Playing chess

I forget who it was who posted and said that when they play a lower player they play to win but when they play a higher player they play to draw that should still be to play to win right and play For a draw that's ridiculous. Why play at all. You're supposed to play to win not draw.

Originally posted by RBHILL
You're supposed to play to win not draw.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Supposed to?
Is that in the Rules of Chess or the site Terms of Agreement?

Originally posted by RBHILL
But that's just stupid to want to play for a draw, let's just play 50 moves from the start knowing that I'm going to draw, yeah a how exciting. 🙄

I'm with RB on this one. I prefer to play for the win, no matter what the opponent's rating is. The only time I play for a draw is to escape a loss, or if I think (usually in the endgame) that trying to win is too risky.

I agree, but I have found often when a balance is achieved, attempting to push can lead to disaster. But it is certainly more fun to win or lose, unless you pull off a swindle etc.

I never set out to play for a draw.
However against a higher-ranked opponent I will play more solid drawish lines hoping that my opponent (who is more desperate for a win than I) will over-reach himself.

There are those who definitely set out for a draw - but I have no problem with that.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
I'm with RB on this one. I prefer to play for the win, no matter what the opponent's rating is. The only time I play for a draw is to escape a loss, or if I think (usually in the endgame) that trying to win is too risky.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
SG
RB is not just saying what he does, he is trying to dictate what others should do.

I'm sure you would agree that playing for a draw (while not your style) is an acceptable strategy.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
"Should" is not dictating anything. I think you're overreacting a bit.

"The right standpont is to play for pleasure - and do not think that
pleasure is proportionate to skill. The greatest bunglers are constantly
deriving the greatest pleasure from Chess - they go into ecstasies of
delight when their Knight forks a King and Queen.

I have always a slight feeling of pity for the man who has no knowledge of Chess,
just as I pity the man who has remained ignorant of love.

Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy. The way
to this happiness I have tried to show in this book."

From 'The Game of Chess' by Siegbert Tarrasch. 1862 - 1934.

Originally posted by ChessPraxis
I agree, but I have found often when a balance is achieved, attempting to push can lead to disaster. But it is certainly more fun to win or lose, unless you pull off a swindle etc.

depends on the level of play over 2500 certain openings queens gambit has a high rate of a draw. So if this is what you need to win a tournament is a draw. You might pick a opening with high drawing chances. Getting a draw against someone takes a lot of skill to shut someone down at ever turn. it pretty improbably for me to do against such a player. But when a couple of masters go at it. Every turn a trap and shut down they throw out a trap and get shut down. Getting a draw is very respectable.