The World Mind Sports Games is upon us!

[richardhutnik]

The event runs Oct. 3rd through the 18th in China. You can see the English site here for it:
http://www.2008wmsg.org/en/

I believe they will be showing the games over the web. Will need to see regarding that. If hundreds of millions visit this website, we may get an off chance of the event getting noticed for 2012 in London.

[dishesandlaundry]

Thanks for the link, I'll make sure to check it out.

[richardhutnik]

To get website hits up, maybe someone can start to spread a rumor Michael Phelps is competing in it! :silly:

[richardhutnik]

In regards to the WMSG, USA doesn't look like it is doing well. No one close to medal contention there. It is also looking like Speed Chess is heading to be the preferred version of chess on a competitive level. All the events look like forms of Speed Chess. Speed Chess does address a lot of the issues facing chess with a slower clock.

By the way, I believe the woman's world chess champ did win gold.

[chessandpoker]

Blitz is by far my favorite form of Chess. don't they use it as a tiebreaker now in tournament play also?

[richardhutnik]

As far as I know, they only used Blitz for Chess960 tie-breaker. Otherwise, they haven't. Blitz was proposed as a tie-breaker, but hasn't been accepted yet as such.

[richardhutnik]

So far, NO medals for the USA. America's shot at one may come through checkers actually. Ecuador has won a medal however.

You can see the results here so far, by the way:
http://123.124.180.125/en-us/index.aspx

[richardhutnik]

Ok, he made fun of the entire thing. But the video was funny, but also showed what needs to be overcome by the mind sport community needs to overcome to start to get TV and media coverage. He spoke of the "Tens of Dollars spent by the U.S Xiangqi community". It is worth checking out.

I am curious where they got the video feed from though. I haven't been able to find it.

- Rich

[richardhutnik]

I found the video:
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=188463

[richardhutnik]

I believe this is the only medal that America won. It was at 8x8 Checkers. I believe 3 move restriction.

I don't have a direct URL to it that can be shown. I was notified by the ACF (American Checker Federation).

[chessandpoker]

USA! :beer:

now I want to compete...whenever the tour comes to America that is! if you find the link please post I'd like to read about American checker players. also, richard, have you read about the checkers-playing program Chinook?

[richardhutnik]

USA! :beer:

now I want to compete...whenever the tour comes to America that is! if you find the link please post I'd like to read about American checker players. also, richard, have you read about the checkers-playing program Chinook?

The IAGO World Tour will be going on in 2009. It starts November and runs into Labor Day. I am getting more events on there, before the calendar. It is also up now for more events. You get your name in the IAGO World Tour website records. Some events do have prizes. Some events cost money, others are free. These vary. There is also Web based events also.

Wait, when you said tour, did you mean the IAGO World Tour or the World Mind Sports Games? IAGO World Tour has a much lower barrier to entry, and the World Mind Sports Games needs to work on getting sponsors so players don't have to raise their own money to get to the event. The 2012 World Mind Sports Games should be in London, a few months after the Olympics are there.

As for Chinook, believe University of Alberta designed it, and I think you can play it over the Web.

[richardhutnik]

Actually it is Gold at Checkers and Bronze at Bridge:
http://info.2008wmsg.org/en-us/Medals_NOC.aspx?D1=USA&xm=noth