Tuesday, September 16, 2014

From Essex & Union Counties with Lev

Candidate master Lev Zilbermintz [pictured] has sent a letter to the Newark Star-Ledger regarding the Sunday chess column.

16 September 2014 

Dear Editor, 

It is with shock and disgust that I learned that the Star-Ledger replaced long-time chess columnists Peter Tamburro and E. Steven Doyle with Shelby Lyman. Excuse me, but the Star-Ledger has no idea how a chess column should be written! 

Both Peter and Steven have been writers of the column for many years. In fact, Mr. Doyle founded the Star-Ledger chess column back in 1987. He also is an esteemed tournament director, having directed numerous chess tournaments in New Jersey/New York area. 

You, editors, have to remember that Peter and Steven attempt to reach out to chess players of all ranks. The games published in their columns are mostly amateur games. I myself had a game published recently. Other chess players began their chess careers reading the chess columns of Peter Tamburro and E. Steven Doyle.

Bring back Peter Tamburro and E. Steven Doyle!! 

Lev D. Zilbermintz 

Chess Champion of Essex County since 1995 

Chess Champion of Union County 2014

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Yesterday afternoon, I phoned NJ Advance Media and spoke with Enrique Lavin, formerly of the Star-Ledger where he was responsible for the Sunday chess column.

Enrique explained that the Star-Ledger is cutting back on its freelance writers because the newspaper can no longer afford the man-hours to edit them.