Faces of the World Team extends a hearty welcome to our five new celebrities: Tod, Samuel, Paul, Tom and Marius. Many thanks to all of you for submitting your photos to our exciting feature! Enjoy the limelight – and the historic game against World Champion Garry Kasparov!

Tod, from Philadephia, is a freelance science fiction writer who learned to play chess from his father when he was ten, shortly after WWII. Tod said, "The thing that I find most intriguing about this event is the fact that it’s the kind of thing you might have put in a science fiction story thirty years ago – the whole world playing the World Champion. It’s an experiment in direct democracy." He plans his moves by browsing the bulletin boards, and especially likes Irina’s commentary.

Samuel, 7, of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, began playing chess with his father. He says, "It’s your move, Mr. Kasparov!!" Maybe a future chess whiz!

Paul, of Sydney, Australia, was taught to play chess by his father at an early age. What is most intriguing to him about Kasparov vs. The World? "The fact that so many people have an opportunity to play against a grandmaster, and that we have not made a terrible blunder!" To decide on his votes, Paul sets up the current position on his chess board and plays through the next few possible moves.

Tom, of Coatesville, PA, is retired teacher. His older brother taught him to play chess at age 7. He uses Fritz and the online bulletin boards to help him plan his next move. Tom is intrigued by the possibility of a draw against the World Champion.