Thursday, December 31, 2009

WHY IS MEXICO CONCERNED ABOUT 2010?

By TIM PADGETT WITH DOLLY MASCAREÑAS

Forget 2012. As far as many Mexicans are concerned, the ancient Mayas were being generous: the sky's actually going to fall next year. Why? Because it's 2010, Mexico's bicentennial, and Mexican history has an eerie way of repeating itself. Mexico's 1910 centennial, after all, saw the start of the bloody, decade-long Mexican Revolution, which killed more than a million people. And that cataclysm was precisely a century after the start of Mexico's bloody, decade-long War of Independence in 1810.

You get the picture. As a result, there's been no shortage of talk lately about possible unrest, especially in the form of armed rebel groups, erupting south of the border in 2010. But is there really a basis for concern? None as apparent as the popular grievances that existed in 1809 or 1909. But this is still Mexico; and while Spanish colonizers no longer oppress the country, and dictators like Porfirio Diaz aren't brutalizing campesinos, the country nonetheless is reeling from the worst criminal violence in its history and one of its hardest economic slumps. "We are very near a social crisis," JosÉ Narro, the director of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, said recently. "The conditions are there." (Will the world end in 2012? What the Mayan prophecy is and how the movies see it.)

Mexican insurrections often do coincide with important dates. Most recently, Zapatista guerrillas in the poor southern state of Chiapas started a revolt on Jan. 1, 1994, the day the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect. A big fear now is that Mexico's drug cartels, responsible for almost 15,000 killings in the past decade, are lending their resources and firepower to emerging guerrilla groups. If so, their plan may be to sow bicentennial terror and turn Mexicans against President Felipe CalderÓn's drug-war offensive. This past fall authorities say they seized an arsenal of large guns and grenades allegedly being sent from the Zetas, a vicious drug gang, to JosÉ Manuel Hernandez, a purported leader of the rebel group called the Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR). The EPR in recent years has claimed responsibility for attacks on Mexican oil infrastructure, including the bombing of six pipelines in 2007. (Hernandez denies the charges.) (See how Mexico took down a major drug lord and why it may not make much of a difference.)

At the same time, political observers like Denise Maerker, a prominent columnist for the Mexico City daily El Universal, fear that provincial governments in places like Chiapas, where the weapons were found, are using 2010 fears as a pretext for cracking down on social activists. "They're drawing questionable links between advocates for the poor and armed groups," says Maerker, who adds there's little evidence that Hernandez is an EPR boss. (See pictures from Ciudad Juarez, the most dangerous city in the Americas.)

Either way, the drug cartels have already shown they're willing to use high-profile national celebrations as a stage for narco-terror. Last year, during Independence Day festivities in drug-infested Michoacan state, narcos killed seven people with fragmentation-grenade blasts. Mexicans were rattled again in September when bombs went off at three Mexico City banks and another at a car dealership. No one was injured, but to many chilangos, or capital residents, the explosions seemed a warning of things to come.

Aside from inflated drug and guerrilla violence, another specter is unrest resulting from Mexico's deflated economy. Given its enormous reliance on the U.S. market - and on remittances from Mexican workers there, which have declined sharply this year - the global recession has hit Mexico especially hard. Its GDP, in fact, will contract more than 5% in 2009, exacerbating unemployment as well as Mexico's chronic poverty. A report this year by the Colegio de Mexico, one of the country's top universities, warned, "A national social explosion is knocking at the door." Said top Roman Catholic Bishop Gustavo Rodriguez, "We cannot separate the economic crisis from the violence and criminal crisis that we live day by day."

But while many fear the bicentennial year could galvanize that discontent, especially with the symbolic hype surrounding 1810 and 1910, CalderÓn insists the country will break the ominous century-cycle next year and make 2010 "a moment of peaceful transformation." Last month, he predicted next year will see "Mexico on a different trajectory toward development and progress." CalderÓn tried to get the ball rolling this month with a major political reform proposal that would allow re-election for Mexican office holders like mayors and legislators, a change he insists will give voters more power. It would still limit Presidents to one six-year term; but the move is significant, especially on the eve of 2010, because the ban on re-election was a pillar of the 1910 revolution.

