At this time last

year, the Kentucky Chess

Association was in disar-

ray. Our incumbent

President, Joshua Sny-

der, abdicated his post

and relocated to Florida.

Vice President Derrick

Neese similarly re-

nounced his position to

move out West. Further

still, Webmaster John

Stewart disappeared.

The KCA Board would

not have been out of

place on a ―Have You

Seen Me?‖ milk carton.

The responsibili-

ties they left behind fell

largely upon the shoul-

ders of Scholastic Coor-

dinator Alan Priest,

whose work ethic was

nothing short of a levee

for the KCA during its

time of crisis. Mr. Terry

Vibbert of Indiana kindly

stepped in and proved a

savvy interim Webmas-

ter.

Just days before

the Kentucky Open,

KCA officers past and

present asked me to con-

sider running for the

Vice Presidency, which

was, in effect, the Presi-

dency. Once elected, I

knew that my tenure

could hold significant

implications for the fu-

ture of the organization.

I was uninformed and

inexperienced. Para-

doxically, this was some-

what advantageous,

since I was also unbiased

and free of KCA baggage.

My approach

was simple, albeit time-

consuming. I initiated

conversations with

knowledgeable individu-

als and did most of the

listening. Steve Dillard,

Alan Priest, Miami Fu-

gatte, Ryan Velez, Ran-

das Burns, Jerry Baker,

Johnny Owens - and at

least five others - fielded

questions from me about

the political history of

the KCA and about pro-

spective actions the

Board might take to right

itself.

From the wisdom

gleaned in these conver-

sations, I composed a

plan of action to replen-

ish the Board. Securing

the right personnel

struck me as the most

efficient route toward

resolving many KCA is-

sues. I felt that Ryan

Velez would be a good

choice for Webmaster,

and the voting constitu-

ency agreed. I secured a

written resignation from

Joshua Snyder and rec-

ommended Miami Fu-

gatte for the position of

President. The quorum

Letter From the Vice President

2011

JANUARY

Letter From the VP 1

KCA Board Meeting 3

A Poem For Randas 4

Tips To Hit 2000 5

Annotated Game 6

The Initiative 8

Scholastic Tourney 9

West End Chess 10

KCA Links 11

Articles:

DANIEL BRENNAN

―I knew that my tenure

could hold significant

implications for the future

of the organization.‖

Missing: Derrick Neese

confirmed him. I proposed al-

lowing E-Town to designate a

representative of their own

choosing – Johnny Owens – to

serve on the KCA Board. I also

inquired to see if Jerry Baker

might want a Board position,

though he politely declined, pre-

ferring instead to focus on the

adult chess scene in Lexington.

By the end of the KCA Board

meeting on September 7, 2010,

the KCA Board was replete with

excellent representation for the

first time in a very long while.

I have been unsuccess-

ful in attaining cooperation

from former Webmaster John

Stewart, who legally holds the

rights to the KCA website URL.

Though Mr. Stewart has been

incommunicado, the KCA has

worked effectively to circum-

navigate the problem. An im-

proved KCA website – the pro-

ject of Webmaster Ryan Velez –

is fully operational, and may be

found at kcachess.org.

Of particular mention is

Robert Amback, creator of the

blog kychessjournal.com.

This blog, inspired by the ever-

impressive

etownchess.blogspot.com,

will ultimately absorb and re-

place the physical twice-a-year

KCA Newsletter, which common

sentiment has deemed redun-

dant. Chess players will now

have timely access to KCA news

articles and announcements any

time they peruse the internet.

For his efforts, I appointed

Robert Amback Chief Editor of

the KCA Newsletter.

I am optimistic that

matches between three major

chess clubs – Louisville, Lexing-

ton, and E-Town – will take

place in 2011. I have hopes that

2011 will also mark the return of

the Team Championship event.

