This is being worked on as you write. Though the first exploratory in
this manner is likely to be an invitational event to reduce the quantity of
kinks occuring and the amount of logistics that will have to be involved.
Here's hoping for it to arrive soon.

Sincerely,
Sara Walsh

"MC" wrote in message
...
The devil is in the details.
Agree 100%.

Would you have to hire a neutral arbiter at
every location to make sure the players don't cheat?
You gotta have *someone* who actually cares about the integrity of the
game
to make sure cheating does not happen. Otherwise it's a waste of time and
effort.

Who supplies the
computers and internet connections?
Most likely chess clubs that already have these facilities can provide
that
as an added service to their members or to whoever wants to use the
facilities for a fee.

And what about problems of lag, broken
connections, etc.?
This needs to be worked out for sure...

It would certainly be messy the first few times, until people worked out
the
kinks.
I think there's is potential in this to allow for even greater
participation
in tournaments. Let's face, money is always a problem in chess,
especially
for those that can't devote themselves to the game fully and/or can't
travel. The internet removes geographical barriers that hinder
participation.

However, if I'm going to pay $50, $100, $200 for a tournament fee I want
to
make sure that I'm playing a person. Otherwise I can play CM9K or Fritz
as
many times as I want at home.

MC