MIKHAIL KORENMAN

        April Chess Life:

Born in Russia. Received Ph.D. in Education from Kansas State University. Currently living in Chicago and teaching high school science.

I have immeasurable experience working in non-profit organizations (www.intecsus.org) with success in grant writing (received $261,000 to operate Karpov School of Chess in Kansas). Organized many successful events, including U.S. Junior Open and Invitational, Pan-American, and Final Four Intercollegiate, as well as FIDE tournaments. Member of the USCF Scholastic Council.

Initiated the Chess for Peace program that featured former Soviet President Gorbachev which was covered in the National Geographic magazine (05/06), The New York Times (12/24/05), NPR, NBC, PBS, any countless print media across the U.S. and abroad.

Some of my goals are to work with the Scholastic Committee in promoting coaches certification/training program; stabilize the USCF budget; conduct chess research; create more international events in the U.S.; promote college chess as well as other membership categories.

 

            May Chess Life:

It’s not enough to merely have a good idea. People must make the commitment and have the tenacity to make it work. That’s my business philosophy. That’s what I want to bring to the USCF Executive Board.

Making it work – my proposals:

1) For the USCF: Work with the state affiliates to promote more adult memberships and develop more community-based chess clubs (= more USCF affiliates!) Work with corporations to provide sponsorships. We need to build the organization’s concept of development based on scientific research of the USCF data. The USCF should take the lead in promoting chess in the national television and print media.

2) For the Children: Let’s start a few national training facilities for K-12 coaches. These will provide year-round on-line and on-site curriculum support, teaching materials, tests, software, and certification of coaches. Develop national chess curriculum standards to assist public and private schools. Sounds ambitious but by working with the Scholastic Committee and our nation’s universities, we can make it happen together.

3) For College Chess: Work with leading institutions, K-12 schools, and private business on a national research project to study chess as an effective learning tool to improve students’ progress in school subjects and their general knowledge. Support colleges and universities that provide chess instruction and their facilities for the national training centers.

4) For the Chess Professionals: The USA needs more top tournaments. More norm-granting tournaments. More round-robin tournaments with the top world-class players. More long distance Internet chess matches and tournaments. Again, we do this by working together. USCF, with cooperation of corporate sponsorship, should work aggressively with the media to obtain nationwide coverage of major chess events.

All of the politicians can make promises. I stand on what I’ve achieved:

- Founded the first Karpov School of Chess in the country (after obtaining a grant of $261,000).
- Organized professional and scholastic tournaments, including U.S. Junior Open, Pan-American Intercollegiate, two Final Four Intercollegiate championships, two Karpov-Polgar matches and numerous open and invitational tournaments.
- Helped the Scholastic Council to design the Chess Certification Program.
- Teamed with Susan Polgar and Paul Truong to lead scholastic players from all over the US to the first Chess for Peace Tour to Moscow.
- My latest project – Chess for Peace – brought former Soviet President Gorbachev to play chess in Kansas.


I have a Doctoral Degree in Education from Kansas State University. For six years, I taught at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS. Today, I’m President of International Educational and Cultural Services, Inc., member of the USCF Scholastic Council, and a high school teacher. Please visit uschess.blogspot.com for more information about me and my campaign.

I am honored to have received Susan Polgar’s endorsement. I am honored to have worked with her and Paul Truong on numerous scholastic and professional events to promote chess in the US. I am proud to be part of the TEAM of professionals. But I would be most honored with your vote this July.

       
June Chess Life:

Dear USCF members,

If elected to the USCF Executive Board, I would use my professional experience to be a part of the team that will lead the organization to be one of the leading national chess federations in the world.

My background includes:

Education: Ph.D. in Education.

Experience: Twenty three years experience in teaching secondary schools and university level.

Chess achievements: FIDE International Organizer. Current member of the USCF Scholastic Council. Organized numerous international chess tournaments with participants from more than 20 different countries. Organized U.S. National events (U.S. Junior, Pan American, Final Four). Established and managed the first Karpov Chess School in the U.S. Initiated the prestigious International Chess for Peace program.

I would like to bring to the USCF Executive Board's attention the following projects, and as a member of the team, I would work to accomplish them:

1. USCF. As an Executive Board member, I would work with the EB team to build the organization's concept of development based on scientific research of the USCF data. I would work with state affiliates and help to organize more local USCF-rated events, develop more community-based chess clubs that should become USCF affiliates. I would use my experience in grant writing to work with foundations and corporations to provide sponsorships for USCF events. USCF should take the lead in promoting chess in the national television and print media.

2. Scholastic chess. I want to continue working with the Scholastic Committee in developing and implementation of the training programs for chess coaches. We need at least a few national training facilities for K-12 coaches that will provide year-round on-line and on-site curriculum support, teaching materials, tests, and software for coaching certification program. National chess curriculum standards can be developed to assist public and private schools in starting their chess programs.

3. College chess. We should continue, with the aid of grants, to conduct chess research. Collaboration between the lead institutions, K-12 schools, and private business can lead to a national research project that promotes chess as an effective learning tool to improve students' progress in school subjects and their general knowledge. The USCF should advertise through its publications the colleges and universities that provide scholarships for students who participated in chess programs. Support the College Chess League!

4. Professional chess. The USCF should support the U.S. Championship and work with all potential sponsors to secure this flagship event. We need to support national men, women, and youth teams and their participation in World Championship and Chess Olympiad programs. The USCF must plan more international competitions organizing more norm-granting tournaments and round-robin tournaments with the top world-class players. The USCF, with cooperation of corporate sponsorship, should work aggressively with the media to obtain nationwide coverage of major chess events. Long distance Internet chess matches and tournaments should be promoted because of increasing interest. USCF can work closely with ICC and other long-distance chess providers in organizing USCF-rated web-based chess tournaments.

Thank you for your support!


Editor's note:  While in Kansas, Mikhail Korenman showed unusually good ability at obtaining chess grants and sponsorship.  As a result, the Executive Board hired him for the summer of 2006 in Chicago for $8000 plus $2000 expenses, for various projects including obtaining grants and sponsorship.  His Chicago efforts on behalf of USCF have not resulted in any money raised, and the Board was criticized for an allegedly political appointment, which was not the case.

Korenman has the ability to be a good Executive Board member, but I would rank him slightly behind Randy Bauer as he is not as strong a candidate and a vote for him is likely to be wasted.  In the 2004 election he finished well behind Bauer and even placed behind Sam Sloan.

NOTE: The above was written in 2007.  Korenman is running again in 2009 and my viewpoint of him has changed dramatically.  See www.checkmate.us/candidates09.htm.

Sloan recklessly attacks Korenman's credentials

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