Author: KarinsDad
Date: 08:47:27 06/11/99
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On June 10, 1999 at 20:11:32, Dann Corbit wrote: >On June 10, 1999 at 19:46:25, Dave Gomboc wrote: >[snip] >>Ng1 isn't an inferior move if neither player can win and they both seek the >>shortest draw, which is precisely the condition I was describing. Then it >>deserves a double exclam. >Is it legal to offer a draw before any move has been made? Or after 1. d4 or >something? In such a case, I propose that as the shortest draw. >[snip] Darn, I pulled myself back into this discussion (I hate when I do that :) ). First I will address Dann's comment: I think the FIDE rules indirectly imply that a move must be made (although Miles/Reuben got away with a draw with no moves in 1975), depending on interpretation: "The game is drawn upon agreement between the two players during the game. This immediately ends the game". Since this says "during the game", it implies that the game is actually being played (or one move has been made???). For computer chess, the game normally does not start until a move is made (although I do not know how this is handled in the WCCC for if one computer is down after start time or something). Next I will address Dave's comment: "Ng1 isn't an inferior move if neither player can win and they both seek the shortest draw, which is precisely the condition I was describing. Then it deserves a double exclam." 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. Ng1 may be a drawn position. If it is, it may be that black will play Ng8 in an attempt to draw. However, since Ng1 gives black two tempi, it is more likely that it a winning position for black than the original starting position is a winning position for white (i.e. two tempi vs. one tempi). Therefore, there is a more substantial chance that black has a forced win after Ng1. If this is the case, then white should not play Ng1. If at best black has a forced draw after Ng1, then Ng8 could lead to a fast draw as you claim. However, you also stated that maybe minimum draws are not necessarily best (your opponent has less of a chance of making a mistake). A more complicated or slower draw may be best. So, regardless of whether Ng1 leads to a win for black or a draw for black, Ng1 should not be moved since it lowers the chances of your opponent making a mistake (by trying to minimize the number of moves of a draw AND by giving your opponent two tempi). Some different drawing move that does not lead to a possible win for black or leads to a slower or more complicated draw should be made. KarinsDad :) PS. I think I got you with my logic this time Dave, but I'm sure you'll think of a way to squirm out of it. :) PSS. I guess you have convinced me that the minimal draw move may not be best (with the caveat that it may be best in time pressure).
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