Regarding kelong chess...There may be many draws in the final round (especially in the first few tables) but this may not necessarily mean that players are kelong in their games. As the competition rule states that the top 8 players will compete again in the 2nd stage, many top players may play conservatively in their final match in order not to throw away their chance of competing in the 2nd stage. Imagine you are one of the top players and a draw in the final match will get you a seat in the 2nd stage, I believe that most players will definitely accept a draw if your opponent is to offer you a draw even if the game is still at the opening phase. This does not equate to being kelong at the match. Such scenarios happen frequently, especially in International competitions and team events. In the 2003 Asian Xiangqi Competition, one of the top players drew a match to a "not-so-strong" opponent to oust stronger opponents out of the 2nd stage competition. I would classify this as a competition strategy rather as k (more...)