During the past decade,

the KCA has been tarnished by

instances of controversy and

apathetic leadership. While it is

true that such things will afflict

any organization in some meas-

ure, the KCA endured too much,

and in too short a time. I be-

lieve that this gradual degrada-

tion insidiously contributed to

the Board’s collapse. I also be-

lieve that the current tenor of

enthusiasm towards Kentucky

chess, coupled with the strength

of our new KCA Board, will en-

sure a rewarding future for

those in the Bluegrass State who

love the game.

Special thanks to all of

the KCA Board members, to

Chief Editor Robert Amback, to

Steve Dillard – the cornerstone

of Louisville chess, to Harrison

Broadhurst - for providing Mi-

crosoft Publisher, to the news-

letter contributors, and to the

model chess clubs in both Lex-

ington and E-Town.

Daniel Brennan - KCA Vice President -

Letter From the Vice President, continued

Page 2

Chief Editor Robert Amback

KCA Representative Johnny Owens

JANUA RY

Based on notes from Randas Burns, KCA Secretary

September 7, 2010 7:30 pm

Chorum established:

Vice President - Daniel Brennan

Allen Priest - Scholastic Coordinator

Treasurer - Thomas Priest

Secretary - Randas Burns

Webmaster – Ryan Velez

Central Representative - Ron Lipman

Eastern Representative - Anton Taylor (via internet chat

client)

On invite from Daniel Brennan, Robert Amback also at-

tended.

Daniel Brennan declared the meeting open.

Regional directors needed to be voted on again. The

Western Representative needed to be replaced because of

personal problems. The Quad A coordinator also needed

to be replaced. Daniel Brennan suggested Johnny Owens

of E-Town as the new Western Representative. Vote was

cast and it was unanimous: 7 yes, 0 no. Doug Crafton was

suggested for Quad A coordinator.

Dates determined for big scholastic events: Quad B - Feb

5, State Team - Mar 5, State Individual - Mar 19. Quad B

will be held at the UofL Student Center. John Simons

name was mentioned as an additional tournament director.

Discussion of problems with the Kentucky Open: losing

money, drawing too few higher rated players, prize fund

ratios. Myriad ideas: advertise earlier, distribute flyers,

emphasize word of mouth. Prize funds still in debate.

Presidential Vacancy.

With two members of

the board confirming

that Josh Synder had

no interest in continu-

ing his reign as presi-

dent, Daniel Brennan

suggested Miami

Fugatte. Vote was

cast and it was unani-

mous: 7 yes 0 no

Selecting USCF delegates - one more is needed in addi-

tion to Allen Priest. Stephen Dillard was suggested and

voted upon: 7 yes 0 no

Aiding West End chess - Corbin Seavers has engineered

the start of four new chess clubs. The biggest cost is the

USCF memberships. The website uschesstrust.com will

sponsor ten kids’ memberships. That will have to be

investigated. Harold Winston is the chairman of the US

Chess Trust.

KCA Website - bylaws will be transferred. KCA events

should be highlighted in website, adult and scholastic

events should be separated. There was discussion of

payment for the Webmaster position. Nothing was final-

ized.

Possible matches between Kentucky chess clubs were

discussed. There would be a requirement for games to

be turned in. Trophies for champions of the club

matches and the state team, adult closed, and class tour-

neys. Resuming the Team Cham-

pionship event was mentioned.

Meeting adjourned.

KCA Board Meeting Summary

Page 3

Miami Fugatte taking a

Presidential bubble bath.

Randas Turns 2000

It was a few years ago

That Expert-yearning Burns did glow:

"I shall make 2000 as Randas

By this season's Xmas."

Though slower than he wished,

Still Randas now can dish.

He hit the best chess school north of Suez:

L'Academe del Señor Ryan Velez.

Ryan coached him: "Do not

Randas be so quick to play G30 rot!

Rather wait thee for longer games

And then, dear Randas, ye shall win the dames.

