I am average or below average IQ is it still possible 4 me to become a chess master ? or does that require above average IQ or genius ?

in the "User Statistics" section, 3 columns list, User, ELO, and Success (%) - how does this actually relate to your ELO if for example, a User's ELO is listed as 2200, but the success is 78%, does that mean the User's ELO is 78% of 2200? does anyone know ?

What's the difference between these two in terms of content? Target audience? If you could only choose one, which one would you choose?

Most "best ever chess games" lists don't get too much further than the early 1990s. Which games in the last decade will possibly be regarded as classics (either historically important, or because of brilliance) in years to come? A few possible candidates that come to mind: * Kasparov - Topalov (Wijk Aan Zee, 1999) 1-0 Reason: the amazing 15 move combination with a double rook...

I am so deeply disappointed in Frank Niro It is to be recalled that I have long been a supporter of Frank Niro. In the election campaign last year, I was the only candidate openly to support Frank Niro. I did not realize until I met with several of the other candidates at the vote-count in New Windsor that some of the other candidates were talking about firing him and nobody but me seemed to...

do you know 'twin silvers' opening in Japanese pronunciation? it uses the rook on the center file. I have hard times matching Japanese shogi terminologies and English ones. dajava,

Hi, Only promoted Pawn has a 'gana' (Japanese letter) whose pronunciation is 'to' whereas others have Chinese characters. Any particular reason? dajava,

I'm looking for a digital chess clock in the $50 or so dollar range. I'm thinking of getting either the Game Time II or the Saitek II. I'd be interested in hearing some opinions on how the two compare, or if there are any better clocks out there in the same price range. --- Jet Jaguar I have a spam blocking address. Replying to me is like pulling teeth. Visit my crappy home page at...

Suggestions or opinions on palm-based chess games? I would like to buy the best one I can.. they all seem to sell for under $30 (which is not a problem.) IF this message doesn't belong in this group, I apologize - I could not find a FAQ. Kindly tell me where it belongs and I will gladly re-post. Thanks!!!

I seen a tournament set on Ebay........I was wondering if the clock is really worth 100.00 like the guy says. New to the game......thinking of playing in a tournament or two. Was wondering if this be a good deal..................... Thanks in advance. Randy http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3168538069&ssPageName= ADME:B:BN:US:1

There are obviously many people on these groups who are clueless about the purpose of the groups. The fundamental principle is that just because it has something to do with chess DOES NOT mean that it should be posted to every group that has to do with chess because "someone there might be interested." Someone on these groups might be interested in my chicken wings recipe, but that doesn't mean...

Hi! My new column on Finding the Best Move has been posted at http://www.chesscafe.com/heisman/heisman.htm. If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail me directly; I often don't follow up and check these threads. Best wishes, NM Dan Heisman www.chess.fm Q&A show Monday nights from 7-9 PM Eastern

Wherefrom do I download this program? Thanx/nsp

Can FIDE really rate players down to 1001 ?? FIDE has had a plan since Istanbul 2000 to rate all players down to 1001. The traditional floor for FIDE rated players was 2205 for men and 1905 for women, but that floor has since been dropped several times. I feel that it would be a wonderful thing for FIDE to rate players down to 1001. For example, Europe and Asia have no class prizes for chess...

According to the latest USCF press release, Baiba Mednis, widow of GM Edmar Mednis, has died. She was 64. Her husband died in February 2002. She is survived by two children, Sari, 33, and Mariss, 28. The USCF Executive Board named Mrs. Mednis "Honorary Chessmate" at its board meeting last year in Crossville, Tenn. The funeral is Saturday, Jan. 24. George Mirijanian

John McCrary's Wall of Secrecy At 10:18 PM 1/26/2004 -0800, Craig Jennings wrote: Perhaps I'm being too harsh to honest people with the best of intentions and seeing evil where there is only negligence. I apologize if that's the case, but it still should be corrected. -- Craig

Right now the way it looks you would have to say Anand is the best player in the world right now. Man is he looking impressive. Unfortunately a debacle for the NG since Dr. Jai will start posting his garbage more often. Other than that Anand is coming into his own. I don't think anyone can beat him in a match right now. EZoto

Having watched the movie, it seems to me that IBM imposed some very unusual rules during the whole match. For example, Deep Blue was locked in a room, with guards outside, and nobody (not even Kasparov or any representative of his team) was allowed in. Why so secretive? Having said that, the film makes much of IBM's failure to produce logs which could prove Deep Blue's play in Game Two was it's...

In Paolo Maurensig's novel "The Lünenburg Variation" the claim is made that during the second world war various articles of a very strong pro-nazi and anti-semitic nature appeared in the German press, signed by the world champion (Alekhine). Is this true? If so, did Alekhine actually write those articles? Thanks, Marco

Does anybody know where i could find the following book: XVIIIth World Student Team Chess Championship Mayagüez-Puerto Rico 1971, bulletin, 72pp J. Sajtar I will also welcome any games you could find on this event. Thanks for help.