This was the reaction from the fans after the Mets’ rightfielder Xavier Nady blasted a 3-run homerun to give the Mets the lead and the win over the Houston Astros this afternoon at Shea Stadium. Chess needs this kind of excitement and drama!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
I think the problem is too many draws. if you want exciting games then you need to eliminate most draws.
I think a few simple rules changes would do some of that. for example allow the king to be captured. allow the king to be in check and then captured.
I think this rule is used in 5 minute chess and it does not really change the game. it adds excitement.
Presently the game is played too perfectly. however, in baseball a player can drop a ball. throw a ball wild, trip fall bump etc. he can be human and not perfect. but in chess the player is not allowed to be human. he is not allowed to leave his king in check. this is plain silly.
of course this has little effect with grandmasters during a game. except the rule will change the endgame dramatically. when the king has no move except to move out into check and be captured. well the game ends with a win instead of a draw.
Chess will never have that kind of excitement and drama, except in very rare moments, such as Fischer-Spassky. It’s just not made to be a general spectator’s sport.
Susan,
In the broadest sense I tend to agree with Irishspy, but there are many things we can do to make chess more spectator friendly.
Here is an idea which I think is quite reasonable.
Why not organize a tournament where the first prize goes to the most number of wins thru SACRIFICE.
Each sacrifice should be judged by a panel of judges for its quality. So the winner will be the one with most number of points for victory and quality of sacrifice.
That way players wont sacrifice if it does not lead to victory.
This will encourage each participant to select openings etc. that would lead to sacrficial opportunities.
I think this would be very exciting to the public.
One comment I have is to keep the time control of the tournament at least 60 5. I personally think that rapid time controls take away the beauty of the game which is in its intellectual appreciation. Also, I can’t appreciate someone who wins in a rapid game. It is too much based on luck.
I hope this helps.
Regards.
Actually 55 5 is pretty decent time. We use it at our club for OTB games.