Peter Alfeld, --- Department of Mathematics, --- College of Science --- University of Utah

Chess!

(Click on the small picture to see a large version of " Chess at sunset", a picture of my favorite board and set.)

The internet is a great place to play chess. There are a number of chess servers that let you play against people and computers all over the world, at any time of day or night.

In the US there are two main servers, the internet chess club (ICC) and the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS). FICS split off from the ICC when the ICC went commercial. There's a bitter rivalry between the two which improves service on both of them. The ICC charges a membership fee of $49.-/year, FICS is free. On both facilities you can play as a guest. If you register you can maintain ratings in various categories and maintain a permanent "handle " or identity that allows you to interact with other players on a regular basis. You can also examine past games by yourself and others, search data bases, participate in tournaments, watch grandmasters play, and do a number of other things. If you are interested send me e-mail and we'll play a game.

There are more servers world wide, and there's also an Internet Chess Library with interesting information.