Armageddon is a special game that always produces a winner. It is played when players have to be separated at any cost and the previous tiebreak games have ended in draws.
The rules
Normal chess rules, with two special features:
- White has more time than Black. For example, 5 minutes against 4 (the exact time control is set by the tournament regulations).
- A draw counts as a win for Black. The smaller time allowance is Black's price for only needing not to lose.
That makes a draw impossible: someone always comes out the winner.
Who plays White
This is decided by lot or by the tournament regulations. Sometimes players “bid” — how much time they are willing to take for the game — and the colour goes to whoever agrees to the least time.
Where it is used
- In knockout tournaments, where a winner is needed after a series of rapid games.
- In some tournaments instead of draws: if a classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game is played at once for an extra point.
- In championships and matches whose rules require a single winner.
How it is played
Armageddon is a test of nerves. Black often plays solidly and tries to simplify the position: a draw suits them. White, on the contrary, has to take risks and create complications while watching the clock — White has more time, but still very little.