chesscafe.com

[Mark Donlan]

With regard to the redesign at ChessCafe: Feature content is freely available, as is a monthly From the Archives; column content and archives (in ChessBase, PGN, and PDF formats) requires membership. We find it a reasonable proposition that if you enjoy reading the content at ChessCafe.com, that you support the site with a purchase from our shop. Membership is reimbursed in full via a coupon in our shop, and forthcoming releases are available at a 25% discount! International customers can order ebooks or download software without incurring a shipping charge. We also plan to implement video content in the near future, as well as a playing interface.

[Ian Thompson]

We find it a reasonable proposition that if you enjoy reading the content at ChessCafe.com, that you support the site with a purchase from our shop. Membership is reimbursed in full via a coupon in our shop.

Maybe, but is it ever advisable to pay for something 6 months before you can buy it? It could be indicative of a business with serious cash flow problems.

[Mark Donlan]

It is designed to reward long-term members and discourage those who would sign up, get a coupon, and then cancel.

[Matt Mackenzie]

No new content (in either the free or paywall areas) since the end of May.......

[Mark Ashley]

No new content (in either the free or paywall areas) since the end of May.......

There wasnt a Checkpoint column for May either, and that is usually released within the first week of the month.

[Mark Ashley]

According to a post in another forum i read, ChessCafe has announced a 3 month break from posting new content.

https://chesscafe.com/the-skittles-room/on-hiatus/

[Mike Truran]

Perhaps subscribers should announce a three month break from paying their subscriptions.

[Roger de Coverly]

Perhaps subscribers should announce a three month break from paying their subscriptions.

I rather think they've paid up front, so are only getting nine months of content.

A principle of fairness would give them fifteen months of access rather than twelve, but a three month suspension would decrease casual visitors to the site, so you wouldn't expect sparkling results from the associated book and equipment business.

Unless there's a new owner with a different business model, I doubt it will recover.

[Matt Mackenzie]

According to a post in another forum i read, ChessCafe has announced a 3 month break from posting new content.

https://chesscafe.com/the-skittles-room/on-hiatus/

"fallen just shy" - I wonder if that is being *entirely* honest.......

[Matt Mackenzie]

The "on this day" box is being regularly updated again it seems, but no other new content as of yet.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Said updates seem to have ceased on 31 July,,,,,,

[Matt Mackenzie]

They seem to have resumed again. Still no other new content, though!

[Matt Mackenzie]

The "three month hiatus" was up at the start of this month, but still no sign of new content.

And the "on this day" updates have stopped on August 31.

Just awaiting the last rites now?

[Tim Harding]

Mark Donlan owes me 300 dollars for my last two articles and has not responded to my emails since mid-June.
Gary Lane told me he only got paid with difficulty.

I consider this a very mean way to treat somebody who contributed to Chess Cafe for years.
(I never had such problems with the original owner, Hanon W. Russell who is a real gent.)

My attempt to contact Donlan via his chessedu.org also met with no response.

I think this answers your question.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I have now removed the site from my bookmarks, and will be surprised if I ever have to reverse that decision.

A great shame