The Evolution of Checkers

[CDawson]

In your opinion, do you think that the checker player population has increased or decreased in the last few years. The reason I ask is because I used to see tons of online players at different places, and now I don't see that many people playing online. What is your opinion on this matter?

[Eric Strange]

In early 2000 the internet was swarming with checkers players. Yes you are right.... now there are not nearly as many players. Internet checkers took a HUGE hit in mid 2000's by the introduction of "Playbuddy" in both yahoo, pogo, and wherever else. This was an auto checkers program that really ruined the game for many online players. I would say 80% quit within the first few months and it slowly got up to around 90 or 95% within the next couple years. The more dedicated players found refuge at Kurnik where we did not have to bother with programs as much.... Since the start of Kurnik we lost a lot of players just because the site is not as fancy. But we have gained a large amount of brazilian, mexican, and Polish players. Yahoo skill level is next to nothing now but it is still the most populated checkers site.

[CDawson]

In early 2000 the internet was swarming with checkers players. Yes you are right.... now there are not nearly as many players. Internet checkers took a HUGE hit in mid 2000's by the introduction of "Playbuddy" in both yahoo, pogo, and wherever else. This was an auto checkers program that really ruined the game for many online players. I would say 80% quit within the first few months and it slowly got up to around 90 or 95% within the next couple years. The more dedicated players found refuge at Kurnik where we did not have to bother with programs as much.... Since the start of Kurnik we lost a lot of players just because the site is not as fancy. But we have gained a large amount of brazilian, mexican, and Polish players. Yahoo skill level is next to nothing now but it is still the most populated checkers site.

Wow. Seems like that 80% were the ones that just wanted to use the program. Thanks for the insight Eric.

[Eric Strange]

Not with players like that....

[Alex_Moiseyev]

"Kurnik era and generation" can be gone, but new generations of online players 10-15 years will start it over ... maybe on another site.

Checkers as intellectual game always generated an interest of young players and Federations always fail to grab attention of these players and bring them to arena of real ty's.

We had Gaming Zone, then VOG, now Kurnik .. what is next ?

It is very possible that next year we may have in USA one or more blitz tournaments (fast games with clocks on real boards) with several thousand or even tens thousand dollar prices. Maybe they will show up here ?

Alex

[Jolt]

If it's held in a large city with free beer.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

If it's held in a large city with free beer.

City will be large I suspect and beer maybe free, donno, but entry not free and what they told me - it will be somewhere $150-$250. I have to learn more about this. You must be very good (or think you are good lol) in both - game itself and fast play with real clocks and board.

[CDawson]

If it's held in a large city with free beer.

City will be large I suspect and beer maybe free, donno, but entry not free and what they told me - it will be somewhere $150-$250. I have to learn more about this. You must be very good (or think you are good lol) in both - game itself and fast play with real clocks and board.

Well Alex, let me know if you're going so I can save my money

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I think I will be there but not play, thats for sure. However I can't say the same about other strong cross aboard players. If I will atend it - only as honorable guest or board member. Prices will be very high but only for 8 top players among several hundred players. Another 8 can get their entry back and pay other expances.

As I said - I have to learn more about. As far as I understand - they want to run classic knock out system. Each pair play 10 games mini-match, 5 openings. For first 2 games - 10 min to each player, for another 2 games - 8 minutes,, then 5 minutes, 3 minutes and in last 2 games - 1 minute to each player. In case of tie they play 3 or 5 minutes to each player to the rest - as many openings and games as they can afford during this time.

I also recommended them "gambling" like in real cards - play 174 openings deck (18 losing) and ... 1 game only from each opening ! It really doesn't matter how good you are in poker, but if you opponent get 4 Kings - pack things and go home

Organisers told me that this is too revolutionary ... Donno ... what do you think ? In my eyes this may open gates for amateur players hoping for luck.

But as i said - top finisher may get $10,000 or close depends on number of attendants.

Alex

=============================================================================
Announcement about event will be in first quarter of 2011 and event take place during summer time.

[Danny_Alvarez]

Alex i think the idea is great.... wether it works or not thats another matter, but the idea itself is great.
and "too revolutionary" there isn't such thing. When the conditions are where we are today, we need more revolutionary
ideas to bring back former glories.

Despite the fact that i have no hope of winning such a tournament i think the idea is good. and that with a bit of effort it would work if people decide to turn up and have a go.

Regards,
D. Alvarez

[Eric Strange]

Well I think that there will never be as many online players as back in early 2000's. online gaming had just begun to get popular so many found interest in any game that caught their eye at the time and many became hooked on our old game. now online gaming is huge as well as making $$ online. Gamers are playing games like world of warcraft and call of duty and halo.... not checkers. Others have moved on to poker where any beginner can beat a master in a lucky hand. I am trying to create a secure online environment for $$ games online including tournament play.

Major problem is cheating and I have thought of EVERY POSSIBLE WAY someone could cheat and thought of ways to counter it. The most dangerous is slower timer games with someone using a small camera on the screen that someone in other room could get the feed and player has an earpiece to hear the moves.... That is if all other precautions are used..... which include web cam, microphone, and desktop monitoring software with all unneeded processes running on the computer killed.

Next idea would be to have the tournament at a local internet gaming location.... they have them in most cities and players could play against each other all over the world using these establishments.....

The second idea would be very difficult to make happen but the first could happen. Considering how small the checkers world is it would not be hard to spot a cheater. Some no name (either offline or online) beating everyone considered to be one of the best would definitely raise suspicion. Especially if in order to join for tournament games I required Valid ID and such then people would not be able to make multiple accounts to keep cheating. All of the requirements to keep cheating difficult would of course deter many players from participating in the first place though.

i am eventually going to be having a tournament type of website and LADDER playing which should be fun... with official ratings and things of that sort. Money, advertising, and bragging rights is what makes these things popular though. Which us poor checkers players aren't able to provide....

I was also thinking of a "paid to play" type of website also where I would make equal amount off of advertisement as I would make paying players. This would definitely get a lot of people playing the game and even getting them hooked. I think this may be the best way to go.... just come up with a formula that would take money made from advertisement and divide it up amongst the players who were playing the most.

In any case nothing like this is going to happen anytime soon because of lack of $$$$$.

This is just a small bit of the ideas racing through my head. I just know that I have dedicated too much of my life to this game to let it die without a fight!!!

[Danny_Alvarez]

i tried to invite a friend that wasnt from Kurnik (Playok) to come and play with me today. and i just realized that the "CHECKERS"option is quite hidden away in other languages other than english.

CAN WE ASK KURNIK TO CHANGE THIS AND BE FAIR ???? i think it would make a great difference to numbers in kurniks chatroom and playing numbers.


in english u can see checkers among all other games in the main page after u log in (SEE PICTURE 1)

checkers.jpg

In spanish, catalan, portuguese and others (i didnt check them all) you have to first click on "damas" (draughts)

damas.jpg

and then IF YOU HAPPEN to SEE IT tucked away on the corner is "DAMAS US", most people click on damas and then a chatroom and never see the option.

damas us.jpg

(see pictures 2 and 3)

Can someone tell me why dont we ask for a straight link from the same page as draughts , same as in english, Im sure its not a great effort from the playok people and it would mean more online players ....

cheers
D. Alvarez