Author: Wayne Lowrance
Date: 05:02:01 07/15/00
Go up one level in this thread
On July 15, 2000 at 06:27:14, Graham Laight wrote: >Greetings. > >From an audience perspective, Junior's game against Anand yesterday seemed to be >over before it had properly got going. > >While I personally felt somewhat let down and "cheated" by this outcome, upon >learning that the 0.5 points were what you required to gain a GM norm from the >tournament, I feel able to understand, and to just about forgive, my being >deprived of the full enjoyment of the game. > >However, in the UK, Gary Kasparov is supporting a campaign to have chess >recognised as a "sport", which would result in both massive extra funding for >the game, and for numerous other benefits and prestige. > >In most sports, the players continue to play until the final whistle - they >don't agree a draw. > >Would the classic Ali V Frazier boxing matches have been given the same >attention, if the spectators had had the experience of either of them agreeing a >draw after 2 rounds in the past? > >Would the soccer world cup finals get their multi-billion viewing figures if >soccer teams were in the habit of agreeing a draw after 10 minutes of play, and >possibly sharing the world cup? > >For a "sport" to maintain the interest level, there must be seen to be a good >competition! > >You must be aware that, on the clubkasparov web site, your games are getting >huge viewing figures. > >It is readily understandable that you wish to come away from the tournament >either level with, or slightly ahead of, your human GM competitors. > >I also understand how easily you could lose that half point. I'm sure you >remember as well as I do how Deeper Blue refused a draw offer, then subsequently >went on to lose, in one of the games in the 1996 exhibition match against Gary >Kasparov. > >In view of your large viewing figures, however, I implore you to think about the >greater good - and to do everything you can to provide a complete, and hopefully >exciting, game for the thousands of us who are following the game via the viewer >on the clubkasparov site. > >This means that you should resist the temptation to grab an easy half point by >offering, or accepting, a draw when the position is not demonstrably drawn yet. > >Please do the right thing for the greater good of the "sport" of chess, and play >on until the viewing public can clearly see where the game is going. > >In short - you've got an enthusiastic audience - put on a show for us! > >I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, and view my arguments favourably. > >Yours Truly, >Graham Laight Amir please do not listen to this opinion. I was delighted that your pgrogram got the GM norm. Perfect ending in a drawn position as judged by qualified commentary (not me). A draw at this level is terrific ! Wayne
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