Massachusetts Chess Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 5, 2025, 7:00pm

Via Zoom

ATTENDEES: Rob King (President, presiding), Mike Urbonas (Vice-President), Robert Messenger (Treasurer), Nick Sterling (Clerk), and Directors Dmitry Barash, Elsie Smits, Kateryna Odnorozhenko, Colin Scheriff and Larry Gladding.

CALLED TO ORDER appx 7:35 p.m.

1. Welcome new board members - 2025 Elections

Mr. King welcomed newly elected directors Colin Scheriff and Larry Gladding. Mr. King noted the board has 3 open director seats, as nobody was elected to them. We can use strong volunteers who are willing to advance the cause and they can be voted in by the board.

2. Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Messenger presented the financial statements for fiscal year ending April 30, 2025 (“FY 25”)—attached. Major items discussed by the board as follows:

Consolidated revenue was higher than the prior fiscal year (“FY 24”) due to larger incomes from both our Adult Tournaments and our Scholastic Events. Additionally, in FY 25 consolidated revenue also included receipt of a $5,000 USCF grant, successfully applied for by Ms. Odnorozhenko, to promote chess to women and girls.

Tournament-related expenses in FY 25 were higher than the prior fiscal year (“FY 24”). TD expense was higher as we increased their pay rate and now have more people helping. Rent expense was also much higher than FY 24; however, Mr. King noted we just recently negotiated significantly lower new pricing with Westford Regency, the primary venue for Mass Chess events, so those savings are not yet reflected in the current financials.

3. 93rd Massachusetts Open Financial Report 

Mr. Messenger also presented a financial report for the 93rd Massachusetts Open—attached —held on May 24-26 and so not included in the FY 25 financial statements. The event achieved a net income of appx $6,800, well over $1,600 from last year, primarily due to much higher entry fee revenue, as the event attracted 290 players versus 226 last year; as well as significantly lower rent expense stemming from recent successful negotiation with Westford Regency as noted above. TD expense was higher as this year’s event staff included an extra TD, which contributed to the smooth running of the event. 

4. Massachusetts Open Champion Trophy

Mr. King noted that the existing trophy is currently broken. The chess king piece broke off from the top of the cup, and the Trophy is too small to include all the winners’ names since the first Mass Open held in the 1930’s. Meanwhile, the board has long recognized the need to properly honor FM John Curdo. 

Mr. King proposes the following: 

• Rename the trophy after John Curdo.
• Purchase a new trophy base from Guertin Graphics & Awards (“Guertin”) in Worcester that can accommodate all winners and future winners for the foreseeable future.
• In a recent phone call with Mr. King, Guertin said they can salvage the existing cup and replace the chess piece on the top.
• Guertin also told Mr. King they can create a special plate including John Curdo’s picture, biography, etc.
• The budget estimate of the new Trophy’s cost will be less than $1000.
• Mr. King also proposed that we should have a special small plaque or trophy for winners of the Mass Open to keep after they return the big trophy.

The board was in general agreement with Mr. King’s proposal, and also had other suggestions regarding the new trophy. For example, Ms. Smits suggested it may be possible to include a programmable display on the trophy instead/in addition to engravings. 

The board agreed to further discuss specifics for the new trophy and vote on a final proposal at a future Meeting.

MOTION (King/Urbonas): To rename the Massachusetts Open Championship Trophy (currently named Eli Bourdon Memorial Trophy) after John Curdo. PASSED. 

The board also agreed to repair the current trophy as quickly as possible for FM Danila Poliannikov, who just won the title of Mass. State Champion in the 93rd Mass. Open.

5. Website Contract Update

Mr. King said he is in the process of making proposed revisions to the website contract proposal presented by Dustin Hopkins of Kingside. The contract included certain rules and standards Mass Chess was to be held to that were unacceptable. Mr. King will provide an update the board as soon as possible.

6. Other

The board agreed they would determine and vote on committee chairs and members in the next meeting. Ms. Odnorozhenko provided a brief update regarding the utilization of the above-noted $5,000 USCF grant. 

The meeting was adjourned at appx 8:35PM.