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When the interviewee agreed to Answer a set of Questions, a surprise factor was not revealed to him!  He might recognize a few names of the questioners below, who all recognize his own achievements in chess and ask correspondingly serious questions about the evolution of our game.

Many of the questions in this interview concern issues which are difficult, and responses equally so, to the extent that the judgment of Solomon or Lao Tzu is necessary to answer: nevertheless we honor Mr. Truong in asking him to address critical factors in especially scholastic chess in the USA for the C21st.

1)      You were an Asian chess prodigy born in Vietnam.  Tell us about where and when and who influenced your chess in the period before the war with the United States interrupted normal life in your country – and what you had achieved in chess.

I started chess when I was about 5 years old.  My father showed me how the pieces move by reading the back of the card board box of a plastic chess set because he did not know how to play chess himself.  He had no idea of how to teach me to improve.  After asking around, he was recommended to get me two chess books: 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate and 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations by Fred Reinfeld.  So he made me solve these 2002 problems over and over again and he timed me each time to see if I made progress.  Those were the only two chess books that I owned in South Vietnam.

I learned other parts of the game by watching other club members play.  Later on, an American master by the name of Ken Clayton helped me a little bit with my chess.  However, since he does not speak Vietnamese and I did not speak English, we had a hard time communicating with each other.  But I learned from watching his moves.  In spite of the problems, I managed to win nine national junior (under 21) and overall championships before I escaped from my country as a political refugee, by boat, on April 30, 1979.

2)      At the end of the Vietnam war, your father was in great disfavor with the authorities, and you personally resorted to the extraordinary measure of escaping the country as a ‘boat-person’.  I have read an account of those circumstances, précis it for us here.

Disfavor is a very mild word.  My father used to work for the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam.  He was one of the top civilians in the Embassy.  After the war ended, he basically had to hide to save his life.  The communist government would not tolerate people like him.  Thankfully, they did not discover his identity.

3)      Surviving this hazardous trip, which would make a good feature movie on HBO or even the basis of a movie in its own right, you then arrived in the United States.  Did you have family here, or were you able to bring your family here?  How did you begin to establish yourself in this country to the extent that you could retire very early then devote yourself entirely to chess?

I came to the United States on December 1, 1979 with my father as political refugees and two of the many boat people.  I do not want to get too much into that part of my life as it was not too pleasant.  Unfortunately, the other half of my family, my Mother and younger brother could not escape with us.  My Mother has a heart condition and my brother was too young.  So we were separated for many years.

Even without any knowledge of the English language prior to coming to America, I was not afraid to work hard.  My father worked two jobs and I had seven part time jobs during high school and college to send money back to Vietnam to support my family.  Therefore, I had very little time for improving chess.  That is why I basically quit chess when I entered college.  I did not have the time to focus in chess.  Thankfully, we were able to get my mother and brother out some years later.  They moved to New Jersey for many years and they all live in Florida now.

I got started in my professional career right out of college.  Even though my main major was in computers, I decided to work in the field of Marketing right out of college.  I love computers, technology and programming.  I was a Systems Analyst by trade.  But I enjoy working with people even more.  That was my reason for working in Marketing.

My philosophy is to work harder than anyone else.  I always give everything I do 150%.  Within six months I became the youngest marketing manager in the history of the company.  Within a year, I became the youngest ever senior manager.  At the age of 22, I opened my first of a number of companies.  I put in up to 16-18 hours a day, seven days a week, for 15 years.  There was no short cut.  My secret has always been hard work as well as doing everything professionally.

4)      How did you meet Susan Polgar, for whom you became business manager, and subsequently a Vice President of the Susan Polgar Foundation?  What were your first impressions of her?  These interactions seem to have brought about your re-entry to the world of chess.  How did it come about that you met, and what happened during those first meetings?

We first met briefly in 1985 during the New York Open.  We met again in 1986 when we both played in the New York Open.  I gave up chess in around 1984.  But one day I met Mr. Jose Cuchi (organizer of the New York Open) on the street and he offered me a spot in the New York Open for free since I could not possibly afford to pay for the entry fees.  I am glad I accepted his kind offer.

