A surprising and controversial moment unfolded at the Millionaire Chess tournament when the second-ranked player in the world, GM Hikaru Nakamura, and England’s GM Luke McShane agreed to a draw after just nine moves. This move sparked a heated debate that lasted for nearly 100 minutes, with FIDE arbiters from around the world consulted to resolve the issue. Despite going against the written tournament rules, the organizers ultimately allowed the draw based on a threefold repetition rule.
In a post-game interview, McShane admitted that he did not foresee the threefold repetition when he moved his bishop to c1, a move that set the stage for the controversial draw. Nakamura, however, suggested that the repetition was “inevitable,” asserting that chess at this level often leads to a draw unless one player makes a significant mistake.
The incident drew criticism from tournament organizers, with GM Maurice Ashley expressing his displeasure. He noted that such early draws go against the spirit of Millionaire Chess, which was designed to appeal to a broader audience, including those watching the game on television. Ashley emphasized that all players must agree to the tournament’s rules upon registration, but he also recognized that without clear intent from the players to force the draw, there was little the organizers could do to change the outcome.
“It’s a stain on our game,” Ashley remarked, referencing the importance of maintaining excitement and engagement for both players and viewers alike. He acknowledged that while the decision was technically in line with the tournament’s rules, it posed a challenge to the tournament’s objective of making chess more television-friendly.
As the chess community continues to debate this situation, the controversy raises questions about how chess tournaments should balance strict rule enforcement with maintaining the integrity and excitement of the game, especially when the goal is to attract wider audiences.