Q & A for US Chess Executive Board Election

Private message. (Facebook, June 07, 2020):

What is your stance with ENDs (Electronic Notation Devices) and especially with new scholastic regulation banning use of ChessNoteR at the National Scholastic tournaments –

https://new.uschess.org/news/removal-enotate-us-chess-list-certified-electronic-notation-devices-ends/ and

https://www.change.org/p/us-chess-federation-allow-electronic-notations-devices-at-uscf-national-scholastic-tournaments/u/25386417 

ANJELINA BELAKOVSKAIA, Tue Jun 07, 2020:

My stance on any issues like that – transparency, communication and fairness are a MUST. While there is no way to make everyone happy with any and every decision, it is important to ensure that each decision is a result of thorough investigation and represents the best available solution at the time. As I have not been on the US Chess Executive Board when the decision to remove eNotate took place, I can’t comment on how US Chess EB has arrived there. There is definitely a need to prevent cheating at the chess tournaments. There is also a need to be respectful to US Chess vendors and members. I hope US Chess clearly outlined the issues with eNotate, as well as possible solutions and is in communication with the software developers.

I have a similar view on the issue regarding banning the ChessNoteR from Scholastic events – it is important to be transparent with the process, provide clear communication and ensure that any decision “is a result of thorough investigation and represents the best available solution at the time”. As a kid, I grew up using pen and paper to write the moves. Yet, I am now teaching my University students about Fourth Industrial Revolution, cryptocurrencies, innovation and adaptation… We can’t go back in time. US Chess has been very slow in adapting to online presence, as many (now struggling) retailers and other businesses. If you look at Top largest companies in the world by market value in 2019 (in billion U.S. dollars) – the Top three are – Microsoft, Apple and Amazon.com... On the other hand, there is definitely a need to preserve the integrity of the game and various tournament limitations / constrains that require time and effort optimization. Again, as I have not been on the US Chess Executive Board in 2019, I have no information on how or why the US Chess has arrived at the conclusion that banning ENDs was the best possible solution and what other options have been evaluated.