Checkmate

How many top level OTB games actually finish in checkmate nowadays? It seems very rare to find GM and IM games that actually reach checkmate. Why is this?

Beacuae Gm's and Im's are smart enough to realize they are wasting thier time playing on in lost positions.

and they rarely get to be in checkmating positions because a perfect game is a draw, and they dont make too many misstakes..

Originally posted by mazziewag
and they rarely get to be in checkmating positions because a perfect game is a draw, and they dont make too many misstakes..

Actually with a perfect game white should win.

im pretty sure chess is a theoretical draw, am i wrong?

I'm pretty sure the game hasn't been solved yet, so it could be either way...maybe white is in zugzwang?

Originally posted by mazziewag
im pretty sure chess is a theoretical draw, am i wrong?

yes but that is when two humans play eachother perfect play has been agreed a win with any advantage no matter how slight and having the first move in a game is a slight advantage.

Originally posted by tomtom232
yes but that is when two humans play eachother perfect play has been agreed to win with any advantage no matter how slight...

Who agreed to win?

Originally posted by ThudanBlunder
Who agreed to win?

a win not to win. i.e has been agreed a win.

Mate in 3 - you see the mate in 3

Whats the point in carrying on?

Originally posted by Freddie2006
How many top level OTB games actually finish in checkmate nowadays? It seems very rare to find GM and IM games that actually reach checkmate. Why is this?

GM's and IM's usually know if they're dead lost well before checkmate actually occurs. Against a player of similar caliber, there's no point in playing on.

Originally posted by tomtom232
Actually with a perfect game white should win.

I'd like to see you prove it!

"I think it's almost definite that the game is a draw theoretically." -Bobby Fischer

Originally posted by tomtom232
Actually with a perfect game white should win.

Obviously you can't prove it but what evidence do you have for this claim?

How can anyone play the perfect game? Is that possible?

no.. but in theory, there is a perfect game. which must be a draw. the advantage alone of being white isnt enough to checkmate with, and there is an advantage in going second, knowing what your replying to