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I have been doing a number of things in an effort to promote chess in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area. One of the recent things that I have tried, is to hold rated tournaments without an entry fee. I had received an anonymous comment that was posted to our area chess blog, that believed that this would not draw established players because of the fear of losing ratings points without the potential to win money.
I would love to hear from the Susan Polgar blogsite readers what each’s perspective is on this and what other ideas some might have to stimulate more over the board chess participation.
The thread started:
Anonymous said…
Are you sure that free play will bring players? Higher rated players will hardly come because of possibility to lose rating points. Will see. But it is good for those who wish to establish rating.
January 26, 2007 1:27 AM
thechessdoctor said…
To the above anonymous:
Thanks for posting. You have an interesting perspective.
My hope with these “free” tournaments is to get newer players to come and also to “re-attract” those who can not participate in other events because of the cost. The vast majority of tournaments charge money to compete (sometimes quite a lot), with only a few participants likely having a good shot to win more than his or her entry fee. The bulk of the over the board players fall into this category. If we can get these new players involved and bring back the others, then there will be more interest in chess and this may, in the long run, bring more money and also develop more strong players in this great game.
As it stands, now, aside from scholastic chess events, local tournament participation is on the decline. Although, I have been involved in chess for just a short time, I am trying to do what I can, both monetarily and with hard work to try to reverse this trend.
If higher rated players do not come then those who do participate will not have an accurate established rating. For example if an unrated player plays and wins 3 or 4 games against competition averaging around 1100 then that players preliminary rating will be 1600 or 1700+. Likely not what the “actual rating” should be. But if no 1700 or better players are there, then there is no true measuring stick.
Also if no higher rated players show, it sends a message to those that come, that their time and play is not relevant. Such arrogance does not, in my opinion, help in the long run.
I would not have thought, that the higher rated player would “duck out” from playing chess, just because he or she would wish to protect his or her rating. Is the idea in rated chess to get to a certain level and then not play rated games anymore? I suppose in this way, the player could always say I am rated such and such, even though, the player may not be that good anymore.
Would we tolerate the next champion at a regional, national or world level, to get to that point and then quit just so that she will not ever lose rating points or lose her crown in competition again?
I understand that there may be some high level players, who would not play in a tournament in which there are few or no players close to his ability, as such games may not be challenging to him. But I doubt that if he is that good, that the chance of losing would dissuade him from participating. After all if he clearly is that much better, he will not lose. Unless, of course, his competitor actually played better than he did.
I also understand that there are some professional players who would not find it worth their time to compete in tournaments in which the prize fund is not enough to support their livelihood. Such players are few and far between and likely would not be coming to a small local event whether entry fees were charged and a relatively small prize fund was available.
In conclusion, I am not sure “that free play will bring players.” I do know, however, that different ideas are needed to rejuvenate chess at the local level. Please consider participating whatever your playing strength may be. Even those who might not wish to play for fear from losing rating points to a at present, lesser ranked player, could still come to share some camaraderie or better yet impart some chess knowledge to those still trying to learn more.
Best in chess and in life to all!
The full postings can be found at:
http://buffalochess.blogspot.com/2007/02/ill-only-play-if-someone-else-will-pay.html
This is Kramnik interview after Wijk ann zee. He talks about everything, but I’m surprised that he said tournament did not mean to him much. Real Champions (in other sports anyway) don’t talk that way
Are you upset that only half a point separates you from the group of winners?
Well, no. I did not try especially hard in this competition. There was no big motivation. This is not the World Championship. If I had more energy, I would probably squeeze out another half a point somewhere. I can’t say I am very happy about my performance, but I am satisfied. I both improved my rating and played ok.
Before you said you don’t like Wijk-an-Zee and that you always don’t play well here. Why did you accept the invitation?
It is not that I don’t like Wijk-an-Zee, it is just not my tournament. It really always seems to be difficult for me here. But this time everything was alright. Usually +3 is enough for the second place, but for some reason now it was only good for 4th place.
