USCF TO PUSH "BRAIN PILL?"

In news releases issued by USCF on June 6 and and Natrol Inc. on June 8, the two companies have announced a cooperative agreement under which USCF will promote Natrol's product brainSpeed (TM), described by its maker as "The new cognitive health supplement designed to help improve mental agility, promote attention and maintain memory," statements that Natrol admits have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  The company also states that its product "has been developed to take chess players to the next level by targeting the cholinergic system- the key to mental processing speed- by helping to accelerate reaction time, improve decision making velocity and promote mental acuity."

The Natrol release, entitled "Can a Brain Pill Make You a Better Chess Player?" quotes USCF President Beatriz Marinello: "Clearly chess is a game of the mind and working at the top of your mental processing powers is critical to tournament play.  We are delighted to be embarking on this alliance with Natrol and we see a direct connection between brainSpeed and our membership.  We look forward to many unique events together in the future."

Natrol ran the "brainSpeed Human Chess Challenge" at the recently completed National Open, where Executive Board member Elizabeth Shaughnessy vigorously defended the new marketing deal from criticism.  However, the idea of USCF endorsing these "Brain Pills" has encountered strong objections from the membership. See examples below.

The members unhappy with the USCF-Natrol alliance would be even more upset if they looked up Natrol on search engines, where they would find http://www.sonoma-county.org/Da/press_releases/press_091404.htm, a news release of September 14, 2004 from the District Attorney's Office of Sonoma County, California:

How could USCF agree to make an alliance with such a company?  Ordinarily, any Executive Director or Chief Operating Officer considering such a thing would discuss this with the Executive Board.  One person can make a mistake, but it is unlikely that an entire Board would fail to consult affiliates and members for their reaction.  It is also likely that at least one Board member would point out that we should do a little research on the company- such as typing their name into a search engine- before signing an agreement to market their products.  In the case of Beatriz Marinello, though, who was COO from 1/05 through 5/05, the President and COO were the same person, and that President often made decisions without checking with her Board, a situation her supporters on the Board permitted.  Too much power concentrated in the hands of one individual is not a desirable way to run the Federation.

Apparently, Marinello and her "success team" now realize that the Natrol alliance was a gross blunder.  The Natrol deal was prominently featured on the USCF website until June 13, when mention of it was suddenly removed without explanation, and EB member Randy Bauer now says that the USCF-Natrol alliance will be terminated. 

Here is the Natrol settlement story that appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Click here to see the original Natrol announcement.

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The next four posts are from the USCF forums.  Edgy, whose post is quoted, was the only one to support the brainSpeed deal.

W.T. Hales Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 2:54 pm    Post subject: AMEN I was (to say the very least) disappointed to receive 4 or 5 emails regarding this "brain boosting" stuff. I don't think USCF needs to be in the drug or supplement business. This was a major blunder--and I think members deserve an apology. W.T. Hales, TD Asheboro Chess Club (Asheboro, North Carolina)

Forsythe Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 18

Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 4:03 pm    Post subject: Before this thread started, I did not care who was on the ballot for the USCF executive board. After reading on www.uschess.org , the use of brainspeed as a drug for players to use during the tournament. The elected members of the Executive Board should have understood this product before it was place onto the website. If the Executive Board did not understand this product, then they should not be on the board. Having the federation promoting the use of any drug, just to play better at any tournament: is asking all our members to use this drug. If you are a adult, do not care if you want to use this drug. As there is very little science showing any drug can make any player smarter, or better behind the chess board. Since we have scholastic members, what are we telling the parents and school officials about drugs? How can I go to a local school and tell the parents and school officials about the federation, without the fact the USCF is now wanting players to use brainspeed? The goal of scholastic chess, is to keep children away from crime and drugs. It is not goal of finding the next Fischer, it is to give a postive goal in life. How can I look into the parents or school officials to say its ok to take drugs before and during the tournament. The reason why scholastic chess has done so well with school officials, as there never been any question of drugs. Since the advertisment of brainspeed is now and was on the USCF website. It is now a overt act to say drugs are fine to take. If the public feel that tournament players are or could take drugs, it will place a mark on each and everyone that plays chess. Look what has happened with pro-baseball or any sport you want to point out. The members in the sport, have to prove they are the best without any drugs. Having everyone feel your in the sport without drugs, will always have people question all the time. The USCF was not thinking of the social and political problems with this overt act of this drug called brainspeed. This has to change not next week or next year. This policy has to change now. If the policy is to keep with brainspeed, then I cannot ask a scholastic player to join. If the policy is to keep with brainspeed, then I will not have rated or unrated scholastic events again. As I have an ethical problem telling parents and school officials that drugs are ok to take. How can I support scholastic players to take brainspeed, just to be better then your opponent. If being the director of a scholastic event, if one is on brainspeed, then I'm supporting the use of a drug. I cannot support the use of brainspeed, the only way to make sure the drug is not used in the tournament, is not be the director. The goal for myself for scholastic tournaments, is to give the children a positive goal. Have the children play chess, to give a positive goal of self worth. How can I say you can become more then the sum of your parts with a drug like brainspeed. Now I cannot perform as a scholastic director, as the federation says brainspeed is ok. _________________ Douglas Mark Forsythe President - Grand Rapids Area Chess Club A6020393 Local Tournament Director (1997 - 2009) 12313120

