Clash of online and offline players: they will meet

[Bernard Coll]

They only play friendly games at the Grotto. Not tournaments. It is more social than competitive. It would also give you a chance to meet some of the English players. You might find these contacts useful in the future.

John, you have hit the nail on the head, (more social than competive). I personally had the pleasure of playing in the Grotto club between the years of 1987-89. In my opinion, this was the strongest club in the UK and Ireland at the time.Grotto consisted of some of the best checker players I have ever met and competed with. To name a few, there was the late Pat McArthy, his brother Jim, the late Tom Landry and Jack Latham. There was also Liam Stephens who was a keyholder. It is a tribute to Liam's honesty that he was so trusted. I may add I do not remember a word of dissent among this group of players whilst I played there. In those days the games were highly competive, BUT also friendly! BUT to get to now, all we are hearing of in this thread is these young self proclaimed ANONYMOUS internet whizz kids telling hardened 3- move tournament players of how they would whip their butt in crossboard play. GOOD! Let them come and challenge. Once they pay their entry fee on registration, pay their bed and breakfast for 5 nights after covering their travel costs : they could possibly then be entitled to ask what the PRIZE FUND is. ONLY then!!

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Just want to update you with this ...

Yesterday we had online conference meeting with ACF officer Kim Wills. She confirmed that ACF may provide some financing and help Chee and Fredo to attend. Jolt and Ray were not there at the moment but I hope we'll talk with them soon.

On another, not very serious note ...

'Chee is seriously pushing me trying to confirm that he is good for Masters My position gets weaker now But I said that in Majors he should get a good money.

The problem is - I know how good are some (best) online players, but I also am aware that best xboard players are not provies Both sides of barricade don't trust poor Alex lol

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Where is the ACF funding for proven players in genuine financial difficulties?

In reality we don't need many thousand dollars. Fredo and Chee will stay in one room, Jolt and Ray (if they decide to come) will share anothe room. Theoretically Fredo and Jolt can use bus, and only Chee needs fly. Overall it's close to $1,000 only or little bit more.

And ... when Kim says something, it's a piece of gold and you can trust her ! About ACf financing she knows better than anyone else because she is ACF Treasury Officer

[Alex_Moiseyev]

They apparently aren't asking for help.

This is true, I am asking ACF to help them. And I hope my efforts will be successful.

[kim willis]

I think that we need to help these players who want to come to a tournament. I never said I was taking the money from dues or the ACF. But I will pay out of my pocket if necessary to get these players there. Do NOT judge when you do not have the correct information.

kim

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I think that we need to help these players

Yes, Yes, Yes !

I never said I was taking the money from dues or the ACF. But I will pay out of my pocket if necessary to get these players there.

It was my fault I dirn't mentioned it clearly ... Kim said that she will find a way to solve the problem.

In other hands, to be honest - I don't see ANY problems at all if ACF decides to step in. If there is any penny ACF wants to spend for promoting game and get new players - this is an excellent opportunity and most legitimate and proper way to do this.

Just my personal opinion ...

Helping this "online desant" to be landed at our National will the greatest thing in ACF in the past 10 years which I experienced. I remember how we all were very appreciate when Clint and Clay first time showed up, and now it will be even more triumph !

I am betting on all of hem ... though I am ready to put 4 beers if any of them will be in top 3 in Master Division ! However, it is quite obvious for me that some will be in top 6. This year we should have in GAYP National as usual such outstanding grandmasters as Ron King, Jack Francis, Richard Hallett, Richard Beckwith, Lubabalo Kondlo (hopefully) ... maybe myself (cross fingers ), John Webster (strong master), Joe Schwartz (strong master) and other.

So ... Lets make it real ! Jolt and Ray - I know you read this. Can you folks contact directly with Kim on Kurnik, you don't have to wait me. Fredo and Chee already did this and established email contact with her.

I didn't add any penny to Lubabalo fund, but I will definetely join with Kim and put here my $50 - this is our American Checkers future.

I am a World Champion and it is my egoistic dream and wishes - to make this world bigger and stronger !

Regards,

Alex Moiseyev

[Bernard Coll]

Where is the ACF funding for proven players in genuine financial difficulties?

In reality we don't need many thousand dollars. Fredo and Chee will stay in one room, Jolt and Ray (if they decide to come) will share anothe room. Theoretically Fredo and Jolt can use bus, and only Chee needs fly. Overall it's close to $1,000 only or little bit more.

And ... when Kim says something, it's a piece of gold and you can trust her ! About ACf financing she knows better than anyone else because she is ACF Treasury Officer

Something stinks here. ACF are cashstrapped like other checker playing organisations. Who gave Kim the authority to use ACF members' subscriptions to subsidise these wonder online whizzkids? This is gross discrimination against the real checker enthusiasts who are regularly out of pocket attending tourneys at their own expense. ACF members have the answer to this act of indeceny by their treasurer. 1- withhold their next contributions until this insanity stops. 2- Boycott any ACF tournament where this practice happens!

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Who gave Kim the authority to use ACF members' subscriptions

Jus few things ...

1) ACF has more than $500,000 in funds, and close to $10,000 in annual interest. Subscription always use to cover ACF Bulletin expanses only.

2) I never had a doubts that Bernard is a great provocator and this time his message didn't surprize me at all - typical dirty provoke statement. Thanks Bernard for showing your real face. Can I call you "Great Provocator" ?

