Brozovich, Joe (1648) v Clark, Mike (1924)
Springfield Championship 2010
1. c4 f5 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. exf5 gxf5 7. d3 0-0 8. Nd5 c6 9. Nxf6 Qxf6 10. Nf3 e4 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nh3 Re8 13. 0-0 Na6 14. dxe4 fxe4 15. Nf4 Qf7 16. Qh5 Qxh5 17. Nxh5 d5 18. Nxg7 Kxg7 19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Be3 Bg4 21. Rfe1 Nb4 22. Rec1 Nc6 23. h3 Be2 24. Bf1 1/2-1/2
Chess viewer Link Copy and paste game score into chess viewer to play through the game
Chess viewer Link Copy and paste game score into chess viewer to play through the game
Below is the complaint filed against Mr. Clark in 2010. Please note Mr. Clark's rating of 1924 is inflated based on Mr. Clark's "manipulation" of his games. In effect, he would find novice players and sign them up as new USCF members. He, Mr. Clark, would then lose to them 1-3 times to inflate the new members provisional rating. Mr. Clark would then play them several games, winning those and then submit them as a T/D under our Club to artificially inflate his own rating. This was discovered by other Missouri members and got to be a forum discussion within the USCF and on Missouri Chess forums. At one point, an international arbiters in Stillwater, OK got involved in the forum, one of the Berry brothers. Eventually, Mr. Long filed a complaint followed by Mr. Pagel's addendum shown below. In the spirit of this site and its historical nature it is shown here, warts and all, as to events that have occurred in the long history of the Club.
April 12, 2010
An addendum to ethics complaint filed against Mike Clark #12608190.
The original complaint was filed by James Long #12374730. This addendum is by Roger Pagel #12523329 and what is listed below is further information to the posting I, Roger Pagel (Brevcamp), placed in the USCF forums topic Chess Tournaments, topic “Possible Abuse of TD Privilege”. I cited several possible rule violations by Mike Clark and this addendum is to list specific dates and actions by Mr. Clark.
What follows are the specific dates and events with references to the specific rule in question.
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Pagel
Player ID# 12523329
Below is the last posting in the USCF Forum where I originally brought up Mr. Clark’s behaviors and what appears to be in conflict with the USCF rules and spirit of the rules.
The Club where some of this activity of the member in question occurred is meeting tonight and we will discuss the concerns raised on this forum. And, if necessary, an additional or modified complaint can be filed. Further, besides what appears to be a violation of rating manipulation which is more than a matter of looking at the MSA, there is also eye witness evidence of improper pairings done purposely to assist this "TD/Player" in the same event to increase his chance of winning his section. Further, this person in question was also witnessed on several occasions of "tampering" with the clock more specifically stopping the clock for no other reason than someone left the room or he had to leave the board, but not because he had to resolve an issue as the "TD". These instances would be in conflict with the USCF Code of Ethics, Standards of Conduct both "b" and "c" from the 5th edition of the Rule book, pg 234. Further, the way the "events" were/are run(I dare not call them tournaments because they don't follow any standard format: ladder format or otherwise) are not consistent with the section in the rulebook of "Players' Rights and Responsibilities" specifically items 1, 3, 4 (see 1B2 pg 2), 5, 6, 7 pgs 230-234. All this can be documented via eye witness reports and if need be a signed affidavit. Additionally, by eye witness account and the paper trail in the MSA it appears he violated rule 20L Manipulating Results; and rule 16C2, per an eye witness account, though this would not be a large issue except when paired with these other allegations and with the fact that this individual is the TD, not an inexperienced player. These are just a few questionable behaviors of this individual of what I observed so this is not meant to be an exhaustive list as I did not participate in that many of his events (that I participated at all is something I regret) so I am sure there are other items to be added to these lists of complaints. I hope this clarifies the concerns with this individual and please continue adding your comments so we proceed in the proper fashion. That any of this needs aired in public is regrettable though the evidence is such that a response to the public, in my view, is necessary.
