I've imbedded my responses to Yasser's latest tirade. See below.

-----Original Message-----
From: Yasser Seirawan ]
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:20 PM
Subject: FW: Kelleher report on FIDE Congress



Dear Chess Friends,

Having read these many messages about drug-testing for chess players
(professionals) I really had intended not to respond, however Mr. Eade's
message below is so awful that it well and truly deserves refutation.

I wrote the truth, Yasser. You cannot refute it.

Mr. Eade writes:

"Hanke's juvenile posturing is as misplaced as it is boorish."

This comes from a person who has used the "fu**" word against myself.
Publicly.

Yasser and I had a private e-mail exchange which we mutually assured one
another would be kept confidential. He proceeded to mail our correspondence to
a large distribution list requesting it to be further forwarded. I don't know
what to do with people like that. Yasser has been described by GM Evans as
"false to the bone," and I concur. I don't trust him.


He habitually calls those who bring him to task for his actions
"liars."

Only when they lie, Yasser.


Mr. Eade should not be the one to correct others! Mr. Eade was a
complete embarrassment when he was the FIDE Continental President and time
hasn't helped him grow-up.

Not only was I NOT an embarrassment, I was effective. Of course, you were not
at the meetings, so you can't possibly know.

Mr. Eade writes:

"I cannot speak about the last meeting, but I know for a fact that the
FIDE representatives have faithfully carried out the delegate's directives
in the past."

This one turns the truth on its head.

That is completely false. The delegates commended our performance. They
would've condemned it, if what you are saying were true. You've got things
completely backwards.

Prior to the 2000 FIDE General
Assembly meeting in Istanbul there was a Chess Life magazine, I think it was
the September 2000 issue but cannot be sure as my magazines are in Seattle
and I'm writing this message from memory from Amsterdam. In that issue the
editor began by explaining that the policy at Chess Life was to give fair
and balanced reporting of particular topics. A good start. However, in
that issue there were THREE articles in favor of drug testing, ONE against.

This is a typical mistake, one that Yasser has made numerous times. My article
was pro-chess in the Olympics, not pro drug testing. Also there were numerous
anti-drug testing pieces in Chess Life both before and after that issue.
Sheesh!


The first article in favor of drug testing was written by no less than the
then USCF President Tim Redman! The second was an article by Mr. Eade
entitled, "Why the USCF should test for drugs."

That was not my title, and I was ****ed at the editor for using it. The
article was not about that at all. Try reading it.

In that article, Mr. Eade
intones with breathless whispering how America should allow drug testing in
order to, "go for the (IOC Olympic) gold."

Now, you're just being a goof. One cannot whisper, at all, let alone
breathlessly in an article. I don't think anyone needs to be ashamed to value
a gold medal, Yasser. I point out that we've lost a generation of chess talent
and stand to lose another. I argue that perhaps the prospect of representing
their country while competing for a gold medal in the Olympics might keep some
of the talent in the game. You ridicule that notion, but some of your
colleagues do not.


He also expressed his admiration
for the many "good ideas" of FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov including
speeding up the game to the FIDE time control of 90 + 30. The very same
time control that was recently roundly condemned by the top 200 players in
the world.

I have long advocated speeding up the game. Some of Iljumzhinov's ideas have
been resisted and some, such as the knockout format, embraced.

My perspective has always been that of an organizer, who has incurred many
expenses trying to host norm tournaments in the US. Faster time controls,
knockout events, etc., are appealing to me, because they make expenses
manageable. The alternative is not classical chess. The alternative is no
chess at all.

Somehow, we've been managing about one norm tournament a year in SF for some
time, but it is getting harder and harder.


The third article was by the FIDE Medical Commission Chairman.
A chiropractor who was paid by FIDE a six figure sum to command the post.
All the articles were awful. One worse than the other. Unfortunately, the
article against drug testing was written by someone I've never heard of and
was, if possible, worse then the first three. In fact, it nearly made me
sympathetic for drug testing. Somehow the writer brought in the Vietnam
War, our drug culture and was utterly clueless about the real issues.
Instead of having a writer like GM Benjamin, GM Evans (shudder), Bill
Goichberg or myself write against drug testing, indeed, those who have
actively lobbied against drug testing, Chess Life readers got this fellow.
Good grief.

