GMTonyKosten wrote on 12/14/08 at 22:23:45:


Frankly, as long as the chess is good, I am sure people will not mind too much if the English is wonky. Noone is too fussed about ChessStars in that respect.

He has a great rep through the Shirov books, so sure all would be delighted at having such a contributor.
Anyhow, sure you can translate!

Matemax wrote on 12/14/08 at 14:46:14:

I know him well as we are in the same German team, and yes he is a top-rate theoretician and trainer, but I am not sure about whether his English is quite good enough.

Dink Heckler wrote on 12/14/08 at 11:03:22:



I support Dink Heckler here 100%.   It was not a personal attack, but instead is a series of valid statements and serious concern he has expressed.  It is a most valid perspective, and one that I share.  

I am certain others do as well, but have not the willingness to post because it is not always so easy for many human beings to do in these troubling and awkward moments of life.  



Please notice he does not say it is easy thing to do, only that it is the responsibility of the proprietor to do so.  And, he is correct. I have been of all sides of this business issue, as an owner, as a customer, and as a negligent employee (as a young man!)


I am not just venting, but offering serious and justifiable concern that there will some type of backup plan here so that something is put into place much earlier the next time something similar happens.   And it will happen.  That is a major point.   Someone else will pull this exact same stunt.  Perhaps in a new guise, with a new spin, but it is most foreseeable.  One of the toughest duites all proprietor's face and need to solve is the successful anticipation of problems and obstacles such that viable and workable solutions are ready to go before such foreseeable problems occur.  


Mistakes happen, but it is what leaders do AFTERWARDS that define them.  Who wants to live the legacy of Captain Edward John Smith?


I like the site (a lot), and just renewed membership and the KID section is/was a big reason.  I think it a better path that I (and others) post our concerns while remaining a customer than to quietly sulk away.  However, if people/ownership feel otherwise, I understand.   I am not sure how long a business model designed to make sure the proprietor is happy will survive as a viable capitalist enterprise.   The businesses that seem to last are the ones that make their customer base's happy.

To reiterate: I love the site, love the people (most of them), love the material (most of it), and I want it to succeed (fully).  I voted with my $ in the annual election.  


I am drkodos and I approve this message.

Just to throw in another name: GM Zigurds Lanka

He is playing top board 2nd Austrian League, has trained Shirov and is well known for his theoretical work.

... and of course he plays the KI 

GMTonyKosten wrote on 12/13/08 at 17:22:01:


Tony, I have some sympathy, since by and large, chessplayers probably aren't the most industrious bunch, and hence you're always going to have some issues with your contractors. But having said that, it's your job to manage these issues. You can't just wring your hands and complain about feckless contractors. You have to get on top of it. You should be looking to hire responsible people, incentivise them properly, and keep on top of the workflow to head off any issues before they become black holes. Otherwise you need to think whether you have the right business model.

This sort of thing isn't impossible. Alex Baburin puts out a quality publication every day, never missing a day. Obviously they have to throw some flannel in occasionally, but so what. Plently of flannel in the monthly updates as well.

My sense is that you're reluctant to take responsibility for these issues. If it happened once or twice, OK, blame the contractors, but when it becomes a more regular issue, it's reasonable to ask the proprietor what he intends to do about it (and I should add that hope, optimism, and faith in human nature are not really strategies).

Mr Golubev
Sorry re: lack of clarity.
In doing the King's Indian section here at ChessPub

Pete Wells  - yes, very disappointing.

See Golubev just posted here. Is he available and interested perchance?

GMTonyKosten wrote on 12/12/08 at 17:38:00:

Perhaps you should ask a well known guy from Barbados who spents half of his life studying chess and the other half on ICC or on chesspub.