I have deleted the original post, and would request this thread be deleted.
Thank you,
Ben Finegold
ben2600:
A chess student of mine just asked me a “relatively” simple rules question.
In a game that finished yesterday, GM Navara beat GM Harikrishna on time, when Navara has N and P and Harikrishna had R and P. Harikrishna, on his last move, could have captured the pawn (for free!) but was thinking, and lost on time. My student asked “If he takes the pawn, and his flag falls, would Navara still win on time, or draw?” (So, can someone win with JUST a knight is his opponent has R and P?)
I think under FIDE rules, it would be a draw. But, I assume it would also be a draw under USCF rules, but I am really unsure. Also, although I think it is a draw under both sets of rules, I personally do not agree, and I think if you can legally checkmate your opponent, you should be able to claim a time forfeit. I live in Michigan, and we have Michigan Speed rules, and, usually, these types of situations occur in speed games.
In a similar instance, I saw B vesrus R and P at the Chicago Open 2-3 years ago. The GM with the B “won” on time, and claimed a win, but it was ruled a draw. I think the Chicago Open uses USCF rules, so this would indicate a draw is the answer to my student’s question (under USCF rules).
So, what is the proper ruling under FIDE and USCF rules?
Thanks in advance,
Ben Finegold
Ben,
For the USCF rule check out 14E (pg. 46): “Insufficient material to win on time.” You will find 14E2 of special interest (“…king and knight.”).
Tim
nolan
August 21, 2007, 4:40pm
4
Spent the money, buy the rulebook.
BTW, as a certified Senior TD, shouldn’t you be expected to have a copy of the current rulebook?
14E. Insufficient material to win on time. The game is drawn even when a player exceeds the time limit if one of the following conditions exists (See also 15H, Reporting of results):
Here is the FIDE version:
6.10 Except where Articles 5.1 or one of the Articles 5.2 (a), (b) and (c) apply, if a player does not complete the prescribed number of moves in the allotted time, the game is lost by the player. However, the game is drawn, if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player`s king by any possible series of legal moves, even with the most unskilled counterplay.