Women's World Freestyle Championship

[Irma Sierra]

I just want to say that I am very disappointed about how Jan as a woman’s checker player is beeing treated. I read all the postings, and it is just sad and very discouraging for me as for all women to see how the checker federation is treating women.
Besides that perhaps rules of the WCDF has to change, I think it is also obvious that when there are elections for WCDF committee, people are voted for because they are liked, or known by most. It would be better if people of such important organization would be elected by their competence.
Is true , they don’t get paid, its an honor position. Its also true if you want such a honor position, you have true intentions to do all what is best for checkers, MEN and WOMEN.
If you feel as a committee member that you are unable to do a good job, you should, in honor of the federation, step up, and give the position to someone more qualified.
I read that WCDF is saying they are not responsible, its all someone else’s fault. Hmm.. so what does WCDF do? They have no power? why the WCDF couldnt help Jan with her questions?? what were they doing? Also, Ingo was not aware of the decisions made.. how is that possible? He is a committee member, but unaware?
I am also upset with some members what they say about Jan; I am disappointed that some men , in the 21th century still have very little respect for women, and can not understand what it means for a woman to travel to such an unknown country. I guess some men still need another 100 years of evolution to understand.

I am sorry jan, we as women dont have it always easy, that is why God made women tougher than men...

just lady.......

[Lindus Edwards]

Wonderfully well said Irma.

[liam stephens]

Greetings Irma,

So nice to see you back again.

[kiwinurse]

Thankyou Irma,its lovely to get a womens point of view on here.There are so few of us who take our checkers seriously,and love the game.I only want fair play really.I think its the opinion of the executive of the WCDF that i couldnt win,so therefore its easier to forfeit me.But thats not what its all about.Whether i won or lost is not the point.I payed big money to attend the world qualifier and win.I really wanted this match,and i wanted to play it,despite some peoples assertions.
Im prepared to fight for my right to play this match, but the conditions must be fair and reasonable,so that i am at no disadvantage,and we meet on equal ground.To forfeit me when ive done my utmost to get this match going,is just plain wrong.If this happens to me,what happens next time,when someone from a far away country wants to challenge.?
And who will attend qualifiers,if the body at the top is totally corrupt?It will spell the end for womens checkers,.There is no encouragement at all for women to even try.
This is why im asking for an independant enquiry into this whole mess.Its important for us all.Thankyou once more Irma,regards Jan

[jimloy]

My impression is that all three sides (WCDF, Jan, and Hoja) made blunders in this fiasco. The blunders that the WCDF seem to have taken very lightly is that no one ever answered Jan's questions, and these questions seem to have been very important to her and any chance of an agreement. Maybe these questions were deemed unimportant or even foolish, but if so, someone should have said so. As far as I can tell, two of these questions were:

1. Is there a threat of terrorism in Turkmenistan?
2. Can prize money be taken out of Turkmenistan?

I'm sure that the answers are, No and Yes, in that order. But, not having expert knowledge about this, I didn't think I could reassure Jan.

Also, I think that the stipulation that the travel money would not be paid to Jan until she arrived in Turkmenistan was bizarre. Is that kind of thing standard?

Jan, of course, made blunders. In particular, she probably could have gotten answers to her questions elsewhere. I assume there are people who know a lot about Turkmenistan.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Hi, Jim !

You wrote good points, I agree with you. Noone acted perfectly here to resolve the problems. I am dreaming if my motion get through and voting will be successful, new Committee shall cover all these things and make it clear.

Regarding your questions ...

1. Is there a threat of terrorism in Turkmenistan?

No. All countries-former Soviet Union Republic have very strong governments which fully control things. Also, historically Fundamental Islamism doesn't have a good support in Turkmenistan. At the end, there is 1 or 2 USA bases today located in Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan have good relations with USA.

2. Can prize money be taken out of Turkmenistan?

As I said - question must be different, and answer is - YES. Government was the major sponsor of this bid and can do everything with currency (manats) which is under it's control.

Also, I think that the stipulation that the travel money would not be paid to Jan until she arrived in Turkmenistan was bizarre. Is that kind of thing standard?

No standards. It's vary and depends on contract conditions. I think new Committee (if any) can standartize this and include into BY-LAWS.

