Go to account_chat.tpl and replace the following line:

<!-- INCLUDE member_sections_picture.tpl -->

With the following:

<a href="{top.virtual_path}{member_profile_link}" target="_blank"><img src="{top.virtual_pic_path}{member_picture}" alt="" border="0" /><br></a>

This basically displays the member picture instead of sourcing the member sections picture file which is programmed to open the profile in the same window. In this new line, the target=_blank directs the member picture's profile to a new window. The same mod should be done to the account_chat_request.tpl file because the same issue is present on the chat request window.

If someone has some handy knowledge on how to display a real-time live feed of member_online status, please let me know. This would be very useful to include in the chat window.