Forums

Game Drawn Insufficient Material

Sort:
Zoele

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1007379383

My opponent lost on time... What is this?! I even have a screenshot of the time... sigh

Staff?

omnipaul

On this site, having a lone knight is not considered mating material.  You didn't have mating material, and thus did not deserve to win on time.  Therefore, the result was a draw (your opponent also did not deserve to win, since they ran out of time - nobody deserves to win, so it's a draw).

 

Note that different organizations have different rules regarding what is "mating material."  I believe that in FIDE tournaments, this would be a win for you, as a position can be constructed where you have checkmated white.  It is difficult for a computer to determine that, however, so this site uses some simple rules to determine mating material - if the player has a K, a K and a single minor piece, or a K and two N's, then mating material does not exist.

baddogno

Took the liberty of doing a "search forums" for you.  If you don't have sufficient material to mate, it's a draw.  I know you don't believe me, that's why I got you the link:

http://www.chess.com/forum/search?keyword=insufficient+material

Zoele

Thank's for the information, I understand now.

Lagomorph
idreesarif wrote:

This should be a win for black, as black can mate white after a series of legal moves.

Chess.com rule in this regard is absolutely wrong.

What is best play or reasonable play has nothing to do with resolving such issues.

Only if you are playing by FIDE rules. USCF rules do not allow for a "helpmate" in these situations. Cess.com rules more closely follow USCF.

eslamo00o