I’ve recently got into chess and I’m pretty low ranked (high-400). I started a 10min game with someone. It was a very weird game (he opened with wayward queen and I tried to defend it in a pretty unorthodox way). We got about 5-6 min into the game (19 moves) and they send me a message saying they need to leave and offer me a draw. The material was even but I didn’t want to accept because this was the game that, if I won, would’ve put me in 500. They started chatting with me and tried to convince me to take the draw. I didn’t take the draw and they called me a jerk and ended up resigning.
My only foray into games with competitive rankings like this are video games, and usually if I’m playing someone in a ranked game online and they have to leave, they forfeit. I guess I’m just worried that I made a chess faux pas for not accepting their draw. I personally don’t think I did anything wrong. I definitely could’ve been nicer during the whole exchange and I feel bad about that, but did I break any “unwritten rules”?
Playing games online is becoming more popular every day, and with that comes a set of rules and etiquette that can be different depending on the game you’re playing. Chess, being a game with a long history and tradition, also has its own set of unwritten rules and social norms.
In this particular situation, the player who messaged you was in a position where they had to leave and offered you a draw. You declined, and they tried to convince you to take the draw. When you refused, they became upset and called you a jerk.
So, did you do something wrong? The answer is not so straightforward. In chess, it is not uncommon for players to offer or accept draws in certain situations. For example, if the position is equal and neither player sees a clear path to victory, they may offer a draw to avoid playing a long, drawn-out game. However, in this case, the material was even, and you had a chance to win the game and increase your ranking.
In competitive online games, such as those you mentioned, it is common for a player who has to leave to forfeit the game. However, in chess, it is generally accepted that if a player has to leave mid-game, they can offer a draw to avoid resigning and taking a loss.
So, did you break any “unwritten rules”? Not necessarily. While it is courteous to accept a draw in certain situations, such as a position with no clear winner, it is ultimately up to the players to decide whether to accept or decline. If you felt that you had a chance to win the game, it was within your rights to decline the draw.
However, it’s important to note that the way you handle these situations can affect your reputation among other players. If you come across as rude or abrasive, other players may be less likely to want to play with you in the future. It’s always a good idea to be polite and respectful, even when declining a draw or engaging in a competitive game.
In summary, while declining a draw may not have been poor form in this situation, it’s important to remember that your actions can have an impact on how other players perceive you. Being courteous and respectful can go a long way in building a positive reputation among your fellow chess players.