Polgar column controversy

Date: 22 Mar 2006 14:24:35
From: Sam Sloan
Subject: Polgar column controversy

Polgar column controversy

There have been a lot of behind-the-scenes discussions about Susan
Polgar's monthly column in Chess Life magazine entitled "Opening
Secrets". Former Chess Life editor Kalev Pehme in a recent posting
called Polgar's column "inferior". Larry Parr has just suggested that
Polgar be told to write a Game-of-the-Month column instead.

Both are wrong. The Polgar column is the best and the most important
regular monthly column in Chess Life. Every month, Polgar discusses a
new move or recently popular old move. She writes about what the top
grandmasters today are playing. Her articles are right at the leading
edge, indeed the cutting edge, of chess opening theory and practice.

Watch what happens when any active grandmaster picks up a current
issue of Chess Life. He is going to turn to the Polgar column and
ignore the rest of the magazine.

Now, take a look at the other columns. None of the other columnist are
active players any more. They answer questions from beginners. They
write about historical events. None of them will tell you what opening
to play in the big tournament game tomorrow.

I will tell you a little secret: It was because of the Polgar column
that I won my famous Grudge Match against Bill Brock in Chicago, June
2005. I played a line that I had never played before in my life but
which I had learned about by reading Polgar's column in the current
Chess Life. Bill Brock had not read the column. That is why he lost
the chess match. I really should give Zsuzsa Polgar part of the one
thousand dollars I won by winning that game. On the other hand, I
think I will keep the cash.

Why is the Polgar column controversial? I think because of the way it
came to Chess Life. Paul Truong, who was holding Susan's power of
attorney, signed a secret contract with the now disgraced Executive
Director Frank Niro. This contract was one of the unpleasant surprises
the Executive Board discovered a few months after Frank Niro left
office. The contract gave Polgar a longer term contract at higher pay
than any of the other established columnists were receiving, more than
Grandmasters Evans, Benko, Soltis, Byrne, Rohde or Alburt were
receiving. More than that, Paul Truong has a history of getting into
big fights and arguments with everybody he deals with. He certainly
got into a lot of big arguments with Kalev Pehme when Pehme was editor
of Chess Life.

Nevertheless, there is one column that needs to stay in Chess Life,
and that is the Polgar column. By the way, some are suggesting that
the Polgar column should stay because she is a woman. That is not the
reason. Her column should stay because it is the best.

Sam Sloan

Date: 24 Mar 2006 19:49:10
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

Ambassador wrote:
> [email protected] writes:
> > the Evans column really does cost USCF a grand total of 400 per month, as Parr indicated, it seems rather stupid to cancel it
>
> Dead on point. GM Larry Evans isn't getting any younger. He has
> contributed to American Chess significantly. The USCF executive
> committee loves to spend money on THEIR OWN TRAVEL. In fact, the USCF
> has been known to spend money on FIDE Delegates from nations outside
> the United States. Yet, at the later part of his life, the USCF insults
> GM Evans for a mere 400 dollars per month.
>
> This isn't about money; this is a PERSONAL ATTACK on GM Larry Evans.
> There is no reason to take his column out of the magazine. Why not just
> add an extra page in the magazine? GM Evans has earned the right to
> publish in Chess Life for the rest of his life, while he is able.

By that logic, Hans Berliner should have a Chess Life column - after
all, he's a World Champion, he's from the US, and he's old. Why doesn't
Hans get tenure too?

> Don Schultz wants the last laugh. Don just can't get over his lawsuit
> against Evans where Evans wouldn't even give Schultz ONE DOLLAR, so
> Shultz wants payback before Evans gets too old to write.
>
> You wonder why American Chess goes nowhere; look at how they treat GM
> Evans!
>
> Again, as a former elected officer of the United States Chess
> Federation, I do not understand the purpose of the corporation, other
> than to enrich those in power.
>
> cus Roberts

Date: 24 Mar 2006 19:47:23
From: Ambassador
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

[email protected] writes:
> the Evans column really does cost USCF a grand total of 400 per month, as Parr indicated, it seems rather stupid to cancel it

Dead on point. GM Larry Evans isn't getting any younger. He has
contributed to American Chess significantly. The USCF executive
committee loves to spend money on THEIR OWN TRAVEL. In fact, the USCF
has been known to spend money on FIDE Delegates from nations outside
the United States. Yet, at the later part of his life, the USCF insults
GM Evans for a mere 400 dollars per month.

