What happens next?

[Do it Right]

Hot off ChessBase. This is actually a really cool idea that I imagine is going to catch on fast. The video shows a bit of a game and then comes to a critical position where you are given a choice of moves and clicking on a certain part of the screen will lead to a video for an analysis of your chosen move. Choose your own adventure meets chess meets youtube. Anyhow, on top of a cool idea I thought this position was great. The first words coming out of my mouth when I realized the solution were: "Hahaha. Oh, sexy!"

[MUFFBLASTER]

Spoiler:

1. Qd3+! Bf5 (1. ...f5 2. Qd6+ Rf6 3. Rh6+ mates) 2. Rdh1!! Bxd3 3. g4 and black can't stop R1h6#

Right?

[shimmy]

Earlier today I penned the following email to ChessBase:

Dear ChessBase,

Please will you stop claiming that the "What happens next?" YouTube format is yours or Danny King's original idea.

As I know you are already aware, Simon Williams' Ginger GM company has already produced a DVD in this format and uploaded a similar video to YouTube on 5 October 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvjYzZRZKLs.

At this point I will declare an interest - I am a good friend of Simon's and a self-employed web developer that has done some work for him in the past.

The worst part is that you quote your readers without correcting them ("Marvellous!! Thank you so much for such a wonderful and innovative idea. I thoroughly enjoyed episode #1.").

I have stopped short of spamming the PowerPlay Chess YouTube channel (we have more class than that at Ginger GM), but I certainly won't be purchasing any more of your products in the foreseeable future.

It is hard enough for small chess publishers as it is.

Regards,
IM Simon Ansell

[TexAg06]

Wow, I didn't realize that. Thanks for posting.

By the way, could you post more on here? I know we'd all love to have more input from an IM.

[shimmy]

It's not the use of the format that's the problem, it's the passing it off as their own idea. Chessbase were already contacted (politely) by Simon Williams before they published the second article today.

I don't check this forum very often but if I see something interesting I'll be sure to post!

[Do it Right]

Ouch. That's definitely low of ChessBase to happily claim credit for the idea when they know that's not case. Very surprising.

[shimmy]

I had a reply from Frederic Friedel - I won't bore you with the full correspondence but basically he claims the meaning is that the format is "new" only for ChessBase and Danny King.

I have replied with "It is a question of semantics..." etc.

We will see if there is any concession.

In any case, not to distract too much from the thread - the idea is indeed good and enjoyable, whoever uses it!