These aren't technically related to videogames -- yet -- but the 1st annual World Mind Sports Games begin today in China. Events include chess, bridge, Go, and what looks suspiciously like checkers but is called draughts, probably to protect "mind athletes" from ridicule. Finally, there's something called Xiangqi, who is incidentally my favorite character in Soulcalibur.

Pictured above are various Mind Sports Games officials posing with a creature from Spore. Over the next few days, look for exciting footage on ESPN and whatnot of people from around the world playing chess and checkers. Videogames aren't a part of this year's competition, but I fully intend to press the World Mind Sports Games Committee to consider for next year Molten Core runs from World of Warcraft, or at least Counter-Strike matches on de_Dust.