I just remembered something more: when he said it wasn't a draw I said "OK. Let's set it up again. I tend to remember positions well so I can set it up exactly as it was." He said ok, apparently not believing me, but as I quickly started setting it up perfectly with no push back from him I guess he saw that I was doing exactly what I said I'd do and guess what? He took the pieces down again!
It was after this that he claimed the win. Yeah. That happened.
J
I'm an OK player. Some days I'm good, but not better than that. Recently when playing OTB I was challenged by a player I knew to be much better. Maybe 1850-2000 on chess.com - in that range. We played a quick game because that's what he wanted. He said "like a minute" I think, but we agreed on something more like a 3-0 pace - no clock - and the game proceeded at that pace until we hit a position that had him thinking for 20 - 30 or more secs at which point I said very nicely and without adding pressure "I think this is a draw". He said "No, I have you" which surprised me so we started repeating the position possibly for 2 minutes: me making split second moves and him taking 10-20 per move on average. We were well past a 5 minute game at this point. I just let it go knowing it was a draw.
Next thing I knew he took all the pieces down, and started talking to someone nearby. Another strong player came by and wanted to play, but since it was a draw (or so I thought) I wasn't sure who she should play. I asked him "Wait! You took the pieces down so you agreed to a draw, correct?" He said "No". I couldn't believe it. First time for everything I guess. He later claimed the win in fact!
So what do people think here? This wasn't a child. This was a man in his late 20s or early 30s.
The position is shown below.
Thanks to all!
-J
Black to move. I'm the white pieces.