Before CalderÓn can turn the bicentennial into a transformative engine, however, he has to get it jump-started. The economic crisis has forced chronic delays for a quarter of the more than 600 bicentennial projects Mexico had on the drawing board. Rather than being afraid of 2010, says Maerker, Mexicans are instead "just weary, especially of the economic situation."

Sunday, December 27, 2009

CLAUDIA HAS RELOCATED FROM THE U.S.- MEXICO BORDER TO WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS

Claudia has relocated back to Wichita Falls, Texas after leaving her hometown in 2003. My wife and two daughters will be living there while I continue to operate our business in the borderland. My wife will be working as an accountant and our two daughters will be attending a regular school after being home schooled for two and a half years.

This move is for several reasons, but one of the primary objectives is for Claudia, at age 12, to develop her chess strength. She could not accomplish this anymore in the borderland. She is very focused on this relocation and her spirits are high because after all - she loves chess.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

ORRIN "CHECKMATE" HUDSON TO COMPETE IN THE LAS VEGAS NORTH AMERICAN OPEN

(Las Vegas)

Six hundred topnotch chess players are expected at the 19th Annual 2009 North American Open 7 rounds chess competition. Orrin Checkmate Hudson, international motivational speaker, founder of Be Someone, Inc. and author of One Move at a Time, is among those vying to get in the game. To raise awareness for his award winning crime prevention and educational program, Be Someone, Hudson, also a champion for our youth, is participating in the 19th Annual 2009 North American Chess Open over the Christmas holiday. The highly acclaimed tournament will be held at Bally’s Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd, South, Las Vegas, Nevada from December 26 through 29.

“My husband, Bill, and I are so pleased Orrin is participating again. Orrin is committed to teaching our youth strategies they need to succeed, and we are looking forward to having him participate. We anticipate other big name chess players to attend, as well. This could be our biggest event in recent years.” Brenda Goichberg, tournament organizer. “We want to invite anyone interested in chess to attend. There is no charge for spectators and only a small fee to play. Anyone can enter and play and are eligible for the $10,000 purse. Our website has more details, www.chesstours.com”.

Hoping to connect with other chess players and fans, Hudson is bringing his A-game. He recently participated in the World Open in Philadelphia, PA, and was able to meet and share his vision of teaching 1,000,000 students how to play chess and make the right moves in life.

Hudson founded Be Someone in 2001 to mentor at risk students in the game of life, using chess as a metaphor to life’s lessons.

He is currently on a 50 state tour and has touched the lives of over 20,000 students.

Must See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFENGymr34

“The chessboard levels the playing field. You have everything you need to succeed, so it’s not about blame it’s about aim. My students learn how to think like a champion, whether they are playing chess,
reconnecting with their school and education, or dealing with tremendous negative peer pressure in their communities. They learn to think it out, don’t shoot it out; push pawns, not drugs; and how to make KASH (K - Knowledge, A - Attitude, S - Skills, H - positive Habits) king in their lives.” Orrin Checkmate Hudson

Orrin first game will be 7:00PM December 26, 2009 and he will be available for interviews December 26, 2009 from 9:00AM to 6:00PM

About Be Someone
Founded in 2001, Be Someone is a non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. Be Someone teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess. Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children. If you are interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about Be Someone, please visit http://www.besomeone.org,

For more information contact Janice Davis 678-526-0292,info@besomeone.org

Thursday, December 24, 2009

OUR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - I LOVE YOU HONEY

Today, the 24th of December, while the majority of the world is preoccupied with Christmas Eve, both my wife and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. On this day, as it has been for over a decade, our two daughters are with family as my wife and I concentrate on the love that brought us together before the altar of God in 1994. The cold weather as well as the christmas lights add to the flavor our celebration. Late at night we gather with our daughters to begin our Christmas celebration.