Photo: Cathy Rogers
When you play black against 1.e4, you keep playing the Petroff, with which you won’t squeeze out more than a draw at such a high level. With you being as strong as you are, why not fight [for a win] with black, too?
The thing is, I have an opening repertoire that is geared for matches. It is dense and solid, especially with black. And I have certain problems in long tournaments like this one, because it is really difficult for me to play for a win with black. That’s the kind of opening repertoire I have – it is geared for classical, match play.
But I remember very well how you won a beautiful game against Leko in Sveshnikov with black and how you played an extremely sharp Benoni against that same Leko, when you needed to. That is, you can do it when you really want. Of course, this kind of play with black requires taking risks. So, you didn’t want to take risks?
Sometimes it works out not so badly with black, but that is an exception rather than a rule. For the most part, I can count on winning with white, and therefore it is important to have one more “white” game. And this time I wasn’t lucky, I had one more game with black [in Wijk].
To be honest, I haven’t even paid attention to this aspect of the schedule. So, you were in unfavorable situation from the start?
Yes, for the third tournament in a row I had one more game with black in Wijk-an-Zee. It is not as important for those who have an “aggressive” repertoire with black, but it is important for me with my classical repertoire. For me playing with white and with black is a big difference. And here my performance with white was not bad, I won three games and drew three.
From Whom could you have “squeezed” more?
I let Navara escape. That half a point ended up being the difference in the standings. I could have beaten him.
And you had an extra pawn against Radjabov. You could have continued playing in the position where you offered a draw.
I did not like my position. I would prefer to play it with black.
Was everything calm in your “black” games? Nobody tried to really test you?
Yes, I did not really notice that. You get your chances to win with black when someone is attacking and here only Topalov tried to create serious problems for me when I had black.
Did the hostile atmosphere that surrounded that game have an effect on you?
I don’t really feel hostility toward him. He does his own thing and I do my own.
But you didn’t do the traditional handshake before the game and the draw was agreed in a rather strange way.
After what he has said about me I had absolutely no desire to shake his hand. As for the draw offer, in the position that was reached, the draw was obvious even without offers.
Did he put a nice squeeze on you in that game?
I was “worse” out of the opening, considerably “worse”. It is hard not to get “worse” against him. I got a very unpleasant position. But then he acted in a way that was a little primitive. I had no difficulty in guessing each of his moves. He posed no serious problems. If I was given that position with white, I think I would torture him for quite a while. Without a doubt, he is ahead of everyone in the world when it comes to opening preparation. I don’t know whether he works that much himself or if he has a team of people working for him or if it is something else, but when it comes to opening preparation, he is the best in the world. And most of his victories here were achieved because his opponents walked into some very strong novelties. But his play as a whole did not impress me.
Out of the tournament participants, who did impress you?
Radjabov really got stronger. I haven’t played him for a long time and now I feel he has really grown as a chess player. He plays like a 2750-rated player, which is probably a rating he will soon have. I think he is now one of the 5-7 strongest players in the world. Aronian was always a strong player.
Photo: Cathy Rogers
I happened to read and hear that FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was the one who voiced your decision to play in Mexico City, but you yourself have never really said you will play there.
Nobody asked about it directly, that is why I had not answered.
Consider the question asked.
I will play in Mexico. And my mood will be totally different from what it was in Wijk-an-Zee. There I will ONLY play to win.
Have you heard that the FIDE Presidential Council in Antalya has decided that if you do not win the tournament in Mexico City, you will have a right to a rematch with its winner?
I personally have not heard anything about it. My manager, who is there now, told me that there is no clear-cut decision so far and that it will be decided in in the end of February-beginning of March. Maybe it is one of the possibilities that exist at this time.
But it wasn’t one of the conditions for your participation in Mexico City-2007?
No. I will play regardless of what decision will be made about the future World Championship cycle.
What are your immediate plans?
