+Moclips@zone> Hello everyone! Welcome to the Danny King chat for this afternoon! Hope you all are enjoying the Kasparov Vs. The World Event!
allenc> If GK had this position in an over-the-board game, do you think he would offer a draw about now? Does he believe he can win the coming endgame without a blunder by the world?

DKing@Chess> I am SURE that GK would NOT offer a draw in OTB chess. I think his winning chances would be greater in a practical game...For instance, there are many situations where to human eyes it is impossible to assess a position but with only 5 pieces, feed the position into a machine and BINGO. You know whether to head for it or not. Massive advantage in this format. Anyway, no draw offers in sight. kkwong2000> Should the world be focused in stopping the white g pawn or promoting our own 2 left pawns?
DKing@Chess> Well, a bit of both! In some circumstances Black gains counterplay with either of the pawns. Sometimes, it is necessary to simply give them both up so as to get more room for the queen to check. In many cases the pawns are a hindrance, blocking the queen.
kkwong2000> Does the world still have a winning chance?
DKing@Chess> None at all! The World has been fighting for a draw for many moves now but it might be possible to achieve that, which really would be something.

WaterTiger7> Danny, what are the rules regarding perpetual check as applicable to this game?
DKing@Chess> When it becomes clear that one side cannot escape from checks, then a draw would be offered by Garry. That is the etiquette. Stronger player offers usually. The position would begin to repeat itself, and it would become clear to all concerned. But we are a long way from that yet!
WaterTiger7> I take it this is the only chance the World has, for I see Gary exchanging queens with himself if a winning position with his advanced pawn, [is this] inevitable?
DKing@Chess> No, there are other ways to make a draw. Sometimes both sides Queen and then trade everything. There are stalemate possibilities too -- a very common theme in queen endings. But yes, perpetual check is a possibility (but not yet!)

vjeschonnek> Hi Danny, today there has been a comment in the "The Week in Chess" that Kasparov now is close to winning. Do you agree?
DKing@Chess> I do not. Whatever the result, we are not close to a decision yet! I still haven't found a clear win for White. I thought a few weeks ago that 51 Qh7 in a couple of moves time was killing, but good defences have been found.


Blackwaters> Obviously, the World must attempt to draw, but it seems to me white has a murky win, if he can find it before 50 moves. What do you think, Dr. King? Will our somewhat poor pawn positions create opportunities for Kasparov to avoid the perpetuals?
DKing@Chess> Let me clear up the 50 move rule. Each time a pawn is moved the count returns to zero, therefore the 50 move rule is irrelevant. Second, the poor pawn positions, they can hinder the black queen's mobility in some cases so often it is best just to give them up.

Thunderduck007> Under the current rules, would someone like Judit Polgar ever be allowed to challenge Kasparov for the title, or is it strictly divided into male and female tournaments in the chess world?
DKing@Chess> There is no divide between male and female chessplayers. Judit has always played against men. Women organise their own separate tourns and they have a right to do that, but women have never been excluded from tournaments. In other words, if Judit is good enough, she can challenge Garry!

nightowl007> Looking ahead to Move 51, how much of an advantage does GK have, what move do you see?
DKing@Chess> As I said above, for some time I have been analyzing 51 Qh7 which is a typical trick in queen and pawn endings to gain a tempo, and I am still not 100% sure of the assessment. I thought it was winning a couple of weeks ago, but 51..Ka1 is strong in my opinion. I have to check it again though!
nightowl007> Do you feel your analysis might affect the outcome a bit more at this stage?
DKing@Chess> I don't think so!

nite> Danny, how do you think The World would do in Deep Blue vs The World?
DKing@Chess> Quite well! It is more difficult playing the strongest human in this format than against a machine. The World can employ other machines, PLUS human instinct...while Garry K. was not able to do that at the board.

rich_london> 2 questions -- in your opinion, is Kasparov the strongest player ever, and why hasn't he demolished us as easily as he does his simul opponents?
DKing@Chess> This is a totally different situation to a simul, particularly as the World has organised itself so effectively. Is Garry Kasparov the greatest? I don't like to compare players from different ages but he has taken chess to a new level. So for the moment, he is the greatest, but most World Champions were the greatest until that point, so I see it as a moot point really.

allenc> On draw etiquette, does the stronger player offer, or the player with the stronger position? It seems GK would be rude to offer if he was behind.
DKing@Chess> It is still usually the stronger player who offers no matter what is happening in the position. Of course, it is more acceptable if the weaker player has a good position for them to offer -- but foolish!

cchuck3> When are you going to resurrect the Channel 4 chess commentary team? It's been 5 years since we've had any chess coverage on British TV!!
DKing@Chess> That would be fun. We all had a good time, but we all move on! Unfortunately no plans in the future, but I think the Internet is actually a better medium for chess than TV. There are pros and cons to both but there is more time for consideration on the Internet...and interactive too! Thanks to everyone tonight. Thanks for your patience!

+Moclips@zone> Yes! Thank you all for coming and waiting for us to get going! SO, back here next Thursday, Danny? Same time?
DKing@Chess> Indeed!
+Moclips@zone> Great! See you then! Good-bye, all!