The World Championship Draws - The Cure is Money

[Matt Fletcher]

Tim - I'm not sure whether you're being serious or not. Assuming you are, in a match between 2 players, you can throw the draws away because each player gets the same so it doesn't change the match situation.

So as Peter says, mathematically it makes no difference what a win is worth (provided it's worth more than a loss).

[Tim Spanton]

Tim - I'm not sure whether you're being serious or not. Assuming you are, in a match between 2 players, you can throw the draws away because each player gets the same so it doesn't change the match situation.

So as Peter says, mathematically it makes no difference what a win is worth (provided it's worth more than a loss).

Hmm, so five points for a win wouldn't help mmatters?

[Matt Fletcher]

Tim - I'm not sure whether you're being serious or not. Assuming you are, in a match between 2 players, you can throw the draws away because each player gets the same so it doesn't change the match situation.

So as Peter says, mathematically it makes no difference what a win is worth (provided it's worth more than a loss).

Hmm, so five points for a win wouldn't help mmatters?

No Nor would 10 for a win, 5 for a loss and, say, a billion for a draw - on that scoring system Magnus leads 6 billion and twenty to 6 billion and ten...

[Roger de Coverly]

One tweak would be to make wins with Black a tie-breaker in the event of an otherwise drawn match. It probably wouldn't work as an anti-draw or negative play device, as a player in Magnus's current match position would have even more incentive to shut down his opponent when playing White.

[PeterFarr]

One tweak would be to make wins with Black a tie-breaker in the event of an otherwise drawn match. It probably wouldn't work as an anti-draw or negative play device, as a player in Magnus's current match position would have even more incentive to shut down his opponent when playing White.

Not a bad idea, but as you suggest, it might have unintended consequences.

In the end, maybe Geoff's original idea was the best; it doesn't distort the play in anything other than a positive way. Actually one guarantee in life is that any thread started by Geoff will be entertaining!

[Mats Winther]

Another idea is this. A drawn game counts as half a game. This means that a 12-game match with only drawn games would consist of 24 games. Thus, drawn games would prolong the match, making it a less attractive strategy to draw your way to match victory.

M. Winther

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Another idea is this. A drawn game counts as half a game. This means that a 12-game match with only drawn games would consist of 24 games. Thus, drawn games would prolong the match, making it a less attractive strategy to draw your way to match victory.

Now that, I like! It is similar to "first to six wins"-type of matches, but one downside is that both the player behind and the one ahead might be quite willing to go on a long drawing streak to tire the other one out. Trouble is, you would have to have funding and coverage in place for 24 games.

[John Cox]

Watching on You Tube ... one couldn't help but be influenced the flood of negative comments

What always impresses me about youtube is the flood of racist abuse below every pop video. It's probably easiest just to assume that anyone posting on youtube is a retard and take it from there.

As for 'there's this theory that Anand isn't that interested in creating an exciting spectacle', of course he bl**dy isn't. This isn't the Harlem Globetrotters. He's interested in winning the match.

The 'cure' for world championship draws to ignore, totally and utterly, anyone complaining about them.

[IM Jack Rudd]

It's probably easiest just to assume that anyone posting on youtube is a retard and take it from there.

Could we please not use "retard" as a noun? It's a nasty word that encourages prejudice against people with mental disabilities.

Jack Rudd
ECF Manager of Disabled Chess
ECForum Moderator
Person with Asperger's Syndrome

(Signing post in all three capacities.)

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi John,

This isn't the Harlem Globetrotters. He's [Anand] interested in winning the match.

The general feeling is he is not interested anymore. (though I still have faith in the last four games).

It could be Harlem Globetrottersish if the players were losing a ton of money everytime they drew.
I think Master Carlsen would be most upset if the 'draws = no cash' rule was in force
and Vishy played in a tepid style happy with the draw and no dosh.
Magnus would have to go and get him knowing if he lost at least he gets paid.

How about 1½ pts for a Black Win....Nah. White would be to scared to lose.

Hi Jack,

Point taken but I am postive John did not mean anything other than highlighting
the fools who post bland and insulting comments on YouTube.