Chess Scotland Noticeboard

DMB · King Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 267

Chess is a mentally stressful game. So you can get rid of that stress immediately by stopping the game and halving out.

If you consult with your opponent before the game to fix a known opening drawing line then you risk being scored double default.

Motwani, McNab, Condie, Mannion, Rowson, as juniors had the bottle to avoid premature draws - hardly coincidence they were the future titled players and Scot champs.

Of course easy to say sitting here on the sidelines.

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

You know that guy in the film that's out this weekend, a certain Mr Robert James Fischer? I recall that he always played to win every game, white or black v friend or foe throughout his career. Some will argue that his obsessiveness with the game drove him nuts and they may be correct but their can be no doubting his focus and determination. Aye, and before I say the next bit I am also guilty of on occasion in the past agreeing a draw with others who also have that generous interpretation of the rules that are the mark of gentlemen. I think both guys today should have got stuck in, all guns blazing. This is the Scottish Championships, a once a year event, who knows when they may have a better opportunity? They are both young and rapidly improving so loads probably I hear you say. Why not go for it now when it may be within your grasp? I hope they don't come to regret their actions at a later date.

AWIC · King Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 221

I think the recent discussion is on 3 different issues:

1 - becoming a better player

2 - winning the championship

3 - being entertaining

On 1 I agree with DMB - I suspect being willing and able to risk defeat in order to try to squeeze out an extra half point regardless of the extra stress differentiates the masters from the merely very good. In short, you are not going to become a great player by halving out.

However, on 2, I think I agree with JR. It may be a perfectly valid strategy to take a quick half in order to retain the chance of a shot at the title come Sunday afternoon. Conservation of energy may be a factor here as well.

On 3, again I agree with JR - if someone has paid their entry fee then they are pretty much entitled to do what they like - as a non-paying spectator I can't really ask for my money back.

Mind you, having said all that, imagine if Clement had played on and won - he would have had a fantastic chance of his first title. Whether he will regret this remains to be seen.

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 758

Duncan Grassie · Rook Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 64

S-Tweeds · Bishop Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

Duncan Grassie · Rook Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 64

I remember a game I played against Mr Kafka in the Scottish Boys Championships one year where we were locked for >3 hours in a 40+ move game where I had a scorching attack as white, Kafka had sacced a rook to get his own attack (completely sound as we found out later) and the game was drawn after the time control with a perpetual from him with both sides losing if they deviated.

The next round I was looking at the crosstable when someone (I forget whether parent or fellow junior) said to me in all seriousness - I take it didnt take you long to halve out last round then?

Whether or not there is a culture of halving out all the time amongst juniors/top players there is also a perception that it exists when really when it is done it is from both players pragmatically looking at their prospects for the position and tournament rather than something pre-arranged.

Psychologically if you lose consistently to a player and he has offered you a draw accepting will allow you to break the stigma of losing to them and improve your prospects in later games (as may have happened in the Tweed/JRs game).

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386