KingHun Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 5

Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 6:21 pm    Post subject: It is an outrage! What is Chess? What does it teach? What does it require for success and satisfaction? Strategy! Thinking ahead! Planning for the future. The most enjoyable moments in chess are those where a few pieces are moved on both sides "AS PLANNED" and a devastating pin or check is discovered. The longer the anticipation, the stronger the joy. Logically, one would deduce that the people entrusted with leading a prominent chess organization would be leading CHESS into the future. I see NULL evidence of even Zugzwang, let alone the actual planning for Chess’ development to it’s complete potential. So WHY would these people promote a product to procure some simple pennies in the present with complete disrespect for Chess’ rich past and future prospects? I made sure to feed my daughter salmon and eggs when she was an infant and toddler and still do at age 6. I am clearly a proponent of filling my daughter’s mind with the essential nutrients and experiences to allow her brain to reach its potentials. But I give her the WHOLE egg. The WHOLE salmon. Not some shortcut. Not some pill promoted to garner shekels. Just like I am introducing her to the whole game of chess. Beyond strategy there are tactics. There are strong openings. There are checkmates. Our leaders should be teaching our children that there are NO shortcuts in life. Just as there are no shortcuts in chess. Especially in Chess. They even warn at the merchandise’s manufacturer’s website that no one under the age of 18 should take these pills. So who will pay when children do manage to get some? When they take dozens of them. Isn’t the current Steroids example a stark enough example? Why begin a journey on a line the rest of the world is beginning to file away. Which chess players succeed? Those that only try to spring “Fool’s Mate” and Scholar’s mate in every opening???? Or those that build a solid foundation!!? In this day and age where it is documented that people want too many quick and speedy gratifications I can think of no greater INCONGRUITY than pushing these pills. Chess should be marketed as an activity, which provides contentment and rewards for time and effort. The children of Chess are the future of CHESS. Every move should be planned with them and that in mind. They say all publicity is good. Not in this case. They are publicizing a mindset, which advocates shortcuts instead of productive time and effort. We should be publicizing a completely contrary way of thinking for a lasting growing future for Chess and its participants _________________ En Passant

aceterp Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Harrisburg, PA

Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:19 pm    Post subject: edgy wrote: Oh, bilge. First of all, it's not a drug. If you think that supplements like Brianspeed should be regulated like drugs, then once again, you should write your congresscritter. The sponsor seems as far as I can see to be a company operating entirely within the law. I think USCF should take their money. If Maker's Mark wants to sponsor a tournament or a prize, USCF should take their money, too. If Philip Morris wants to take over the Grand Prix and call it the Marlboro Grnad Prix, USCF should take that money. Not to do that is obviously stupid. I can’t disagree more with “edgy’s” comments. I find them extremely naive and careless. I work in the non-profit industry and also have a background in neurology. I don’t know anything about the “Brainspeed” pill, but I was taken a back when I heard that it was a sponsor for the USCF. Sponsorships, grants, memberships are VERY difficult things to procure as a non-profit. Money is a BIG DEAL. But you need to have proper leadership that won’t compromise its vision to just make money… it’s callous and careless. The supplement industry has grown exponentially in the last decade. Associating yourself with a supplement can be a PR NIGHTMARE. If you know anything about the supplement business you will know that it has had some very bad backlash. Ephedra is a prime example of this. This was a simple over the counter SUPPLEMENT that has caused people to die. There are numerous other examples: Kava is a supplement promising relaxation, reduced sleeplessness, and has been linked to liver damage. There are tons of others. And to head-off any arguments about “safe” supplements. Supplements have been shown to do things from increasing endurance (caffeine) to increasing concentration (Gingko-biloba). But does anyone concern themselves with there possible side effects??!?! Did you know that they have side effects? I’ll take Gingko for example. It can act as a blood thinner and may be contraindicated when an individual is using anticoagulants drugs (e.g., Coumadin or aspirin) or dietary supplements such as vitamin E or fish oil, which also have anticoagulant properties. And very large doses may cause restlessness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Taking a supplemental pill every day (even vitamins) could be dangerous to one’s health, and should be taken with care. Did you know high levels of iron in the blood are becoming a more common problem in the elderly who take vitamin and mineral supplements? All I’m saying is that supplements, while considered “foods,” can be dangerous. Picking up a sponsorship should not be taken lightly, and should not be an easy decision that is based solely on the money factor. I would be interested in knowing how this decision came to pass. _________________ Ace Reddy Harrisburg West Shore Chess Club Treasurer/Webmaster & Club TD