One might argue that the 50-move rule covers inert positions like this by eventually indicating a draw. But we all know that would be deluded because time is a major factor in chess. I've had many such positions and I've rarely been able to pad 50 extra moves onto the game before flagging -- and I play hyper-bullet! 🖱 I think I've seen it *once* in OTB play, on another player's board.
It would seem that there really is room for improvement here. And I have a few ideas:
* Keep a database of inert positions and permit players to stop the clock to claim it's a draw by inertness. If the player is correct and the position on the board is in the inertness database the game is a draw. But if the player is wrong -- which they'd almost certainly be if they abused this right -- the plaintiff forfeits. This I think is a great way to play modern chess with modern tools like databases. But what if you're playing a pickup game is jail?
* If the inertness database cannot be used, for whatever reason, then the plaintiff and defendant shall cooperate to prove/disprove that the position is unwinnable for either side. The method is just like proving two knights alone cannot mate the lone king except we split the process to ensure fairness. That method is as follows:
- The defendant arranges a checkmate or stalemate position using only the pieces left on the board. If they cannot do this the plaintiff gets the draw. If they can we move to step two.
- Working from the defendants constructed position, the plaintiff retraces each move that could of been last played, looking at the position before that piece moved, if it moved from an illegal position or a position requiring "help" from the enemy, the plaintiff gets their draw.
This is a sort of "you cut and I choose" except it's "you mate and I disprove." It seems balanced and practical: if an opponent abuses the right in a clearly not-a-darn-draw position all you have to do is arrange their king right into a Queen Mate or something. For example, if black claims an inertness draw after 1. e4 without even making a move:
lichess.org/editor/rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR_w_KQkq_-That's all for now,
Melissa