Why are draw offers allowed in chess?
SusanPolgar
Could you imagine going to the Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game, and all of a sudden, after 12 minutes of play, players from both teams shake hands and call it a tie? The sports reporter then question the reason for the peaceful end, and their answer is since both teams are evenly matched, and the score was 29-29, what is the point of continuing?
Or how about Barcelona vs Real Madrid? Could you imagine these two teams playing for 30 minutes then walking off the field since the score is 0-0? That would be outrageous!
So why are draw offers in chess allowed?
I can understand some rules such as stalemate, 3 folds repetition (even though that is now allowed in Chinese Chess. The player who repeats the 3rd time loses), perpetual checks, or no mating materials. But taking a draw because of fragile nerves or fear of losing? Then take up Solitaire, Mahjong or Knitting!
Chess must be hard fought on the 64 squares with no fear! Gladiators do not take draws out of fear!
In the game above, Ding Liren and Wesley So played fought hard until K vs K. That is how it should be done!
From the tens of thousands of comments I have seen from my own site, as well as many other chess sites over the years, the fans at home following the games online are much more disappointed in the quick draws without fights than players dressing in shorts. So why not eliminate draw offer, period? There should be no arbitrary 30-40-50 move no draw offer rule. Just get rid of this option!
Let's take a look at the position below:
After 19. Qd2, the players agreed to a draw because it is "drawish". OK, would either player take a draw or offer a draw with either color if the opponent is rated 1800, 2000, or even 2400? I think not. So just as I said above, why are draw offers allowed?
What is your take?