I've been told many times, that my article was well written. I think you are
hardly an objective critic.

&n, GM Evans (shudder), Bill
Goichberg or myself write against drug testing, indeed, those who have
actively lobbied against drug testing, Chess Life readers got this fellow.
Good grief.

I've been told many times, that my article was well written. I think you are
hardly an objective critic.

To be clear, the administration of Tim Redman publicly stated that the
USCF should support the FIDE position favoring drug. The then USCF
Executive Director George Defies called the offensive drug testing, "...a
necessary evil..." Therefore it was no surprise that in Istanbul 2000, the
USCF Team favored FIDE's position supporting drug testing.

That is not true.


I was in
Istanbul and I felt scandalized by the position of the USCF and ashamed of
my federation and the role played by USCF's FIDE team.


You were in Istanbul, but not at any of the meetings. Would you mind
identifying the source of your incorrect information? I was there. I know
what happened, and you are not telling the truth.

The legacy of Eade,
Doyle and Kelleher is that drug-testing occurred because of their INACTION.

That is a LIE.

And yes, there were a few federations, I believe three, including Holland,
that voted against FIDE's drug policy. Presumably, these three delegates
were laughed at by their FIDE colleagues, no doubt including our own.

What vote are you talking about? You seem to be confused as to the facts. I
think Yasser has become muddled as to dates and causes. The big issue in
Istanbul, was FIDE Commerce not drug testing. The meeting where we were
required to actively oppose drug testing was the next year in Greece. Yasser
was not there.


Mr. Eade writes:

"The fact of the matter is the delegates commended our performance at
the meeting in Cherry Hill. They are the final authority."

This was yet a further embarrassment in a never ending stream of
gaffes. Our FIDE Team was lauded for their bravery in fighting against drug
testing. While in fact the opposite was true. (Doesn't anyone read Chess
Life magazine?)

Yasser, you've insulted me many times, now. I treated you with kid gloves and
respect, until you started up with this sort of absolute bull****. I always
represented the USCF honorably, and I've ALWAYS told the truth about my service
and actions. You have it entirely wrong. What is the basis for your improper
claim that the "opposite was true?"



The FIDE Team lied about their actions in Istanbul.

Complete and utter bull****. Don't blush, Yasser, you use that word too.
Please produce a quote or anything material to substantiate that accusation.
You're simply wrong.


The
USCF delegates believed the lies and everyone was commended.


The delegates were informed honestly and factually. We had to endure all sorts
of garbage, such as this latest nonsense from you. The lies never seem to
stop. I was supposed to have received a gold watch, I was supposed to have won
money in a blitz tournament as a payoff for my vote etc. All of these
accusations were made by people who were not there, and did not know, like
Yasser.

It is a pity
that our FIDE Team does NOT recognize the USCF delegates as the final
authority.

Again, you are writing absolute nonsense. We did recognize the delegates as the
final authority.

If they did, the FIDE Team would actively campaign against drug
testing.

We did. We did what can reasonably be expected of us to do. We lobbied
individual delegates, attended and spoke up all relevant workshops, and each of
us made a speech in front of the EB. We were all active, and the delegates ARE
the ultimate authority and they commended our performance. Not because we lied
to them. We told them the truth. We were virtually alone in our opposition to
drug testing. I certainly don't recall anyone from Holland speaking about it.



It has not done so and by the reading of this thread it obviously
has no intention to do so in the future. Clearly, Tim Hanke is right. We
need folks who will follow the mandates of the delegates, NOT a Team that is
reluctant to do so. Watering down the punishments of a positive drug test
and feeling proud of such an accomplishment is really hilarious. Simply
put, our Team doesn't get it.

Simply put, you have no idea what you're talking about. Should we have held
our breaths until we turned blue? I asked you to run for FIDE President. You
said no. Why don't you put up or shut up?

It is a logical fallacy to say that our failure to persuade anyone to change
their minds on this issue stems from a lack of trying. It is a logical fallacy
to conclude that different people would get different results. The truth is
that we did, do not, and probably never will get the votes. See, Yasser,
that's the problem.

