http://groups.google.com/group/rec.g...+Chess&lnk=ol&

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I came across the above post from 2000... interesting to say the
least. The postings from Eric C. Johnson goes on and on and on about
how the Armed Forces Open should not be listed as a National Event
because it is not bidded on and controlled by the USCF.

True the event isn't bidded on... seriously, who would bid on the
event? There is no money to be made! In 2004/2005, our then Armed
Forces Chair to the USCF, then Major David Hater, U.S. Army (now
LtCol) mentioned to turn the tournament over to the USCF to put it
under the bidding process. Once again, who would seriously bid on the
event? I strongly opinioned if it were going to be bid upon, that I
wouldn't take part in the bidding process, and that I thought the
tournament would be no more within a few years. The whole idea of
bidding for the Armed Forces Open doesn't quite sit right with me,
specially if we are talking the organizer is attempting to make a
profit off Armed Forces Servicemembers.

As it stands now, the Armed Forces Chair (currently Matt Nemmers,
USN, but run by Steve Rollins, USMC retired due to Matt's current
deployment) to the USCF, recognizes the turn-in-the-bucket approach.
The USCF has recognized and supported us in varying methods since the
Armed Forces Open broke from the U.S. Chess Center. Each year, one of
the branches has the COG, and someone of the branch steps up to plate
to make sure the tournament is run.

This year just happens to be the Marine Corps turn-in-the-bucket
again, which I just happen to be the Chairman for this year's event.
The TLA for the event is listed here (I've also listed it below),
http://www.uschess.org/tla/yState.php?st=Natl#October and the website
for the event can be found here http://www.timbeeck.com/afocc.html.
The Armed Forces Open Chess Championship (AFOCC) is open to all active
duty, reservists, military retirees, cadets, midshipmen, and ROTC who
have a USCF membership. If you just happen to fit one of above
catagories, and want to take up the challenge, just send me an e-mail
with your current rank (or retired rank), name, USCF ID #, current
rating, branch of service, and t-shirt size. What other tournament in
the U.S. is free, and gives out free t-shirts for attending (besides
the Chess-In-The-Parks event and ours).

Semper Fi-
-John
2007 AFOCC Chairman

A Heritage Event!
Oct. 6-8 2007 (48th Annual) U.S. ARMED FORCES OPEN CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP Virginia
6SS, Rds. 1-2 G/90, Rds. 3-4 G/2, Rds. 5-6 30/90, SD/1, Henderson Hall
(Arlington), VA (Tournament to be held at the Smith Gym). Military ID
required for access to Henderson Hall. EF: FREE!; Reg.: 0800-0845,
Rds.: 0900-1230-1600, 0900-1400, 0900. Two 1/2 point byes available.
Open to all active duty, reservists, military retirees, cadets,
midshipmen, and ROTC who have a USCF membership. Trophies/plaques to
top three overall players, top player of each DoD service on active
duty, top reservist, top retiree, top three cadets/midshipmen/ROTC,
top two each class A-D and below, highest upset, and top Henderson
Hall Champion, and other trophies/plaques and special prizes. The 4th
Armed Forces Cadet Championship and 5th Henderson Hall Open
Championship will be conducted in conjunction with the Armed Forces
Open. AFOCC Awards ceremony to be held upon completion of tournament.
For those that arrive early there will be a 4SS, G/29, Armed Forces
Open Warm-Up/5th Henderson Hall Amateur Championship conducted Friday
night, 10/5 at Smith Gym starting at 1800. Additional details for the
tournaments can be found on the 2007 AFOCC website at
http://www.timbeeck.com/afocc.html. The Annual Armed Forces Chess
committee meeting/Welcome Aboard Military Chess players social with
hors d'oevres will be held on Saturday, 10/6 @ 2000 at the Henderson
Hall All-Hands Club along with the 1st U.S. Armed Forces Bughouse
Championship. The G/5 Armed Forces Open Blitz Championship will be
held Sunday 10/7 @ 2000 at the Smith Gym. WBCA Rules. Awards ceremony
to be conducted on Monday, 10/8 at 1500. HR: Free billeting is
available at Henderson Hall for E-5s and below. To reserve billeting,
contact Sgt Perdue at (703) 614-6248 or preferably by e-mail to
. The Sheraton Hotel, (703) 521-1900 is available
for all others, located within walking distance at a discounted rate
of $109.00 single or double (mention AFOCC when making reservation).
Must reserve by 15 September 2007 in order to receive that discounted
rate. Additional base billeting options are listed on the AFOCC
website. Info/Ent: John Farrell, 2500 North Van Dorn St. #1623,
Alexandria, VA 22302 or preferably by e-mail to .
Please include rank, name, USCF ID #, current rating, branch of
service, and t-shirt size when registering for the tournament. If you
register prior to 15 September 2007, you will receive a free 2007
AFOCC T-shirt. No whining to get a T-shirt if you register late! 100%
entry fee refunded in case of power outage. Bring clocks! NC. NS. W.