Rich Hutnik wrote on Thu, Apr 17, 2008 11:42 PM UTC:
If you want to liken Chess to Boxing, then if boxing were like chess, if
there wasn't a knockout, the boxing match would end in a draw. Do you
think this would be good for boxing? Can you name any other sport where
this is so and why it is good for tournament play?
Please present the case that have 60%+ of all chess matches ending in
draws is good for chess as a sport. I would like to see the argument how
it fosters growth. I would like to see the appeal to soccer and hockey
having draws in them be shown how the Stanley Cup and the World Cup end in
draws. Are there ANY other sports which end in draws? How about ones
where if the entire thing ends in a draw, the defending champion retains
their title. Does ANYTHING else besides Chess have this?
Anyhow, if you want to declare a draw as a 'non-checkmate' ending to a
chess match, then fine. But explain how having it end in 1/2-1/2 for both
players resulting in the chess match not reaching a conclusion (except for
the defending champ) actually helps chess grow as a game. I am interested
hearing the argument how this actually fosters growth of chess. Not that
it is 'well, we have bad leadership in the chess world, which is why it
isn't growing'. I am asking if it helps chess grow in any way having
the 19th century 1/2 to 1/2 for a draw for both sides.