Regarding our leadership and influence in FIDE. This is funny beyond
words. A few years ago, I had a great exchange with FIDE Vice-President Mr.
Doyle. He explained to me how he had "completely rewritten" FIDE's bylaws
and "watches the finances like a hawk." After my laughter subsided, I had
to send Mr. Doyle a reality check: FIDE doesn't follow its bylaws. Neither
his carefully crafted work nor Robert's Rules of Order. Full stop.
Furthermore, its spending would cause Enron officials embarrassment -- if
not jail time. For example, at the 2002 FIDE Congress, Treasurer Jarrett
complained of the spending of FIDE's Honorary Chairman Mr. Campomanes.
Apparently, FIDE's Chairman had received reimbursement of $150,000 during
the year to attend IOC meetings. Fair enough, USCF's dues to FIDE should be
put to good work. The only problem is that Mr. Campomanes provided no
receipts at all for his expenditures. Of course since Mr. Campomanes is the
Honorable Chairman of FIDE he was taken at his word. Never mind that he is
a convicted felon in his native Philippines for embezzlement which was
described in the Philippine press as, "The mother of all accounting
anomalies." He anxiously awaits his opportunity to clear his good name at
appeal. In the meantime, he is a felon and remains FIDE's Honorary Chairman.
It seems to me that Mr. Doyle's hawk like vigilance is, worthless.

I'm quite certain that you are misrepresenting Doyle's remarks, but I'll tell
you what really happened anyway. Doyle challenged these payments at one of the
meetings. The reality is that they had already been paid, and there was little
to be done except make a stink about it. You are absolutely correct that FIDE
is poorly run. Scandals, such as the one you describe can and do occur. Much
like the IOC, USOC and USCF, FIDE lacks the proper business controls.

The USCF and FIDE rely on part time volunteers to make certain everything is on
the up and up. It is a system that cries out to be abused. Perhaps, you could
change things, if you would run for FIDE President?

As a
further reality check to the FIDE Vice-President it is reported by FIDE that
its finances are so critical it has to move offices from (expensive)
Switzerland to Greece. If Mr. Redman is correct and FIDE is preparing for a
post-Iljumzhinov FIDE, then the Greek FIDE Deputy President Makropouloswill
be ideally placed to keep FIDE's reins. I'll leave it to our FIDE team to
genuflect in front of the future FIDE President.

Sort of sounds like moving to Crossville, doesn't it?

Mr. Eade writes:

"The issue is not who represents the USCF in FIDE, and it would be
foolish to replace them. The problem we have in FIDE is that the USCF (not
its representatives) is weak."

Sigh. How to refute this one?

You cannot refute the truth.


Once again, Mr. Eade is only one
hundred percent wrong. It is ALL about leadership. Or more accurately
expressed, our complete failure to lead.

Gee, maybe if you ran for FIDE President, like I asked you to, we would have
the leadership you write about. I have seen Doyle and Kelleher demonstrate
leadership numerous times. What you fail to understand is that if someone has
a majority of the votes locked up, they win. as I have written before, we
cannot line up votes in advance (not due to lack of leadership, silly) We rely
on floor fights, which sometimes works and sometimes does not. Even when it
does work, such as with the case of the GM from Romania, they find some way
around it.

It is very difficult to make any change in an organization such as FIDE. It is
one reason I decided not to continue trying. You and silly posers, such as
Hanke, fail to understand that you can't just climb up on a table and shout and
get your way.

While it is true, that at this precise moment in time, the USCF faces
very severe financial pressures, the USCF is and has been the envy of the
great majority of national federations. The USCF Team in FIDE has been weak
ever since our dear friend Fan Adams was forced to tender his resignation in
protest in 1984.

I believe the year was 1994.

(Fan resigned due to the following incident: Mr. Campomanes
illegally suspended the FIDE bylaws and put himself on the FIDE Presidential
election ballot. Fan was ready to cast his ballot against Campomanes, but
the USCF received a bribe and ORDERED Fan to cast his vote FOR Campomanes.
Fan, respecting the authority of the USCF EB did as he was TOLD.
Afterwards, FIDE President Campomanes gallantly commended Fan on changing
his mind -- a commendation that our FIDE Team lives for.

