Here is an idea to write 500 to 700 words on your favorite player, chess
anecdote or event. The subject needn't be American, and this need not be an
encyclopedic entry - but something to show the flavor of the life and times
of a chessplayer - or even of a chess idea, as below.

After recent criticisms here in these newsgroups - some of which are valid,
but some include preferences which do not increase the sense of anything
over anything else, and are merely personal preference, my opinion to
objectify a little of what might be included for any subject is to canvas a
few ideas here first. This at least demonstrates what is essential fact from
personal preference - and might help achieve some proportions.

Many websites provide small or large biographical extracts on players, often
written by just one or people - and necessarily their own view of things. By
opening up the subject of writing to the chess public, this allows more
variety of comment than of singular reviewers - and also can be attempted in
parts, without first having to write the whole thing - eg, a very active
player's career might be covered in 10 to 15 year periods, and a writer
could chose their own decade.

All work may be amended for errors, and all are subject to editorial audit.
[I am not the editor.]

I thought of a few possibilities and suggested that Koltanowski is certainly
one, but how about Hans Berliner?

I even think it would be even interesting to know about such
collaborationists as -just for example- Kampars and Tejler [who wrote an
early monograph spanning games from about 1950-1970 on the Blackmar-Diemer
Gambit, which in some variations (4...B-B4) becomes the Vienna Defense].

Readership for such material is very large in terms of unique site hits, and
this is also a relatively secure means to establish player and event records
which can be adjusted, but not completely destroyed because people didn't
like parts of them [for good, and for bad reasons, but uncritically], as
recently witnessed on Wikipedia.

Chessville wishes to make sensible alterations which improve the worth of
each piece, and is not looking for perfect writing [which does not exist!]
but a solid essay, and will amend but otherwise protect your work from
vandalism.

Find the link at www.chessville.com to Chessville Vignettes, or perhaps run
a few ideas up the flagpole in these newsgroup if you want some reaction and
feedback.

Phil Innes
Business Manager, Chessville