9 responses to “It’s the end of classical chess as we know it (and I feel fine)”

  1. Terrific headline, but I’m not sure I’m buying what Grischuk is selling.

  2. instead of random-chess why not random openings (like TCEC)? the most interesting games are when a player is out of home preparation!

  3. golden treasury…

  4. I think it’s this attitude of Grischuk that’s killing chess, he doesn’t really make sense at all. Instead, he should persuade the chess community to learn how to appreciate a deep preparation of a novel idea in the opening, or the struggle that has resulted in a draw.

    Chess entertainment is different from American wrestling or formula 1. It’s not only about the thrill. And hopefully it will always stay that way. Grischuk should go back to poker.

    This anti-chess propaganda is why he will never be among the elite. It’s why he will never be a champion.

  5. “The escape is either reducing the time control, or Chess960, which I consider the ideal solution – simply ideal in all regards.”

    I agree 100%. But why call it such boring name as “Chess960?” Use something that sells. Like “SuperChess” or something. Such names even politicians invent to their terrible legistlations.

  6. “Fischer Chess” sounds also just like another chess variant. It should be something more general. Perhaps not “chess” at all. “Fischer variant” perhaps or “960 Challenge,” something like that..

  7. “Instead, he should persuade the chess community to learn how to appreciate a deep preparation of a novel idea in the opening, or the struggle that has resulted in a draw.”

    When Gelfand played the famous novelty b5 against Grischuk, I got excited. But then I turned on ICC, and the commentators were rattling off some quick lines and ending each of them with the words “draw soon”. A great novelty, no doubt, but hard to get excited about.

    Especially since they didn’t even play it out. If I were to have that position as white, there’s no way my opponent would give me the draw. Watching the top guys play, I learn nothing about how to defend that position.

    So what exactly is there for me to appreciate? These days I’d rather watch a strong open, as that’s where the action is and that’s where they might actually play interesting positions to the end so that I can learn something from it.

  8. REM. An excellent American song allusion in that title, Mishanp! My hat is off to ya.

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