3) Using money this particular way for ACF is most honorable and respectable way to do this in order to achieve goal.

4) If Bernard is ACF memer - the best way would be return him money he paid and say "Many thanks" and "Good luck". If he is not ACF member - then he is double provocator because is asking for boycott from other people.

5) If Bernard wants continue getting respect from people - some appologises are necessary.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[Bernard Coll]

Who gave Kim the authority to use ACF members' subscriptions

Jus few things ...

1) ACF has more than $500,000 in funds, and close to $10,000 in annual interest. Subscription always use to cover ACF Bulletin expanses only.

2) I never had a doubts that Bernard is a great provocator and this time his message didn't surprize me at all - typical dirty provoke statement. Thanks Bernard for showing your real face. Can I call you "Great Provocator" ?

3) Using money this particular way for ACF is most honorable and respectable way to do this in order to achieve goal.

4) If Bernard is ACF memer - the best way would be return him money he paid and say "Many thanks" and "Good luck". If he is not ACF member - then he is double provocator because is asking for boycott from other people.

5) If Bernard wants continue getting respect from people - some appologises are necessary.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

Just another provocative question for Alex, Should not the ACF produce a professionally audited balance sheet annually? And also distribute this to their members for all to examine?

[Jason Solan]

I think that we need to help these players who want to come to a tournament. I never said I was taking the money from dues or the ACF. But I will pay out of my pocket if necessary to get these players there. Do NOT judge when you do not have the correct information.

kim

Did nobody read this post?

More players at a tournament is never a bad thing, no matter how they get there.

[Jay H]

[Alex_Moiseyev]

As for myself I am fine with just internet play.

No, No, NO. I am watching your progress for many years. You are doing better in the past years but more slowly if you come to real ty's. Internet really helps to improve only in the begiinning, first 2-3 years. After then players very much reach peak and are not progressing.

Due to natural ability and skills, their initial peak" is different for different players but this peak exist. If you want to go over - you have to start playing in real ty's.

Yes, Alan told me previous year that online players may get help, however - I am thinking now that he also probably mentioned private funding or mix. He didn't tell me exactly that money will come from ACF.

Dear Chee and other,

don't think that "real world" is any better compare with online world. Real life is a jungle and Bernard provoke message just proved this once again. There are many danger animals hiding in jungle and this is our unfortunate reality

Chee, plea-a-a-a-se, don't make an emotional quick (and false) solution. I can assure you that most normal players and ACF members wants to see all of you in real ty's and new blood and more young American players come to arena.

We badly need you, Chee !

Regards,

Alex

[Alex_Moiseyev]

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Chee just demanded funding before he or Jolt would consider attending a tournament

John, this year originaly it was restrictly my offer to Chee and few (best) other to come, so - I am the only one who must be blamed for generating this case.

Fredo and Chee ALREADY accepted offfer and said that they will definetely come after they review exact dates and location of National.

I consider their agreement as final and do not accept any step back. Fredo needs to know exact dates as soon as he can because he has to accumulate his vacation days (perhaps working oivertime).

I hope we should hear soon from Ray and Jolt.

And I don't want them to be victims and subject of provocations. We must be realistic - not everyone (aka Bernard) is happy to see progress of ACF, increase membership and get new strong American players.

They are American anemies and we know how to deal with them - "NO PASSARANA !"

And ... yes, ACF now is trully in position when we need these players very badly and need to ask them showup and help. Several years ago I mainly agreed with John, that online players may come or not - not a big problem. Not today !

Today, after several serious decline in membership and losing a leader p[osition in the world (see last QT) we have to kindly ask them to come.

Here what happened in In the past 10 years.

1). Lost strong players.

Elbert Lowder, Les Balderson, Gene Lindsay, Anthony Kozenski.

2) Became inactive.

Hugh Burton, Ed Bruch, Clint Olsen, Clayton Nash, Ryan Pronk. Tim Laverty is partially inactive and not as good as he used to be - due to low practice.

3) No new woman or youth players at outstanding level.

4) New grandmasters - Richard Beckwith

5) New masters - Teal Stanley, Alan Millhone. John Acker started playing in master Division

6) Improved - Michael Holmes.

7) Everyone gets older by 10 years !

This is only changes in Master Division, but in Major and Minor changes are even higher and much bigger and significant. Under these very unfortunate changes it is extremely ridiculous to see any attempts to stop/block new (and very good) young players to come and join Federation.

Regards,

Alex Moiseyev

[ae_ted]

Prediction....The online players will do VERY VERY well in a real tourn. I remember all my old ae young friends and how they did when finally play in real tourns. Clint, Clayton, Steve Jones, jugalo all won and did very well. None of the current group needs to play majors. ALL need to play masters and the all will do well there. hehe I even think Alex had better bring his "A" game as some of these new ones could demote him if he is not careful. I don't care how they get the money to go as long as they get to go. Checkers needs the influx of new players. Heck, I think there are players out there playing on a street corner somewhere that if given the opportunity to play in a real tourn that would do well. One made the comment that he had not studied books and that interest me as i also have not, i would like that person to contact me and maybe tutor me at kurnik. hehe i still remember how many time my real tourn friends ask me if the young online friends were cheating online and I said no they are just that good. i wish the current group of online players the very best of luck in any real tourn they attend!!!