I played an OTB game last night for club. 8 boards. A close game, and towards the end, my opponent offered a draw. I didn't accept his offer, and opted to play on. Shortly after, I hung a mate in 2, ouch!
Perhaps there are no correct answers here, and we all have different preferences and priorities when considering a draw offer. If you're playing on a team, there's a consideration of the overall team result; but aside from that...
I don't like draws, I feel like it's more important to play on and get the experience, with a longer term view to learning and to improving my game.
We were also both in time trouble, less than 5 minutes on the clock each (time control was 75 mins no increment); position looked drawish, but I still fancied my chances. I'm wondering, if in a club setting, it's poor ettiquette also, to decline a draw and force the game in to a crazy time scramble, and possibly flagging the opponent.
Would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on all these points.
Thanks.
Its not a matter of liking or not liking draws. Its about your goals.
If you are in a tournament, your objective is to end up as high in the race as possible. A draw gives you points, a loss doesnt.
And if you are rated, you want to get as much rating if you can, and lose as little as possible in the event of bad game(s)
So, when the game has low probability of winning, you probably wont win. Just accept the draw.
If the score and/or rating is not important anymore, then by all means, go for it.
Can't imagine any sane person insisting it's necessary / good etiquette to accept a draw on a draw-ISH/not 100% clear position.
If the position is obviously, unquestionably a draw to the players, I think it's good spirit (but not necessary) to accept a draw offer from an opponent who looks like they might lose on time or due to a time-related blunder. But not if the game is rated/in a tournament, etc.--then it could be considered poor form even, as it could have negative side-effects for others in the standing.
Unfortunately they mostly offer a draw when they are totally lost. In other cases you may easily accept a draw.
"I feel like it's more important to play on and get the experience"
It not important how much useless experience you get. You don't learn from playing on and on. Studying a game is the only way to learn, but it's very slow and exhausting.
Keep playing if you want to keep playing. You're not responsible for your opponent's time trouble. Flagging is part of the game.
>I don't like draws, I feel like it's more important to play on and get the experience, with a longer term view to learning and to improving my game.
Good for you.
@mrqwak said in #1:
> I don't like draws, I feel like it's more important to play on and get the experience, with a longer term view to learning and to improving my game.
That is a healthy attitude, which you should maintain in individual tournaments! However in a team competition you should also factor in the interest of the team. I was once in a situation, where I had a very good position, extra pawn in endgame (both rook and knight) and I allowed a draw by move repetition. In an individual game I would certainly avoided the draw, but it was the last game and my draw secured match victory.
@mrqwak said in #1:
> I don't like draws, I feel like it's more important to play on and get the experience
And too often it might well prove to be a losing experience. Take a draw when you think there are no chances left in the position.
Thank you all for your comments and input.
@MrPushwood said in #8:
> And too often it might well prove to be a losing experience. Take a draw when you think there are no chances left in the position.
Sure, it may result in a loss, but I feel there's a lot of value in the experience. I'm confronted with my own weakness and inadequacies.
The situation last night, had I not been in time trouble, and not overlooked my opponents threat, and more accurately evaluated the position (rather than being in tunnel vision attack mode), and had that evaluation been 'no winning chances' I think a draw would be fair.
I was rushed though, quite low on time, no increment, probably not thinking as clearly as a I do when not pressed for time...
I often don't accurately evaluate though, so part of me likes to put it to the test, just to develop my understanding.
Thanks.
If you think you can make something out of the game, then play on.
If you seriously think that nothing can be done in such a drawn position, then do the draw offer.
If you think flagging is good or if you want to just win, then do it.
In the end, it comes down to how you think what to do!
