Draw due to lack of material...

Another quirk is a case like K+Q v. K+B. The side with the Queen should not lose the game on time.

Originally posted by David Tebb
Russ should just write code to check for the 3 basic automatic draws:

K v K
K+B v K
K+N v K

Every other chess site does this. I can't imagine it being difficult to implement.

There's no reason the first 3 scenarios (as listed by Tebb) should not be automatic draws. I also don't think it would be hard to program for the fourth scenario (only kings and bishops on same square-colour regardless of how many or who has them.)

The fifth scenario is mostly redundant since the rule is mostly theoretical, and if not, the game should be forced to a stalemate in a move or two anyways. Checking for the sixth scenario (where the pieces are locked in such a way that no pieces can break through) would be much more difficult to program.

Only 1 rec? I think this should be priority.

Originally posted by idioms
Thanks mate. Does RHP auto draw for repeated postions?

Originally posted by idioms
Initially I thought this would be quite a load on the server, having to parse the fen of every game after a submit. However they could considerably reduce the load by only parsing when they know a draw from lack of material is possible. For instance .. add a new column to the game database called "drawround" .. initially it would be set to 19 (the smallest nu ...[text shortened]... ne know if it is possible to blunder mate in these positions?
N + K v N + K
nB + K v N + K

Originally posted by tmetzler
No need for all that.
I'm sure Russ and Chris would simply add these rules to the "Claim Draw" function. Very limited increased overhead and certainly not for every submit.

Originally posted by idioms
Good point .. its not auto draw though and the "claim draw" only appears when it a draw is offered so that would need to change to be always available.

Originally posted by idioms
Good point .. its not auto draw though and the "claim draw" only appears when it a draw is offered so that would need to change to be always available.

Originally posted by tmetzler
As XNZ pointed out. "Claim Draw" is always available. You are thinking of the "Accept Draw" link.

While personally in my 1500+ games on the site, i have NEVER come across such a situation where the game is drawn due to immaterial and my opponent refuses to accept the draw. It has come up so many times, it might as well be implemented.

Originally posted by Ragnorak

K + N + N v K can possibly result in a checkmate, so definately shouldn't be included.

D

Originally posted by ItalyBoyBlue
When the single king doesnt have a pawn that checkmate is impossible.

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
Another quirk is a case like K+Q v. K+B. The side with the Queen should not lose the game on time.

Originally posted by David Tebb
K+B v K+B (if opposite colours) isn't an automatic draw either:-

[fen]6bk/8/6K1/4B3/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1[/fen]

Originally posted by idioms
I was indeed thinking of "Accept Draw" .. so what does the "Claim Draw" do? Is it just the same as "Offer Draw"?