I want to thank my wife for being by my side for these 15-years, if it were not for a calendar that tells me that time has flown by - I simply would not believe it!

Claudia, you have not only stayed frozen in time, as your beauty is evident, but you have been by my side through thick and thin. I want to thank you for the beautiful two daughters that our love has produced and for their strong spiritual, emotional and value-oriented lives.

I could not have become the man that I am without you; however, I have still not fully developed to the man that I should be, give me a little bit more time and I will get there. I love you honey and thanks for making my life so richly blessed.

Forever you husband!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

THE "OTHER" INDIAN CHESS FEDERATION SEEMS READY TO INVEST IN INDIAN CHESS

NEW DELHI: The unofficial Chess Association of India claimed that the Delhi All India Open Chess tournament starting on Wednesday will be the
biggest prize-money event with Rs 15 lakh on offer.

The CAI said the entries for the seven-day
tournament have crossed 400 and they are expecting at least another 100 entries at the venue on Wednesday, which would make it the biggest tournament in terms of participation.

"We are expecting 500-plus participants. The entries have crossed 400 and at least 100 will get registered tomorrow at the venue. This will be the biggest tournament in the country till now. We are having a total prize purse of Rs 15 lakh with the winner getting Rs 3 lakh. So it will be the highest prize money tournament," CAI general secretary Mahesh Ved told a press conference here.

"Runners-up will get Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh for third, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 for fourth and fifth," he said.

The association formed last month here by some former All India Chess Federation officials with an aim to promote chess at grassroot level, accused the current AICF set-up of "looting money" from players.

"The AICF will charge Rs 4,000 for even Under-7 tournaments and the prize money would be mere Rs 50,000 while they were getting minimum Rs 10 lakh plus grant from government and money from sponsors. We are charging just Rs 1,000 for every player and we are giving Rs 15 lakh," CAI president Naveen Kumar Wal said.

Wal said the tournament would have got even more entries, including Grandmasters and International Masters had not the AICF tried to scuttle it by threatening players not to participate.

"The AICF had tried every means to scuttle it. They have threatened suspension to players registered with them if they take part in the tournament. But we have every right to organise a tournament. We want upliftment of chess and we are not doing anything against them (AICF)," he said.

"We have offered Rs 25,000 appearance fee for every Indian Grandmaster and Rs 10,000 for International Masters but they can't participate due to AICF threat," he added.

Wal also claimed that United States-based World Chess Federation Inc, a parallel body of FIDE, has by themselves granted recognition to CAI without their application.

"We had not applied for recognition but the World Chess Federation Inc has sent their recognition to us. What can we do we can't say we don't want their recognition? But we are following FIDE rules in our tournament," said Wal.

The 10-round tournament will have prize of Rs 4,000 for even the 80th-place finisher. There are five prizes only for women starting from Rs 5,000.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

"EDUCATED" AND "PROFESSIONAL" WORLD LEADERS CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION AT THE COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN DENMARK

By Jim Efstathiou Jr.

(Bloomberg) — World leaders taking control of stalled climate talks today in Copenhagen may find the measures acceptable to 193 nations fall short of what scientists demand to slow global warming.

Developed nations such as the U.S. and Japan may agree by tomorrow to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by about half what United Nations scientists said are needed to keep the planet from overheating. That's a view shared by representatives of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Merrill Lynch & Co. (MER) and the European Commission, which represents 27 European nations.

"We'll only have the minimum level of commitments coming out of Copenhagen," Abyd Karmali, London-based global head of carbon emissions for BofA Merrill Lynch, said in an interview. "There's a scaling back of expectations" on bigger measures.

World leaders from China, the U.S., the European Union and India, the top polluters, are taking charge of the talks from envoys who have bickered over key provisions since Dec. 7. The talks are scheduled to finish tomorrow.

