It seems apt, then, that the number of people in the world who play or follow chess is currently estimated at over 500 million -- the same number as use Facebook. And FIDE believes it can double that number with the help of its ambitious social networking initiative.
Several new chess-related Facebook
apps are already on their way thanks to CNC, a firm that is partnering with FIDE in the effort. "We are creating a series of chess training programs for Facebook users," said CNC CEO George Taylor, "but our larger goal is to facilitate the world's first official, FIDE-certified online chess tournament. We are excited to offer chess fans a vibrant community where they can compete for prizes, earn special online FIDE rankings, and challenge their peers more easily than ever." The most talented online players, Taylor added, will be invited to compete in official world tournaments.
