Sam Sloan wrote:
Bobby Fischer has been reinstated in the USCF

At a meeting of the USCF Executive Board in Chicago on Monday August
14, 2006, Bobby Fischer was reinstated as a member of the United
States Chess Federation.

The motion by new Executive Board Member Sam Sloan provided that
Executive Board motion EB 02-40, that had passed in 2002 by the
Objections Procedure without a formal vote by the board, was vacated
and reversed. Since that motion had expelled Bobby Fischer from
membership because of his statements on 9/11, this means that Fischer
is a USCF member again.

However, two board members expressed the view that Bobby Fischer has
renounced his membership. They were unable to produce any documents
establishing this and, unless such documents can be found, Bobby
Fischer is a member again.

The vote was passed by 4-1-2. Voting in favor were Sam Sloan, Bill
Goichberg, Beatriz Marinello and Robert Tanner. Joel Channing voted
against. Don Schultz and Randy Hough abstained.

Beatriz Marinello, speaking by speaker phone, made an especially
strong statement as to why Bobby Fischer should be reinstated.

At issue was EB 02-40, which was reported in the 2002 Delegates Call
but not in the minutes and which provided the following at
http://www.uschess.org/docs/pdf/15EBactionsvolex02.PDF

"The US Chess Federation informs Grandmaster Robert J. Fischer
that, because of his deplorable public remarks in support of terrorist
actions, his right to membership in the United States Chess Federation
is cancelled. The Interim Executive Director is asked to write to FIDE
and to the US Chess Trust about this action and about the public
remarks of Mr. Fischer, with a request that those organizations join
with the USCF in condemnation of these remarks." PASSED BY THE
OBJECTIONS PROCEDURE

Among the reasons I gave in support of my motion were that Fischer has
the right of Freedom of Speech, plus the Objections Procedure is
intended only for routine non-controversial motions and this motion
clearly was not one of those. Thus, the expulsion of Fischer was
improper. In addition, only two USCF members have ever been expelled.
The other was Norman T. Whitaker and he was reinstated shortly
thereafter.

Bill Goichberg pointed out that even mass murderers serving life
sentences in prison are allowed to be USCF members and to play rated
games and Fischer has never even been charged with a crime.

Beatriz Marinello strongly defended Fischer's right to Freedom of
Speech.

Joel Channing, speaking against the motion, stated that it would be
bad for the image of the USCF to have someone such as Mr. Fischer as a
member.

Don Schultz abstained, saying that he believes that Fischer has
renounced his membership, but is not sure.

The remarks by Don Schultz were apparently based on the transcript of
the third press conference, held on September 14, 1992 in Yugoslavia
during the 1992 Fischer Spassky Match in which Fischer famously
stated, among other things, "I would appreciate it if all of my fans
cancelled their subscriptions to their horrible magazine Chess Life -
I call it Chess Lies."

However, none of his statements at that press conference could
reasonably be considered to be a renunciation of his USCF membership.
In addition, it is doubtful whether statements made at a press
conference, particularly in a foreign country, are legally effective
and binding.

Bobby Fischer won a USCF life membership in a chess tournament in the
1950s. In addition, the delegates have passed motions making all US
grandmasters life members.

Therefore, Bobby Fischer is a life member again and should be given an
ID number with his named placed in the MSA, unless of course he writes
a letter renouncing or resigning his USCF membership or unless a
document is produced showing that he previously renounced his USCF
membership.

Sam Sloan

Any membership organization has the right to decide who will be
permitted to have and retain membership. Usually, someone requests to
become a member of that organization.

Did Bobby ever request to be reinstated?

Did he ever pay for his first life membership?

When his original membership was rescinded, did he get a refund?

Since he has a felony conviction in Japan, is he eligable for
membership?

Rob