This year marks 10 years since Max Zavanelli assumed the position of ICCF/US Secretary. The position of Secretary is extremely influential in U.S. correspondence chess affairs. To understand the transformation of U.S. International chess under Max Zavanelli, let's take a look how things were 10 years ago and contrast that with how things are now.

ICCF/US was run by Bob Karch, a true chess enthusiast, but finances for ICCF were in chaos. Dues hadn't been paid, the U.S. was unwanted in international play, some U.S. players had gained a reputation for being more than rude to their opponents. Debt was overwhelming the organization. The U.S. had an almost perfect record in international play � we hadn't won a match in many years. The dropout rate in international play had reached epidemic heights. Dissatisfaction with the ICCF/US had led to near rebellion.

This was when Max the Axe took over the reins from Bob Karch. And so began a new era in international correspondence play for the U.S. Two U.S. players were permanently banned from ICCF/US play. U.S. players began to realize that Max meant business when he said he would clean up U.S. correspondence play. A strict no-drop-out policy was instituted. Silent withdrawals would not be tolerated. Instead, players so doing would be banned from ICCF/US play. A policy of selecting players by rating to represent the U.S. on its teams was instituted. Some players griped about the new strict policies, but most players saw that the result of these policies was an improvement in the climate of U.S. international correspondence chess.

Results began to march in. The U.S. began to actually win matches with other countries. The U.S. team qualified for the Olympic Final for the first time in decades. Max received the title of International Arbiter. Under Max's encouragement, the first USPCF Team Championship was organized between CCLA, USCF, TCC, NOST, and the winner, APCT. Even with the financial collapse of TCC, the tournament continued to its end.

There were other rough spots, such as financial setbacks to the ICCF/US (to the extent of $12,000 to $15,000 a year). Political in-fighting and betrayals cost time, money, and reputations. Max accepted a professorial chair at Stetson University and those duties caused some neglect of his ICCF role.

To solve that neglect, Max brought in Bob Meinert in 1993 to assist with office work and administrative problems. The number of titled U.S. players has mushroomed. When Max took over ICCF/US, there were two U.S. correspondence grandmasters and eight international masters. Now those numbers stand at four and 34 and two international woman correspondence masters. Remarkably, there have been no disputes involving U.S. players in ICCF for a period of four years.

And now Max contemplates leaving the ICCF/US post. His goals and assigned missions have been accomplished. ICCF/US has never been as healthy, and Max believes it is time for a new secretary to build upon his successes. A qualified candidate should be well regarded by his fellow players. He should be financially stable or independent and able to endure the financial losses and expenses of the office. He should be a friend and supporter of small countries and protect their rights, but also be willing to stand up and be counted when it matters. The candidate should act with diplomacy and respect to other cultures, but not be afraid to disagree. He must be able to attend every ICCF meeting to protect the interests of U.S. players.

Finally, it would help if he were a strong player, not in awe of the top players who will sometimes try to bend the rules to satisfy themselves at the expense of others.

Anyone who fits the qualifications listed above is welcome to submit a resume. You will have a tough act to follow.

To avoid the specter of a conflict of interest, Max had to give up postal chess, a loss that he still feels today. How well does Max play? Here is an example of his feared attacking style.

SICILIAN DEFENSE [B50]

W: Max Zavanelli (2330)

B: P. Schuetze (2170)

VI North American Invitational, 1990

This line is little explored. ECO gives only 7. Bf1 Nc6 8. h3 e5 with equality, as in Torre-Andersson (Buenos Aires, 1972).

If there are such things as typical Max Zavanelli moves, this has to be one of them. Max answers Black's erratic queen move with an "in-your-face" pawn sacrifice to speed up his development. Black, who already has a bad game, chooses to steal the b-pawn, hoping that if he does not get mated, he can queen the extra pawn thirty moves later.

Black has to block the a2-g8 diagonal, since 13. ... Na6 14. Bc4! Be6 15. Rb1 wins for White.

After 18. ... e6 19. Bg5, the defense folds.

Another great shot. Max demonstrates his theory of investment: a pawn (on b2) invested at the right moment brings about its own interest, and finally a bold stroke at the maturity of the loan leads to a killing in the market. Here Max shows he is no materialistic banker but a poet at the chessboard.

There is no defense except resignation. The try 22. ... Rxd5 is handled by 23. Qg7+ Kg5 24. h4+! Kf5 25. Qf7+ Bf6 26. Qxf6+ Ke4 27. Qf3 mate.

White announced mate in five.

MODERN BENONI DEFENSE [A70]

W: Paul Thompson (2423)

B: Stephen Wolff (2271)

1996 CCLA Championship

ALBIN COUNTER GAMBIT [D08]

W: Lou Gee (1697)

B: Don Cotten (2025)

CCLA Team Match, 1998