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@rodabod
I've measured older chains; they are sometimes wider. Eg. the Regina I replaced on a 7-speed bike not that long ago. The internal width stays the same.
If you look here, you can see how spacing and sprocket width narrows as you increase number of speeds. The jump in spacing from 6-8 speed is similar as from 8-9:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_sp-ss.html
I'm not saying that 9-speed is just as good. 8-speed would be preferable, but I'd hardly throw it away because it isn't the ideal. If it works fine, it is fine.