Andrea

I am sorry, but this editorial was horribly written. After reading it, I was rendered confused about the PanAm event and the outcome. Please revise this article, a.s.a.p. Thank you for your effort.

is “Co-Champion Team” a nicer word for “2nd place”

How did Dallas Team B beat Dallas Team A?

Because UMBC destroyed UTD A and drew with UTD B

Who cares. Chess is not a sport. This only makes umbc more of a “nerd school” than it already is. This is part of the reason that no one wants to come to this school and when they do they regret it or transfer.

And maybe if the players weren’t hired guns from other countries who are usually over 25 and have degrees and are only doing this because of the $15,000 per year stipend (cough, cough, bribe) this would be a proud accomplishment.

Actually, chess is considered a sport. That is the reason it is listed under Intellectual Sports on the Student Organizations page. True its not as physically challenging as many other sports such as football or soccer, but it still requires endurance to be able to concentrate for several hours at the board during a tournament and to be successful at it. It is very hard to be a successful chess player without being physically fit.

I seriously doubt that having a winning team hurts the school. In fact, I am pretty sure that it helps recruit many people. It also gets UMBC’s name out there. That is like saying that the basketball team doing well is a bad thing.

I don’t understand your argument when you implied that it is bad that we recruit from other countries. If anything this is a very good thing because it helps to contribute to what UMBC prides itself with the most, diversity. There have been occasional “hired guns” over 25 in the past but that is different now. I don’t know where you are getting your information, but I am pretty sure all of them are first time degree seeking undergrads that are all well under 25. I know at least one has been taking 20+ credits a semester and is getting a 4.0.

Perhaps if you could be a great chess player, representing our school, and be this successful in school, then you would deserve to get $15,000 a year also.

Many people care…

[...] the legitimacy of UMBC’s championship last year (you’d have a point if this were chess).  This year, however, it’s been different.  UMBC went 6-6 in non-conference play and had [...]

Physically fit? Have you ever seen the fat slobs who play World of Warcraft for days, not hours, on end? You don’t believe that takes concentration?
Give me a break. The whole thing was set-up by UMBC to bring in people who could play chess from other countries/states, give them some $$$ to play. UMBC doesn’t care about its own students playing, they just want the win.