USCF Membership Numbers

[Graph of "total members" from tabulation at detroitchess.com 1, 2]

"Cold War"
Wow that's a nice surge there from 1971 to 1973!

Q: What caused that?
A: The phenomenal Bobby Fischer single-handedly defeated the colluding Russians, and won the World championship.

Q: And why did it end?
A: Bobby Fischer did not defend his title. The media lost interest in chess.

"Chess makes you smart!"
Wow, that's a nice surge there from 1990 to 1996!

Q: What caused that?
A: The USCF was well managed by executive director Al Lawrence.

Q: And why did it end?
A: In 1996, Don Schultz was elected USCF President.
The day before Schultz took office, Al Lawrence resigned.
Everyone understood that Schultz intended to remove Lawrence.
Mutiny on the USCF

Lightweight Study

Here's an original lightweight study which I hope is amusing.


White to move. Black to Draw.


1.Ng6 Rxg6
1.Ne6 Rf6
1.Na7 Rb6!
1.Nd7 Rc6! :-)
1.Kg7 Rh1 2.Ne6 or 2.Ng6, ...Rf1
1.Kg7 Rh1 2.Nd7 or 2.Nh7, ...Rg1+ followed by Rf1

Insomniac

1) To dream of playing chess, denotes stagnation of business, dull companions, and poor health.

2) To dream that you lose at chess, worries from mean sources will ensue; but if you win, disagreeable influences may be surmounted.

(What's in a Dream)