Perhaps someone can help me with an etiquette question. I've been
offered a draw by The_Simple, (Game ID 100434). I'm up one pawn
and looking at the final rook exchange, or winning another pawn.
Pawn only endgames are one of my weakness's, and I can't see a win
either way. However, all the books suggest that if you're at least one
pawn up, you have winning chances. Take into account that I'm a
rather quiet, solitary person. I'm not sure what to do. Thank you for
any suggestions you might have. Paul
No! Your draw refusal is NOT rude. It is is HOW you turn a player
down that can be considered rude! Below are examples of a rude and
considerate declination:
"NO! What do you think I am? Stupid!!" ...a, RUDE! or...
"I appreciate the offer but must respectfully decline at this time.
Thanks" ...considerate.
Etiquette demands that we not provide you with advice on this matter.
Study your game carefully, work out the possibilities on a real board
where you can move pieces around, and do your best. In my recent
loss to Pradtf, I asked for a draw when it became clear to me that he
was going to be able to promote a pawn 10 or so moves later. He
wisely refused (dammit). Don't rush to decisions, this is
correspondence chess, after all, and ought to be played as such.
Good luck Paul,
Bennett
Well, the position you are in is what “playing chess” is all about - YOU
get to decide!
For me, my thinking is the "nothing ventured nothing gained" is an
appropriate cliché in chess. This type of chess (essentially
correspondence) gives me the best opportunity to learn what I don't
know or understand very well. By pushing myself to learn I become
more proficient at chess for future games, no matter the outcome of
my current game. Fortunately, more often than not I win the game,
too! I have found that very often my opponent will offer a draw when
s/he is already in a losing position, not when the position is actually a
draw with best play.
Still, the choice is yours. If the draw is more important to you, then
accept it and learn more about pawn only endings another day. We
don’t always have to be learning all the time!
Thank you all for your words of wisdom. You've been a great help. My
quandary has been resolved. My apologies again for a poorly worded
post. I'm new at forums...chats...and interaction in general. You just
can't learn the social graces out of a book. I am thoroughly overjoyed
to have found a chess site that includes such a great group of friendly
people. Congrats to Russ and Chrismo on an Outstanding Site. Paul