Chess History Archive

It's that time of year again, when the Chess Journalists of America announce the categories for their annual awards: 2014 CJA Awards Program. As usual, 'Best Chess Blog' is at the bottom of the list, but don't let that stop you from entering if you have a blog. In past years the blog category hasn't attracted many entries, which substantially increases your chance of winning. In 2013 there were no entries, but the group still managed to announce a winner. For details see my previous post on the CJA -- Cutting the Mustard -- and follow the links.

The most recent number of the CJA's flagship product, The Chess Journalist, Winter 2013, carried an announcement that I've been waiting years to see.

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is pleased to announce the development of an online Chess History Archive, containing digital collections that will eventually include photographs, tournament records, historical books and periodicals, academic research on the benefits of chess, a timeline of chess history, and other similar items.

Later we learn more about the plans.

In Phase 1, which we anticipate will be live by the end of 2013, we decided to focus on American chess -- specifically, the documentation of the locations, participants, and results of the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Championships, as well as the digitization and compilation of state chess periodicals into a single online location.

In additional phases, we will add new focuses, collections, and resources. Over time, we hope that the Chess History Archive will be established as the first stop for chess historians and aficionados seeking information on an obscure tournament, player, or bulletin, as well as more general inquiries about chess's rich history.

While writing this post I checked the site Worldchesshof.org, but there is nothing available yet.