I agree with Yasser that Fan was very forceful and respected. Kelleher may not
be another Fan, but he is respected, works hard and is sincere. He doesn't
deserve the Yasser-spite. This last line above is another example of how petty
and mean spirited Yasser can be. It has no basis in reality.


Unfortunately, Fan
didn't see things in the same light and resigned after the meeting.) The
USCF has its own rating system, for the last 20 odd years has had
approximately 5 million dollars in annual revenues, owns its own building,
publishes a slick monthly magazine and has 90,000+ members. Most
federations are well and truly destitute, possessing none of the many
advantages enjoyed by the USCF. Most national federation delegates are
chosen by their ability to afford the trip to a FIDE Congress themselves.
It is common for federations to simply give their proxy vote to the
Presidential Board members for voting. When viewed over the long term, I
think it fair to say that the USCF may be the most financially successful of
all national federations.

The USCF was once well off, but is not any longer. It has been ailing for
years, and will have to drastically change the way it does business. It is
true that many nations are destitute. Is this some sort of news flash? It is
irrelevant. We have no world championship contender (although we have in the
past), we hold no FIDE events (although we have in the past) and contribute
next to nothing to FIDE (they even had to dun us for our dues. Our players
were almost left off of a ratings list, because of it.

Yasser should stop living in the past and face reality. The USCF is very weak.
We do take leadership positions in FIDE, and they want us to do more. The
problem is not leadership, but the lack of resources to accomplish anything
meaningful.

Most FIDE delegates are astonished that the USCF
has been so obsequies and genuflects at every moment before the FIDE high
command.

That is false, petty and absurd.


It is precisely the LACK of leadership of the USCF's FIDE Team
which is a collective USCF embarrassment. Yet our Team has consistently
explained how they have managed to expand their "influence" within FIDE.
Well at least they have provided us with a great deal of humor. Yet to be
fair, our Team has certainly picked its battles carefully and has enjoyed an
occasional minor victory. Bravo!

Funny, but you weren't there, and don't know what you're talking about.

Mr. Eade writes:

"What is really silly about Tim's false bravado is that he has nothing
at stake."

I do not see Mr. Hanke's remarks as "false bravado." He has explained
his point of view quite plainly and with harsh language. He should be more
diplomatic but his anger is quite well-founded. He seems fed up with all
the double-talk of our FIDE Team.


Hanke is irresponsible. Your claims of "double-talk" are unfounded. You make
assertions without evidence. You do not speak in terms of facts. You simply
have decided that the facts would only confuse you, since you've already made
up your mind.

Mr. Eade is no more impressed by my "true
bravado" when I divorced myself from FIDE even though my life's profession
was at stake.

That is not true. However, I did note that you did play in FIDE events after
you divorced yourself. I also noticed that none of your colleagues joined you
in divorcing FIDE despite you persistent public pleas for them to do so.

Quite the contrary, I received further criticism from Mr.
Eade for not working with our FIDE Team, which included himself. The fact
that I could hardly "work" with those I knew to be dishonest didn't faze him
one bit.

How do you know that I am dishonest? I have never lied to you about anything
at any time. I treated you with kid-gloves while you became ever more
insulting. Finally, I had enough guff from you.

We had a policy disagreement, which you turned into a personal one. I did ask
you to run for FIDE President, and you turned me down.

The USCF is facing many problems. The fact that it may actually be
willing to address its relationship with FIDE with a critical eye at such a
time is astonishing. Rubber stamping commendation has been the norm. Just
to make sure the norm isn't violated, occasional state visits are made by
FIDE leaders. They needn't have bothered. However, a little back-slapping
to keep our Team in line is just good politics.


You know, this is really sickening. I went to great trouble and expense to go
to FIDE and see for myself what the deal was. The dynamic Yasser describes
here simply does not exist. I read these same accusations when Fan and Arnold
were our representatives, only it wasn't Yasser writing them then.

While it causes me great anguish to say this, Mr. Parr is actually
right. When FIDE high officials recover from the shock of a USCF ultimatum
(when has that EVER occurred?)