And Randas went on giant-slewing:

M.T., R.Z., R.A. – even C.B. came ungluing.

Randas took people out –

And people with some real clout.

And so GM Randas soon-to-be

Has inspired a similar boast this day from me:

Next year by Holy Ramadan,

I shall join Randas in the paradise of Expertdom.

-John Linton

See the games at

kychessjournal.com

Pianist, Poet, Gentleman: John Linton

2010

Kentucky

Closed

NAME

RESULT

Davis Whaley 4.0

Glenn Johnston 3.0

Ryan Velez 3.0

Randas Burns 3.0

Miami Fugatte 1.0

Andrew Lipman 1.0

Page 4

by Randas Burns

As of the printing of this newsletter I have unofficially broken 2000 (it

doesn't become official until it is in print on your magazine). As soon as I

did I decided to take a break for a couple of weeks before diving back in

to the chess labyrinth because I wanted to see my rating in print. And

when Mr. Brennan asked me for suggestions for the newsletter I thought

I would share some tips on how I broke 2000 in hopes they would work

for others...

#1 Play out of town

This may not be feasible for most because of expenses and family, but I think it is imperative that

you go outside your comfort zone and play unfamiliar opponents. The Louisville Open was a perfect oppor-

tunity to play new players in your own backyard. If you would like to play out of state but think its too ex-

pensive you can save up money a couple of months ahead of time and carpool. I just think playing out of

state will truly show how strong you are.

#2 Know your openings

There are not many G60 or G90 tournaments in Louisville. If you decide to not travel, make sure

you know your opening backwards and forwards. Knowing that will save you time in a G30 match. You

don't want to be spending ten minutes trying to decide on a move because your opponent went out of

book.

#3 Go over your games

After you win - and especially after you lose - go over your games with your opponent. You don't

want to repeat the same mistakes in a later contest. If your opponent doesn't go over the game with you

or has to leave, ask someone else of considerable strength. If I'm around ask me as well. The more people

you ask the better. Just make sure you identify where you went wrong so that you don't repeat that error.

#4 Pick your battles

I realized that when Steve Dillard started the Thursday night chess tourney I would have the po-

tential to get to 2000 faster with two tourneys a week. But after the Ky Open I decided to take Mondays off

and only play on Thursdays. This helped me tremendously. I still got strong competition on Thursdays and

I didn't have the pressure of having to play two strong tourneys a week. I also added in occasional Satur-

day games as well.

#5 Be patient

It took me two years and two months from the time I broke 1900 to break 2000. It won't take

some of you that long and it could take some of you even longer. You must be patient and enjoy the jour-

ney of getting there. Getting frustrated is alright as long as you use it productively in your studies. Believe

me - there were plenty of games I wish I could have back but in hindsight all the frustration I endured was

worth it to finally reach my goal. It will be worth it for you, too.

Tips On How To Break 2000

Page 5

John Linton v. Mike Thomas - Annotated by John Linton -

It's always august to do

battle with Mike Thomas, the griz-

zly bear of chess. (He recently

cannibalized J.C. for this title.)

Mike’s knowledge of openings

concatenates MCO, NCO, and GM

W.C.'s brain into a triple-headed

hydra-theorist. With my relative

lack of opening expertise, I felt like

George Bush debating Stephen

Hawking.

Nevertheless even the

greatest gurus occasionally sally a

suspect line, and I think I'm not

alone in questioning the merit of

Bird's Defense to the Ruy Lopez.

Wikipedia pontificates: "Although

it is still sometimes seen as a sur-

prise weapon, no strong master

since Bird has adopted it regularly."

From what little I can de-

duce, White sits primly castled with

a piece out by move 5, while Black

salivates over his lone d4 pawn.

Other strong players like C.B. seem

to have relegated the Bird to their

B.C. period. (i.e., Before Chi-

gorin).

