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There is (what I consider) a disturbing phenomenon I've been discussing with Gary Gifford (in our game notes here) who doesn't appear to share my view that the phenomenon is disturbing. The phenomenon affects professional FIDE chess, but it attaches itself to any chess variant (FIDE Chess being one) where white has first move advantage in that White should have better chances, all other things being equal (players being equal). In FIDE chess, I believe white wins on average 53% or so of the time. But Black's winning percentage is much less given that a large percentile of games end in draws. In the professional FIDE chess circles, there is a tendency for grandmasters to draw on particular occasions because it's safer to avoid losing, and this makes it less sporting for the entire chess community. Which means, ultimately, less money for professional chess players, so it's a practice that comes back to bite them.

This sort of conversation will be familiar to many who follow professional FIDE Chess. I propose that more fighting and probably more precise and accurate chess play would come from a different point system that rewarded winning more and punished drawing more, while acknowledging White's advantage (in variants that don't attempt to provide balance as with Balanced Marseillais and Extra Move Chess).

Here is one proposal:

Black Win: 4 points

White Win: 3 points

Draw for Black: 2 points.

Draw for White: 1 point.

Loss: Zero point(s).

This system is modelled a little bit on NFL football's point system where a touchdown is 6 points, with field goal 3 points, extra point 1, safety 2 points, etc. One can arrive at the same score through differing achievements.

Someone who wins as black and then loses with white will have the same score as someone who wins with white and then draws with white.

I don't just want this to be an idle discussion though for the sake of discussion. I want this conversation starter to be considered also as a proposition, a proposal. I want us to set the example for the chess world by implementing this point system (or a similar one which takes into account the same issues) in our next chessvariants.org tournament.