http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/is-the-usa-team-divided-into-too-many-parts?page=1

Hi all;

This link is to a discussion happening in the World League HQ forum discussing whether or not the USA is divided into too many parts. Take a look at it, you should be able to, and let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Michael

i think we should go by time zones

I'm happy to be playing, anyone, anytime, etc.  I think that those of you who have taken the time to set these tournaments up should do what YOU think is best and the rest of us support whichever direction you take us.  Keep up the good work and thanks!

Im just happy to be able to represent the US here on chess.com. If we are to merge I would be in favor of 3 teams West East and Central.

Well, the first thing I wonder is, are there too many people who decide that they are more important than their teammates and who decide to quit all their match games? I just became admin of another group, and one of the problems we have is a disproportionate number of people timing out of their games. In one match in particular, we had 20 games lost because of people deciding they were more important than the team. You might want to consider putting in a policy dealing with members who decide to quit their team match games.

Hey Hope,I here ya ... I'm new to all this but I was set back when even a few did this dropping out thing... If we don't win a match,well ok. we'll deal with it,dust off and get back on for another ride ... but to do this dropping out bull just doesn't sit well with me... As in raising 3 boy's, I played baseball with them 3 strikes and YOUR-OUT !!!

To answer the question at hand I'm with Budman... I find it a honor to be playing chess here, as it was to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps... I would also like to say my many thanks and GOD BLESS AMERICA and NOTRE DAME......

Just had to do it

Well, it doesn't really matter now, since it was determined in the World League Headquarters that the consolidating into three teams was not going to happen. Thanks for your opinions, even though to some degree they weren't really necessary. I appreciate that you shared what you thought with me.

Cheers!

m74m2008, since it is written in stone we are going to stay the way they are, then that is something you might want to look into.

Captainpp, thanks for your kind words and your service.

I am knew to the team, just joined today actually, and I'm trying to find on the site a list of all the world teams and the standings.  Any idea where I should look?  I tried the "search" window, typing in "World Team Standings", but that didn't seem to do it.

I think that consolidating into three teams would be fair enough- I mean, how many are in Team Europe? But if they already decided against it, that's their call...

We're just a little shabby with only 400 members. We need to recruit.

Another thing that we might want to do is change our front page picture- it turned me off for a while...

I eventually joined because I wanted to represent our country in chess.

A few points:

-Team Europe does not participate in the World League, the individual countries of Europe do.

-We are NOT at all 'shabby' with "only" 400 members. Considering we comprise a small portion of the states of the US, having 400 members is a fairly respectable amount. Also, adding more people just would give more people an opportunity to NOT join the team matches.

-The image is what the image is. You saying it 'turned you off' just proves you to be superficial.

-Finally, when I asked you to verify for me that you live in the appropriate portion of the US, I wasn't making that optional. If you don't let me know where exactly Verwall, United States is within the next 2 days, I will be forced to ban you from the group, and I don't actually want to do that. Send it to me in a private message if you want, but tell me what state you are from.

Thanks for clearing that all up, m74m2008!

I'm still new to this site- only been on for three days or something like that, and I'm still learning. I thought that the United States was split up and than all of the other places played as continents! Am I bad or what?

I'm VERY sorry if I came across as offensive! The last thing that I want to do is get myself in trouble with people that I REALLY want to be around.

I still think that the picture should change, (superficial or not, I'm sorry. lol) It just doesn't complement the talent that we have here. (myself NOT included in that category)

As for my location, my internet alias has always been TheLastVelkirk (Zercin Velkirk) and my location in Verwall. I'm actually from a small town in north-central Iowa, and I was just accepted in here yesterday.

And again, sorry and thank you! Things make a whole lot more sense now...

When did you last ask me where I lived? I would have told you...

i don't really care how the group plays as a hole.  Since I have played on this site I have chatted with several people from other countries. In many other countries like, Malaysia, Turkey, The phillipines, Russia, and many many more chess is at least a requirement in some classes. In some countries chess is an actual course you can take and get a credit towards your graduation. In america there is no such thing. So our women hardly ever even know how to move the pieces. And overall there just isn't as much interest per person as there is in other countries for the game of chess.  and just like you all suggest, that its because you think there isnt enough unity in the group to continue to educate each other on how to play, that makes america not a high rated country, it's because of the fact that other countries have chess in schools. they do have the unity to teach each other based on the fact of having to take it as a course in school and it being part of all their citizens childhood memories. just what I think.