Would it be nice to have a forum for each paired group of players? Easier to say hello to everyone and explain why you went on vacation so long etc. Via the chat this is possible, I know, but somtimes leads to copy-paste hassle.

Though it sounds nice, the number of these things would be astronomical, glutting the forum feature and hiding interesting topics amidst game chat.

What about having a chat system like there is with live chess, but one in which you only see people who are online that are friends / you've added / whatever.  Basically a mini AIM that functions only for the website that operates in it's own window / tab? 

Perhaps that could be designed and sponsered through some chat system that already exists? 

"Chess Chat, brought to the Chess.com community by AIM," or something like that.

Do not mean to put these forums amidst normal forums, but is sort of advanced chat feature. Each tournament already has its own forum. But there might be a gap between this and chat 1 on 1. Just a thought.