The President’s Corner

By Chuck Unruh

The OCA mission to guide chess in the State at all levels is on course with several accomplishments in the last six months. The State Championship, election of new Policy Board members, delegate attendance at the US Open and other events have kept the OCA volunteers, board members and officers promoting chess. The OCA especially thanks the Arkansas, Texas and California State Chapter affiliates for granting delegate status to our officers at this year’s USCF Delegate meetings.

OCA management and leadership ideology has changed over the last two years to better organize the growth of Chess in our State. Some of the steps taken and ideas promoted by our team are the following:

• Expanded use of the internet.
• Greater reliance on volunteers and club affiliates.
• More involvement with USCF committees.
• Promotion of independent tournaments.
• Growth of Family chess and one day tournaments.
• Better retention rates for the scholastic players moving on to junior/adult chess.
• A volunteer attitude of service to the chess community.
• Higher prize funds and scholarships for all classes of chess tournament players.

The progress in implementing our ideas is always limited by available resources of people and funds. However, we should insist that our mission be sustainable for the next elected OCA leadership and not a spike on a graph that disappears with any one individual.

We are fortunate in Oklahoma to have two very active USCF club affiliates that are passionate about chess. One is the Oklahoma Scholastic Chess Organization (OSCO) and the second is the Oklahoma Chess Foundation (OCF).

OSCO plans a banner year of tournaments and financial scholarships for our Denker and Polgar candidates. This highly charged group is working diligently to offer tournament chess to more children than ever in Oklahoma.

The OCF has no equals in Oklahoma for the professional and the very serious chess tournament player. OCF special events and tournaments over the last two years have given Oklahoma national attention and accolades. Although OCA members attend these tournaments, the OCA has no direct involvement in the organization of their events. Alex, Frank, Jim, Steve, Tom and their volunteers do all the work and provide funds for these tournaments.

Oklahoma chess is also seeing interest from independent USCF organizers. The OCA plans to assist these programs and camps when possible. The recent Labor Day Memorial Open, the Southwest Regional Chess Open and the Summer Sizzler were all independent tournaments this year. Jeff Carter, Charles Unruh and others are already planning events for next year.

At this year’s USCF US Open our camera captured a picture of Oklahoma’s State Delegate, Frank Berry, on stage with Susan Polgar and the board members of the Polgar event. Frank was a sponsor and deserves a round of applause for his service and contributions to this national event.

Lastly, don’t confuse politics and the struggle of ideas with the USCF chess mission in Oklahoma. Enjoy all of the chess this State has to offer and we’ll sort out the politics later!