2020 WCA President’s Report
April 5, 2020
What a difference a month makes! A month ago I was preparing to host the 2020 State Scholastic Championships usually attended by over 400 Wisconsin student chess players. Of course, due to the pandemic we’re all facing, the event had to be cancelled. That wasn’t the only event cancelled as all club meetings and weekend events are cancelled for the foreseeable future. The WCA Board has also cancelled the 2020 Elo Open. We won’t have over the board events again until it is safe for all participants. Once events start up again we hope that you’ll participate once again.
While tournament attendance slipped a bit in 2019 the WCA continues on strong financial footing. The most pressing problem the WCA faces continues to be the inability to secure playing sites at an affordable cost. If you have any suggestions for venues, please contact a Board member.
Sandy Hoffman, Jeff Peck and Randy Bubolz’s terms as Board members expire in 2020. After the nomination period ended Jeff resigned his seat on the Board. With only two confirmed nominees Sandy and Randy are elected to the Board for three year terms. With an open seat, according to our bylaws, the president is able to fill the open seat. If you are interested in sitting on the WCA Board, please e-mail me with a statement of interest at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Priority will be given to a person willing to do some tournament organizing but those with other skillsets are welcome as well.
Officers for 2020 will be
- President: Mike Nietman
- Vice-President: Guy Hoffman
- Treasurer: Ken Rasmussen
- Secretary: Robin Grochowski
The pandemic has also affected the US Chess Federation. The National Scholastics and the US Championships have already been cancelled and postponed respectively. The US Open may or may not be held. Luckily we have a limited reserve fund but that can’t last forever. Without tournaments, membership numbers are dropping and rating fees have dried up. If you’d like to help, consider renewing early or make a donation to the 501(c)(3) organization.
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