By William Stewart (FIDE 2234)
As many of you know a large portion of the recent candidates matches ended up with nothing draw-after-draw-after-draw as I lamented on twitter. The Super-GMs themselves cannot fully be blamed themselves, as much of the reason why they play for a draw is because of the way the tournaments are setup. But really, we are all getting tired of GM’s agreeing for a draw time after time again, sometimes only 20 moves into the game. Kevin from the Chess Website just did a great video on the 1963 US Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer vs. Larry Evans where he laments of the days when players like Bobby Fischer would dominate tournaments, always going for the win in every individual game, even after their tournament win was completely secured.
Susan Polgar’s Article and The Responses
Susan Polgar Recently posted an article entitled The 700 lbs Gorilla Issue: To Draw or NOT to Draw The article drew over 43 comments on the site! (quite a lot even for Susan Polgar’s blog). I’ve really enjoyed some of the suggestions and fully agree, which include some of the following ideas.
If you really want to eliminate draws, there is a very simple rule change that can be implemented. If the game reaches a stalemate, three-fold repetition, or 50-move rule is called, then the player with more time wins. Draws by agreement are not allowed, so all games are decisive. Games with such rules might also be a better alternative to some current tie-break procedures.
Regarding Candidates Matches, I favor the system that was current back in 1971, when Fischer whipped Taimanov, Larson, and Petrosian. There was no rapid or blitz games. The first player to reach 6 points won. If there was a 6-6 tie, then the first person to win a game after that was the winner of the match.
Maybe we should look at the growing popularity of Chessboxing and introduce a boxing bout after each round or draw. I particularly like this idea.
P.S. Here’s Kevin’s video on the 1963 US Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Larry Evans in case you missed it.Watch how he talks how Bobby always played for the win, unlike modern day GMs.
Commentary by NM Will Stewart
Original article by GM Susan Polgar
Video credit to Kevin from The Chess Website
Just change the rule. You offer a draw, you go to jail 🙂 jeje
Draws have always been part of the game. What has changed are time controls and the rise of the professional player. In Fischer’s day it was rare to have professional players. Now, people can make a living, but they need to maintain their rating to get invited to the well-paying events. So draws can be expected to maintain ratings while allowing decisions to be made in rapid games.
What is the point of pondering about such things when the organization in charge of changing the rules (FIDE) has expressed such contempt for doing anything to improve chess for the players or fans?
FIDE will never change the drawing rules as long as it benefits them (or it’s easier) to keep the rules this way.
It’s a sad fact that our worst enemy in chess is our own international organization.