Even though it was one of my last tournaments and I left chess soon after that, Susan and I became friends and we remained friends since.  It was hard for us to stay in very close touch because of her chess career and constant traveling and my business career.  But nevertheless, we maintained our friendship throughout the years, one that not too many people knew about until the last 6-7 years or so.  We always have a lot in common and we always fully respect and trust each other.

In 2001, Susan out of nowhere asked me to be her business manager as well as helping her promote chess in the United States.  I said no at first because I was still running my company and my business did not allow me to have too much extra time.  We hardly ever talked about chess in all these years.  We preferred to talk about anything else but chess.  That was why I was very surprised when she brought up this conversation.  In addition, I have never done this kind of Marketing and PR before.  My company and I were doing a completely different type of Marketing and PR.

But Susan was very persistent.  She kept on provoking me with that idea and I eventually gave in and told her I would help her on a part time basis.  On 9/11, we were supposed to have a business meeting right near the World Trade Center.  Thankfully, we missed the tragedy by about an hour.  That woke me up.  For 15 years, I worked 16-18 hours a day, 7 day a week, 365 days a year to be successful.  But it did not give me the personal satisfaction because it had nothing to do with chess.  I was just a business.  Soon after that, I felt that life is too short and it was time for me to do something I love.  Therefore, I decided to sell my company shortly after that to help chess full time because chess has always been my passion.

5)      In your experience, how much does USCF do to attend to its primary reason for existence as stated in its mission statement; to promote chess to the mainstream public. To what extent does it act like any other business engaged in chess?

The problem with the USCF is its own organizational structure.  It is so badly flawed.  You cannot run a successful company by democracy.  This will doom to fail as it has.  Many delegates are not informed enough about the issues to vote on them.  Many vote a certain way NOT because it is the right thing to do or because it is good for the USCF but because it is what their political buddies ask them to do.  So many deals are made in bars over drinks when the real issues are often not even discussed.

Just look at the last election.  A convicted felon was elected to the executive board to represent 80,000 USCF members not because he is qualified but because political foes wanted to destroy each other by sabotaging the other side.  How sick is this?  How could an organization with something like 50,000 young members have a person sitting on the board who bragged for years about his sexual conquests with young female over the years?  At one time, he even had the pictures of many of the young females he claimed to have had sexual relations with on his disgusting website.  How could the USCF have a person sitting on the executive board that has no respect for the laws of this country and was convicted for violating them?  It is appalling to me and countless others.  But that is the real truth behind the USCF.

On another note, the executive board should set sound policies and not micro-manage.  Unfortunately, too many delegates and especially executive board members are too political.  As we have seen in the last executive board election, a former President of the USCF actually endorsed this candidate with conviction records to get back at his political opponent.  He was not the only one.  Many other people have voted for candidates not to help this federation but to hurt their political opponents.  It is a sick and twisted mentality but that is how things work.

Even when good people are elected, they cannot do much to help the federation as they’re often dragged into the political wars.  Following the Mission is the last thing many of these people think about.  This is very unfortunate.

6)      Compare the pedagogical approach, rather than administrative approach, taken to USCF’s principle market of Scholastics with that taken by Susan Polgar Foundation to the same constituency.  What's broken with the way the USCF attempts to fulfill its mission, and can it be fixed?

It is very hard to fix anything with the USCF.  The structure of this organization is badly faulty.  It gives too much room for inefficiency, bureaucracy and behind the scene dirty dealings.  I love chess.  So do many others.  But most of us do not love the USCF.  It has become an organization that produces chess magazines and rating systems.  The USCF has actually hindered the growth of chess in this country.  The only way things can be changed is IF the USCF voting members would actually vote in passionate and experienced professionals who are non-chess politicians.  As long as chess politicians with failing records continue to be elected, it is hopeless.

7)      As Vice President of Susan Polgar Foundation, what are your current plans to evolve scholastic chess in the USA.  Specifically, where would you like to be in 2011, 5 years from now, and how do you intend to get there?

