Comments/Ratings for a Single Item

Could it be that FIDE needs to hold a convention to decide the fate of the
'Mad Queen'?  It definitely appears that this particular game has
reached its peak.

What other variant might be worthy of world recognition?  It would
definitely have to be much more challenging.  Able to resist
quantification for at least a century.

Regarding Roberto's comment, I think most consider Vladimir Kramnik the
'actual World Champion,' not Ruslan Ponomariov.  That is because Kramnik
beat Gary Kasparov, 13th champion, in 2000 to become 14th in a succession
that goes back clearly to at least 1886 with Wilhelm Steinitz the first. 
Whereas, Ponomariov is only the most recent winner of FIDE 'lottery' as
128- or 64-elimination tournaments have been called.  If Peter Leko
defeats Kramnik in Sept./Oct.2004, in match backed by new Association of
Chess Professionals, likewise most everyone will regard Leko as 15th World 
Chess champion. Of course, there is talk of 'unifying' the title, but FIDE
has usually sanctioned the (recent) Fischer-Karpov-Kasparov-Kramnik
succession.

I think Larry is not far from the truth, probably this game has
reached its peak. But it is not easy that changes come soon, and
FIDE-Chess is going to continue dominating the scene for an undetermined
amount of time, it is a well stablished game and there are many interests
of any kind around it, in fact, the decision of a World Championship in
Lybia seems to obbey more to monetary interests than other considerations,
this is my particular opinion, and perhaps it does not differ than other
many opinions around the world. FIDE is in controversy, the Association of
Chess proffesionals is gaining prestige, but the game itself is going
quickly to a saturation stage, a player reaches high ELO´s in base to a
frightening expertise gained through years of exclusive dedication and the
knowledge of the incredible extense theory developed for this game. I
think human beings are very close to dominate enterely this game, it is
seen in the matches played against strong computer opponents that only use
brut force and play the game in a discutible honest manner, because the
programs have access to wide databases of openings, ends and games played
through all the history, nevertheless the highest ranked players can beat
many of these programs many times. It is the need of renovations and
variants, but I repeat, it is not easy, new things must fight against very
powerful interests.

Roberto,

I agree new things must fight against very powerful interest.  We all know
this to be true especially, since we all have created a variant at one
time or another.  Every time we create a variant,we all hope that our game
just might be the one to replace the Fide version.  If we continue to
unite with one another, like we do on this site.  We just might be the
group to change chess history.