too slow so should I draw

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Avatar of equinelady
What should I do. Playing a 60min rapid game, and in my last two games I was asked to draw. ( my first time ever being asked to draw). I was losing on time and points. I have used 8min of time(approximately), my opponent two mins.
I refused the first ask and in the second ask I accepted the draw.
The pressure to play faster was too stressful for a beginner.
So my thinking is to just accept the draw on the first ask, and find an opponent who also takes more time.
Avatar of SacrificeTheHorse

It can be easier said than done but you must try to ignore the speed at which your opponent is playing, especially if it is a 60 minute game as you have a full hour to play your moves and should not be under time pressure for a long while. As you say, you are a beginner and are playing 60 minute games so you can think carefully and improve - you can still do this and it is still a valuable exercise even if you use 15 minutes to make 10 moves whilst your opponent bashes them out in 1 minute.

It is likely that any such player does not have your level of patience and focus which is also why they are offering draws - they do not have the discipline to take their time and think carefully and get agitated when you are not moving quickly in response. Against such players you should have a good chance to play a good game by using your time wisely and thinking more carefully than them.

Even if you are lower on time or down in material during the game it is still worth continuing as it will help you to get better and there is always the strong possibility that your opponent makes mistakes and allows you to get back into the game. I would refuse the draw offers and continue the game whilst wondering why folks with attention deficit disorder decide to play 60 minute games in the first place.

Avatar of equinelady

I will try and ignore the offers of a draw. But when I’m told, if I’m not going to accept the draw to play faster, t’s hard to ignore that comment in chat. Maybe I will just respond that they should play a faster rapid game.

Avatar of SacrificeTheHorse

You can block the chat either at the start of the game or as soon as it becomes unpleasant. There is also the option to decline all draw offers automatically, after a draw is offered more than once I believe.

Avatar of equinelady

Thanks for all your advice. Sacrifice the horse ( is that your horse)?

Avatar of SacrificeTheHorse

No worries. I have no horses - I sacrificed them all.

Avatar of VenemousViper
SacrificeTheHorse wrote:

No worries. I have no horses - I sacrificed them all.

haha -

Wait what ???

Avatar of VenemousViper

Personally, I accept draws when they make my rating go up, or in lost position.

Avatar of magipi
equinelady wrote:
What should I do. Playing a 60min rapid game, and in my last two games I was asked to draw. ( my first time ever being asked to draw). I was losing on time and points.

Your opponent probably offered a draw because he had some urgent business elsewhere and had to go.

There is a thing to be learned from that game, and it's not about the draw offer.

Why did you play 4. - Rg8? That is probably the worst move anyone can find in that position. And you did not just play a random move quickly, but you thought for 3 minutes.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/101951125795?username=equinelady

Avatar of equinelady
Magipi,
I froze. Could not believe I was in such a pickle. All I could see was the fork and the bishop preventing my king from taking the knight. Did not see that I could attack the bishop with my pawn. I did study and hopefully will not repeat that error. Enjoying the game, annoyed that because I am in my 60s everything takes a bit longer. Wish I had started sooner. But having fun. But still get nervous when I play live games.