Canadian Chess quote of the day
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
At times organized chess in Canada is closer to being and operating like a criminal enterprise than anything that is normally associated to the noble game of chess! The term ”mafia” comes to mind. Chess-mafia. When I count the amount of money that has been fraudulently obtained in the past 20 years from various levels of provincial and federal government(s) or from charities such as Trillium, I quickly reach several millions of dollars. Money that can not be accounted for.
Money that simply disappeared into the pockets of chess officials in Canada–some who are still actively involved in organized chess. More than one individual is part of our present elected in the CFC/or its provincial affiliates. None of these officials has ever been brought before the courts or arrested or even investigated by the police.
The recent FQE-CFC agreement passed by the AGM of the CFC earlier this month is also related to this disrespect for rule of law and the growing sense of impunity and arrogance that CFC officials has developed in recent years. Until someone–anyone– is actually held accountable, Canadian chess will continue to operate by a very simple rule of thumb: you can get away with anything as long as it does not involve murder or anally raping 9-year olds.
Here is Dr.Frank Dixon’s comments posted on a Toronto message board about the generally disgraceful attitude of our elected chess officials.
Click on to enlarge
”There are plenty of murky OCA tales from the recent past, including an $80k (120k-editor) potential criminal fraud, perpetrated (probably solely) by the former OCA President Barry Thorvardson, against the Trillium Foundation. This escapade has done untold damage to chess in Ontario and Canada, and to the future possibilities of obtaining large amounts of grant money for event bids, such as the 2016 Olympiad.”
”The sleaze, and the reluctance of Canadian chess leaders to take sufficiently strong steps against those who perpetrate it, has led to some organizers, including myself, being much less involved than before, and everybody loses out because of that. My point is: Why be associated with such antics, when there are so many more productive ways to use one’s time and talents!?”
Dr. Frank Dixon