A Message to the ACF President.

[liam stephens]

Dear Alan,

As someone with no involvement in the world title saga may I be allowed to comment:
I am sure everybody must be disappointed at the failure of the recently intended
world title match to materialise. Certainly, it is a matter for regret and one can well
understand the distress arising. Presumably, the WCDF may be held to account,
at the forthcoming GA meeting in Buncrana, which, of course, is the
proper venue for such matters to be aired.
However, the current Witch Hunt and Trial by Forum taking place on the ACF
internet site is both inexcusable and deplorable, in my opinion.
The continuing ranting and venting of spleen is growing tiresome in the extreme.

Yours sincerely - Liam Stephens.

Footnote:
Perhaps, for the record, I should point out that I hold no brief for the WCDF. At the time before it was set up, I wrote an article outlining my, then, reservations regarding the forming of such a new organisation. However, I believe that article was suppressed; leastways, it never appeared in print in the publications or journals of the time. But, that is all ancient history now, and I only mention it in relation to the setting up of the WCDF.

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Mr. Stephens:

I have reserved my comments on the failed match as I truthfully don't know all the details and I was only going to be the referee for the match. I do agree that an outpouring of negative comments on the forum over time serves no useful purpose. Any discussion on the forum can be fruitful if done in a constructive way. Guess I am avoiding the topic and not allowing myself to get in the middle.

The failed match is sad though as several made contributions to this match and now the playing community will not see any annotated games from the match.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[liam stephens]

Thank you Alan for your response.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Yes, it is very painful and stressful for all of us. I can't remember when World Championship match was canceled last minute for such a reason. And it is true indeed that final decision should be and will be done during WCDF Annual General Meeting in Buncrana. However just few meeting hours is enough to discuss and make life important decision, but it is not enough for investigation, analyzing and research.

This is the main reason why we continue to discuss it here now, and I am the one who initiate and push this process. Many people who will be in Buncrana, visit this forum and get more information. If someone thinks that facts I post here are inaccurate - they are welcome to correct me here. Thats why we have forum.

The tone and arguments must be done in respectable mode, but we can't avoid "disappointing" subjects. Otherwise - where else we can discuss such things as cancellation World Title Match, if it's not a checkers site ???

My points remain the same:

1) WCDF should completely change and revise procedure of accepting / selecting bids;

2) WCDF should give an official apologizes to me and Alan Millhone;

3) Ban must be given to BCDF (Barbados Checkers and Draughts Federation) - the one which was primarily in charge of organizing match. Probably WCDF should not accept any bids from BCDF in the next 1-2 cycles and be more cautious in future.

4) Ban must be given to Ron King (perhaps for the next 3-move cycle ?) as the one who was completely aware and in charge of situation ... having chance to avoid it and stop and not doing this.

5) Match contract must be an official document and any changes to it after approval and signing by all parties, must be a great and serious subject for discussing and investigation.

There shouldn't be situation like we had it this year ...

No communications and contacts from organizers with me, Alan & WCDF for many weeks, and then come back to arena at the day of departure saying ... "Hey guys, everything is OK and we need just few more days to finalize everything and get final approval from sponsors and sport council !"

Fantastic

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[Patrick Parker]

you are right alex

i dont know the details
however something must be done


this is a forum < define that and realize why checker related topics are present

whether they be pleasing or not .....why avoid them