By 2020, developed nations must cut emissions 25 percent to 40 percent from 1990 to "stand a chance" of keeping the global temperature within 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) of pre-industrial times, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said. While a 2-degree pledge is possible, nations don't seem to be putting the targets in place.

"Everybody has to show a higher level of ambition," U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown told reporters yesterday. "We're looking to every part of the world to look again at numbers and see how ambitious they can be."

'More Ominous'

For 20 years, scientists working for the United Nations have provided guidance for global climate talks. The only achievement with teeth is the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 accord that limits greenhouse-gas emissions among 37 industrialized nations. Those targets are set to expire in 2012, leaving the world without binding goals if Copenhagen doesn't renew them.

"Whatever we are going to achieve here, I would think that there's something better," European Union Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in an interview. "Already, science is telling us that climate change is accelerating and the impacts are more ominous than previously thought."

Developing nations such as China and India have called on the U.S. to reduce emissions 40 percent by in the period. The European Union has offered 20 percent. U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to pledge a cut of around 17 percent from 2005, or about 4 percent from the base year others use.

"There's a realization that with the United States not being able to move past the 17 percent based on 2005, everyone is going to have to scale back in the short term," Karmali said.

Steeper Cuts Later?

The final accord may include the aggregate cut already pledged by rich nations, said Elliot Diringer, who oversees international strategies at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, in Arlington, Virginia. That amounts to about 18 percent over the three decades. That pledge will require steeper, costlier reductions later in order to meet the 2-degree Celsius target, he said.

"It is very likely going to fall short of what the science suggests is needed but this is just another step on the path" to stronger measures, Diringer said.

Dimas said he expects an agreement on a 2-degree target, a commitment from rich nations to cut emissions by about 18 percent by 2020, commitments by developing nations to reduce the growth of their emissions and a pledge to revisit the targets in two to four years.

The latest negotiating draft released today reflects the level of discord. Temperature limits of 1 degree, 1.5 degrees and 2 degrees all remain options.

Stalemate, Resignation

"Unfortunately there's nothing to report," Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister, said today in an interview. "It's been a day of complete stalemate."

Connie Hedegaard, chairwoman of the meeting, stepped down today, allowing Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen to take over. The Danes said they would offer a new proposal for a Copenhagen agreement.

Any accord is likely to come in the form of a consensus by the negotiating parties, something in between a legally binding treaty and a political agreement, said Ruben Kraiem, co-chair of the climate practice for attorneys Covington & Burling LLP in New York.

"It'll be a consensus political agreement," Kraiem said in an interview in Copenhagen. "It's not just a handshake and it's also not a treaty. It's a decision by a corporate body."

To contact the reporter on this story: Jim Efstathiou Jr. in Copenhagen at jefstathiou@bloomberg.net.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE: MINISTERS PLAN NEW SUMMIT

By James Kirkup, and Louise Gray in Copenhagen
Published: 5:44PM GMT 16 Dec 2009

The Prime Minister spoke as Governments meeting in Denmark failed to resolve their disputes over how much to cut their emissions, how to prove that those cuts are actually made, and who should pay for the move to a low-carbon economy.

As British officials admitted that the talks remain “ very difficult”, Ed Miliband, the climate change secretary, signalled Britain is prepared to back a move to hold another international climate summit in Mexico City next summer, several months ahead of schedule.

The prospect of bringing forward the Mexico meeting was first made by Al Gore, the former US vice president and environmentalist.

Mr Miliband said it was possible that leaders will leave Copenhagen without resolving some of the biggest issues on the table. He said: “Can I guarantee that everything is going to be settled by the end of this week? I can’t guarantee that.”

Achim Steiner, the head of the UN Environment Programme, said that without a real deal, it could be better to defer big decisions until the next summit.

