News and information going on in Chesspark!
<< >>HHCF Tournament
On October 13th, 2007 The Hip-Hop Chess Federation will gather a collection of 8 rappers and MMA fighters in San Francisco, to go head-to-head for a heavyweight belt!!
We will post more on this as it evolves. Chesspark is a proud sponsor of this event.
All Things D & Chesspark
While visiting friends and business partners this week in Northern California, Jack was interviewed by Kara Swisher. Head over to All Things D . Com. and watch Jack talk about Chesspark.
Thanks to True Ventures for throwing a great party!
And thanks to Kara!
Angel Investment Round
from our press release today:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2007
West Palm Beach, FL -- Chesspark.com, an innovative new online chess community moved another step closer to their full-feature product launch today with the completion of an investment round with angel investor Jon Callaghan of True Ventures, Burnt Norton, Inc. and Eaglebrook School. This round brings the total amount raised to $1 million which Chesspark.com will use to fund the completion of its public beta test in anticipation of their full-featured product launch in Q3 of this year.
"With over 100,000 users already enrolled in the beta test we have been able to refine and perfect our gaming platform. As we finish up some exciting additional features in coming weeks we remain on course to launch the best subscription-based experience for chess players," says Jack Moffitt, co-founder of the venture. "We are getting 1,000 new signups every day and the response has been fantastic."
Game Viewer Widget
Chesspark.com Game Viewer - review your games online and show the world some of your moves by placing Chesspark Game Viewer Widget on your website, blog or profile.
Chesspark.com has been building an archive of games during the beta test period. Members are now empowered to look through their old games to think about tactics and strategy for future games.
Go here: http://chesspark.com/my/games/list/ to download or review your moves.
Chesspark Sponsors Hip Hop Chess Federation Event
Acclaimed rapper/producer RZA will put his mental skills to the test as the newest artist confirmed to appear at this year's Hip-Hop, Chess and Life Strategies: II Exhibition.
The event, which is scheduled for May 19 at the Omega Boys Club in San Francisco, CA., will feature various rappers, martial artists and athletes going head-to-head in competitive chess competitions with area youth.
"Our purpose is to encourage young people across the country to infuse their artistic and physical gifts with chess tactics and strategies to enrich their lives for years to come," said Hip-Hop Chess Federation co-founder Adisa Banjoko.
In addition to RZA, the exhibition will feature international chess icon Josh Waitzkin.
An eight-time national chess champion, Waitzkin is noted for being a Tai Chi Push Hands world champion as well as a student of Brazialian jiu jitsu.
Chesspark Updates
IM Attila Turzo: read Attila's analysis of the "Sicilian Defense." ( http://chesspark.com/swiss/attila/ )
Recent website overhaul: Chesspark.com is evolving rapidly and has relied on feedback from among the 33k trial users (and growing faster every day). The site will see more features released just as fast as we can make them.
'Quitter Loophole' closed: when players disconnect from games no longer will the game 'adjourn' -- now players that leave will automatically resign the game after a few minutes grace period.
Game Finder: the tech team is working on a new method for finding games at Chesspark.com. While the CentralPark chat room is still a great place to find games, this new feature will streamling the process and offer more flexibility to Chesspark.com users.
Chesspark To Create Service For At-Risk Children
Be Someone, Inc. and Chesspark.com are excited to announce a partnership to develop an online chess community customized for at-risk children. Orrin Hudson will amplify his award winning "Be Someone" program with Chesspark.com's technology to provide his students with a safe and positive environment for games, lessons, team play and tournaments.
Be Someone, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Orrin Hudson. His methods were inspired by the game of chess: success in chess and success in life require the same fundamentals, including concentration, self-esteem, problem solving skills, and discipline.
(http://besomeone.org)
IM Attila Turzo At Chesspark
We are proud to welcome International Master Attila Turzo to the Chesspark team. IM Attila is a highly regarded international master with a long history of high level match play and teaching services.
IM Attila is a regular player at Chesspark, helping to moderate chatrooms and offer guidance to new and inexperienced players. He also plays exhibition matches with some of the higher rated Chesspark members. In the future, IM Attila will be offering lessons at Chesspark.com.
An email newsletter will soon be distributed to Chesspark users, featuring IM Attila's analysis of Chesspark and historical matches.
Chesspark Beta Progressing Well
Chesspark would like to send a tremendous THANK YOU out to the 14,000+ of you that have created active accounts so far during our beta test. With your feedback we have made huge strides down the development path. We are working on new features that will be released for testing very soon. These include broader language support, revised adjournment rules, and more.
Thank you for making our first five months so productive.
Make Chesspark Your Park!