Many times there were when each country would challenge each other in an international sporting competition, such as the various Olympic sports and the FIFA World Cup.

Obviously things were more popular than chess.

During an international conference America started arguing with Germany about who should sit at the head of the table.

"I'm America, dammit!"

"That's not a valid argument!"

"Who gave you financial support after we beat you in the war?"

"WHO GAVE YOU THE HAMBURGER? DAMN STRAIGHT! WE DID!"

The other countries were in shock. It was true - hamburgers were named after Hamburg, Deutschland.

"Well, we perfected it!"

England chimed in.

"Not without my help!"

"What help?"

"I like your pizza!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP, ITALY!"

Austria, sitting at the end of the table, pulled out a magnetic chess set and began playing with Hungary. It caught Germany's eye.

"Hey! We are in the middle of a conference here, you too!"

"... uh... But you're just arguing between yourselves. This doesn't involve the rest of us."

Suddenly someone hit America in the head with a lightbulb.

"... Hey! I've got a great idea guys!"

"Wass ist?" asked Germany.

"Let's settle this over some chess! I'm going to win, of course. And when I do, I'm going to start sitting at the head of the table!"

"YOU? WIN AT CHESS?" Germany broke down in laughter.

"All you're good for is knocking into other people over a puck or pigskin! You surely can't beat any of us at chess!"

"Sure I can!"

The other countries voiced their opinions.

"Fianchetto!" said Italy.

"Chess would be nice," said Russia.

"Chess? Don't you mean go?" said Japan.

"No, chess! With black and white!"

"Just like go."

"With a 64-square checkered board! And 16 pieces a side!"

"Ah, ok. I guess I will have to join."

"I can not agree to this!" said Switzerland.

"Too bad!" America replied.

All the other countries agreed to play some chess.

A voice said, "Read the info at the end of my bio!..."

So a knockout tournament would be played. Each person would play the other twice, once as White and once as Black. The time controls were G/60 with a 5 second delay. The person with the most points advanced. If both opponents had the same amount of points, 5 minute blitz games would serve as tiebreakers.

The opponents were seeded - Russia would play Italy, Germany would play Norway, Hungary would play Switzerland, Latvia would play America, Finland would play England, France would play China, Estonia would play Japan, Sweden would play Lithuania, Spain would play Greece...

Zzz...

Zzz...

What?

Oh, right!

Netherlands would play Denmark, Austria would play Poland, Bulgaria would play Liechtenstein, Iceland would play Belarus... uh...

America had to find and drag over South Italy, Prussia, Sealand, Wy, Cyprus, and Turkey to balance the tournament.

So began the tournament...