Mr Steiner said: “A meaningless deal in Copenhagen cannot be in anyone’s interests because it locks us into another decade of

inadequate action and co-operation so if time runs out there is always the option of stopping the clock and reconvening to get it right. “But the risk is that that the momentum that is so characteristic of these 10 days in Copenhagen might be lost and then the world will struggle to take this further in the next six to 12 months.”

Mr Brown insisted that he could “see a way through” the disputes, but accepted the possibility of failure.

He said: “I don’t agree with the proposition that people have given up on this meeting at all. Of course, there is a possibility of a deadlock, of course there is a possibility that people will find it difficult to come to an agreement.”

Among the major issues still undecided is how much the US will reduce its carbon emissions.

At the moment the US has pledged to cut emissions by 17 per cent on 2005 levels. This equates to around 4 per cent on 1990 levels and there is increasing pressure at the Copenhagen climate summit for the US to raise its target.

Mr Brown said he wanted the US to offer bigger cuts. “The American offer is a very significant reduction in a very short period of time, but everyone is being asked to set a higher level of ambition”, he said.

However, US officials in Copenhagen have ruled out any increase, British officials privately accepted that any increase in the American offer is very unlikely.

The Copenhagen talks are also supposed to agree to a dollars 100 billion fund to finance carbon-reducing technologies in developing countries.

Yet here again, officials said an agreement on contributions remains elusive. One senior British source said that any text agreed on Friday might only set approximate ranges for rich countries’ contributions to the fund and not give precise numbers.

There is also a continued stand-off between China and the US, the world’s two biggest carbon emitters.

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, singled out the two for blame over the deadlock in negotiations.

All countries “need our American partners and Chinese partners to move more" if the deal is to be successful, he said at a press conference.

China has pledged to cut emissions by 40 per cent on “business as usual” – although this actually allows for an increase due to the rate of the superpower’s growth.

Significantly, Beijing has also opposed independent international verification and reporting on its carbon emissions cuts.

At the summit, US Senator John Kerry insisted America will not cut greenhouse gas emissions until emerging countries like China also agree to monitoring.

Mr Kerry, who has been behind efforts to pass climate legislation in the Senate, said any new climate deal will only pass through the US Senate if American workers know there are similar limits on industry in the East.

He said: "To pass a bill, we must be able to assure a senator from Ohio that steel workers in his state won't lose their jobs to India and China because those countries are not participating in a way that is measurable, reportable and verifiable," he said.

"Every American - indeed, I think all citizens - need to know that no country will claim an unfair advantage."


Sunday, December 13, 2009

THE NATIONAL K-12 SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP HAS FINALIZED

It was a massacre, the 6th grade category had 3-players between 2000 to 2116 in rating, the was of little value because James Black from New York with an 1856 rating had a different mission as he won Claudia's category.

The day started for Claudia at 9:00 a.m. with the 6th round, which lasted for 3.5 hours. My wife called to tell me that in the tournament hall with 52-boards, only two boards were still playing. The tournament directors were watching the game due to time issues. With 45 seconds left on Quentin Chi's clock, the Washington State native defeated Claudia who had 60 seconds on her own clock.

Both players played for a win.

Forty five minutes later the final round began. Claudia shook off the lose and proceeded to play Priyan Kalapurrakal of Texas. Two hours later she walked out of the tournament hall with a win. Thus Claudia finalized the National K-12 Scholastic Championship with 3.5 of 7 possible points.


This event will assist us to make the proper adjustments so that on January 4, 2010, when Claudia begins school once again in Texas and she begins to compete regularly in the Dallas Chess Club her strength may increase.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

A DIFFICULT DAY BUT REWARDING DAY FOR CLAUDIA ON DAY 2 OF THE NATIONAL K-12 SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

Hilton Anatole
National K-12 Scholastic Championship
Update after the 5th round


The day started with 1.5/2 and after five rounds it ended 2.5/5. It was a difficult day for Claudia as she lost the 3rd round against Daniel Liu (1929) from California in a 70-plus move game. Afterwards losing again with Abhishik Penumala of Virgina. This proved to be a difficult pill to swallow because of his strength. However, as a parent I was able to evaluate how she would perform in similar situations now that she is about to enter USCF chess and leave Mexican chess behind.

