It's just a fact. (....and a piece of fun) Marko has had 27 stalemates on here.
I just find the number 27 incredible and testament to Marko's dogged
determination.
I've never had a go at a player for not resigning.
(and in future if anyone does you can quote Marko Krale)
Stalemate is part of the game.
I was however way off in my estimation of top players games.
It's something I never considered before.
I have what I call an untainted DB, good players games only and not
all the dross you get with these Mammoth Databases. It shows 107 stalemates.
(it only goes up to 2000 after then I stopped taking the game so seriously).
I cannot find one from Lasker, Capa, Alekhine, Botvinnik, Fischer or Kasparov.
All other strong players you can think of including Anand, Kramnik, Topalov, Euwe
Spassky, Tal, Larsen, Smyslov, Nimzo, Karpov(2), Korchnoi, Keres, Bronstein,
Petrosian, Kotov etc etc have at least one. Taimanov is top with 3.
Some Examples:
Tartakower - Reti Baden-Baden, 1925 (final postion)
I wonder how Reti felt being forced to demonstrate he could
draw a simple King and pawn ending.
Anand - Dreev Madreas 1991
This is good, Anand played 58. g8=Q+ Kx Q 59.a7 Bxa7 (forced) Stalemate.
Larsen - Korchnoi Brussel 1987
This one reeks of time trouble, Larsen played 59.Qa6 stalemate.
Of course GM's prevent them or agree to a draw if they see one coming.
(Except if you are playing a joyful Tartakower)
The great pity is in lost postions they often won't try a stalemate swindle
and I wonder how many GM's resignations would ended up drawn or
stalemated had they continued and went for it Marko style.
Karpov v Topalov Linares 1994
Topalov played QxN and resigned a three moves later.
He should have tried Rd1+ and Rg1+
[FEN "4Bk2/Q7/3q1N2/8/3r1P2/6P1/PP3P2/6K1 b - - 0 1"]
1... Rd1+ 2. Kh2 Rh1+ 3. Kg2 Rg1+ {White can now run away with 4. Kh3 and there is no perpetual or stalemate. It comes close with 4...Rxg3+ but does not succeed. Worth an entertaining try though. We follow the mainline.} 4. Kxg1 Qd1+ 5. Kg2 Qh1+ Kxh1