This isn't about money; this is a PERSONAL ATTACK on GM Larry Evans.
There is no reason to take his column out of the magazine. Why not just
add an extra page in the magazine? GM Evans has earned the right to
publish in Chess Life for the rest of his life, while he is able.

Don Schultz wants the last laugh. Don just can't get over his lawsuit
against Evans where Evans wouldn't even give Schultz ONE DOLLAR, so
Shultz wants payback before Evans gets too old to write.

You wonder why American Chess goes nowhere; look at how they treat GM
Evans!

Again, as a former elected officer of the United States Chess
Federation, I do not understand the purpose of the corporation, other
than to enrich those in power.

cus Roberts

Date: 24 Mar 2006 19:40:05
From: Ambassador
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

Date: 23 Mar 2006 19:09:08
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

>Great advice about 'edting'!

Yes, it is always best to laugh at one's own shortcomings, especially
my all-too-quick hit on the reply button there. Sigh. :)

Date: 23 Mar 2006 18:27:54
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

[email protected] wrote:
> I really doubt GMs find Polgar of much benefit, but it does seem to be
> an OK column for readers who are wanting "just a little theory" - and
> it could certainly serve as a springboard to further study.

Agreed.

> It does seem we are unwilling to support our GMs in this country
> through paying them for actual work - if the Evans column really does
> cost USCF a grand total of 400 per month, as Parr indicated, it seems
> rather stupid to cancel it (even though GM Evans has been phoning it in
> for years). I was very disappointed to read in one of his recent
> columns that he had no plans to anthologize his games. Some of the
> chess he played in his day was phenomenal - why not ask him to continue
> the Q and A he seems (and a very dedicated minority of readers still
> seem to enjoy) to favor, as well as one of his games from the past
> every few months?

Age cannot wither nor custom stale the infinite monotony of the
Parr/Evans column. Let it go.

> There certainly is no tenure at CL, but without further information, it
> does seem rather callous to simply cancel columns - unless these
> individuals had been given editorial direction to change their columns,
> and refused, or could not do it.

Callous, perhaps. But such changes are part of publishing.

> But as Neil noted in another post, the editor needs to actually edit
> the magazine (and we don't know what really has happened), avoiding the
> vomit that was produced under editors such as Parr and Pehme, neither
> of whom possessed the edting skills needed for such an endeavor.

I at least give Larry credit for trying.

> It is interesting that Benko is left untouched (correct??), lending
> further credence to the old rumor he was given a column for life for
> giving up his spot for Fischer. But the quality in that column has also
> never suffered.....

Also, doesn't Benko fill a particular niche? No one else writes an
endgame column. I understand Dunne's correspondence column is remaining
for the same reason.

Date: 23 Mar 2006 07:12:51
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

I really doubt GMs find Polgar of much benefit, but it does seem to be
an OK column for readers who are wanting "just a little theory" - and
it could certainly serve as a springboard to further study.

It does seem we are unwilling to support our GMs in this country
through paying them for actual work - if the Evans column really does
cost USCF a grand total of 400 per month, as Parr indicated, it seems
rather stupid to cancel it (even though GM Evans has been phoning it in
for years). I was very disappointed to read in one of his recent
columns that he had no plans to anthologize his games. Some of the
chess he played in his day was phenomenal - why not ask him to continue
the Q and A he seems (and a very dedicated minority of readers still
seem to enjoy) to favor, as well as one of his games from the past
every few months?

There certainly is no tenure at CL, but without further information, it
does seem rather callous to simply cancel columns - unless these
individuals had been given editorial direction to change their columns,
and refused, or could not do it.