Prior to entering the 5th round I explained the importance of winning this 5th round in order to build upon it. She stepped up to the plate and returned with a victory against Srikar Chikkala of Arkansas.

Tomorrow we have two more rounds to go.

Friday, December 11, 2009

CLAUDIA ENDS DAY 1 OF THE NATIONAL K-12 SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 1.5/2

Hilton Anatole
National K-12 Scholastic Championship
Update after the 2nd round


We thank God for the privilege of sharing moments as blessed as these, to be involved with our children regardless of the outcome of an event. Today Claudia finalized day one her first day of play by defeating Vincent Turturro of Arkansas in 13 moves.

In the second round she drew with Alec Anderson Conner (1708) in the 2nd round.

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. she will be facing a player from California. Claudia is doing well and in great spirits.

ROUND 1 OF THE NATIONAL K-12 SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS TODAY AT 1:00 P.M.

It all starts at 1:00 p.m. today! Who are the players to beat in Claudia's 6th grade category? Actually all of them, but if we concentrate on the top 3 ratings it would have to be:

1. Joshua Colas of New York - 2113 rating (picture above)
2. Justus D. Williams of New York - 2097 rating
3. Kyle Shin of California - 2066 rating
As of yesterday, the USCF was reporting 1,204 entries and in Claudia's category 101. If the event were to start at this moment without anymore registrations, she would start in 50th place. The beauty of chess is not where you start but where you finish.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

WCM CLAUDIA MUNOZ IS GONE TO DALLAS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL K-12 SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP

WCM Claudia Munoz left earlier today to participate in the National K-12 Scholastic Championship in Dallas, Texas. Claudia and her mother will be spending the night at Brady, Texas, with family friends, in order to proceed to Dallas in the morning. This tournament is the first of several steps to be taken in the next 140 days, to increase Claudia's rating to where she can participate in 2010 in the World Youth Championship.

Since the age of six Claudia had been living in Mexico as an American due to her parent's business ventures, therefore only playing in two or three tournaments per year in the United States. She just completed her relocation back to the United States after a 6-year absence to work on her chess rating. She leaves behind in Mexico a difficult track record to beat as she won 5-consecutive Coahuila state championships without ever losing a game as well 3-consecutive prenational championship without losing as well. In 2007, she won the bronce medal at the Mexican Open in her category and in 2008 she proceeded to win 3 medals at the Mexican Scholastic Championship. The Mexican Scholastic Championship has 3 events and takes a week to complete. With these accomplishments she still managed to win a gold medal for the United States - undefeated - in the North American Youth Championship 2007, where she earned her FIDE Woman Candidate Master title. Ninety days later she won the Susan Polgar National Open 2008, again undefeated.

With Claudia's exit from Mexican chess, she will now concentrate on getting her USCF rating to reflect her true strength, her current rating is not even close to her strength.

WRITTEN BY A FRIEND OF JERRY NASH - FORMER SCHOLASTIC AND FIDE DIRECTOR AT THE UNITED STATES CHESS FEDERATION

We have all gone through difficult times in our lives where it seemed that the rain would not stop pouring. However, we know that life does not pause forever on that cycle - life goes on to better things.

A few months ago, the United States Chess Federation began to downsize its staff, due to the legal issues with GM Susan Polgar, and in the midst of that battle a friend was one of the casualties - Jerry Nash. Jerry was the Scholastic and FIDE Director at the United States Chess Federation before he was laid-off in a highly controversial move for us members.

I am not here to debate the USCF - Polgar lawsuits, I think our readers know where we stand on this issue since we have taken a public stand in both our blogs. This however did not prevent the USCF from naming me Head of Delegation of the USCF team that participated in the North American Youth Championship in Mexico this past October - there are no squares on the chess board for politics...only for the pieces and pawns.

