any kind of in game chess tournaments or games to be had? or is it missing because of the possible abuse of people using outside programs to play chess within the game? as an avid chess fan, it would be lovely from time to time to join some kind of tournament.

I feel like there used to be a table where you could play some sort of table game vs. an opponent years back... but that was in the Genie days and may, in fact, have been something that was implemented in a different MUD entirely.

I can't think of any games along the line of chess in the current game...

We have siegery as mentioned - real time combat using miniatures.
Spirit creature battles - also real time combat but maybe a bit more strategy / thinking involved.
Roshambo
Various gambling games (cards, dice, wheels, etc)

That's all that comes to mind at present.

-- Robert