I am optimistic and looking forward to the upcoming few months when it comes to my full recovery. Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to achieve that so far because of a lot of obligations. But the several upcoming months will not be that stressful for me. So far I don’t have enough energy to withstand as long tournament as Wijk-an-Zee. I will play in Monaco in March and then I will play a rapid chess match against Leko in Hungary, and I will play in Dortmund Supertournament in June. So I have an easy schedule until June. Given that the most important competition of the year will take place in Mexico in the fall, the first stage of preparation for it will be full recovery. I will work hard in the summer because I plan to win the World Championship in Mexico.
When I asked you about the wedding in Bonn, you said “I am not married yet”. And soon the news came that you did get married.
I told you the truth in Bonn – I was not married yet at the time. The public knows about the wedding anyway, but I didn’t want to see a big crowd of reporters attend the private occasion.
Who is your wife? Is that the girl you took walks with next to a lake in Ascone before the decisive game against Leko?
Yes, her name is Marie-Laure. She is a journalist for Le Figaro.
Editor’s note: World Champion Vladimir Kramnik married in a Paris office on 30.12.2006. Another ceremony will be held on 04.02.2006 at the orthodox church of Paris. We will get fresh pictures from Paris next week.
Where do you live? I understand it is not the “multimillion-dollar apartment” the existence of which you denied so emphatically when we talked after the match in Bonn. I am not asking you how much it costs. But – do you live in Paris?
Yes. It is a rather modest apartment in downtown Paris.
Who cooks in the family? Or do you prefer to eat in restaurants?
She cooks, of course. Cooking isn’t my thing. By the way, I like her cooking. But she is a rather busy person and when she doesn’t have time, we go to a restaurant.
Credits:
Translated by Russianbear a moderator at ChessNinja
The interview was originally published at the Russian newspaper Sport Express
The original interview in Russian can be found here
My question for the open thread is: How many of the “Susan Polgar” posts on this forum are written by Paul Truong, her manager, as opposed to Susan herself?
There are two reasons it seems to me that Paul is writting a lot of the blog:
(1) There are a lot of posts under the “Susan” identity when Susan must have been doing something else. For example, this morning there was a post from “Susan”, and then not very long later there was another post from “Susan” saying she had just gotten off an airplane in Florida. The uninterrupted flow of “Susan” posts when Susan was ill also makes me think that someone else is writing many of her posts.
(2) Most reports from people who have actually met Susan say that she is a charming, modest person. Yet, on this blog, “Susan” is posting her picture all the time. She is a lovely-looking woman, and she is entitled to be proud of her appearance. But if it is really Susan posting her own picture all the time, then I think she is a bit of a narcissist. I don’t believe that, and I suspect those posts, with their pictures, are really Paul posting.
(3) There are two distinct writing styles and dictions in the “Susan” posts. I think the real Susan posts have a looser, more friendly style. There is another harder, tighter set of posts, particularly on “polictical” questions. For another thing, neither Paul nor Susan are native English speakers. While both have a superb mastery of English they make mistakes occasionally, and the mistakes seem to be different in some posts than others. Also, I am guessing that Paul makes a bit fewer mistakes than Susan. In fact, in the posts that I suspect are Paul, I don’t find any mistakes at all — or anyway, fewer than I make. The other set of posts have more mistakes — not that it is a lot by any means, but more. For example there was a post yesterday about Susan’s training methods in which she refers to giving “advices”. I’ve seen that mistake before, and I think that is the real Susan talking. You don’t see that type of mistake in other posts.
(4) In her Chess Cafe and some of her other columns, there is a credit line at the bottom to the effect that Paul T helped with the column. This makes me think that Paul is “helping” a lot with this blog.
If it is the case that Paul is posting on this site a lot, I don’t have a problem with that. There are such things as “group blogs”. But I think it would be good if he posted as “Paul” rather than as “Susan”. We would then at least know which posts are really Susan, and which are her manager ghost-writing/putting words in her mouth.
Anon, as I have explained countless times before, Paul is responsible for 90% of the pictures and artworks in ths blog.
