Anand - Kramnik Match in Bonn

[AdminX]

Did anyone read this artical?:

Foidos is revolutionary internet chess presentation system, developed by DGT and several partners. It presents all aspects of a chess game via the Internet. Chess presentation on the Internet, using DGT e-boards and software, is a key feature of top level events. A move is transmitted within seconds after it is made on the board.

Foidos takes internet presentation several levels beyond the current standard. Not just the transmission of the moves is at hand for the Internet chess fan, but several video feeds can be watched. Features include: close-ups to show all (hidden) emotions of the players, “live” expert commentary of the games and interviews with special guests of the tournament.

During the game windows can be opened to witness the commentary by top level GM’s. Currently chess lovers have to visit a tournament for this experience. Now it will become accessible on the World Wide Web. Options to open a chat channel that connects the viewer with the commentator are built into the Foidos system. The user will also be able to link the games from a Foidos presentation to a chess playing program for further analysis.

Although Foidos is developed with chess in mind, it will be possible to use the system for other sports also. Foidos will be used on a “pay per view” basis during the Anand-Kramnik match in Bonn, but could be implemented for free if a sponsor or tournament organization is willing to invest in it.

Market analysis shows that an expectation of 150 to 250 thousand viewers during the World Championship Match in October is realistic.


http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4537

If so, do you think we will have a sponsor? Any ideas on rebroadcast rights, or pricing to view the Anand vs Kramnik match in October? I was really ready to view the match on one of the Chess Servers, thats why I ask these questions. I hope we do not have any bandwith issues for this event.

[AdminX]

In connection with the above:

On April 2nd a remarkable chess event will be played in Enschede (Netherlands). Vladimir Kramnik, World Chess Champion from 2000-2007, will face two young and talented Grandmasters: Marie Sebag (21) from France and the 24-year-old Dutchman Jan Werle in a simultaneous exhibition

Anyone notice that there was not much talk about DGT and Foidos on the Chessbase website? From reading the comments posted on ChessVibes, it looks like things did not work out out well for the event. Yet I can find very little press about the event. It's does not look like I will be paying to see the Anand - Kramnik match using this technology, as it's beta demo / preview did not work as expected. It would be nice if they could work out the bugs in time so the public could get a good preview. I don't mind paying for a working technology.

ChessVibes link:

http://www.chessvibes.com/online-chess/ ... rle-sebag/

[Mike S.]

My first thought when I read about this some days ago, was: Pay per view for an internet live chess transmission is not realistic.

Although, I can imagine that while the transmission of the moves alone is free (as known from many tournaments), additional video and high quality commentary could be sold. This is being done on chess servers but I don't know if it is a success in commercial sense.

The number of top events which attracts a high number of viewers who are willing to pay something, doesn't seem big enough to me. I doubt that it is enough for a big business, or for any business at all.

The minimum is that the moves and games of top events are published the next day (for free), and I don't need more. Also, sponsored, good events will want to broadcast live because the sponsors will want that people see their advertisement on the web pages. A top chess event without free live web transmission of the games (moves only) is hardly imagineable. For me, any additional content they could try to charge fees for, is not very attractive.

But I can only speak for myself and I wish the inventors and promoters good luck.

[AdminX]

But I can only speak for myself and I wish the inventors and promoters good luck.

Well Mike,

On this topic you can speak for me as well, since I pretty much feel the same. Board, Moves, and live Chat is all I really need! Video / Audio feed is nice but not required.