I think this thread should not be locked. If you don't like it, don't read it! It is that simple.

Yes, cowardice is taking a draw in a better position, as Tony said here. But as stated, there are many types of cowardice. For example, being afraid to accept a gambit is cowardice. How so? Because a gambit's refutation begins with its acceptance, as Bobby Fischer once said.

McDonnell and Labourdonnais would have agreed that accepting the gambit is the best way to refute it. So would have Morphy, Anderssen,
Chigorin...

That said, of what use is locking a thread? Isn't it the best thing to read provocative arguments, even if you do not agree with everything? As ArKhein and some others pointed out here, gambits do have value. So do arguments about cowardice, politics, reincarnation, movies, what-have-you...

Censorship is not a good idea, which is what locking threads is. That is dictatorship, for it stifles intellectual exchange. Shall we lock every thread that does not please us? Nonsense! Threads are here to provoke, debate, exchange, talk, opinions, one way or the other.

Belonging to this forum should not have the threat of having threads locked because someone does not like them.

In the States, this would have been protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Freedom of speech and expression!

GMTonyKosten wrote on 03/12/09 at 17:05:59:


Okay- well, I have nothing to add bar "I agree 100% with all of the above".

I haven't read this thread, myself, so I have little idea what most of it is about.
In my opinion cowardice in chess is simply accepting a draw when you are better, or playing for a draw when you could try to win. There is no such thing as cowardice in the opening as we all pick the opening that we want to play, to get the type of positions we enjoy playing, or alternatively we sometimes pick the opening that we think is the most unpleasant for our opponent. Cowardice doesn't enter into it.
Now that I have posted here I will lock this thread later today, so if you have something earth shattering to say on the subject it is now or never!

Y'know: I used to enjoy spending time on this forum.  The growing number of these ridiculous threads leaves me wanting to spend less time here.  Quality is going down hill fast...   

Those who are interested have voted overwhelmingly that it just isn't worth the effort to change the name of this thread.  So, all I will do is stop the shouting caps of the thread title.

First come first serve on the next poll!

Refute this characterization, Lev!

drkodos wrote on 03/12/08 at 01:39:55:
 

Gambit wrote on 03/02/09 at 04:28:37:


Close enough.