Draws

I found that as a novice (comparatively), most of my games reach a conclusion, be it win, or loss. I have noticed, however, many of the games that GM's play end in a draw. . .How many games do you draw ?
I'm just wondering at what stage inthe game do you decide to work towards a draw instead of a win ? I have found my draw rate has increased as i get better.

Originally posted by huckleberryhound
I found that as a novice (comparatively), most of my games reach a conclusion, be it win, or loss. I have noticed, however, many of the games that GM's play end in a draw. . .How many games do you draw ?
I'm just wondering at what stage inthe game do you decide to work towards a draw instead of a win ? I have found my draw rate has increased as i get better.

i rarely accept a draw (i tend to see it as a sign of weakness from my opponent to offer one - but i have been proven wrong) and never work towards one - but then i am only 1350-1400 ish

Originally posted by huckleberryhound
I found that as a novice (comparatively), most of my games reach a conclusion, be it win, or loss. I have noticed, however, many of the games that GM's play end in a draw. . .How many games do you draw ?
I'm just wondering at what stage inthe game do you decide to work towards a draw instead of a win ? I have found my draw rate has increased as i get better.

In 2 tournaments earlier this year which consisted of 14 total games, I drew 8.

I've just drawn another game, and have one draw refused that i know is going to end that way, I find it is the best result for games where i am a bishop or knight down.
I know i have only 19 draws, but i have had maybe 3 in the past 20 games which considering i have played 450 games, that is a veritable flood.

FICS -- Shinidoki's Standard Rating:

Won: 1519
Lost: 1656
Drew: 161

(total:- 3336)

My rating is around 1600-1700 90% of the time.

RHP --

Won: 62
Lost: 46
Drew: 10

1600.


So....draw's are rare at my level🙁

I'm a low 1300 ish player and draws are really rare at my level. I'd have no idea how to work towards a draw except for trading everything off.

Another reason is that there are so many blunders, once your opponent blunders away a piece you probably have sufficient power to force a win. Last reason, players at my level don't want to draw, they want to win. I had a game were I was up a rook, but by pushing too far I allowed a perpetual check, instead of taking it and drawing (I even offered the draw in advance to end a bit quicker) he decided to do something else and try to get the win.

When evenly matched opponents play "correctly," the games seldom have any content and frequently end in draws
Emanuel Lasker

This is one game that a draw saved me from a sure loss.
Game 2083605

I'm a mid 1500's player, and I have 134 wins, 93 losses and 12 draws.

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
I'm a mid 1500's player, and I have 134 wins, 93 losses and 12 draws.

I'm mid 1400 (peeked once at 1598) and have 114, wins, 53 losses and 6 draws.

There is certainly a correlation between rating and percentage draws.
When I'm getting better I'll have more draws relatively.

Originally posted by 7ate9
I have a new friend. How are you, having a good day?

Pretty good, thanks, 7ate9 !

Won 216
Lost 26
Draw 37 (13.26% )

More draws than losses tells you something.

Take a draw if:
1. In an equal position any attempt to win will weaken your position and improve your opponents prospects (this can happen reasonally early in the game and you may still be in book);
2. You are worse but have counterplay giving chances of a perpetual, material win is your opponent does not play a forced move or a repetition then take it;
3. You are slightly worse against a weaker player who probably does not know how to win - offer it; or
4. You are in a technically drawn end game (eg K & 2N v K).

If you are much worse and have no drawing chances offering a draw mis, in my opinion, just rude.

Originally posted by Dragon Fire
Won 216
Lost 26
Draw 37 (13.26% )

More draws than losses tells you something.

Take a draw if:
1. In an equal position any attempt to win will weaken your position and improve your opponents prospects (this can happen reasonally early in the game and you may still be in book);
2. You are worse but have counterplay giving chances of a perpetual, ...[text shortened]... If you are much worse and have no drawing chances offering a draw mis, in my opinion, just rude.

I've been in a lot of technically drawn endgames lately. I have blundered 2 of them away due to blitzing the move as soon as the page loads.... =( I have also swindled a few people lately turning sure losses into draws. My favorite was in a recent OTB. My catalan went horibly wrong and I dropped the exchange on move 20. His 2 rooks opened up and decimated my position. However, in the ensuing checks, my king "wandered" to g6 where his pawns protected me for a turn. My excellent knight on d6 and rook on c7 forced a perpetual. Anyhow, if a higher rated player offers in a technically drawn position, I take it. If they are more than 100 points below me, I make them prove the draw.