7 Hot Takes on Chess That You Won’t Want to Miss

Chess can sometimes be controversial, but some things about our beloved game are just true. While I may not be the best or most experienced player out there, I dare you to disagree with any of my hot takes:

Stalemate Being A Draw Is Awesome

If there’s one thing I cannot understand, it’s why on Earth would anyone have a problem with stalemate being a draw? Honestly, it’s one of the best rules in chess. Yes, I understand that it “makes no sense” and it’s “confusing for beginners.” But without stalemate, moments like this would never be possible:

Stalemates make chess more dynamic. It gives the losing side something to play for and keeps the winning side on their toes. Would you really be as excited to watch events like the Speed Chess Championship and the Bullet Chess Championship if you knew there would be no stalemate swindles? I doubt it.

Chess.com Should Come With A Doomsday Device

I do not possess the emotional structure required to know when to give up and stop playing. I simply cannot escape the “just-one-win-and-I-can-stop” trap. I’ve lost sleep, run late, and seen my rating tank countless times, and I’ll just keep doing this for as long as I play chess.

We live in the age of artificial intelligence, and we’ve seen how wonderful it can be (as well as how… disturbing). Can Chess.com please use it to pull the plug on my account when they detect I’m entering yet another tilt-inducing losing streak? Preferably, keep me from playing games for a few days as well.

Online Chess Is Better Than Over-The-Board

I can already hear the cries of the boomers. But it’s time someone admits that playing chess over the board is less than optimal. Playing online is simply easier, faster, and more fun than using real pieces. It’s also much easier to carry around a phone than a chess set, and we know you’re not playing OTB chess when you’re in the toilet.

Now, if you’re thinking about writing an angry comment proving how stupid I am, please consider sending me a handwritten letter. After all, old school is so much better, isn’t it?

People Who Play 1+0 Bullet Are Not OK

If you have a friend who plays 1+0, they need help. I’m not a huge fan of sitting down for hours to play a single chess game, either. But I also think it’s reasonable that you should invest more time into a chess game than you do in making cup noodles. Otherwise, your games will be as tasteless and unfulfilling as your cup-contained meal.

Does that mean I don’t enjoy watching players like GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Daniel Naroditsky playing bullet? Not at all! They can create true works of art with mind-boggling speed.

1.d4 Is Better Than 1.e4

Yes, I said it. It’s time for you to admit that 1.d4 is way better than 1.e4. I know you want to look cool and impress people with your daring and adventurous life choices. But you’re only just kidding yourself, you know?

Regular players have no business playing 1.e4. There’s just way too much theory, and that’s not healthy. You have to know sharp lines in the Italian, Ruy Lopez, French, and don’t even get me started on the Sicilian.

Just play 1.d4 and chill. You’ll thank me later.

The London Is The Best Chess Opening

While we’re on the subject, let’s pop another hard pill to swallow, shall we? If you’re switching up to 1.d4, you might as well go all in and play the London.

I’ve already proved that the London is the best chess opening. As you can see, I was not canceled (though some people did remove their Instagram pictures with me).

You can try to diss the London all you want. Your words cannot hurt anyone who’s standing behind the protection of that beautiful pawn triangle.

You Should Never “Never Resign”

I know that GM Ben Finegold says you should never resign. After all, you might salvage half a point here and there.

But at what cost, I ask you?

I appreciate people’s fighting spirit. But not when they’re 12 points behind in material, have no counterplay, and their opponent still has two minutes on the clock.

Not resigning is especially sinful when it happens on a Daily game. Making your opponent ladder-mate you while you play one move every three days is just plain evil.

When you finally win that Daily game against your opponent who never resigns.

You’ll both have more fun if you accept your fate and hit that New Game button (because we all know you’re not stopping right after losing a game, right?)

What are your thoughts on these seven hot takes? Please tell me how wrong I am in the comment section below.