But as Neil noted in another post, the editor needs to actually edit
the magazine (and we don't know what really has happened), avoiding the
vomit that was produced under editors such as Parr and Pehme, neither
of whom possessed the edting skills needed for such an endeavor.

It is interesting that Benko is left untouched (correct??), lending
further credence to the old rumor he was given a column for life for
giving up his spot for Fischer. But the quality in that column has also
never suffered.....

Date: 23 Mar 2006 19:13:46
From: Chess One
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

<[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> But as Neil noted in another post, the editor needs to actually edit
> the magazine (and we don't know what really has happened), avoiding the
> vomit that was produced under editors such as Parr and Pehme, neither
> of whom possessed the edting [sic] skills needed for such an endeavor.

Great advice about 'edting'!

And of Polgar's column, especially citing Neil, who could not even
understand the idea of Shahade's book.

This will not inhibit what some sorts of men think about women, since
presumably, they are not allowed to have an opinion about their own welfare.

Phil Innes

Date: 24 Mar 2006 11:14:24
From: Phaeton
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

Chess One wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>> But as Neil noted in another post, the editor needs to actually edit
>> the magazine (and we don't know what really has happened), avoiding the
>> vomit that was produced under editors such as Parr and Pehme, neither
>> of whom possessed the edting [sic] skills needed for such an endeavor.
>
> Great advice about 'edting'!

Don't knock that word, "edting" ! There is at least one computer
system where an utility called EDT ( a text editor ) exists, a
very good one. So EDT-ing could be used...

As for Polgar, Hungarians are proud of her and her achievements.
May she continue to play well for as long as she can, and have a
happy, prosperous life.
Cheers, Csaba

---------------------------------------------------------------------
CSABA I. HARANGOZO

Date: 23 Mar 2006 06:41:26
From: samsloan
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

Andrew Zito wrote:
> I don't think she's ried. Most of the top American women players are
> not ried: Polgar, Zatonskih, Krush, Shahade, Abrahamyan, Batchimeg,
> etc. I think Goletiani is ried but not 100% sure.

Polgar, Zatonskih, and Goletiani are ried, although Polgar, who has
two kids, might be divorced now. Krush very notoriously has a
boyfriend. She is always making out with him on the couch at major
chess tournaments. I was shocked and disbelieving when I first saw it.
Abrahamyan and Batchimeg are still teenagers, too young to be ried.
If you want to know about Shahade, you should buy and read her book,
"Chess Bitch".

However, all of this is very unfair. Why not ask whether Andrew Zito,
Paul Rubin and Ray Gordon have ever been ried? Have they ever even
had a girlfriend? I suspect that they have never had one, and never
will have one either.

Sam Sloan

Date: 22 Mar 2006 22:12:54
From: Nick
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

John J. wrote:
> You're right. Polgar's column is very good. I hope it's not cancelled.
> Is that guy Paul Truong her husband? He seems joined at the hip with her.

Susan Polgar ried Jacob Shutzman. ("Queen of the Kings Game"
was written by Susan Polgar and Jacob Shutzman.) Susan Polgar
has been seeking to divorce Jacob Shutzman. I am not certain of
the current state of those legal proceedings.

Paul Truong is Susan Polgar's business manager and literary
collaborator. As I recall, Susan Polgar has described Paul
Truong as her best friend.

There has been some speculation about the private relationship
between Susan Polgar and Paul Truong. As I recall, Tim Hanke
(a former USCF Executive Board member) once wrote clearly
enough, though not quite naming them explicitly, that he believed
that Susan Polgar and Paul Truong have a romantic relationship.
In response, Jerome Bibuld rebuked Tim Hanke for speculating
inappropriately about a private relationship.

In my view, it's unfair to attribute responsibility (as some writers
in RGC* tend to do) to Paul Truong for everything that has been
done by Susan Polgar. As far as I know, for instance, Paul
Truong had no responsibility for the writing of "Queen of the
Kings Game" by Susan Polgar and Jacob Shutzman.

