World Chess Network
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 The World Chess Network game interface |
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| URL | http://www.worldchessnetwork.com/ |
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| Commercial? | yes |
| Type of site | Internet chess server |
| Registration | subscription required |
| Owner | Master Games International, Inc. |
| Created by | Master Games International, Inc. |
| Launched | 1999 |
| Revenue | subscription-generated |
| Current status | online |
The World Chess Network (WCN) is a Internet chess server devoted to the play and discussion of chess.
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[edit] History
The World Chess Network is owned by Master Games International, Inc. It is home to many recognized chess Grandmasters and International Masters such as Susan Polgar[1], Larry Christiansen[2] and Larry Evans[3].
In the 1999 policy board meeting of the United States Chess Federation, a proposal was made for a strategic alliance between the World Chess Network and the USCF.[4]
[edit] Software
The interface is the proprietary Mgichess software. The software has arrangements to try to detect players using the assistance of chess programs. It does this, in part, by detecting changes in window input focus, based on information on the activities being undertaken on the computer that the program is able to detect.
[edit] Services Provided
The World Chess Network provides a number of services to its subscribers. Besides the facilitation of online chess games, it also provides members with a method of conducting online chess tournaments. The network uses the Elo rating system for rating its players. The World Chess Network also conducts professional grandmaster tournaments[2], allowing spectators to watch these matches live, with professional commentaries.
It is also a venue for those seeking to improve their chess skills. The network facilitates private chess lessons from professional players, usually via arrangement with the professional player with an additional cost. It also provides a service called Banter Chess; With this service, spectators watch two Masters play a game while explaining their moves and thoughts out loud, allowing the spectators to learn how high-ranked players conduct their games. Lectures about playing chess professionally is also given by the many Masters on the site.
For players not currently playing games, the network offers regular chat channels so that players can schedule or discuss games, among other things.
[edit] Coverage
The site itself has been reviewed on Chess Central, a notable online chess resource, by chess grandmaster, Susan Polgar.[1] Polgar has also referred to the World Chess Network as a major chess "company".[5]Another well-known online chess website, ChessBase, has featured the World Chess Network in at least one article. The article featured a match on the network between American Grandmaster (GM) Larry Christiansen and the Canadian International Master (IM) Pascal Charbonneau.[2] The network has also received attention from other chess-specialty sites such as Chessville.[3] The site also has been featured as a popular chess play site on About.com.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Polgar, Susan. 4 World Chess Network (english). Online Chess Playing Sites Reviews. Chess Central. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ a b c The World Chess Network (english). Daily Chess Columns. ChessBase. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ a b World Chess Network (english). Site Reviews. Chessville (2004-01-03). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Liebermann, Rachel (May 1999). "An Unofficial Summary of the 05/99 Policy Board Meeting". ', Newburgh: United States Chess Federation. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ Interview with Susan Polgar in Calvià (english). Events. ChessBase (2004-10-07). Retrieved on 2007-01-28. “So the first thing I did was recruit my best friend Paul Truong to help me launch a serious US Olympiad Training Program. After he agreed to do it, I immediately switched federation from Hungary to USA. Many well known companies such as ChessBase, World Chess Network, and IBM, etc. stepped in to help us...”
- ^ Weeks, Mark (December 2003). Online Chess Play Sites III: World Chess Network (english). About: Chess. About, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
