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Thread: CFC FIDE Representative: Aris Marghetis endorses Victor Plotkin

  1. #1
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    Default CFC FIDE Representative: Aris Marghetis endorses Victor Plotkin

    Dear Canadian chess family, like most of you, I am a chess person for life. I deeply believe chess is a wonderful unique activity that transcends so many possible divisions in life. A 5-year-old can play a 95-year-old; where it doesn't matter at all what's their size, gender, ethnicity, religion, nation, etc.

    Chess is so special!

    And that's why I have chosen to serve the game to the best of my abilities, mostly as an Arbiter, but also as a teacher, especially of complete beginners. I love starting families off on a lifetime of chess!

    My use of the phrase "to serve" is very intentional. I feel deeply we should all strive to do what is genuinely best for the game of chess, from fundamental grass roots all the way to CFC and FIDE.

    So, when Hal Bond resigned as CFC FIDE Representative, I was moved by proposals that I continue serving, as the next CFC FIDE Representative. With my long spectrum of experiences across Canada, the United States, and FIDE; it looked like a great fit for everyone. I was very excited to get started!

    Unfortunately, during this pandemic, especially since Christmas, our family has been shocked by a mean series of deaths, strokes / heart attacks, and other hospitalizations. I respectfully withdraw.

    That leaves two candidates, Victor Plotkin and Vadim Tsypin. Both men are very intelligent, very industrious; and each in his own way, very successful. There are differences, none more obvious than Vadim's current position on the FIDE Management Board. Even before "conflict of interest".

    Please consider the following analysis.

    Decades ago, John Prentice honourably represented Canada within FIDE leadership. For the first time since then, we have a Canadian within FIDE management. This is a very good thing. Then the question we should ask ourselves is a strategic one. Given that Vadim already is where he is, then between Vadim and Victor, who would be the better choice as CFC FIDE Representative? Another way of phrasing this is: who would not be the lesser candidate? Here is my strategic thinking:

    1) Vadim has been on the FIDE Management Board since 2018. During that time, Vadim has maintained a very close relationship with CFC President Vlad Drkulec. Could that get any better with Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative? Despite the flowery words and some adamant posts, the answer is: of course not. All it would do is to erode Vadim's influence within FIDE leadership. The new danger is that whenever Vadim speaks at the FIDE level, sometimes people will understandably wonder whether Vadim is wearing his FIDE management hat or one of his CFC hats. Why risk that?!

    2) The counter-argument that Vadim can "get things done" better than before just doesn't add up. Vadim has already been there since 2018, always with a very tight relationship with Vlad, so how would it suddenly get better for the CFC? So there's a potential downside, but no potential upside.

    3) Every organization has a leadership pyramid. The FIDE Management Board is up there in the FIDE leadership pyramid. Further down, but quite importantly, the Zonal Presidents and national delegates to FIDE are also part of the FIDE leadership pyramid. We have a unique opportunity to double how many Canadians in this conversation. Why in the world wouldn't we take advantage?!

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I have discussed my concerns with both Vadim and Vlad, who has apparently decided to support Vadim. I have clearly expressed my profound disappointment over the strategic mistake of installing Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative. Now I make my case to you.

    Victor Plotkin is a man of integrity, and is stepping up to serve chess, with no expected reward other than just that, serving chess, for both CFC and FIDE. At the upcoming February 2021 special meeting, I heartily encourage you to vote for Victor Plotkin as our next CFC FIDE Representative.

    If you want to chat before voting, I'll make time for you. If you Skype, my Name is "arismarghetis".

    Thank you, best regards, Aris Marghetis.

  2. #2
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    There have been a parade of FIDE officials, grandmasters and players endorsing Vadim Tsypin as Canada's FIDE representative. Vadim is very well connected within FIDE. He can go to anyone, anywhere within FIDE and get answers or cooperation. I have been told by some including you and Hal that many fear Vadim. When I expressed this to Vadim, he was quite surprised and asked "Why would anyone be afraid of me?"

    I know why they are afraid of him. He is very intelligent. He works very hard. He does not quit. Ever. Why am I not afraid of him? I have some intelligence. I work very hard. I do not quit. Ever. He reminds me of me in some ways. I see a lot of people projecting their shadow upon him. They fear him because they want something from him. I don't want anything from him beyond his help to advance the cause of Canadians within FIDE. He does this at every turn and at every opportunity. He cares about the disabled. When faced with a situation where others gave up without trying to help, he turned over every stone and found a way to accomplish it. When faced with a situation where he can help the CFC, he moves heaven and earth to get things done.

    When I organized the CYCC, Canadian Open and NAYCC in 2016 I learned from being on the committee that organized the CYCC in 2015. In 2015, several committee members went to each meeting with several different venues and the thing that I noticed was that two or three heads were not better than one. The more people in the meeting, the more the meeting went off message. We were not able to present our best case and there were few concessions made to the organizers. The following year I went alone to all of the important meetings. I stayed on message. I told the story of the CFC and the story of the CYCC, the Canadian Open and the NAYCC. I stayed on message. In three one hour meetings I raised all the funds needed to run the tournaments and got the halls for free if I was able to meet the conditions of room nights sold.

    Sometimes one focused person is better than two or even more people who are not as focused and whose attention is of necessity divided.

  3. #3
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    Aug 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vladimir Drkulec View Post
    There have been a parade of FIDE officials, grandmasters and players endorsing Vadim Tsypin as Canada's FIDE representative. Vadim is very well connected within FIDE. He can go to anyone, anywhere within FIDE and get answers or cooperation. I have been told by some including you and Hal that many fear Vadim. When I expressed this to Vadim, he was quite surprised and asked "Why would anyone be afraid of me?"

    I know why they are afraid of him. He is very intelligent. He works very hard. He does not quit. Ever. Why am I not afraid of him? I have some intelligence. I work very hard. I do not quit. Ever. He reminds me of me in some ways. I see a lot of people projecting their shadow upon him. They fear him because they want something from him. I don't want anything from him beyond his help to advance the cause of Canadians within FIDE. He does this at every turn and at every opportunity. He cares about the disabled. When faced with a situation where others gave up without trying to help, he turned over every stone and found a way to accomplish it. When faced with a situation where he can help the CFC, he moves heaven and earth to get things done.

    When I organized the CYCC, Canadian Open and NAYCC in 2016 I learned from being on the committee that organized the CYCC in 2015. In 2015, several committee members went to each meeting with several different venues and the thing that I noticed was that two or three heads were not better than one. The more people in the meeting, the more the meeting went off message. We were not able to present our best case and there were few concessions made to the organizers. The following year I went alone to all of the important meetings. I stayed on message. I told the story of the CFC and the story of the CYCC, the Canadian Open and the NAYCC. I stayed on message. In three one hour meetings I raised all the funds needed to run the tournaments and got the halls for free if I was able to meet the conditions of room nights sold.

    Sometimes one focused person is better than two or even more people who are not as focused and whose attention is of necessity divided.


    Vlad, are you kidding us?
    .*-1

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Mississauga ON Canada
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    Quote Originally Posted by Egidijus Zeromskis View Post
    Vlad, are you kidding us?
    I suspect Vlad is NOT kidding... that is what actually concerns me most.

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