OCB Editor’s Message

You’ll find a very interesting research paper titled Chess in Education by Darrell Alexander of OU, published by permission in this On-Line Edition of the OCB. It’s great to have the flexibility to publish this and other in-depth information in this new format which is accessible to everyone.

Thanks to all who contributed content for this edition of the OCB, including Albert Rine, Jim Rairden, Julie Luscomb and several others who submitted games. You’ll find several articles that demonstrate the new vitality and growth of chess in Oklahoma. We encourage all OCA members to become active in chess leadership during this exciting time of Oklahoma’s Chess Renaissance.

There has been quite a bit of discussion following the Common Ground article in the last issue. You’ll find the complete text of a lengthy discussion on FM Movsisyan’s Oklahoma Chess Forum in the OCB On-line. The following is a letter to a member since then that sums up my comments for this issue.

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Your letter was much appreciated. I share your concern about the Oklahoma chess organizational situation normalizing. Many others have commented similarly too. This was the reason for the attached “Common Ground” article in the October 2005 OCB. This suggested starting point for establishing a constructive working relationship seems quite reasonable.

There have been two very well run USCF State Chapter OCA elections since the OCF Club Affiliate was formed, with almost a complete turnover of the OCA Board since then. Another election for all Board positions will be held 25 June 2006. All who really want to be a part of the solution, including any OCF Officers, are welcome to run for office. The USCF has repeatedly asked OCF Officers to participate in the democratic process of their long-standing State Chapter Affiliate OCA as a solution. This is really the only proper way for the Oklahoma chess organizational situation to heal itself.

If Frank wanted to be the OCB Editor again, it would be welcomed. He would simply need to ask for the job and work with the OCA Board’s review process for the publication content.

If Jim Berry wanted to be President, all he would have to do is run for office. He would then simply need to perform his duties as prescribed in the OCA Bylaws and work with the others elected to the Board by the OCA Members, even if he disagrees with most of them.

Wharry, Braunlich, Relyea, Roper and Acken are also quite welcome to run for OCA Board positions and/or organize tournaments. The OCA policy is to support all tournament organizers who properly schedule them through the Clearinghouse and don’t discriminate against players or other organizers for any reason. This could include support of OCF events just as the OCA supports other independent events.

The issue that caused the rift, scholastic chess, has flourished under OSCO. The revision of the OCA Bylaws, putting Bylaws changes in the hands of the OCA Members, now allows OSCO to operate with confidence in its future. The historically divisive issue of scholastics should no longer be a problem for the OCA Board or the scholastic chess community.

The bottom line is that all who really want to truly serve Oklahoma chess players are quite capable of doing it, if they so choose. The USCF has said that this is to be accomplished through their State Chapter Affiliate OCA. I do hope that all concerned will soon recognize the obvious and simple path toward being a part of the solution.

Mike A Swatek

OCB Editor