Chesspark Update

We looked at Chesspark for the first time here. That was way back in '06 and, to be honest, other than for a couple of very brief drop-ins, I've not kept up-to-date with developments. But this morning I received an email about some recent improvements.

First, we have redesigned the game board! The new design places the clocks and user information to the right of the game action. Now the web client and the desktop client are more alike. The new board allowed us to release a new variant, Crazyhouse.

Also now possible is the ability to create groups.

The Groups feature allows you to be in a group created by you or other Chesspark users. You can create a ‘Group’ for anything, such as your favorite food, school, country or chess club. You can have the group open or private. It has a forum for permanent messages and a chat room when you are chatting and playing ‘Live’. Along with group chat, another ‘Live’ group feature is to be able to filter your games by groups you are in. You can play or watch just within your group or groups.

I suspect that these guys' client-base is predominantly North American. That's a pity because without gaining a firm foothold on the European front, what the hec is the point? It's a bit like www.chess.com (which we also mentioned here). I keep thinking: what a waste of a bloody good domain name? Just take a look at their front page news! Haven't these guys heard of Linares?