Correspondence chess could be the first form of online multiplayer gaming, only instead of being online, use the postal service.  Serious chess players throughout the years have sought the best competition and often had to look outside their neighborhoods.  Using snail mail, people could play chess games with the best players around the world.  Major organizations like the International Correspondence Chess Federation and the United States Chess Federation helped bring chess mates together for true challenges.  The ICCF has held tournaments for correspondence chess play over the past 50 years, over both mail and email, showing that even the old game can learn some new tricks.