(In fact when Mike played

it, it had the same effect on me as if

he had knocked all the pieces off

the board, rolled up the vinyl board,

and smacked me across the face

before yelling, “I’m so much better

than you, I can even play this!”

Which is largely true...)

Thus our game began:

1. e4 e5!

A surprise. Mike told me

he had not been playing 1. … e5 in

tournaments for years, and that he

had just recently resurrected this

old saw. I had forgotten 1. ... e5

was playable. I'm guessing it's

some transposition of the Sicilian…

2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4

exd4 5. O-O g6 6. c3 c6 7. Be2

White seems comfortable

here, the only riddle to solve being

the cramping d4. The pawn on d4

is a bit like our outposts in Af-

ghanistan: the Taliban isn't exactly

dead yet.

Play continued:

7. … Bg7 8. cxd4 Bxd4 9. Nc3

Ne7 10. d3 O-O 11. Bh6 Re8 12.

Bg4 d5 13. Bxc8 Rxc8 14. Qf3

f5!!!

A bold choice to open the

position. Mike has guts to match

his fine intellect. ("Who the hell

does he think he is, Todd White-

house?" – G.K.)

15. Rae1 dxe4

I thought this a dubious

way to take: 15. … fxe4 frees the

square for the knight. But Mike

probably had some deeper reasons.

16. dxe4 Qb6?!

This was a subtle error.

Because White’s next move nulli-

fies any threats created, as well as

continuing to advance White’s at-

tack, the queen’s new post seems

offside. Rybka offers an alterna-

tive: (16. ... fxe4!? 17. Rxe4 Nf5

18. Bf4 Rxe4 19. Qxe4 Qe8 20.

Qb1 Qf7 21. h3 Re8 -0.07)

To be fair to Mike, it was

around this time that a nearby table

exploded in a riot of boisterous

Spanish and fist-pounding. I am

not going to name any names; I felt

it might be insensitive to ask people

of another culture to quiet down, so

instead I asked Steve to intervene

in his official capacity. Mr. Dillard

corrected them, and the room was

quelled.

17. Re2 fxe4

At this moment, I made

perhaps the bravest decision I have

ever made in the history of chess.

The tension was almost unbearable.

I sat staring at the board for eight

whole minutes before taking a leap

into the abyss. Outside, a wood-

pecker pecked some wood.

18. Qxe4!!!

An invitation to a tea party

is made, one in which my queen

shall sacrifice herself roguishly on

the last rank. (18. Nxe4 looks at

first promising, but has no sting.

So agrees Rybka.)

Page 6

Mike, perhaps exhausted by his previous jousting with GM W.C., answered with a full-throated lunge:

18. ... Nf5??

Sadly, the more staid 18. ... Kh8! was called for. Mike’s wayward knight invites my queen to gobble his rook. And gob-

ble she bloody well does! Unfortunately Rybka passes from +0.89 to +4.50 after this move, but then what does Rybka know any-

way?

Suddenly my pieces spring into action. It’s rare that one gets to sacrifice a queen for such a ravishing attack. I felt I was

channeling Tal. And who doesn't love fat juicy little rooks? My precious.

19. Qxe8+ Rxe8 20. Rxe8+ Kf7 21. Rf8+ Ke7 22. Re1+ Be3 23. Bxe3 Nxe3 24. Rf3

I almost missed this, which would have been tragic. However, tragedy (or farce) was still to come… My moves are not

exactly Whaley-ready.

24 … Qxb2 25. Rfxe3+ Kf7 26. Rb1 Qc2 27. Rxb7+ Kf8 28. Rb1

I could think of nothing better than a retreat – to double my rooks, and to activate my knight. A single pawn displacement

in front of my king would have relieved my bank rank worries… One hates to give the enemy queen extra angles for check, but h3

or h4 is hardly an invitation to be randy.

28. … h5 29. Rbe1 Kg7 30. Ne4 Qxa2 31. Nd6 Qd5 32. Re7+ Kf6 33. Ne4+????