I firmly believe that the Susan Polgar Foundation will make unprecedented progress in this area.  Scholastic chess and U.S. chess in general will take a 180 degree turn for the better in the next five years.

Susan is the most active world champion in history in promoting chess, especially with children.  She is relentless in what she believes in.  The Susan Polgar Foundation just released its official chess training guide for teachers / coaches / parents, etc.  Within 72 hours, more than 4,000 people who represent clubs, schools and organizations around 80 countries worldwide requested this curriculum.

Imagine if each individual represents a group of 50 to 100 children, which would mean that 200,000 to 400,000 kids benefiting from this immediately.  Now multiply this number year after year.  I am sure you can do the math.  But this will not end.  This is just the beginning.

In just a few short years, the Susan Polgar Foundation has reached some incredible marks.  The SPF organized incredible chess events such as the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, the Susan Polgar National Open Championship for Girls, the Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls, the prestigious Mayor’s Cup, the 2004 US Women’s Olympiad Training Program and we will begin the Susan Polgar National and World Chess Challenge for Boys in 2007.  We have also given out countless scholarships to young players.  The list just goes on.

David Surratt, publisher of Chessville asks three questions:

8)      Chess seems to be booming all across Asia, and including in Viet Nam, your home country.  Do you still follow the chess culture there, and what can you tell us about their developing stars, who should we keep our eye out for?  What other country is going to emerge as a chess super-power in the next ten to twenty years that today no one really thinks of in those terms?

Yes, I still follow the progress of chess in Asia and in Vietnam with great interest.  I am very proud of my heritage.  I feel that I have the best of each culture.  The education and experience that I accumulated in the first 14 years were from South Vietnam.  The rest of my life was spent in the United States and I also spent a lot of time in Europe.  Therefore, I feel that I obtained and utilized the best of each culture.

There are many talented young players.  The problem is lack of opportunity and training in a country like Vietnam.  There are better chances for Chinese or Indian players.

I think China has the best chance to become a chess superpower from Asia, followed by India.

9)      Where is the game going in terms of all this cheating and suspicions of cheating?  What steps should be taken to ensure that the competition remains one human against another human, only?

This is a serious problem and it will only get worse.  I do not think you can stop cheating completely.  But as more organizers and sponsors are aware of the problems, cheating will be harder to do.  The first thing I would do is impose incredibly harsh penalties for violators and make sure EVERYONE knows about it.  Then I would implement procedures that would make cheating extremely difficult.

I believe unlimited trips to the rest rooms will soon be the thing of the past.  In addition, I think FIDE and national chess federations should immediately come up with severe penalties such as 3-5 years or permanent banning from the game.

10)      Do you have any realistic hopes that what's broke with FIDE can be fixed, ever?  Or is it time to cut our losses and try to start over?  If the latter, how would you suggest proceeding?

I do not see any chance of things being fixed.  Even players are split in what they want to see happen.  Unless by miracle that FIDE would bring in real professionals to overhaul the structure, nothing will change.  This is the same problem that the USCF faces.  I do not expect anyone to voluntarily relinquish their pseudo powers.  Some people care more about their own political careers than the welfare of chess.

This is why Susan Polgar is contemplating running for the post of FIDE President in the next election.  She was asked by a number of groups earlier this year but she said no because her children are too young.  Being a great mother comes first to her.  But her children will be much older by the time of the next election.

I think she will be the best thing that could happen to chess of all levels, from professionals, scholastic to casual tournament players, etc.  She has the complete package of passion, personality, respect, knowledge and experience and she has no political baggage.  She will not allow things to become political.  She will always put the best interest of chess first.

Ukrainian Student Champion (one of his college teammates on the Championship team was Alex Stripunsky) and mathematics and chess teacher Igor Zhislin asks:

11)      Many educators agree that chess offers a variety of educational benefits yet are reluctant to act on getting the programs offered at their schools.  What, in your opinion is/are the overwhelming/compelling factor(s)/benefit(s) that, once presented to school administrators, would make them say yes?

