The Divine Right of Kings?

The Divine Right of Kings?

Only Chess

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Trump 2020

Joined
20 Mar 19
Moves
10829
24 Apr 19

Should World Champions have the ultimate say in matches?

Yes I'm against Fischer but should the World Champion have the final say in all match stipulations?

They decide the time controls.
They decide the time to play.
They decide the playing hall.
Basically they decide everything.
You as a challenger has to cope with it and win.

What say you? It could be fun that way. 😉

Cryptic

Behind the scenes

Joined
27 Jun 16
Moves
3097
26 Apr 19

@chessturd said
Should World Champions have the ultimate say in matches?

Yes I'm against Fischer but should the World Champion have the final say in all match stipulations?

They decide the time controls.
They decide the time to play.
They decide the playing hall.
Basically they decide everything.
You as a challenger has to cope with it and win.

What say you? It could be fun that way. 😉
What say you? It could be fun that way.

A novel idea, but if that were the case there would be nothing stopping the world champion demanding the challenger win by 3 games, or play every other game blindfolded, or play with 1/2 the time on their clock etc. The list is endless. I don't think so. The present system is not flawless, but it's not bad either.

R
Standard memberRemoved

Joined
07 Jan 19
Moves
4508
26 Apr 19

Doesn't it make the most sense to keep everything as similar as possible with each wc match? Being able to change seats or venue is fine, but nothing beyond that I would think. Pleasing both players should be the upmost priority.

Secret RHP coder

on the payroll

Joined
26 Nov 04
Moves
155080
27 Apr 19
1 edit

@chessturd said
Should World Champions have the ultimate say in matches?

Yes I'm against Fischer but should the World Champion have the final say in all match stipulations?

They decide the time controls.
They decide the time to play.
They decide the playing hall.
Basically they decide everything.
You as a challenger has to cope with it and win.

What say you? It could be fun that way. 😉
No, the WC should not have the final say. It's too tempting for them to duck opponents that could beat them. It's too tempting to set up unfair conditions.

Examples: 1) The Capablanca-Alekhine rematch never happened [two big egos that couldn't agree on anything]. 2) The 2nd Alekhine-Bogolubov match [picking a weak opponent].

Even with an organization like FIDE, there have been ongoing problems of corrupt leadership. Case in point: Karpov getting a guaranteed rematch in one year if he lost his title. He should have had to re-qualify like everyone else.

C

Joined
23 Apr 19
Moves
30
28 Apr 19

I suppose if you want to be the World Chess Champion, you should be willing to play under any reasonable conditions.

Mostly, and traditionally since post Fischer, the conditions have been a balance between trying to strike a balance between being somewhat media friendly and still be a classical match.
After the last match where every classical game was drawn, it became clear that a renewed foced had to be given to reducing the number of draws. The only practical solution, at least for the 2020 match, was to take away increments for the first two time controls, upping the chance of a blunder happening in time trouble.
Is it a better option than chancing tiebreaks again due to all draws at classical time controls? I think that will have to be decided after the match is played. Perhaps debated by historians in the future.

Trump 2020

Joined
20 Mar 19
Moves
10829
01 May 19
1 edit

I wasn't talking about unfair playing conditions.
BigDoggProblem convinced me it isn't good.
I read about those Alekhine matches and even some Lasker matches were suspect.
I was thinking more along the lines of the champ making big entrances for show and the challenger having nothing.
I watch too much wrestling. ☚ī¸