Offer of a draw

When the convention is, or at least used to be, that a player only offerred a draw after they had made a move, why is it that the "offer draw" button can be used before a move has been made?

I have a game which is checkmate in 1 move yet my opponent has offerred a draw without making (the only forced) move which will result in checkmate. I have to say I find such conduct distasteful. 

 

 

 

In chess, you may offer a draw at any time.  It is not illegal to offer a draw before or after you move.  Some people may take the draw and others will refuse or make a move.  FIDE rules say thay you offer a draw after making the move, but before hitting the chess clock.  There is no chess clock to hit here.   If a player makes a draw offer before making their move, the opponent can ask the player that offered the draw to make their move before deciding. Once made, a draw offer cannot be retracted, and is valid until rejected. A draw may be rejected either verbally or by making a move (thus the offer is nullified if the opponent makes a move).  Some people will offer a draw, even though it is mate in 1 or a few moves.  Best to ignore the draw offer and make the moves.  You can then decide to avoid that player in future games.

Well said.  Yes, it's rude to offer a draw when it's a losing game (as you mentioned).  Ignore that offer and make that devastating move.   (Can he just made an error and clicked offer draw instead of resign?)

 

Thanks billwall for comprehensive reply and sound advice, and to charlie91 for support. 

Yes, sometimes you will run into players who have bad sportsmanship but you will find this anywhere you go. There is always the option to decline or ignore the draw and deliver the checkmate (as said by Charlie91) which would be the option I would go for. 

USCF rules and FIDE rules differ some in certain areas. In FIDE events you are now required to keep score only in algebraic notation. I dont know if USCF also requires this now or not but I know they didnt used to. Any USCF TD's wanna bail me out here? Also, in blitz now you are not allowed to take your opponents king if he leaves it in check. (FIDE) However, you call the arbiter and point out that he left his king in check and he loses. This applies to all illegal moves in blitz. If you catch it and call the arbiter the one making the illegal move loses. (blitz only)  USCF ?  I dont know .