + all the rest
===============
Phrase
"a good candidate for an USCF or FIDE position"
is an oxymoron. Any candidate has to be naive
or has to have wrong motivation (dishonest).
The healthy organization of the chess world
is not difficult but it takes a bunch of determined,
convinced enthusiasts. It is possible to achieve it
thanks to the Global Village (Internet).
I've written about it in the past. Let me do it again.
Here are the elements needed and their simple
characteristics:
1. A rating agency (or several of them--let them
compete).
I am willing again to write about a total rating
system again. Let me just say that there should
be amateur and professional rating lists. The
amateur rating should cost today about a dime
(10 cents) per game, per player (for updating a player's
ALL amateur ratings). And there should be a one
time fee to start an account, say $5. Professional
rating should cost anywhere from to 2 to 5 dollars
per game; and setting a professional account
should cost about $20 (twenty dollars).
2. An agency which certifies chess referees.
It would be paid only the handling fee (the cost) for
providing the certifications. It cannot be a "for profit"
organization. Most of its work should be done for free,
especially the most crucial task of deciding about the
qualifications of the candidates for referees.
Referees may charge for their work as referees
or they may do it for free. Each time it's be up to them.
Each case, each competition would be a separate case.
Local chess clubs may pay the certification fee for one
or more of their members to join referees. Such clubs may
have their understanding with their referees.
3. The chess code committee.
It would update and modify the chess rules (the rules
of competition, the rules related to technology, to clock, ...)
This committee would work for free.
The above three institutions would be independent.
They would only consult one another.
There are other vital too elements, but we do not
have to worry about them now, they will happen
spontaneously.
4. Independent local chess clubs.
Some of them may be modest groups of players
meeting in a bookstore, bar, church, library...
Or they may be larger organizations.
5. Tournaments directors and organizers.
They do not have to be certified. They may charge
or they may run tournaments for free. In the case
of small local tournaments people know each other,
they do not need any director certificates. In the case
of larger tournaments the directors will be people known
to chess players, people who are able to attract an
audience. Mishaps will happen but they happen anyway,
with the certificates too. There is no way around it.
5. Sponsors.
With the decentralized organization, as outlined above,
the overhead of running a chess tournament will be
significantly lower. And the main thing: the good health
of the whole chess world would be attractive to sponsors.
(Today they have to deal with criminals, gangsters,
bureaucrats, small and often crooked people with
sick ego, who didn't make it in politics at large).
Regards,
Wlod
PS. I can write again about my rating system for
amateurs and pros. Some people who have invested
a huge personal effort into learning about the Elo
and USCF ratings, met my system with hostility,
they have attempted to offend me in the past. It's
a pity since good rating system is rather crucial for
the global world chess activity.
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