Interesting post. When you say that people "go for a draw", are you talking about going for a draw from the start or from a position in the middlegame? I suppose it could be annoying, but usually those who go for draws are playing half-blind (they don't even bother considering possibilities that might win them the game). You say that you do your best to make the position complicated (and I assume, to win as well), but why call that a waste of 10 minutes? If you couldn't pull off the win, shouldn't the draw make you want to figure out how to win the next time?
Going for a draw
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Some people go for complications.. they avoid all trades and then sacrifice unsoundly.. i think its pathetic, if you dont have the patience to play properly then why are you playing chess?
theres many games where you can tell they'd rather lose in 20 moves than play a full game and draw, usually i try to play what the position calls for but when i cant.. then i just wasted 10 minutes of my life.
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Ok, just messing with you a bit. I know one guy in particular I don't like playing who does this draw thing, so I know what you mean.
Pikachu yes i mean going for a draw from the start.. although sometimes i use french defense or caro kann i try to make the best of it and go off book sometimes.
How is going for a draw pathetic? there are many situations where going for a draw is good such as the end of a long tournament when you're thinking process is flawed, or when playing somebody who you're aware is much stronger than you. Those who always go for draws are annoying i agree but occasionally going for a draw is a good choice.
umm im talking about live chess, where there is no tournaments (well not here)
When my opponent's opening play is boring, I will accept trades where it grants me endgame chances.
I wouldn't say pathetic, but I suppose it can be annoying if they try specifically have as few possible imbalances as possible, just anything to make it more and more drawish, but what kind of a player would have fun themselves doing that?
Of course this type of thing is much more understandable if it's in a tournament, but I think the best way to get a draw or better is to make them work for it, not you, by still putting pressure on them. If you just try to exchange at every possible moment you're not doing a very good, alert strategy and you may end up making an unfavorable one. In my opinion people who play directly for the draw are completely harmless and that it is quite possible to grind these kind of players down, with no real risk. If they get the draw, whatever, at least you had good chances to win, while they only had chances to lose. More than likely you will get the win eventually due to their carelessness, but it depends somewhat on the opening I guess.
If you're trying to beat these people I recomend making the game closed and keeping the pieces on; with more pieces to work with there are more chances to go wrong.
I think you underestimate the constraints of tournament play, sometimes a draw is sufficient, sometimes a draw is a good result. Paired against the strongest player in a late round you've probably exceeded your expectations and just want to keep it going.
Im not talking about tournament play.
I am happy to trade down if I think I have an endgame advantage, or if I am under attack without counter opportunities. I'd rather draw than lose.
i understand what you're saying. i've been in games that the player just trades down right from the beginning with no attempt to win the game. it does often lead to boring games and draws i agree.
however, there is nothing wrong with your opponent going for a draw. if they are lower rated for example, or if they are playing as black and they know you're a good player, going for the draw is possibly a good strategy for them. it can suck i know, but you should be able to deal with it and go for the win still.
thats thier fault
if they do it u just win and get the points they deserve it
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If your opponent wants to go for a draw, they have every right to do so. This argument is in the same vein as people who whine about opponents who don't resign; if your opponent wants you to mate them, they have every right to expect that of you.
If your opponent is strong in the end game and weak in the middle game, their strategy maybe to trade down and keep the position simple. Ultimately, it's then arguable that it's your fault for putting your pieces in places where your opponent can trade them off or that you are too stubborn to retreat your pieces when your opponent attacks them. Just as it's arguable that people who expect others to resign when they have an advantage are lazy or are weak in the end game; you can't possibly know your how other people (want to) treat the game.
Remember, the game of chess does not exclusively belong to you.
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Some people go for a draw.. they trade down all these pieces.. i think its pathetic, if you dont have the fighting spirit why are you playing chess?
Theres many games where you can tell they just dont want to win, usually i try to make the position complicated but when i cant.. then i just wasted 10 minutes of my life.