He is also the one scanning the news for interesting items for me to post. He is more or less the technical person. His handle here is admin as you can see on the left side of my blog.
Only 2 people are running this blog and have access to this blog. I am responsible for the text, the topics and posting
I write all my columns. Paul double checks my analysis and contents.
This is a blog and I post around 10 items each day in addition to dozens of other activities daily. I do not have time to worry about the sequence of my post. Please do not speculate next time. Thanks.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Susan, can you please make your blog less heavy? It takes ages to load!! 🙁
Thank you
chessdoctor, I like the idea and I think it would work in bigger chess areas. The only problem I see is there may not be enough strong players within the commuting to the event. But other than that, I think it is GREAT!
Thank you for supporting chess!
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
About TheChessdoctor post:
We, out of the US, also are organizing free tournaments. In order to do it is enough to obtain the support of two or three local sponsors and that is not difficult.
This type of tournament facilitates that many old people or children cheer up to take part … I have not thought really that the participation of the people between 18 and 50 has increased.
But with just three local sponsors and without entry fees you have not the money to get masters or strong players out of your area.
It is just about money,not about rating:you are wrong!
In order to promote chess activities we do a championship each four months,and in between we give classes to our children at the Community center.Initially we were just two “experts” teaching to 20 kids,but now(five months later) is very usual to find there four or five adults more playing and teaching to our young players.
The chess will grow in your area if you are realistic, really you are provided with the people of your community: Look for the local support. And I think that is easy to find a few players who could offer one hour of their time once a week as volunteers.
My ideal chess tourney would be:
1) NO ratings…that means random pairings whether you are 2700 or you are 800 ELO. Everyone gets a chance at playing someone great; or gets a chance to teach someone
2) One game a day (if 40/2 etc..) else less time but something reasonable so you have plenty of time between rounds to refresh or eat something good.
3) Optionally, I would like to see knockout…similar to how tennis is played at US Open.
4) Optionally, using “seeded players” concept instead of ratings.
5) Entry fee…doesnt matter to me one way or another
@anonymous1:
Perhaps we should rephrase Bogolyubov’s famous quote for Kramnik:
“When I play with the white pieces, I win because I am white; and when I play with the black pieces, I draw because I am Kramnik.
@Susan and thechessdoctor:
Running a tournament for free might work in the short term to attract people, but after some time, wouldn’t you be feeling lousy if you are doing it for no profit? A lot of people will crowd you with all kinds of demands, often unreasonable, and will drive you absolutely nuts. I am speaking from bitter experience.
Anon-
Who cares?
Susan-
Thanks for your continued dedication to chess.
Without wanting to affend anyone who is an interested contributor this blog, I wonder why Anonymous posts are allowed, or is that a valid name of the poster? Are there more than one person posting as Anonymous? Thanks, Paul / MIFL-Merritt Island, FL
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the open forum, I enjoy your reading your excellent blog daily. I also like your sense of humor when you have the “write a funny caption” threads. I’ve tried to write 3 funny captions on one Susan simul photo with your right hand raised. They’re just for fun of course! (lol) It’s great that a World Champion such as yourself shares your joy of chess with all of the fans. Thanks again.
And “mifl” is less anonymous than “Anonymous”, isn’t it dearie? If you sign your posts with your real name and the place where you live, then you can criticize.
It’s nice to see that Chess (Chess Titans by Oberon) now comes as a standard game in the new Window Vista. Maybe this will help to get more people playing and enjoying the benefits of chess. For my tastes, it sure beats solitare or minesweeper.
So “props” to Microsoft. (rare but well deserved)
-mm
We need to set some official guidelines on how to detect cheating. The mothod of comparing moves against computers must be banned as a legitimate way to detect cheats. Video cameras on the audience+players, and airport style electronic screening is the way to go.
Rdgs M.
Hi Susan,
1. Who do you think will advance from the Candidates’ Matches to the WCH in Mexico?
2. Why, in your opinion, Anatoly Karpov almost doesn’t play competitive chess in the last few years?
Thanks and greetings from Israel!