I first established contact with Jerry Nash in the autumn of 2007, when I inquired about an international tournament for my daughter Claudia. I was very impressed with his professionalism and ethics. There was never an email that was not answered promptly and a call that was not answered affirmatively. Through my own problems and difficulties in chess related matters, he proved to be not just helpful but very professional.

As the years have gone by I found Jerry to be a key component of the USCF. When I heard of his departure from USCF, I was shocked as several of us were. Since then, we have continued to keep in contact. That is what true friends do.

I asked Jerry to allow me to post his resume on this blog because in my own way I want to help him as I have been helped by him.

I call out all the supporters of Jerry Nash to join me to help him gain employment at this time. Although Jerry is currently involved in the development of a chess program at a major university, the grant will take at least two years to materialize.

Jerry needs employment now regardless of location in the United States.

People, let's get moving now...
__________________

Jerry Douglas Nash

2647 Lake Pointe Drive

Cookeville, TN 38506

931-787-2756 – Cell

jerrynash@frontiernet.net,

EDUCATION:

1973 - 1977

University of Tennessee, Martin, Tennessee,

Graduation Date: May, 1977.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts with a Major in English and Minor in French. Tennessee Standard Teaching Education Certificates in English and French for grades 7-12.

1980 - 1984

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth,

Texas, Graduation Date: May, 1984.

DEGREE: Master of Divinity

Additional Studies:

Studies in world religions, world views, cross-cultural

communication,premarital counseling, and Russian language.

EXPERIENCE:

2009 – Present

National Education Consultant, United States Chess Federation, 2647

LakePointe Drive, Cookeville, TN 38506.

2005 – 2009

Scholastic & FIDE Director, United States Chess Federation, PO Box 3967,

Crossville, TN 38557-3967.

2003 – 2005

Office Administrator, Scofield Law Firm, 901 Lake

Shore Dr Ste 900, Lake Charles, LA 70601.

2003

City Planner II, City of Lake Charles, 326 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA

70602-0900.

2002 - 2003

Founder and Director of Global Pawn Promotions, 313 W. Oak Lane,

Lake Charles, LA 70601.

1989 - 2001

Director of Baptist Collegiate Ministry, McNeese State

University, 4328 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605, 337-477-4866.

1986 - 1989

Director of Baptist Student Union, Louisiana College, Box 547 LC, Pineville, LA 71359, 318-487-7498.

1984 - 1986

Associate Director of Baptist Student Union, Northeast

Louisiana University, 1005 University Avenue, Monroe, LA

71203, 318-343-4359.

1981 – 1984

Athletic Director, Seminary South Day School, 500

W.Kellis, Fort Worth, Texas, 76115.

1977 - 1980

Teacher, Union City High School, English and French,

Union City, Tennessee.

OTHER EXPERIENCE:

Conference Leader for Local, State, and National Collegiate Conferences.

Travel in the U.S., England, Finland, Sweden, Germany.

Trip Leader for College Students across the United States and in Mexico.

Leader of Collegiate groups on multiple trips into Eastern Europe 1991- 2001.

Ministry Positions/Speaker in Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, and Texas.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

WWW.OHIO.COM REPORTS

Kris Meekins (standing), 18, a national chess master and a senior at Lake High School, plays multiple boards of chess at the Voris Community Learning Center in Akron, Ohio.
(Karen Schiely/Akron Beacon Journal)

Most sports pit teams against similar-size teams or one-on-one matchups.

But on Saturday afternoon, Kris Meekins of Springfield Township spent a few hours playing some one-on-18.

The 18-year-old chess master and Lake High School senior displayed the prodigious talent that garnered him the title as a National Master and the top chess player in the state of Ohio as he took on all comers at a simultaneous exhibition at the Voris Community Learning Center in Akron.

Sponsored by the Akron Chess Club with help from the YMCA, the exhibition pitted Meekins against any and all players. After a couple of hours, the Master was 13-0.