--Nick

Date: 22 Mar 2006 13:07:54
From:
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

_
"By the end of 2001, the pair had split."
- Jennifer Shahade

Date: 22 Mar 2006 09:26:29
From: Andrew Zito
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

I don't think she's ried. Most of the top American women players are
not ried: Polgar, Zatonskih, Krush, Shahade, Abrahamyan, Batchimeg,
etc. I think Goletiani is ried but not 100% sure.

Date: 22 Mar 2006 10:27:53
From: Chess Freak
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

Boggle. She has been ried for years. Has 2 kids. You are as
bad as Sloan in getting your facts straight, Zito.

"Idiot Andrew Zito" <[email protected] > wrote in message news:[email protected]...

Date: 22 Mar 2006 20:08:09
From: Paula Abdool
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

"Chess Freak" < > Boggle. She has been ried for years. Has 2 kids. You
are as
> bad as Sloan in getting your facts straight, Zito.
>

Melissa Etheridge has three kids. Most of those Chess Chicks are
crack-lickers and rug-munchers.

Date: 22 Mar 2006 12:25:15
From: Chess Freak
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

And your point is...?

"Paula Moron Abdool" <[email protected] > wrote in message news:[email protected]...

Date: 22 Mar 2006 17:14:06
From: John J.
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

You're right. Polgar's column is very good. I hope it's not cancelled.

Is that guy Paul Truong her husband? He seems joined at the hip with her.

"Sam Sloan" <[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Polgar column controversy
>
> There have been a lot of behind-the-scenes discussions about Susan
> Polgar's monthly column in Chess Life magazine entitled "Opening
> Secrets". Former Chess Life editor Kalev Pehme in a recent posting
> called Polgar's column "inferior". Larry Parr has just suggested that
> Polgar be told to write a Game-of-the-Month column instead.
>
> Both are wrong. The Polgar column is the best and the most important
> regular monthly column in Chess Life. Every month, Polgar discusses a
> new move or recently popular old move. She writes about what the top
> grandmasters today are playing. Her articles are right at the leading
> edge, indeed the cutting edge, of chess opening theory and practice.
>
> Watch what happens when any active grandmaster picks up a current
> issue of Chess Life. He is going to turn to the Polgar column and
> ignore the rest of the magazine.
>
> Now, take a look at the other columns. None of the other columnist are
> active players any more. They answer questions from beginners. They
> write about historical events. None of them will tell you what opening
> to play in the big tournament game tomorrow.
>
> I will tell you a little secret: It was because of the Polgar column
> that I won my famous Grudge Match against Bill Brock in Chicago, June
> 2005. I played a line that I had never played before in my life but
> which I had learned about by reading Polgar's column in the current
> Chess Life. Bill Brock had not read the column. That is why he lost
> the chess match. I really should give Zsuzsa Polgar part of the one
> thousand dollars I won by winning that game. On the other hand, I
> think I will keep the cash.
>
> Why is the Polgar column controversial? I think because of the way it
> came to Chess Life. Paul Truong, who was holding Susan's power of
> attorney, signed a secret contract with the now disgraced Executive
> Director Frank Niro. This contract was one of the unpleasant surprises
> the Executive Board discovered a few months after Frank Niro left
> office. The contract gave Polgar a longer term contract at higher pay
> than any of the other established columnists were receiving, more than
> Grandmasters Evans, Benko, Soltis, Byrne, Rohde or Alburt were
> receiving. More than that, Paul Truong has a history of getting into
> big fights and arguments with everybody he deals with. He certainly
> got into a lot of big arguments with Kalev Pehme when Pehme was editor
> of Chess Life.
>
> Nevertheless, there is one column that needs to stay in Chess Life,
> and that is the Polgar column. By the way, some are suggesting that
> the Polgar column should stay because she is a woman. That is not the
> reason. Her column should stay because it is the best.
>
> Sam Sloan

Date: 22 Mar 2006 07:35:15
From:
Subject: Re: Polgar column controversy

I agree. The Polgar column is one of the best they have.