It is not that they do not want to support chess.  They do not know how to get things started.  They need help.  But who are helping them?  That is why organizations like the Susan Polgar Foundation or AF4C are so important.  We can help school districts set up the infrastructures.

In addition, it is not the administrators’ job to build chess champions.  Their job is to educate.  And if kids do not have fun and enjoy what they learn, they will not be able to learn it properly.  We should push more about the educational benefits of chess to children and not the Russian School of Chess mentality of creating the best players.

Math & Chess curriculum educator Rob Mitchell describes a serious problem and asks a question about this current issue:

12)      The Boy Scouts of America have been sued because they failed to police themselves against sexual predators.  It is recognized that organized activities like scouting, little league baseball, soccer and football provide a fertile hunting ground for the sexual predators in our society.  Almost 60% of the USCF's membership is from members under the age of 18 and currently they have no program to address this issue and have had several high profile cases of chess coach sexual abuse in the last several years.

As a member of the USCF and as a coach who works with children; what responsibility do you think the USCF has to its scholastic members to provide them with an environment safe from sexual predators?  What steps might be taken?

Organizations like the USCF are afraid to take on more responsibilities.  They cannot handle things as they are.  They have failed miserably with what they are trying to achieve.  They are not capable to do more.  So rather than doing things because it is right, they look the other way because they do not want to face potential future legal problems.

That is a tough question. Responsibilities and capabilities are two totally different issues.  How can the USCF do anything when the members actually elected a board member with conviction records and one that repeatedly bragged about his lifetime sexual conquests on his own website?  If the federation attempts to get rid of people like this, they are afraid to face potential lawsuits.  So they give in.

GM Ray Keene asks 2 questions:

13)      Do you experience resentment from official quarters at Susan Polgar’s success at promoting chess?

Yes and no.  Some can’t stand the fact that she draws so much media attention.  They do not like the fact that she is well loved and respected by so many.  They also do not like the fact that she can do so much for chess from the outside through her foundation instead of getting into the chess political ring.  Her success makes them look bad.  Therefore, they would do everything possible to stop her from accomplishing her goals, even if that means hurting US chess.

Imagine if FIDE has someone like Susan Polgar at the helm.  Imagine the positive publicity that chess would receive.  Imagine with her passion to promote chess to young people, we can literally see chess becoming the biggest sport on the planet.  But why would anyone want to allow her to do that?  Because that means that they HAVE TO relinquish their political power.

How many times have chess politicians tried to stop Susan on her track, starting with not allowing her to compete in the “Men’s” World Championship cycle, 100 free points to all women except her, to the 1999 illegal stripping of her title?  She bounced back each time stronger, bigger and better.  That is the Susan Polgar way.  She does not understand self-pity.  Her revenge is to knock down any barrier chess politicians put in front of her.

She is more diplomatic.  I am not.  I feel the same way and I will speak out the truth with full force.

There are some who are very supportive.  These are the non chess politicians.  They realize the kind of incredible impact she can do for chess in America and her success means success for US chess.

14)      How do we get rid of Ilumzhinov? Do you concur with every other GM  -apart from Topalov I presume- that Kirsan is the biggest single stumbling block to commercial sponsorship of chess in the world?

First of all, I am not sure if this is possible.  Secondly, I am not sure if it is necessary.  Very few can doubt Mr. Ilyumzhinov’s passion and love for chess.  I do not believe that he intends to do harm to chess.  The problem is it is not easy to run a nation and the World Chess Federation.  He has invested a lot of his own money to chess.  The problem is he does not have a team that can accomplish what chess needs.  Would it be easier to change the team than change the leader that has invested more than $30 million in chess?  I think so.  I prefer to focus on the real problem.

Chess as a sport has many serious problems.  There are many separate groups in chess.  Here are just some of them:

-         The super GMs (top 10-20 players)
-         The chess professionals
-         The tournament players
-         The casual players
-         The organizers / sponsors, etc.

The person who is running the show has to be aware and be sensitive to the needs and expectation from each group.  You need a leader that can unite and not divide.  Together, we can overcome everything.  Separately, chess will suffer.