A horrendous and stupefying error on my part. Instead, a winning line which required

just a little more diligence than my neurons had employed ran: 33. Ne8+ Kf5 34. R7e6! Qxe6

35. Ng7+ Kf6, with a +15.00 Serpentor Score.

Instead I bungled into 33. Ne4+????. I still had ten full minutes, the grizzly was anes-

thetized, yet I was rushing my Ruth Kris steak as if it were a Happy Meal. Mike, wily creature

that he is, awoke and pounced within seconds. The grizzly was soon tearing into the fresh fish

of my two rooks.

33. … Kxe7 34. Nc3+ Qe6 35. Rxe6+ Kxe6

Here I was exhausted; it had taken so much work to get Mike to this point, and I had just thrown away a rook.

The main play proceeded:

36. f4 Kd6 37. Kf2 Kc5 38. Ke3 Kb4 39. Kd3 a5 40. g3

(I almost unthinkingly played 40. h3: Thanks be to Aqua Buddha I did not!)

40. … a4 41. h3 Kb3 42. Nxa4! Kxa4 43. Kc4 *

Here Mike gave up the ghost. I salute his fighting spirit!

(And by the way, Katie is über-cool and will one day be World

Champion!) Mike’s a great father, a great chess player, and an

even greater human being. Too bad he chose the Bird Defense. I

just managed to pull off the Windshield Counterattack. (The

whole game recalled the earlier Jesus v. Buddha (976, Linares),

which I will recount another time...)

Mike is a greater opening player than I can ever hope to

be. Someday, I’m going to ask him to teach me the French. But

only once I’ve wiped the hard drive in my head, and freed a tera-

byte for the Vulcan mind-meld. In the mean time, I'll turn to less

theory-intensive openings, like the Najdorf.

Mike Thomas and Hank Rothgerber at the Louisville Chess Club Page 7

By Ryan Velez

I’ve been studying the initiative recently and it encompasses so many more things

in chess than I ever credited it all these years. It should be noted that the initiative

rarely lasts for every single move of an entire game. Instead, the initiative is often

used to gain small advantages and, if the initiative can be wrested again, more

advantages may be gained. Eventually, enough small advantages will amount to a

decisive advantage provided the opponent allows such opportunities through im

precise play.

The Types of Initiative

From my study of the initiative, I gather there are several kinds of initiatives. There are long term initiatives, short

term initiatives, and transitional periods. A long term initiative seems to occur when one side has no weaknesses or at the very

least weaknesses that cannot be exploited. Their initiative isn’t sustained by rapid development or a pawn gambit but by the

sheer fact the enemy has nothing to attack or exploit. If the opponent is without targets then they cannot gain tempi. Further-

more, if you have no weaknesses and they do have weaknesses then their position is subject to attack. This strategy can only

happen if the opponent plays passively or by chance is forced into passivity.

A short term initiative can be in the form of a combination. Znosko-Borovsky in his book The Art of Chess Combina-

tion discusses the different types of combinations and combinational themes. During a successful combination the player exe-

cuting should gain some advantage in a forced line of play. This forced line of play will also involve a sacrifice and should come

as a surprise to the opponent—otherwise they would have defended against the combination earlier. This short term combina-

tive initiative will then be turned into some other type of advantage. If the executing player has played a correct combination,

they should have either gained a decisive advantage or a small advantage that can be added to the other small advantages al-

ready accumulated.

Another type of short term advantage is in the form of kicking pieces backwards, side to side, or simply to less than

favorable squares. For example, many players in the 1500-1600s would attack by bringing out one or two pieces. The people

who found success against these types of players would simply defend against the minor threats, quelling the opponent’s initia-

tive, then kick the bothersome pieces away through various types of attacks, regaining the initiative temporarily. This type of

short term initiative is generally good for lessening the pressure on your position and increasing the influence your pieces have

in the game.