''There hasn't been any real competition yet,'' said Joe Yun, executive director of the Akron Chess Club.

''They don't know it yet and they keep playing, but he's beat a few people in six or eight moves,'' he said.

Meekins was introduced to chess at 12 years old by his father, Curt, whom he quickly surpassed in skill. Meekins joined the Akron Chess Club where Yun and other experienced players saw something special in the then-preteen.

''Oh, you can recognize talent right away. There is only so much studying and reading and practicing you can do before natural talent has to kick in to take you to the next level, and he's way beyond talented,'' Yun said.

At 14, Meekins won $10,000 and a trophy at the 33rd annual World Open chess tournament in Philadelphia. He has steadily climbed up the state and national rankings and is currently sitting atop the state rankings.

Meekins is not only a chess master but also a proponent of the game as a way to teach strategic and critical thinking, as well as a social outlet.

''I always liked strategy and games that make you think,'' Meekins said during a break.

''I'm definitely a proponent of chess. It also helps me in other things in school like math. And this YMCA is a great location. I've met so many people from all over just from playing chess and it keeps kids off the streets,'' he said.

The Akron Area YMCA has a pilot program at Voris elementary.

Meekins stood in the middle of a square formed by tables full of 18 chessboards ready for play. Meekins, toting a big bottle of blue Gatorade and occasionally pausing to check his phone between moves, slid from game to game quickly assessing each situation, making a move and moving to the next, usually leaving his opponent staring intently down at the board.

Among the fodder for Meekins' chess cannon was Akron Chess Club member Walter Hunt of Akron, whose defeat came after about 40 moves.

''I lost but I think he took it easy on me. Lots of times he won't mug you directly. He'll just take his time and gently mug you,'' Hunt said chuckling.

Larry Murphy and his young son Richard drove from Hermitage, Pa., to take on Meekins.

''We saw it on the Web site and how often do you get to play a National Master?'' the elder Murphy asked while munching on Burger King.

In his game, Murphy was doing better than most of the competitors and even had a possible winning position.

''Yeah, I see it. I just don't know how to make it work,'' he said staring at the board.

Meekins said he doesn't get much practice out of these exhibitions, but he simply enjoys playing chess, meeting new players and spreading the word.

Meekins will graduate next spring and says he's considering going to the University of Akron and believes a career in medicine may be in his future. But he also may apply for chess scholarships at schools such as the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Maryland.


Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

FIVE MORE DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2009 NATIONAL K-12 CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN DALLAS, TEXAS

2009 National K-12 Chess Championship

485 Teams from 39 States:

AR

3

AZ

24

CA

31

CO

9

CT

7

DC

4

FL

29

GA

2

IA

2

ID

3

IL

11

IN

3

KS

5

KY

5

LA

13

MA

5

MD

3

MI

5

MN

4

MO

10

MS

1

NC

4

NE

1

NJ

17

NM

5

NV

3

NY

52

OH

10

OK

17

PA

5

RI

1

SC

1

TN

3

TX

141

UT

5

VA

17

WA

14

WI

4

XX

1

1125 Players: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

16 Sections

K12 Blitz

79

K6 Blitz

67

Friday Simul

37

1st

77

10th

50

11th

48

12th

43

2nd

115

3rd

137

4th

156

5th

117

6th

99

7th

106

8th

80

9th

54

Kinder

43

Note: Sections will only be shown if there are players registered for them.

39 States Represented:

AR

22

AZ

34

N-CAL

20

S-CAL

18

CO

11

CT

18

DC

3

FL

94

GA

2

IA

3

ID

3

IL

12

IN

9

KS

12

KY

9

LA

35

MA

11

MD

5

MI

5

MN

5

MO

12

MS

1

NC

5

NE

2

NJ

32

NM

22

NV

5

NY

226

OH

23

OK

30

PA

5

RI

1

SC

1

TN

5

TX

368

UT

6

VA

29

WA

16

WI

5