Why didn't Fan issue one, if it was the right thing to do?

and realize that the world's most
recognizable federation is about to split ranks the silliness of
drug-testing for chess players will be repealed. We will certainly never
know because I wager it will not happen. When in Bled 2002, the majority of
the players refused drug testing, FIDE immediately blinked and announced the
event would have voluntary drug testing only. When, during the Bled
Olympiad, our friend GM Morozevich was asked to volunteer and provide a
specimen, his rude answer -- a la Mr. Eade -- caused an immediate full scale
retreat. The winning Russian Team wasn't bothered again!

Geez, Yaz, I've heard you use the "F" word myself. Don't play Mister Dainty.
I would not support a walk out, unless our players were aware of it and in
support of it. The players need to get organized. That would be a step in the
right direction. Pointing fingers and blaming others is childish.


Mr. Eade writes:

"As someone who has donated tens of thousands of dollars over the
years to FIDE norm tournaments in the US, I believe I have the right to say
that the USCF has an obligation to remain in FIDE."

First of all let me give Mr. Eade a sincere and genuine thank you,
thank you on behalf of myself and all chess players.

Gee, the words Yasser and sincere don't go together. As Evans said, false to
the bone.

Your personal
sponsorship is, sincerely, and deeply appreciated.

There's that word, again.

I too have donated money. In fact, by my accountant's reckoning over
the last 20 years I've donated $750,000 USD to chess. Not including my time
of course. Still, this sacrifice, given most willingly, doesn't mean that I
should close by eyes and forgo rational thought.

No one suggested any such thing. I spoke to a lot of our top players, yourself
included and concluded that your policy did not represent the majority opinion.
Organize the players and designate an official spokesperson. Stop whining
about volunteers!

I don't see why the USCF
should support a policy which is completely ridiculous. The reality is that
such a policy by FIDE only convinces me that should the political will exist
in the chess world, a new World chess organization is inevitable.


Is that a bad thing? Look, too many countries get too much money based on
Olympic recognition. You will never change their minds. So, why not use this
issue to organize the players. Every serious sport has a player's union.
Three volunteers from the US can't change the world, but a player's union
could.

In the
meantime, we await with bated breath for the next FIDE scandal to break. By
my watch June 04 is the due date.

Despite your petty accusations, I am hardly a FIDE apologist. Bill and I would
take turns cheering each other up when we grew despondent over our ability to
effect change. It is, as I wrote, a scandal waiting to happen with part time
volunteers at the controls. If a better organization emerged, I would be all
for it! I just believe in trying to make the one that actually exists better
until a better one comes along.


I know that Mr. Redman and Mr. Fernandez have recently jumped on the
bogeyman drug of Ritalin (spelling?) as the potential scourge of the chess
world. Citing it as the need to perform drug testing. (Mr. Eade thought
amphetamines -- speed -- could do the trick noting his college experiences
during final exams week.) Apparently this miracle drug, Ritalin, is used
(primarily?) to control hyperactive children. It is supposed to have a
marvelous calming effect. (Presumably on children but also their parents.)
As 95% of all the prescriptions for this wonder drug are written in the USA,
perhaps 95% of drug testing for chess players can be limited to the USA?
Instead of EXEMPTING children as the writers of this thread are so eager to
do, it seems these little tykes could be breaking all the rules of good
sportspersons. Let us humiliate them NOW so that they won't be banned for
LIFE later! In the meantime, without scientific proof that a chess playing
pill WITH negative side effects can be proven to increase a chess players
rating, why not plainly state the obvious: There is no drug problem in chess
and testing for a none existent problem is stupid.

Your simple assertions are not facts. I for one would do away with the testing
requirements, if I had a magic wand. I am not pro-drug testing. I am
pro-chess in the Olympics (Central American, African, and Asian games already
to name a few) and pro-new money into chess. Olympic recognition has resulted
in NOC contributions that are a significant source of new money in chess.
That's a good thing.



Let me join with Mr.
Hanke in saying to those who play along to get along, please pay your USCF
dues, go away and sin no more.

Sincerely,

Yasser

Yasser, I have no desire to argue with you endlessly. You've impugned my honor
many times now. It gives me no joy to call attention to your two-faced, -
smile while you're plotting against him - style. I don't respect you. You
don't respect me. Let's leave it at that. Otherwise, we'll end up with carpal
tunnel syndrome due to pointless fighting.


James Eade
Remove the Sheesh to respond. Don't worry. Talk happy.