What's wrong with a draw?

A draw in chess is a common occurrence. But often this method makes chess an uninteresting competition and often causes anxiety.

In some cases, even sponsors who have paid a lot of money have to see grandmasters who will get big prizes just play steps back and forth over and over again.

It is necessary to understand that chess, especially tournaments, is something that is logical and this draw result occurs because of previous events or results.

Draw agreements will occur more often when the players already know each other and usually happens to those who come from the same country. As bellow occurred at the Balkan & Prishtina Open 2024 in the last rounds (round 9), both players came from Sweden. GM Platon Galperin already leading the tournament until round 8.

we can also remember how Bobby Fischer often protested when he had to compete among fellow Soviet players.

The most common reason is of course to secure their prize, because the risk of chasing full points can turn into defeat.

this agreement may even exist before the two players sit in front of the board. It's not uncommon to happen under 10 moves.

Therefore, in tournaments the most decisive match is often not the last game but the 2 or 3 games before the last game.

Have you had a similar experience?