Hi Susan :o) Thanx for puzzles that 8 pawn is amazing. My Master friends haven’t solved it yet! My question is this, Why isn’t Gata Kamsky playing in the recent big tournaments? He proved he is still a top ten competitor. Is he not getting invited or is it commitments?
Looks like WGM Alisa Maric had bad car accident.
Info here
I think Susan knows her
Susan you have said that it is hard for an American to succeed as a high level chess player in America. I personally think the interest and the support (monetarily just insn’t there. My question is this. Do you see a way in the future where we could get big corporate sponsorship or maye a grant from The Bill Gates Foundation to have an annual United States Super Grandmaster tournament like Linares and Corus for example to create a big chess interest in The United States and put America on the world stage of great chess!
Chess movie review:
I recently viewed the film ‘Dangeous Moves’ (R. Dembo, 1984). It’s a fictional drama which is strongly based on the Karpov-Korchnoi matches in the 1980’s. The film includes political elements taken from news of the cold war, and ‘real’ aspects from those matches and Chess history.
I watched it with a fellow Chessplayer. We both agreed that, while we were ‘glad to have seen it’, the movie is ‘unimportant’. It is certainly of interest from a Chess viewpoint – there’s lots of Chess in it, and it’s pretty realistic – you see real positions and real games analyzed and played out. But there is very little gripping drama – some tension between the players, some shenanigans at the matches. I won’t provide ‘spoilers’ if you haven’t seen it, but our complaint is that nothing really ‘happens’ – it’s just a Chess match . It’s difficult to see how this movie could be entertaining to viewers who don’t understand Chess and the history involved, however it DID win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 1984!
Some online reviews criticize a flub – a player refers to the square ‘G-10’, but this is so minor that I don’t think the criticism is justified. (It’s just as unimportant as criticizing a typographical error posted at this blog, while ignoring the content of the post.) And another unfounded criticism is that they make their moves too quickly – well, exactly how can one film a ‘movie’ which lasts 90 minutes and expect to show complete Chess games played in ‘real time’? I think that the thinking time in ‘Dangerous Moves’ is at least more realistic than those ‘speed-chess SLOW games’ played in ‘Searching For Bobby Fischer’.
However, SFBF is a more entertaining ‘movie’, as it offers a higher degree of character, tension and drama. ‘Dangerous Moves’ is what it is – a Chess match, featuring some good acting (including Liv Ullman, Leslie Caron, and Michel Piccoli). As a Chess player, you may wish to seek this one out.
I want to say that I stopped going to tournaments because they became much too expensive. Only the top players can win the money and that left me simply losing a lot of money to play chess. Rediculous.
I used to enjoy the low cost good tournaments with big turnout in the 1970’s. The tournaments were packed full of players and the cost of admission was very low compared to today. Most were about $10 to $20 with $15 being common. they also gave a nice $100 prize for the lower sections.
Later the tournaments began to cost $100. and now even several hundred. It is simply too expensive unless a person has a big chance to win. My last tournament was $100. locally. the kids got in for $18 and walked off with all the prize money.
The mothers all told me I should be happy to pay $100 and allow the kids to win all the money and only pay $18 for entry. I have never considered playing a tournament again.
I would be happy to play in a $100 tournament for $18 and sign an agreement that I am not allowed to win any money at all. I really do not want to play for the money. I just want to play for chess. But I want a reasonable cost.
Now I play every day on the ICC internet practically for free. Low yearly cost that is a bargain. I also get to watch all the big tournament games live. I really like that. All in the comfort of home.
I would enjoy playing in some tournaments. But I do not have $100 to throw away on a few games. No way do I have that kind of money.
That is my problem as well. I’m willing to pay a few dollars per game for 4 good chess games, but most tournaments cost a lot more than that, even without figuring gas to get there, hotel bills, food, etc. I’m not likely to win so the chance of a prize is not a factor.
