Kevin, you raise some interesting points about how few people play variants on most servers. Nevertheless, I think in the near future it will be much easier for the average person to create their own variant software, as well as testing them out on very strong engines (to ensure it's fair and has a limited draw rate). This will eventually result in some great tried and true variants.
I believe that some draw possibilities were added in the original development of chess in order to give some chances for the slightly weaker player who is behind in a game (in other words, the winner has to really earn it by avoiding stalemate or insufficient material, 50 move rule, etc.) Orthodox Chess has a strong advantage of tradition. Many people (probably not those on this site) actually like discussing known openings and they like to see how players try to do something new on move 11. I'm with you though - I'm not a fan of that as a spectator.
Still - as you mentioned, it would be nice if draws were limited (and that the decisive games have clarity in what the winner did differently). I know that grandmasters can still appreciate a hard fought draw, but I agree it's sometimes just ridiculous. Not long ago I was looking at the results of Karpov vs. Kasparov matches in the 80's, and they have so many early draws by mutual agreement (over ten games in a row sometimes) Even when GMs comment on something like their drawn Berlin defense game, they seem bored and ready for the next game.
Like I implied at the beginning of this message, better apps and software will make the future ripe for variants - and the most clever will win out. Challengers could take turns playing each others' inventions and favorites, analogous to the classic basketball game H.O.R.S.E.
Kevin, you raise some interesting points about how few people play variants on most servers. Nevertheless, I think in the near future it will be much easier for the average person to create their own variant software, as well as testing them out on very strong engines (to ensure it's fair and has a limited draw rate). This will eventually result in some great tried and true variants.
I believe that some draw possibilities were added in the original development of chess in order to give some chances for the slightly weaker player who is behind in a game (in other words, the winner has to really earn it by avoiding stalemate or insufficient material, 50 move rule, etc.) Orthodox Chess has a strong advantage of tradition. Many people (probably not those on this site) actually like discussing known openings and they like to see how players try to do something new on move 11. I'm with you though - I'm not a fan of that as a spectator.
Still - as you mentioned, it would be nice if draws were limited (and that the decisive games have clarity in what the winner did differently). I know that grandmasters can still appreciate a hard fought draw, but I agree it's sometimes just ridiculous. Not long ago I was looking at the results of Karpov vs. Kasparov matches in the 80's, and they have so many early draws by mutual agreement (over ten games in a row sometimes) Even when GMs comment on something like their drawn Berlin defense game, they seem bored and ready for the next game.
Like I implied at the beginning of this message, better apps and software will make the future ripe for variants - and the most clever will win out. Challengers could take turns playing each others' inventions and favorites, analogous to the classic basketball game H.O.R.S.E.