Here is a collection of five questions from a US Grandmaster about your philosophy and practice:

15)      What is your approach and philosophy to Chess Marketing, and Chess Public Relations?

Relentless positive chess promotion and treat sponsors / supporters / media like Gold.  Find out what each media source wants and looks for and give it to them.  Honor every contract and deliver more than expected.  I do not go one day without promoting chess positively.  We need role models.  We need positive images.  We need more of both.  We have to pound on the marketing and PR aspect everyday.

16)      How have you attracted more media attention than the achievements of some entire chess federations, including more than the USCF?

Just as in the previous question, give the highest respect to the media, sponsors and organizers.  I always try to find a unique angle to every event.  I try to be as helpful as possible.  I try to make their jobs easier.  I have information readily available for them.  I try to accommodate their every needs.  I constantly follow up and stay in touch.  But the USCF does not want someone like me.  I am too straight forward and I am too passionate in what I do.

17)      Explain to us your personal mission in chess, public goals you wish to achieve, and the basis of future plans for chess to serve the game in the C21st?

When I was growing up, I wanted to be a chess professional. I wanted to be the best in the world.  I never had a chance to follow my dreams because of various obstacles.  But I also witnessed serious problems in the chess structure.  Most of my friends and my peers, the most talented juniors in the early 80’s, gave up chess.  They had no incentive and often times no assistance if they want to get better.

That is why I left the game.  Once I left, I basically did not look back.  I did not play chess for a long time.  My last serious tournament was around 1986.  I vowed to myself that IF I ever decide to come back to the game, I would do something to change it.  I want to fix the problems.  20 years after I played my last serious chess game, I am back with a vengeance.  This time, I bring with me a wealth of experience, renewed energy, determination and passion.  This time, I am doing it with my best friend, Susan Polgar.

Many chess players do not understand business, marketing or public relations.  On the other hand, many business professionals do not understand chess and its culture.  I have both.  I have been in both worlds.

18)      In your opinion is it a necessity in the 21st century for a business or organizational entity to represent top-level chess players?

Yes, absolutely. Professional chess players need help.  Many of them spent their whole lifetime studying chess.  They lack the business experience and etiquette.  They need representation.  They need to be taught how to properly handle the media, sponsors and organizers.  A number of well known professional players asked me on a personal level about these issues and I was always willing to help them.  I am more than happy to help.  If professional players want to make chess more lucrative, they have to contribute in changing its culture.  If they do not want to change then do not complain why there is no money in chess.

19)      (a)  What needs to be done to improve organized chess such as by FIDE, and USCF for national and international levels?  (b)  Compare your answer with how the Susan Polgar Foundation can operate with virtually little-to-no expenses, and yet be able to organize major events.

a)  If FIDE, the USCF or any chess organizations want to succeed, there would be a need for more professional people and a lot less chess politicians.  We need professionalism.

b)  The board of the Susan Polgar Foundation consists of professional people with the highest level of business experience and professionalism.  Each board member brings in unique business knowledge.  We do not have any chess politician on our board.  In fact, with the exception of Susan and me, most of our board members are not chess players.  They are either chess parents or chess supporters.  We do things out of passion, with zero bureaucracy.  We do things efficiently and professionally.  That is why we can always find ample sponsors, supporters and volunteers.

20)      A traditional Chessville question is to ask, “What question does not appear in this list, that you wished had been asked?”  Answer your own question.

Who do I think is the best person to change the welfare of chess globally?  Susan Polgar.  I am not shy to say it.  I know her for more than 20 years and I can honestly say that she IS the best thing for chess.  That is why it is a privilege and honor for me to be a part of her team.  She is one of the hardest working chess professionals.  She puts in many hours every day to help chess.  She has the right demeanor, appearance, experience, resume and passion to make a difference.
 

Chessville appreciates Mr. Paul Truong for his candor and passion,
and for his cooperation in the production of this interview!

www.PolgarChess.com
www.SusanPolgar.blogspot.com
www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org

Index of Other 20-Questions Interviews

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