--- Millennium Polls Index --- Answer the current poll ---
PAST POLLS RESULTS AND COMMENTS
In our Mind Sports Zine polls we ask a question of visitors to our web site and look forward to your responses. Let us know what you think about the burning issue of the day!
 Who will win the FIDE World Chess Championship
Poll, 12 December 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Michael Adams |
24 % |
 |
| Viswanathan Anand |
41 % |
|
| Alexei Shirov |
34 % |
|
| Alexander Grischuk |
0 % |
|
Commentary pending.
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The Millennium Polls
Poll, 5 December 2000
Who was the player of the millennium for your favourite game? Who was the best in Backgammon, Bridge, Chess, Go, Shogi, and Xiangqi? Who invented the best games?
The Mind Sports Zine wants to find the answers to these questions by asking you, the fans, for your opinions. This is your opportunity to make yourself heard and vote for your favorites. Cast your ballot and see how your fellow mind sports enthusiasts voted.
 Which Premature Roll rule do you prefer?
Poll, 21 November 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Backgammon Galore |
8 % |
|
| USA Rules |
17 % |
|
| BIBA Rules |
75 % |
|
Well, the results are in and it's a landslide victory for the Biba rule of letting premature actions stand.
However, one could argue that these results are flawed as the background led people to believe that the US rule was open to being classed as an illegal action (see forum) - which I still believe it is! No doubt this will still be a cause for comment.
Nothwithstanding, it would now seem that we need to launch an assault on the rest of the backgammon world and get them to adopt the Biba rule.
Discuss this poll by email or via the message board.
 What kind of events would you like to see in the MSO chat room?
Poll, 4 November 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| More top tournament or match coverage |
23 % |
|
| Lectures or lessons |
36 % |
|
| Star guest chats |
5 % |
|
| Debates or discussions |
3 % |
|
| A sampling of all of the above |
33 % |
|
Not quite the clear message we might have hoped for, not least because of the popularity of "a bit of each". We will try to adapt our coverage to the result though!
What is perhaps most interesting was the gradual climb into first place of lectures and teaching, a topic that has not yet been tried. Watch the home page for breaking news of our live events!
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The strongest player in the world is:
Poll, 1 November 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Kramnik |
31 % |
|
| Kasparov |
41 % |
|
| FIDE champion |
2 % |
|
| Deep Blue |
16 % |
|
| Fischer |
10 % |
|
More evidence that the Kasparov-Kramnik match is seen by the majority of chess fans as a legitimate title contest, and that Kasparov's lofty rating and iron reign count for more than Kramnik's breakthrough. But not much - if Kramnik follows this result up with some tough tournament results, his credibility should rise even higher.
Deep Blue's retiring when ahead does not seem to convince our audience so much - it would be interesting to know if the public at large shared this skepticism.
The final two scores (Fischer and FIDE) speak volumes about FIDE's credibility gap.
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How will the World Championship match end?
Poll, 31 October 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Kramnik wins game 14 to win the match |
10 % |
|
| Kramnik gets two more draws to win the match |
70 % |
|
| Kasparov pulls back to tie the match and retain |
5 % |
|
| Kasparov hits form to win the match |
2 % |
|
| Match controversially abandoned |
12 % |
|
Not the most controversial question posed so far, and luckily we weren't giving away any prizes for those that got it right. It could have been different, with Kramnik's nerves being especially wobbly in game 14, and with Kasparov reportedly missing a win in the endgame.
For wisdom after the fact, the final, wildest, option did quite well despite being as far from the eventual truth as possible. Not only was there no controversy, Kasparov took his defeat calmly and with good grace. If that had been on the poll, it probably would have struck out ...
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What is the reason for Kasparov's relatively poor perfomance in the World Championship?
Poll, 29 October 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Lack of preparation |
30 % |
|
| Kramnik's excellent defensive play |
23 % |
|
| Personal problems |
33 % |
|
| Over the hill |
9 % |
|
| Bluffing to set up an exciting rematch |
5 % |
|
The results of this poll show an interesting spread over the three most likely options, and if there is consensus it must be that Kramnik deserves credit but something is seriously wrong with Kasparov.
Whether the reasons behind Kasparov's total lack of form are professional are personal may never fully emerge. But even Kramnik's brilliantly executed match strategy of frustrating his opponent doesn't quite explain the champion's total lack of punch.
There are not too many radical voices here; Kasparov is far too young to be quite over the hill and conspiracy theories are not convincing either.
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If Kramnik beats Kasparov what should he do?
Poll, 26 October 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Offer him a rematch |
17 % |
|
| Offer Shirov a match |
43 % |
|
| Offer the FIDE champion a match |
23 % |
|
| Offer Fischer a match |
13 % |
|
| Retire and never play again |
5 % |
|
A good indication that the chess public has a memory and a conscience - it is hard to overlook that Kramnik once lost a match to Shirov for the right to play Kasparov. First Shirov didn't get his crack at the crown, now he must watch the man he beat topple the champ. OK, there aren't many set rules at the top lately, but many people still remember how fair feels.
After that, there seems to be a strong desire from fans for a reunification match - maybe people really are tired of arguing about what being champion means. Kasparov getting a rematch like the champs of old was only slightly more popular than the undefeated greybeard Bobby Fischer having a shot at Kramnik.
The last option of our poll usually has at least a hint of lightheartedness. Not everyone can ride off into the sunset and expect to become a legend, though it must be a bit tempting.
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Who will win the BGN World Chess Championships?
Poll, 24 October 2000
| Response |
Percent |
Graph |
| Kasparov |
8 % |
|
| Kramnik |
78 % |
|
| Kasparov after an 8-8 tie |
5 % |
|
| This is not a world championship match |
8 % |
|
Less than perfect timing as Kramnik suddenly stuffed Kasparov to take a daunting two-point lead just as the finishing touches were being put on our new chess poll.
The result reflects this, and also that the memory of Kasparov's history of dramatic last-minute comebacks in title matches doesn't really weigh heavy on the minds of our voters.
The low number of votes cast shedding doubt on the validity of the match is also a vote of confidence in this contest determining a valid "champion", even if this debate is almost certain to flare up again in the wake of the event.
Discuss this poll by email or via the message board.
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