The transitional period, mentioned above, happens in 2 different circumstances but has the same underlining basis.

The first occurs when your initiative comes to a fast halt when the opponent inserts a counter-attacking move that both de-

fends your threat and makes a new threat. A counter attack may come as a short term initiative type set up through combina-

tion or simply by kicking a piece away and gaining a small initiative with which to repel bothersome opposition. The transi-

tional period is measured by one player having the initiative while the other player wrests it away in an instant.

The second transitional period is when the initiative is turned into a different type of advantage. For example, if I use

my initiative to gain material. Once I take the extra material, it is now your turn. I have surrendered the initiative for a material

gain. This type of initiative often resembles tactical opportunities. Different types of advantages, other than material gain, may

be gained through sacrificing the initiative (temporarily).

Please do not think my breakdown of initiative here is exhaustive or comprehensive in any way. These ideas pre-

sented are merely guidelines for people to look at the initiative in a slightly more tangible way. Also, it may help you under-

stand how someone beat you through a fast attack or why your perfectly good position turned out to be not so perfect. I know

this is a rather short expose on the initiative but I hope that it was a worthwhile quick read!

The Initiative: A Sketch

Page 8

The Halloween tournament has run for 2 years now and has been a

big success both times. In 2009 we had 54 pre-registrations; however, in

2010 we had 110 preregistrations with only 7 people dropping out at the

last minute. All in all, it was a strong event again. John Simons ran the

computer while Steve Dillard and Glen O’Banion served as the floor TDs.

Steve also brought along a Ballard High School student named Jay who

ran the score table.

About half of the participants wore Halloween costumes ranging

from a giant ketchup bottle to the several Darth Vaders that outnumbered

the one Luke Skywalker. Most everyone was pleased with the event as we

received many compliments throughout the day. There were several mistakes that were overcome by John

Simons’ hard work and persistence. Our biggest mistake, which was a little comical, was Todd Head, a

1200 rated grade school player, was accidentally marked as unrated. However, we did fix the problem.

My favorite reason for giving a costume award involves a high school player. He was the only high

school player to attempt to wear a costume. As the high school participants stood there awaiting awards,

off to my right stood a young man wearing a Boba Fett helmet, jeans and a t-shirt. We awarded him for his

efforts in front of all the high school players who decided not to dress up.

Another fun point is that for the first time I can remember the K8 section outnumbered the K1 sec-

tion very significantly. Several Meadowthorpe players entered up into the K8 section; however, even with-

out them entering up, the section was still larger than the K1 section. I’m not saying this has never hap-

pened, I just haven’t seen it happen in a long time.

Speaking of Meadowthorpe, the Halloween tournament drew in a little more than 30 Lexington

players. With so much support from Lexington the CTPE administration is starting to consider the possi-

bility of running an annual event in Lexington. Two years ago CTPE made a promise to run events in Lex-

ington. With the success of this event twice over and several other events, we now have the time, money,

and workforce to attempt to run a good event in Lexington.

The Ballard High School folks have asked us to return next year for the event again. With its con-

tinued success it seems the event will draw more and more each year. If we expand our numbers, we will

be forced to use both cafeterias for the tournament. We will then have to move the skittles room to the up-

stairs gym. The point being, that site can hold a 300 player tournament with a few adjustments.

It should be noted that many of the CTPE chess teachers and administrators showed up as well:

Corbin Seavers, Ron Groves, and Randas Burns. John Ruhl, a former CTPE chess teacher, also showed up

to show his support by volunteering for a few hours. Thank you all for showing up and giving your support!

It really means a lot to us and the community. We would also like to thank everyone who participated and

hope to see you all next year!

Ryan Velez is the Co-Owner of Chess Teaching & Performance Evaluation

CTPE Annual Halloween Tournament

Page 9

BY THE BORG

WEST LOUISVILLE SCHOLASTIC CHESS

By Corbin Seavers

urbanlouisvillechess@yahoo.com

“My mission is promoting scholastic chess in West

Louisville. My ministry is teaching scholastic chess

throughout the West Louisville community.”

