Sometimes in tournaments when only a draw is necessary for the desired result, GMs will go for basic, low risk positions that often end in draws.
Why is playing for a draw at top level so popular?
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Apr 16, 2023
0
#2
Draws are more common the higher you go, regardless of whether or not you are trying for the win.
Sometimes in tournaments when only a draw is necessary for the desired result, GMs will go for basic, low risk positions that often end in draws.
Sometimes in tournaments when only a draw is necessary for the desired result, GMs will go for basic, low risk positions that often end in draws.
so they be lazy because they can. i mean chess is literally a game about winning how do you think the best became the best?
Apr 16, 2023
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#4
Because they are trying to minimise the risk of them making mistakes and ending up in an unbalanced position that favours the other player, when there's absolutely no need to do so.
All that silly nonsense that's shown on Twitch etc. it's just for banter and to get views, but when real FIDE points & money in highly prestigious FIDE tournaments are at stake, they will play solid and into preparation first and foremost, unless they are pressed to get a win.
That's why, for example, you did not see Nakamura doing his usual "disrespect" plays when he played Candidates.
You also have to realise top players prepare for these high profile tournaments for months, and they hire a team of players to help them study variations and build their "prep". So it tends to gravitate towards drawish positions with best play.
mrOpenRuy wrote:
so they be lazy because they can. i mean chess is literally a game about winning how do you think the best became the best?
The same GMs must have won many games against their opponents in the past to reach these stage.
But put these best players together...
...and it's not going to be easy to outplay each other as they attempt to trade blows or defend their positions. Getting a win at this level would already be a miracle.
The thing is that in most tournaments and matches, not losing is often more important than winning. This is because in order to win at chess your opponent needs to make mistakes and, since GMs often play engine quality moves of super high accuracy, it's very difficult to get any kind of advantage in a typical game. This means that for most GMs to try winning games, they need to take calculated risks that could open up the board and give them some edge, but which could potentially backfire and leave them in a more vulnerable situation than before.
What also should be taken into consideration is that, if you play only to draw, you will often end up with a passive position where your opponent has all the initiative or attacking chances so, for the top players to have consistent results, they need to maintain playing a dynamic style of chess where they are aggressive but avoid pushing too hard at the expense of getting counterattacked.
The timing of this topic is absolutely bizarre. The world championship is going on right now, and there's been 4 wins and only 2 draws in 6 games. And even those draws were hard fought interesting games.
Complaining about draws at this moment is just the weirdest thing.
Apr 16, 2023
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#9
It’s not about winning, but not losing since you still get points if you draw and choosing the safer option will most often be the right choice. But there is times when a playing for a win is more important like in a lower rated tournaments or to catch up in the standings
brianchesscake wrote:
The thing is that in most tournaments and matches, not losing is often more important than winning. This is because in order to win at chess your opponent needs to make mistakes and, since GMs often play engine quality moves of super high accuracy, it's very difficult to get any kind of advantage in a typical game. This means that for most GMs to try winning games, they need to take calculated risks that could open up the board and give them some edge, but which could potentially backfire and leave them in a more vulnerable situation than before.
What also should be taken into consideration is that, if you play only to draw, you will often end up with a passive position where your opponent has all the initiative or attacking chances so, for the top players to have consistent results, they need to maintain playing a dynamic style of chess where they are aggressive but avoid pushing too hard at the expense of getting counterattacked.
there is ALLWAYS a reason why you lose, it could be a mistake, lack of opening knowledge, or anything else. your goal is to get over that so it wont happen agian and become better.
you have the wrong mindset if you think its about ¨not losing¨ your goal is to allways win and learn from games that you lose from so it wont happen agian
Apr 17, 2023
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#11
GMs are in it for the short term, not long term. When you’re playing a tournament for $50k, you’re not thinking “how can I learn from this for the future”, you’re thinking “how can I win, and win now. That’s not a “wrong mindset”.
hes saying that chess is more about ¨not losing¨ rather than ¨trying to win¨
with that mindset is why brianchesscake will never get better.
the way to get better at chess is to
- have a good memory
- enjoy what you do
- have the right mindset
and puzzles almost forgot
Apr 17, 2023
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#15
Missed the point. They are in it for the short term, not overall improvement.
Apr 17, 2023
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#16
It’s not cowardly to do quick easy draws even as white. Imagine you are in the middle of the game. If you are feeling tired, your calculation is foggy and you don’t feel well, why keep trying to win if you can preserve your energy and try the next game? It’s not cowardly, it’s common sense
if your mindset isint where it should be. then just dont play this game is about winning
Apr 17, 2023
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#18
mrOpenRuy wrote:
if your mindset isint where it should be. then just dont play this game is about winning
Well top players seem to know something you dont because their actions dont agree with you.
only magnus goes for draw, because he likes "grinding water out of stone" 🙄
most players play for decisive results, imo.
SoupSailor72 wrote:
Draws are more common the higher you go, regardless of whether or not you are trying for the win.
Sometimes in tournaments when only a draw is necessary for the desired result, GMs will go for basic, low risk positions that often end in draws.
Sometimes in tournaments when only a draw is necessary for the desired result, GMs will go for basic, low risk positions that often end in draws.
there are also cases in which people might draw not only cause it benefits them but lets say if they were playing with black, they may just prefer and then really go for the kill with white instead as most players choose to be forcing for advantage, finding some critical punch
ive never understood this, chess is about winning by outplaying your oppoment, and instead of embracing that master level players will try to go for draws and basic positions where the chances for a win decrease move by move but then every so often they may try to win.
people should not forget that chess is a GAME