Two knights endgame

[AdminX]

True or Fasle

FIDE initially changed the 50 move rule to 75 as computer databases began to reveal positions requiring more than 50 moves without capture or pawn move to win, they then discovered positions requiring >75 moves and temporarily changed the rule to 100 in these certain positions. However they have now returned to the 50 move rule in all positions.

[Uri Blass]

True or Fasle

FIDE initially changed the 50 move rule to 75 as computer databases began to reveal positions requiring more than 50 moves without capture or pawn move to win, they then discovered positions requiring >75 moves and temporarily changed the rule to 100 in these certain positions. However they have now returned to the 50 move rule in all positions.

I am sure that today the rules say 50 moves and I am sure that there was time in the past when the rules allowed 75 moves.

I do not know about temporarily changing the rule to 100 but of course I do not know everything about past decisions of fide.

Uri

[Terry McCracken]

True or Fasle

FIDE initially changed the 50 move rule to 75 as computer databases began to reveal positions requiring more than 50 moves without capture or pawn move to win, they then discovered positions requiring >75 moves and temporarily changed the rule to 100 in these certain positions. However they have now returned to the 50 move rule in all positions.

I am sure that today the rules say 50 moves and I am sure that there was time in the past when the rules allowed 75 moves.

I do not know about temporarily changing the rule to 100 but of course I do not know everything about past decisions of fide.

Uri

Yes they did move it up as high as 100. The 50 move rule is obsolete, they should only use it in positions that can't progress. In others, they should have no move limit.

Terry

[rjgibert]

Why say, "foolish?" If we accept your characterization, how could you have been less foolish in the game than he? You shouldn't put down the opponent you failed to defeat.

[rjgibert]

It doesn't matter how old it is. The wins with the White King away from the Black King and the Black King not boxed in already are too difficult for me and I am an NM whose endgame is his best phase of the game. I haven't looked closely, but my assumption is that I would not be able to win it.

[Gandalf]

Funny how Rybka, with only 4 piece tablebases, says Kf4 is best until depth 21 when it switches to Kxf5.

[Jack Lad]

Why say, "foolish?" If we accept your characterization, how could you have been less foolish in the game than he? You shouldn't put down the opponent you failed to defeat.

I was referring to my opponent's decision to take the pawn not their overall playing abilty which was excellent. Highly intelligent people can often do foolish and stupid things. I did not imply that that s/he was an idiot.

[ernest]

Apparently, this wins, despite the 50-move rule.

You have to reason, not with the DTM (depth to mate) EGTB, but with the non-public DTZ50 (depth to zeroing move, but treating > 50 moves as drawn) EGTB

See http://chess.jaet.org/endings/

where you enter the FEN 6k1/8/8/1N3p2/6K1/6N1/8/8 w

and you get to http://chess.jaet.org/cgi-bin/dtx

where you have to follow the "green" (optimal) DTZ50 moves.

(not that easy to follow, actually... )

[bob]

True or Fasle

FIDE initially changed the 50 move rule to 75 as computer databases began to reveal positions requiring more than 50 moves without capture or pawn move to win, they then discovered positions requiring >75 moves and temporarily changed the rule to 100 in these certain positions. However they have now returned to the 50 move rule in all positions.

I am sure that today the rules say 50 moves and I am sure that there was time in the past when the rules allowed 75 moves.

I do not know about temporarily changing the rule to 100 but of course I do not know everything about past decisions of fide.

Uri

Yes they did move it up as high as 100. The 50 move rule is obsolete, they should only use it in positions that can't progress. In others, they should have no move limit.

Terry

I don't agree. I listened to the GM players as this was debated many years ago. It has several bad effects.

(1) screws up tournaments. Do you adjourn after 6 hours? How do you pair the next round. What if your pairing assumption turns out to be wrong? Etc.

(2) tough on humans. Do you really want to start at 8pm, and play all night and then have to be ready for the next round at 8am?

(3) what if your opponent has no idea how to win, but stretches it on and on hoping either you make a mistake or he stumbles into a win? I once watched a KQ vs KR go on and on and on because the winning side didn't know how to win, but would not accept the draw to end the game.

For the most part, the 50 move rule is really the best way to handle such positions...

[Graham Banks]

For the most part, the 50 move rule is really the best way to handle such positions...

I agree with Bob on this one!