Chess has Definately Evolved....

[savin]

When I first started playing in chess tournaments -- over 45 years ago, there were almost no girls playing at all. The few that were did not make it to the top of the "must date" list for the local hot shot guys.

But clearly things are changing. There are many more women/girls playing chess and adjusting for the number of women playing versus the number of men/boys playing and you quickly see that there is no difference in ability.

However, the following shows me that the current Vice Champion of Women's Chess in the world has taken the sport to a whole new level.

www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3097

There is still that inner voice asking "why?" but the only answer that comes up is:
1) Money, or/and
2) Because she can

[reyn]

In my opinion, Ms. Kosteniuk has done a disservice to other women playing chess. I think still many who are not top ranking struggle to be recognized as serious players.

I suppose this sort of exposure (pun intended) will possibly have others look at the game, hopefully not for the wrong reasons.

Definitely a money thing.

[perseus]

How many husbands lose to their wives at chess?

[mugley]

perseus said:

How many husbands lose to their wives at chess?

depends on what the stakes are ;D

[tool]

Easy guys..

Our North American prudishness is working overtime..

Who cares if she did a nude shoot? No big deal..Just one more nude pic to add to the billions out there. It's totally her choice....if any of you were offered a million for your nude shots would you take it? Or refuse because you're doing a disservice to chess?

Somebody from every game or sport has done it...is figure skating forever tarnished because of Katerina Witt?

Common..the game will be fine.

I think it's great for chess to get some press. Normally reading chess news is like watching paint dry. Which guy (who devoted his whole life to practicing, memorizing others moves and ideas, studying for endless hours all to gain a few rating points) wins which tournament in some far away country...who cares??

Waste of valuable time if you ask me..but to each his/her own.

There is so little money in chess (if you aren't top ten in the world) , I don't blame her a bit...she will be a household name now. Good for her.

[yitwail]

do we know for a fact that she posed nude? the link says, 4 page spread, but she's fully clothed in the 3 pages shown. (i don't have any penthouse issues, obviously, and don't intend to get any)

[shamou]

Lucky Kasparov, is probably all I can add.