I received more than 100 inquiries about the “No Draw” rule and the recently concluded NY City Mayor’s Cup. Many people wanted to know if there were special rules imposed.
There was NO “No Draw” rule in place. I will NOT put the “No Draw” rule in any event that I organize. I believe in the professionalism of my colleagues. I expect them to play chess and fight for the title.
If they do not give it their all, they will NOT be invited next time. Simple as that! These Grandmasters are professionals, I believe in them and I fully expect them to do the right things. They did and they made our chess community proud! The only thing that I requested was for the players to respect the dress code of the NYAC. That’s it!
I do not have a problem with organizers of invitational events creating special rules. They have the right to do so because they are the ones who put up the money and give the players special conditions.
However, I do have a problem with organizers who give the professional players no conditions and yet impose rules that can jeopardize their livelihoods.
I played 13 games against GMs in the last few weeks. The average USCF rating of these GMs is approximately 2670. I did not offer a single draw. I played every position out to the end, sometimes to King vs. King.
I do not need any rule telling me that I have to fight. Let’s respect our game and let’s just play chess!
I agree with you Susan. Professionals should be able to behave properly.
Susan, I wonder whether your blog entry today somewhat contradicts statements you have made elsewhere. Today you expect GMs to play fighting chess in faithful exchange for the prize money they may earn.
Yet several months ago you wrote a very well reasoned and persuasive essay defending the right of GMs to agree to short draws (maybe published on Chessville.com or ChessCafe.com?). A major element of your reasoning was that each GM is striving for goals defined by the tournament as a whole (their current standing, the prize money payout scale, the need for rest). Each chess game is merely a means to achieving the GM’s tournament goals. Sometimes those goals are best met by a short draw.
You said we should not blame two GMs for agreeing to a short draw when it is in their best interest to do so. For example, perhaps the draw would guarantee the player enough prize money to pay that month’s rent back home.
So, may I gently ask, might their be a small inconsistency among your various writings on this topic of short GM draws? Or could you clarify?
Thanks.
Gene Milener
http://CastleLong.com/
Gene,
Good question. There are a number of issues:
– Open events or Invitational events
In open events, the GMs have to do what is best for them. After all, they are paying their own expenses and they are not getting decent conditions.
However, in invitational events, I have no problem if organizers set their own rules. I am just saying that I would not. I give more faith in my colleagues to do the right things.
If I invite a player and he / she takes a short draw each game or in most of the games or show no fighting spirit, that person would not be invited again.
However, if a player shows the trend of fighting chess throughout the event and settle for a draw in the last round or two to secure 1st place and a good payday, I have no problem with that.
There has to be a level of common sense and I would give more freedom for the professionals to make the RIGHT decisions. After all, it is their future on the line.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
Susan, what you say make a lot of sense. Thanks for offering your opinion.
I see, ‘open’ versus ‘invitational’. Yes, an important distinction that had escaped my attention. Thanks.
Gene M
I do not wish to be rude, but there is a basic question – who is qualified to decide when a position needs to be played out? If Kramnik or Anand do not see a way to win and do not choose to play to keep the blood-thirsty fans happy, who is Susan Polgar to tell them that they have to go on? What incredible arrogance is it to tell others, often better players, what they have to do? I applaud Susan for her fighting spirit, but neither she nor anybody else should impose on others her opinions as the one and only truth. This isn’t about chess, this is about creating a fun spectacle for fans. Notice that most cultures with strong chess contingent (such as Armenia, Russia, India, Ukraine) do not constantly talk about fans, chess reality shows and other non-chess things, and yet produce large number of great players. Don’t turn chess players into entertainment figures, while simultaneously deriding women chess players for becoming models. Why not? If the most important thing is to keep the fans happy, let’s have tournaments in bikinis. It’s only logical, if one follows the “keep the fans entertained” maxim.
Actually, looking on Megabase, Susan has quite a high career record of draws, including many that are certainly not played out.
Like Maurice Ashley (a real short draw guy in his active playing career), she seems to have come late to the idea of fighting chess for everyone.
It’s one thing in a rapid with nothing at stake, but in a FIDE-rated event, I bet Susan would be as cautious as ever.