Why not just play in weekend tournaments? Well those are expensive too, and it would be fun to go to a big tournament with top players and a lot of other chess players.
As the previous post says, I wish the organizers would set a “no-prizes” entry fee of a $15 to $20 and just let me play. But most of the organizers see people like me as the source of money for the prizes that attracts the top-rated players.
you people think chess promotion is bad in the united states you should see how bad it is here in canada. i emailed to join the canadian chess federation and they dont even write you back. plus theres very few tournaments from what i can see on the canadian website. the only tournaments we have are few and far between in the remote parts of canada. chess promotion is shameful in canada and i wished we had the chess facilites that new york city has. id like to test my skills against some strong players but we are a joke as far as chess is concerned.
wolverine
I heard that WGM Alisa Maric was injured in car accident. Anyone knows anything about it?
id like to also discuss the insanity going on with investigating vesselin topalov. if your going to investigate him then you should investigate kramnik as well. they should also do more investigating of all players and step up there ways to catch cheaters. enough of this stupid witch hunt going on to bring vesselin topalov down. hes a great player now leave the guy alone if you dont find anything! even the top players are claiming he cheated because there jealous hes number one and if they can get him out of the way it clears an easier path for them to be world champion. theres always self interests involved in everything. the whole thing is just a complete ridiculous pile of raw sewage. see susan trying not to swear. its hard but the efforts there.
wolverine
100 dollars is a normal entry fee in America? Wow,you must be crazy!
My last tournament(with a lot of masters:I played with three) had about 100 players and the cost was only 15 euros(20 dollars).
I think that probably you are not working well finding sponsons!
100 dollars!I never paid that for playing and I will not open to do it in the future!
Just try to do the same that we do:in Europe is absolutely less expensive!
@Mark – broken hip and collar-bone. I asked around after reading WCN item. She will stay in bed for at least couple of weeks.
@Jose – organisers in USA are expecting to earn profit from tournaments
Wolverine: Topalov has little to gain from an investigation. It is, sadly, unlikely to clear his name, and it is equally unlikely to amass more than circumstantial evidence.
For this reason, maybe no investigation should be taken.
It still remains that Danailov’s gesturing is disturbing. Simple as that. People seeing it will suspect that something is going on. I didn’t want to believe it, but I saw the vid and it looks really fishy.
From now on, Danailov will keep his arms crossed over his chest, keep his feet still (no tap dancing!), not change his tie or shoes in between visits to the playing hall, and generally keep his face as expressionless as possible.
To Tesla:
Here,in Europe, the organizers are hired and paid with the sponsors money.The sponsors really control the tournament,not the organizers(they are just pawns) and usually the sponsors want a BIG championship, with a lot of people because that means a lot of publicity(press and local TV if it is possible).Then the good way is to have cheap entry fees.
You are paying a lot because the organizers control your chess(and they want just money).Our chess is controlled by the sponsors and they want other thing:good and cheap publicity,and playing you are helping them to their success.
Probably it is one good reason to know why your chess federation is not growing.
As always:just think about that!
With former NBA player John Amaechi coming out of the closet would Susan do a feature story on a gay GM either living or dead.
Wolverine
Imagine if Topalov was cheating and he was not number one?
There seems to be a connection between cheating and winning if
you ask me. Connect the dots.
yevlev,
It is painful for chess legends to lose in chess due to age and not following chess theories. Karpov is happy with what he is doing now.
Ask me about the candidates matches again in 1-2 months. It’s too early to predict 🙂
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
Very interesting interview by Kramnik. I doubt he can stay World Champion for long with his lazy approach to Chess. Try hard with white and draw with Black. For a young guy he complains a lot about lacking energy. May he has not recovered 100% from his illness.
An anonymous poster or two or it might be the same person said he stopped playing tournament because of the high entry fees. I am not sure where they live but high entry fees are the exception rather than the norm. In the New Jersey area there are several Quad Tournaments you can enter for $20. You can also play the US Amateur Team and Individual tournament just to name a few.