Brevcamp
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:41 pm
USCFId: 12523329
April 12, 2010
An addendum to ethics complaint filed against Mike Clark #12608190.
The original complaint was filed by James Long #12374730. This addendum is by Roger Pagel #12523329 and what is listed below is further information to the posting I, Roger Pagel (Brevcamp), placed in the USCF forums topic Chess Tournaments, topic “Possible Abuse of TD Privilege”. I cited several possible rule violations by Mike Clark and this addendum is to list specific dates and actions by Mr. Clark.
What follows are the specific dates and events with references to the specific rule in question.
- On February 19, 2010 during a game I was playing in Springfield, Missouri with Mr. Clark at the Springfield Park Board Chess Club (Affiliate A5023629), the phone rang in another room and I went to answer it leaving the board. As I was in the other room talking on the phone, Mr. Clark, who was directing and playing in this event, after approximately one minute runs into the room carrying the clock we were using for this game and asks me how can he stop the clock? Why he did this I have no idea nor do I recall whose move it was when I went to answer the phone. This is in association with tournament 201002192401. Additionally, on 11-10-2007, Mr. Clark left the board to speak to someone, but it was clear it was not to resolve a dispute, he advised me to stop the clock. I responded to him there was no reason to stop the clock and he said that I should in a spirit of good sportsmanship. I advised, if he needed to leave the board, his clock is his problem. I have also witnessed Mr. Clark attempt to stop the clock in other games he was participating for no apparent reason. On one particular instance, I heard him say to his opponent that his opponent’s game sheet was in correct (why he was looking at his opponents game score, I don’t know) and that his opponent would need to fix it immediately. As I observed, he attempted to get his opponent to do this as Mr. Clark was short on time.
- On 11-10-2007, in Tournament “100% Guaranteed”, Mr. Clark used questionable pairings. Particularly, he paired Blythe Buscher #12898075 against NM Bart Gibbons #10433762 and also listed Mr. Gibbons as the Assistant TD, though I do not think Mr. Gibbons was aware of this. The pairing is suspect since it would most certainly result in Ms. Buscher having a loss and she was competing in the same section as Mr. Clark, as well as others and myself. I made a comment to Mr. Clark about this but was ignored. It has the appearance to me that Mr. Clark was trying to increase his chances of winning by not pairing himself with Mr. Gibbons especially since Mr. Clark was the director and a player vying for prize money. (see page 230-231 and Rule 20L manipulating results and pg 242 Responsibilities of Chief TD, specifically a TD should not be a player and director in a tournament he or she directs noting Rulebook Changes 21E, but in this case the director should have been the house player (28M1) in order to remain objective.)
- On or about July 25, 2004 during the Heart of America Class IV tournament, as the last round was to start I had set up the board for the last round, to play Mr. Clark. All players had started their games. I was sitting awaiting Mr. Clark to arrive at the board (please note that it is Mr. Clark’s habit in every rated game I have ever played against him, which is approximately 8-10, and I have seen him do this repeatedly to others as well on a consistent basis, he will mull around the room or sit acting as if he is unaware of the start of the round or that his opponent is waiting for him) and I saw him in the playing room but he made no effort to come to the board until 3-4 minutes had passed and he could see I was becoming visibly agitated. When he arrived at the board he faced opposite me, then walked around and stood behind me as I was seated. He then proceeded to reach over my shoulder, make his move on the board, punched his clock, and walked away. (see pg 231 “All Players Are Responsible”, to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion, compete in a spirit of good sportsmanship, to be present at the start of each round, if possible, and note Mr. Clark’s rudeness, disregard for others, and his arrogance, not just in this instance, but in observed instances in most events he directors and participates in. Note: if Mr. Clark directs, he participates as a player. He stated to me he does not play a game of chess unless it is rated.)