Over two years ago I introduced Sarah, my little girl, to scholastic chess. After reading a few articles on the United States

Chess Federation web site (www.uschess.org) and later the book, Chess Success by International Grandmaster Maurice Ashley

(www.mauriceashley.com), I made a commitment to seeing Sarah profit from the social and academic benefits scholastic chess

offered.

As a typical chess parent taking Sarah to rated tournaments I soon noticed few, too few, Black students were participat-

ing. Given the fact that the Black population in Jefferson County is a little over thirty percent, I could not understand why less

than a handful of Black students would be seen at rated tournaments featuring well over 100 players.

I spoke with a few adult Black chess players. They all readily agreed that more must be done, and can be done, to pro-

mote scholastic chess in West Louisville i.e. doing a better job in consciously and deliberately introducing Black youth to scholas-

tic chess. That is when I started volunteering my time to teach scholastic chess at different places throughout West Louisville. (At

present, other than working for Chess Performance in West Louisville based schools, I also serve as the Director for The Potter’s

House Scholastic Chess Club at 314 South Wenzel.)

Most active chess players in Louisville, Kentucky are familiar with Steve Dillard. As

might be expected Mr. Dillard has been a great source of information and inspiration. In

fact, Steve Dillard even tried working with Simmons College of Kentucky

(www.simmonscollegeky.edu) to establish a collegiate chess team at this historic Black insti-

tution of higher learning.

Other supportive figures have been Miami Fugatte and Romalis St. Cyr. Due to their support Simmons College can

rightly claim one of the largest collections of chess books in the city of Louisville.

Meaningful change is rarely quick and often painful. There are definite challenges in building a strong base for scholas-

tic chess in West Louisville. Nonetheless I am staying the course. I am convinced, and so are many others, that promoting scho-

lastic chess in West Louisville, and helping low income Black, Latin and white youth, become more active in the sport,

―More must be done, and

can be done, to promote

scholastic chess in West

Louisville.‖

Page 10

in the larger scheme of things will grow and prosper the whole Kentucky chess com-

munity, socially and academically uplift the our beloved city, Greater Louisville, and

even the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

There was a time in this country when Black people were shut out of profes-

sional basketball, baseball and football. There was even a time when Black men

could not play on college basketball teams! (Can you imagine?)

Today, obviously, things have changed. That change largely came about

when people of vision, black and white, rich and poor, worked together to introduce

Black youth to scholastic basketball, football, baseball and now even other sports,

such as golf and soccer.

People of vision did not accept color and class barriers; they rejected the

“color line” and “class divisions” and even gender discrimination. And in so doing,

what were the results? Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Hank Aaron, Maurice Ash-

ley, Tiger Woods, and the Polgar sisters, just to name a few.

These visionaries are often fathers, businessmen, civil rights

activists, conservatives, coaches, etc. At other times they are plain old average folk like you and me. It

really does not matter. What does matter is that we accept the vision, articulate the vision and create a

process for turning the vision into an everyday, living reality.

That is what we must do with Louisville chess today if we are to see the sport grow and truly

prosper from where it is currently. The unspoken color barrier must be exposed, rejected and challenged,

its present “class division” and gender obstacles thrown into the dust bin of history!

In our particular case that starts with promoting scholastic chess in West Louisville, and, in so doing, creating more

growth and prosperity for the Louisville chess community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky chess in general.

A Luta Continue…The Struggle Continues!

Page 11

For additional information about the KCA, please visit:

Kcachess.org

For additional Newsletter updates, please visit:

Kychessjournal.com

Lexington residents will particularly enjoy:

Lexchess.com

The Elizabethtown Chess Club has an excellent site:

Etownchess.blogspot.com