Jeffrey French, editor of the US Chess newsletter Check is in the Mail, has been elected president of the Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA). He began his two-year term on January 1, 2026. The announcement came from Michael Buss, US Chess Correspondence Coordinator, in the February 2026 issue of the newsletter.
The February 2026 edition of Check is in the Mail, titled 'To Combine is Divine!', highlights French's new role. Buss congratulated French, noting his start in office on January 1. The issue continues a series on chess combinations, building on the February 2025 edition, with games and puzzles emphasizing tactics like decoys, skewers, and double attacks.
Featured games include several from 2025 tournaments. In the Electronic Knights, Garrett Schmidt defeated Craig M. Moore in 30 moves using the Hungarian Defence (C50). Alex Strobehn and Lawrence Crittenton drew after 36 moves in a French Defence (C18). Austin Anderson beat Tim Boldt in 31 moves with an English Opening (A10). From the Absolute Championship, Keith A. Rodriguez and Daniel M. Horwitz drew in 45 moves via Sicilian Moscow (B51), while Harry Ingersol won against David Sogin in 53 moves with Pirc Defence (B07). A Walter Muir E-Quad game saw William E. Perry resign Nokhum Markushevich after 42 moves in a Queen's Pawn Opening (D00).
The newsletter also announces new online entry portals for US Chess correspondence events, excluding two-player matches. CCLA offers dual-rated Seasonal Server Series tournaments for US Chess members, with $8 entry fees and no chess engines allowed. A special July 4, 2026, America's 250th Birthday Open Server Tournament features advanced and traditional sections, with $25 fees.
Additionally, it recaps the 2017 Golden Knights, where Michael Buss won his sixth title with 5.5/6. Recent winners include Matthew Kiniorski and Michael Flaherty in Walter Muir E-Quads. The issue notes the passing of R. Raymond Garrison on December 20, 2025. Puzzles from the games are included, with solutions like 2. Re7+ for the first.
