PUNE: Neutral followers of any sport may feel that prematurely accepting defeat or a pre-arranged draw is not a sport.
But FIDE chess rules are designed against this perception. So it’s no surprise that the game’s majority players aren’t too critical Mangus Carlsenthe decision to resign after a single blow against Hans Niemann in the League Phase of the ongoing Online Generation Cup Quick Tournament.
Carlsen appears to retain the value of fair play by creating an instance of foul play.
Carlsen’s sparring partner and former second to Anand, Peter Heine Neilsen from Denmark, said during a live broadcast: “It’s up to Magnus (to play or not; or to explain his position or not). I don’t plan to ask him.”
But there are also dissenting voices.
International Master (IM) and Olympic player V Saravanan said: “What Carlsen did was unethical, unsportsmanlike and unacceptable. If he was not comfortable playing against Niemann, he should not have entered the tournament. Quitting against a player after a hit, continue to play the tournament as normal against other players and keep quiet about it, that’s just irresponsible behavior. Carlsen owes at least an explanation to others about his actions. In my mind, he s This is clearly a case of discrediting the game. If FIDE can take action – and severe action banning a player (Sergei Karjakin) of the Candidates Tournament – for glorifying Russia’s war against Ukraine, I’m sure they can intervene.”
Neither GM nor coach Abhijit Kunte nor the general manager of FIDE GM Emile Soutovsky agree. Kunte said: “Rules and regulations are under FIDE. But we are talking about an incident in an unsanctioned online tournament. Will BCCI intervene if there is a controversy in tennis-ball cricket? On a broader level, I agree that a permanent solution about the resignation rule is needed, there should at least be a discussion about it because such incidents have a negative impact on the sport.
Sutosky tweeted, “People wondering if @FIDE_chess should review the case. Not sure if we should check.” Saravanan was more direct. “Chess governing bodies around the world tend not to act. Overall, they’re not just bothered.”
Seven-time national champion Pravin Thipsay said: “I don’t know if the chess fraternity is interested in changing the rules and regulations. FIDE only learns of any issues after the top players have complained. There is a Fairplay Committee for each tournament But they only rule on cheating issues, not spirit of the game.
“I have no problem if they remove agreed draws or resignations. That way a full game can be seen on the board. If the football game can continue if a team is four goals down with 5-10 minutes to play; or tennis game continues even if someone is leading 5-0, I’m sure chess games can reach their logical end without agreed draws or losses in the vast majority of cases.
“But it also means more work for the players and the referees when the majority of them want less work and more pay. Of course, draw by agreement or outlandish resignations are not fair. Everything movement in chess is not possible without national federations or top players pushing for it.And a majority of the chess community believe that there is not much to be gained by fighting for the equity.
Nielsen said, “Allegations of cheating are nothing new in chess. It’s a recurring theme, and it’s going to get bigger and bigger with more and more powerful computers.”
Nielsen also hinted that Professor Kenneth Regan, who developed chess’s anti-cheat formula and gave Niemann clear advice based on his two-year games, is not perfect. “We are faced with a problem that nobody is a complete expert on all aspects. Regan is an incredible statistician and a top expert. But some of the thoughts he has on chess, I believe, are not really accurate. We lack expertise in this area that covers all angles together.”
But FIDE chess rules are designed against this perception. So it’s no surprise that the game’s majority players aren’t too critical Mangus Carlsenthe decision to resign after a single blow against Hans Niemann in the League Phase of the ongoing Online Generation Cup Quick Tournament.
Carlsen appears to retain the value of fair play by creating an instance of foul play.
Carlsen’s sparring partner and former second to Anand, Peter Heine Neilsen from Denmark, said during a live broadcast: “It’s up to Magnus (to play or not; or to explain his position or not). I don’t plan to ask him.”
But there are also dissenting voices.
International Master (IM) and Olympic player V Saravanan said: “What Carlsen did was unethical, unsportsmanlike and unacceptable. If he was not comfortable playing against Niemann, he should not have entered the tournament. Quitting against a player after a hit, continue to play the tournament as normal against other players and keep quiet about it, that’s just irresponsible behavior. Carlsen owes at least an explanation to others about his actions. In my mind, he s This is clearly a case of discrediting the game. If FIDE can take action – and severe action banning a player (Sergei Karjakin) of the Candidates Tournament – for glorifying Russia’s war against Ukraine, I’m sure they can intervene.”
Neither GM nor coach Abhijit Kunte nor the general manager of FIDE GM Emile Soutovsky agree. Kunte said: “Rules and regulations are under FIDE. But we are talking about an incident in an unsanctioned online tournament. Will BCCI intervene if there is a controversy in tennis-ball cricket? On a broader level, I agree that a permanent solution about the resignation rule is needed, there should at least be a discussion about it because such incidents have a negative impact on the sport.
Sutosky tweeted, “People wondering if @FIDE_chess should review the case. Not sure if we should check.” Saravanan was more direct. “Chess governing bodies around the world tend not to act. Overall, they’re not just bothered.”
Seven-time national champion Pravin Thipsay said: “I don’t know if the chess fraternity is interested in changing the rules and regulations. FIDE only learns of any issues after the top players have complained. There is a Fairplay Committee for each tournament But they only rule on cheating issues, not spirit of the game.
“I have no problem if they remove agreed draws or resignations. That way a full game can be seen on the board. If the football game can continue if a team is four goals down with 5-10 minutes to play; or tennis game continues even if someone is leading 5-0, I’m sure chess games can reach their logical end without agreed draws or losses in the vast majority of cases.
“But it also means more work for the players and the referees when the majority of them want less work and more pay. Of course, draw by agreement or outlandish resignations are not fair. Everything movement in chess is not possible without national federations or top players pushing for it.And a majority of the chess community believe that there is not much to be gained by fighting for the equity.
Nielsen said, “Allegations of cheating are nothing new in chess. It’s a recurring theme, and it’s going to get bigger and bigger with more and more powerful computers.”
Nielsen also hinted that Professor Kenneth Regan, who developed chess’s anti-cheat formula and gave Niemann clear advice based on his two-year games, is not perfect. “We are faced with a problem that nobody is a complete expert on all aspects. Regan is an incredible statistician and a top expert. But some of the thoughts he has on chess, I believe, are not really accurate. We lack expertise in this area that covers all angles together.”