I think “torturing” opponents over the board is what every chess player wants to do isn’t it? I was a bit perturbed by what you wrote and guessing you never liked Kramnik. I liked the Krmanik interview. He’s going to play in Mexico no matter what and he’s going to play to win it! Somtimes the chess fan’s (though I don’t know if you’re just a fan) rivalry make Celtic-Rangers rivalry in soccer look like a stroll in the park.
Peter, I just deleted your post. I ask that you behave properly if you wish to continue posting here.
Thank you!
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
I would like to obtain opinions, that is, civilized responses, to the following question:
1.) What is your opinion of Correspondence Chess (or “CC”)?
2.) If it is postive, then why? If not, then why?
I appreciate all civilized opinions whether negative or positive. Your response will be most appreciated.
As both a correspondence player and OTB player, I have noticed that
hardly anyone ever mentions correspondece (or these days, Email or webserver) chess.
Also, before anyone posts a comment that correspondence chess players can “cheat” using computers…well, just review the hype surrounding GM Topalov and GM Kranmnik!
I just want to get various opinions as to why those who post messages on this blog never mention corrrespondence chess. You do know of its existence…correct?
Love it or hate it, correspondence chess can (I reiterate “Can”) make one a better OTB player. It is here to stay in one form or another…considering technological advancement.
…and to GM Susan Polgar, thank you so much for allowing me to bring the topic of corresponce chess up in this blog. It means a lot to so many people around the world…I mean, literally, thousands.
I’m working on some quality correspondence chess material to submit to you for review in the hope that it might be mentioned on your website/blog. I will get back to you regarding this.
Correspondence chess has both a world champion and a new U.S. champion but have not been recognized by those who comment on this blog. My question to those who read this blog is:
Why?
My curiosity is merely academic in nature and I just want to get others’ opinions. If anyone cares to respond, please do not insult as so many “Anons” do. All opinions are welcome. I believe firmly in freedom of thought and expression.
Most Sincerely,
Tim Harris
In reply to Tim Harris’s question. I play lots of cc/email chess and I use two sites: 1) http://www.e4ec.org and 2) http://www.schemingmind.com Both are free to play, but schemingmind allows more games if you pay a small amount or accept welcome games. Both calulate a rating after a number of games are played and have a starting rating that adjust up or down depending on wins. I’ve found email chess to be very enjoyable and doesn’t require me to play a game all at one sitting. As far as cheating goes, while I’m sure it can happen with email chess, I expect that it’s rare as most have far to many games going at the same time to bother with it. By the way, my email chess ID is MIFL on both sites, my name is Paul Fromen / Merritt Island, FL.
actually i always liked kramnik but the more i see how the russiasn gang up on non russian players that reach the top the more i detest there character assaults and false accusations. you have to understand the context of what kramnik meant. when you play your there to win and destroy your opponent but kramnik said it in a way that he would take alot of pleasure to make topalov feel great pain if he had him in that position. im completly unbiased but for kramnik to say hes not hostile towards topalov when every idication of his actions and words says he is amounts to real dishonesty. his team is leading the assault against topalov in the newspapers and fide even though kramnik would probaly deny this. if kramnik just came out and said i hate topalov then id have more repsect for kramnik because at least hed be honest about things.
wolverine
Tim,
I never had an interest in Correspondence Chess.
Is computer use allowed?
If it is then one will not have to worry about cheating and it becomes a variant of Advanced Chess.
I feel that Internet Chess is the nail in the coffin of correspondence chess.
I would not consider Correspondence Chess unless I am the president of the United States or my schedule is so busy that I cannot play regular chess anymore.
Thankyou for your polite answer, though I’m still not convinced – I don’t see anything in the interview which indicates denfintely he meant that in this way.
Hi there. It good to hear about Susan Polgar. What did you think about Fischer. It be possible see Fischer play agains Kasparov. Do you think computer chess is good for study yes or no?