Greg Shahade says that slow chess should die a fast death. He points out that less than 1% of 1% of all online games is slow (longer than G/60), and that when people want to have fun playing chess, they play fast chess.
He argues that it's time professional chess players start playing 30+5 time controls instead of the standard 5 hour games.
I agree!
Read what he has to say. Yeah, it's controversial, but it makes great sense to me!
https://gregshahade.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/slow-chess-should-die-a-fast-death/
Though I enjoy your posts, SmyslovFan, whether on Fischer or other GMs of the past, I strongly disagree with you on this one. Chess is not a video game and it's not about how quick your reflexes are, it's about deeply conceived ideas executed with precision and aplomb.
The first thing I see is the endgame being given short shrift. Unfortunately, that has already happened with the rise of the machines and the death of the adjournment. I also see faster time controls placing a premium on preparation, but for better and for worse, the machines have already had their effect there too.
The worst consequence of increased speed will be to shift the delicate balance between art, science and sport to primarily sport. Truth is, we have already been moving in that questionable direction with the winner of the U.S. Championship determined by blitz and even armageddon. Now it has spread around the world, and in my opinion cheapening the final results.
Don't get me wrong, I love a sporting challenge. I was around to watch the first Superbowl in 1967 when the Packers were tough and Lombardy was king, and I'll be there when the Broncos put the crowning touch on Payton Manning's career with a solid win (fingers crossed), but chess is not football and I don't ever want it to be.
Interestingly, there is greater despair in losing a classically timed game, particularly if the slip comes in what used to be the fifth hour for the pros and the fourth hour for us amateurs. With shorter sessions it's "Set 'em up Joe, I'm ready to go." It's a rack of 9-Ball compared to 150 points in straight pool. It's about action, not depth.
I can say with absolute certainty that my exposure to chess at the age of eight would never have blossomed into a deep love if the game had been reduced to an adrenaline rush in lieu of the deep pleasure of playing through the games of the greats, savoring the sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic moves, a canvas of thought painted in shades of black and white.
But don't worry, SmyslovFan, with our ADHD-addicted culture, Greg Shahade's wish will come true; he will be a prophet in his own time. "Action, not depth" will be our rallying cry.
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You can tell the time contols when walking into a tournament room. How?... White and gray haired competitors?... It's slow chess.... We old timers play for fun...For us winning is a part of the fun but not the only reason for playing....Slow chess is like reading the book and fast chess is like reading a two page summary of the book.