The year end holidays are fast approaching and it's time to start thinking about gifts. Let's have some recent product and service news. Here are announcements from Kozmo Games, eBay, Rampart Chess, Game Trust, PROTOS, Shredder, Disney, Fritz, Chess Genius, and e-ChessSets.com.

• Kozmo Games announces online sales launch for WarChess • 'Kozmo Games presents a beautifully rendered 3D version of War Chess. A whole new chess game that will please both the chess player and the fantasy adventure fan!' [20 June 2005]
  
  
• eBay to offer community gaming section • 'eBay is to launch a new service that allows its members to compete in online skill games for cash prizes. The online auctioneer has partnered with SkillJam, a gaming subsidiary of Fun technologies, to offer its users a selection of multiplayer skill games. Starting in October, SkillJam will offer a selection of co-branded games on eBay, which will be advertised within relevant areas of eBay’s online marketplace. For example, a user looking to buy a chess board may see a pop up inviting them to play a game of online chess on eBay’s gaming section.' [13 July]
  
  
• Rampart Chess 2.0 for MS Smartphone released • 'If you are a fan of chess game, then here comes another chess game for MS Smartphone!' [9 August]
  
  
• Game Trust Powers MoneyGaming.com • 'Game frame platform enables many industry firsts; provides skill titles for hit portal; world's first high-stakes online skill gaming portal enjoys record money player sign-up; TMGC has selected nine hit skill games from the Game Trust catalogue of 45 titles to launch on MoneyGaming.com, such as Multiplayer 8 Ball, Chess and Backgammon.' [25 August]
  
  
• Download Newer, Better Version of PROTOS • 'A newer and better version of PROTOS Swiss Pairing software (Ver 1.9.05) is now available for download free courtesy of FIDE Swiss Pairings Committee Chairman Christian Krause of Germany.' [9 September]
  
  
• Chess Program Released for Linux and Mac • 'Today, the world champion chess program Shredder released a version for Mac and Linux. This is important because it is the first time a major software player in the chess world has released a version of its chess engine for Linux and the general public.' [1 October]
  
  
• Disney's Aladdin Chess Adventures For PC • 'Disney's Aladdin Chess Adventures is a game for all ages and would make an ideal stocking filler this Christmas. Its unique style and approach to teaching a timeless classic game makes it fun and educational; It is a great way to introduce the game of chess to children, and will even help adults polish up any forgotten skills!' [4 October]
  
  
• Excalibur Publishing secures Fritz Chess 9 • 'Excalibur Publishing is pleased to announce that it has secured the rights to publish the latest version of the ever-popular Fritz Chess brand. Fritz Chess 9 reaches shops on 28th October and brings with it an array of updated features which include:' [5 October] • Fritz Chess 9 Release Date Confirmed • 'Excalibur Publishing is pleased to confirm that the shipping date for the latest installment of its ever-popular Fritz Chess brand has been confirmed as October 28th.' [18 October]
  
  
• Wrist Gaming • 'Chess Genius is, so far, my favorite game for the watch. The fact that you can expand the board to take up the entire screen is perfect and it’s awesome to be able to play quick pick-up chess games without having to screw around.' [17 October]
  
  
• AGEIA PhysX Technology to be Incorporated in ChessBase Game Engine for FRITZ 9 and Future Titles • 'AGEIA (TM) Technologies, the pioneer in hardware accelerated physics for games, today announced that ChessBase Gmbh has signed a publisher-wide licensing agreement to use the AGEIA PhysXTM SDK in FRITZ 9 and other upcoming titles. ChessBase also announced their support for the upcoming AGEIA PhysX processor.' [19 October]
  
  

If you are looking for a tutorial on chess sets, e-ChessSets.com Explains...

• The Benefits of Fine Chess Sets • 'Chess is a popular board game across the world. While many people are content to play chess on a regular board with plastic pieces, many players who truly love the game take pride in their unique chess sets.' [16 August]
  
  
• The Benefits of Glass Chess Sets • 'The first glass chess pieces were made in the ninth century in what was then known as the Islamic Empire.' [14 September]
  
  
• The Emergence of Wooden Chess Sets • 'The first Staunton wooden chess pieces were made in 1849. The thing that set the Staunton apart from all other chess sets was the design of the pieces.' [29 September]
  
  
• The Advantages of Magnetic Chess Sets • 'Magnetic chess sets are a truly innovative idea. They use magnetic fields to secure the chess pieces to the board during play, insuring that the pieces will not move. ' [13 October]
  
  

Finally, here are a few ideas for making your own chess set.

• A handcrafted, nuts-and-bolts chess set • 'If there's a chess player on your Christmas shopping list, you can save money, have some creative fun, and produce a present that pleases by fabricating and giving' [1985]
  
  
• All the right moves create a chessboard • 'Chessboards have always intrigued me. The game itself is centuries old and has challenged some of the brightest minds on the planet. As a hobbyist, I always have been fascinated seeing the square patterns joined together in wood.' [18 August 2005]
  
  

Product News : Previous reports. • Disclaimer.