If Jan would ask these questions here - she may get an answers in 24 hours.

[Irma Sierra]

Information about going to Turkmenistan

(US government) website: http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/infor ... elers.html
(NZ goverment ) website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... rkmenistan

[Pedro Saavedra]

It is customary in many sports (and mind sports) to find a neutral venue acceptable to both challenger and champion. I am reminded of the problems that arose when defector Victor Korchnoi was playing Karpov in chess. Korchnoi would have been in jeopardy in the Soviet Union.

The writeup that Irma referenced was not very reassuring. Suppose the challenge were from Armenia and the champion from Turkey. I could easily see the challenger wanting a neutral venue. Suppose we had a champion from Saudi Arabia and a Jewish challenger. In all those cases the challenger would have a valid case to request a different venue.

The matter is complicated when the only venue that will put up money is unacceptable to one of the parties. Alex, you have to admit that the US government advisories would make some people hesitate. I do not blame Jan for her reservations about the wisdom of playing there. On the other hand, I have no solution to the need for a venue acceptable to all and which will contribute to the prize and/or expenses.

Pedro

[jimloy]

According to a couple of sources, Turkmenistan currency cannot be taken out of the country. So, to take money out of the country, currency must either be converted in Turkmenistan or electronically transferred to an account outside of Turkmenistan. US dollars are acceptable currency in Turkmenistan, but I suppose the prize money would not be paid in dollars.

Let me add that American dollars or any other currency (other than Turkmenistan currency) can apparently be taken out of Turkmenistan.

[Lindus Edwards]

I just received the following private message from Mr Ingo Zachos which, to put it very mildly, perplexed me no end. His message makes it clear that I made a request to him to delete his posts in this chain. I replied saying that I never sent him a private message or a message on this forum with any such request. My previous posts prove this. If Ingo can paste any private message I sent him with such a request then I look forward to seeing it for it will be a work of fiction. Here is Ingo's private message to me which I received a few minutes ago. I paste it here for all to see what I have to contend with so far as a member of the WCDF is concerned!!!!!!


"Lindus,
you were the one to propose to delete my posts and I thought you would be honest enough to do the same with your posts.
This is exactly the double stanbdard you are playing now."

In light of the above bizarre matter I feel I cannot continue to communicate with Ingo Zachos or any other member of the WCDF so far as this chain of posts is concerned. I regret to say that I have to wash my hands with each and every one of you so far as this matter is concerned. If this is a joke by you Ingo it is a poor one.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Ingo PLEASE tell me you are joking.

Ingo, be careful because if you say that you was joking - you may be accuse for usage of inappropriate joke If you already deleted your posts and Lindus didn't delete his posts - ask Jason Solan, ACF site webmaster, to restore forum files with your posts.

Anohter good possibility could be - if Lindus delete his posts, but that maybe something from Science Fiction.

Ingo, think it that way ... all these anger posts only make their authors look bad, disregard contest. You deleted your posts and improved your look in public eyes - this is most important thing for you. Posts of other people - their problems, not yours.

Regards,

Alex

[Lindus Edwards]

Alex,
How you could have misunderstood my previous post is beyond me. Ingo sent me a private message making a spurious allegation against me. I pasted his allegation in my previous message and have refuted it entirely. Do you understand the matter now?
If you still have difficulty understanding this I will employ a skilled person to carve it in stone for you...................

[Pedro Saavedra]

It is customary in many sports (and mind sports) to find a neutral venue acceptable to both challenger and champion. I am reminded of the problems that arose when defector Victor Korchnoi was playing Karpov in chess. Korchnoi would have been in jeopardy in the Soviet Union.

I have been reminded in a private message that historically most matches in chess and checkers have not been played on neutral ground. I will publicly acknowledge that this is true. I also know that when circumstances have warranted, neutral venues have been sought: Argentina for Capablanca-Alekhine, Reykjavik for Fischer-Spassky, Baguio and Meran for Korchnoi-Karpov. The reality is that the issue of neutral ground has not come up all that frequently. But in some cases there would have been no match otherwise.

I personally would prefer to see a match played where both players can feel comfortable.

Pedro

[Lindus Edwards]

Pedro wrote, "I personally would prefer to see a match played where both players can feel comfortable. "
I could not agree more with this.