Is it possible/feasible to add an internet (rated) category to major
tournaments? Imagine the scenario where users can log in remotely from
Internet-approved facilities (this can be a club with internet connections
an a USCF arbiter or TD making sure that computer cheating does not take
place).

I know this would greatly facilitate participation in tournaments for folks
like me that can't travel due to expense limitations, family, etc, etc. The
idea is to allow participation against *real* human opponents (versus the
current state of Internet and postal chess where you don't know for sure if
your opponent on the other end is (c)heating...) for players that can't
travel or are otherwise limited to a specific geographic area. I'd even be
willing to pay a fee for the use of such facilities, since it's better to
pay, say $50 over the normal tournament registration fee for this kind of
arrangement than several $100's for travel and accomodations (more if the
family wants to come along).

Any imaginative TD's out there that would like to experiment with this idea?
I'd be one of the first ones to sign up...

MC

"MC" wrote in message
...
Is it possible/feasible to add an internet (rated) category to major
tournaments? Imagine the scenario where users can log in remotely from
Internet-approved facilities (this can be a club with internet connections
an a USCF arbiter or TD making sure that computer cheating does not take
place).

I know this would greatly facilitate participation in tournaments for
folks
like me that can't travel due to expense limitations, family, etc, etc.
The
idea is to allow participation against *real* human opponents (versus the
current state of Internet and postal chess where you don't know for sure
if
your opponent on the other end is (c)heating...) for players that can't
travel or are otherwise limited to a specific geographic area. I'd even
be
willing to pay a fee for the use of such facilities, since it's better to
pay, say $50 over the normal tournament registration fee for this kind of
arrangement than several $100's for travel and accomodations (more if the
family wants to come along).

Any imaginative TD's out there that would like to experiment with this
idea?
I'd be one of the first ones to sign up...

MC


The devil is in the details. Would you have to hire a neutral arbiter at
every location to make sure the players don't cheat? Who supplies the
computers and internet connections? And what about problems of lag, broken
connections, etc.?

It would certainly be messy the first few times, until people worked out the
kinks.

-T

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

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