- Please note the Wm Nakao Tournament of 2-26-2010 where Joe Brozovich #10342791 is listed as the director. After speaking with Mr. Brozovich and exchanging e-mail with him it is clear he had no idea he was the director; however, listed as the Assistant TD is, Mike Clark. The evidence would suggest Mr. Clark listed Mr. Brozovich without his knowledge. Why he did this is anyone’s guess. Further, in over 20 tournaments, Mr. Clark lists Max Benecke #12827955 as assistant TD and in several of these events I attended I have not seen Mr. Benecke present nor am I aware of any duties he performed in connection with these tournaments. In some of the tournaments Mr. Clark lists him as an Assistant, the tournaments occurred in Jefferson City Missouri. While Mr. Clark lives in Jefferson City, Mr. Benecke does not. Upon further analysis of his tournaments he also lists games that were played in Springfield, Missouri under tournaments he lists as occurring in Jefferson City. For instance, in his tournament “January Quick Training” January 9 to 17, 2010 he lists Joe Brozovich as playing in Jefferson City when in fact the game was played in Springfield, Missouri. (See rule 20L Manipulating results and misreporting of results). Mr. Clark’s does not follow any format for his tournaments. He does not state time controls, start of rounds in many cases, which days the games will take place. He simply takes a number of games played in various places and under different time controls and puts a name on these “bundle” of games and calls it a tournament. Concerns were raised about Mr. Clark using the Springfield Park Board Chess Club history and naming his tournaments after former players at this Club and in some cases the names of deceased players without the permission of the families or the Club.
- I ask that this account of Mr. Clark’s actions be paired with the original complaint filed by James Long. If an additional $25 for the filing is necessary, please advise me and I will gladly forward that payment to the USCF and make it a donation to the Federation. The main complaint against Mr. Clark is rule 20L, Manipulating Results”. A complete analysis of the tournaments Mr. Clark has submitted is beyond my expertise. I can only offer my personal observations and in some cases my opinion of his actions.
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Pagel
Player ID# 12523329
Below is the last posting in the USCF Forum where I originally brought up Mr. Clark’s behaviors and what appears to be in conflict with the USCF rules and spirit of the rules.
The Club where some of this activity of the member in question occurred is meeting tonight and we will discuss the concerns raised on this forum. And, if necessary, an additional or modified complaint can be filed. Further, besides what appears to be a violation of rating manipulation which is more than a matter of looking at the MSA, there is also eye witness evidence of improper pairings done purposely to assist this "TD/Player" in the same event to increase his chance of winning his section. Further, this person in question was also witnessed on several occasions of "tampering" with the clock more specifically stopping the clock for no other reason than someone left the room or he had to leave the board, but not because he had to resolve an issue as the "TD". These instances would be in conflict with the USCF Code of Ethics, Standards of Conduct both "b" and "c" from the 5th edition of the Rule book, pg 234. Further, the way the "events" were/are run(I dare not call them tournaments because they don't follow any standard format: ladder format or otherwise) are not consistent with the section in the rulebook of "Players' Rights and Responsibilities" specifically items 1, 3, 4 (see 1B2 pg 2), 5, 6, 7 pgs 230-234. All this can be documented via eye witness reports and if need be a signed affidavit. Additionally, by eye witness account and the paper trail in the MSA it appears he violated rule 20L Manipulating Results; and rule 16C2, per an eye witness account, though this would not be a large issue except when paired with these other allegations and with the fact that this individual is the TD, not an inexperienced player. These are just a few questionable behaviors of this individual of what I observed so this is not meant to be an exhaustive list as I did not participate in that many of his events (that I participated at all is something I regret) so I am sure there are other items to be added to these lists of complaints. I hope this clarifies the concerns with this individual and please continue adding your comments so we proceed in the proper fashion. That any of this needs aired in public is regrettable though the evidence is such that a response to the public, in my view, is necessary.
Brevcamp
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:41 pm
USCFId: 12523329