Technical Draws - winning on clock

I have a general question.

I was playing a game: we both were left with 1 rook and a king. I had 22 seconds left, my opponent more than a minute. He (I think he) just kept playing/checking me until I ran out of time. I thought that was pretty bad sportmanship to win that way and I told him as much, although he seemed to think that this was acceptable practice and even commented "gg".

So, now I am confused. In the same position, I would have offered a draw.

What do you all think ? Thanks for your comments/feedback. And if you guys think differently, I guess I owe my opponent an apology.

-Ray

Well, in blitz especially, clock management is an essential part of the game, and sorry to say, but obviously your opponent managed it slightly better than you and was justified in his actions.

I'd suggest playing with increments if you want to avoid this kind of thing.

I 2nd Atos' recommendation. I never play without increment, to avoid this and similar problems of a technical nature (e.g., executing an easy technical win).

Time is part of the game as well. although win on time in described situation can be declared (by some) to be ethically questionable, it is still within the rules of the game (mate still can be achieved) and therefore valid. :-)

Hi Darkstar, Thanks for message. Haven't visited the forum before, but read your posting with interest. Your totally right. Anyone with any dignity would have accepted a draw as it was pretty much forced to draw. Except for the element of time. The clock is there for good reason. The theory being, if I used my extra 2mins, then maybe I would have created stronger moves and avoided the draw and mated you. Equally, if I had played at your speed, maybe you would have mated me instead. Always a balance between thinking and the clock. That said, as try as I do, I am weak when it comes to pride, and I probably lost 500 points just before and was probably guilty of running the time down in an un-winnable situation to gain a few points rather than a draw. Stupid, but thats me. I know points are meaningless. But as silly as it is, here I very rarely play the same person twice, ever, so there's nothing else to go on as to doing well or not. Shame, as I like to play the same people regularly as it makes the online chess experience a lot more fun. Please feel free to add me to your friends list and we can play anytime we see each other on. And I'll treat you with the respect deserved!!! Promise. Cheers, James.

Since when did sportsmanship become a part chess?  You should read some of the antics of players before time clocks were introduced. Time clocks are a definite improvement and were needed in the game of chess.

On the subject of sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is a fictional imagination in chess. While there are a few players that are very good sports and play with consideration of the other player in the game of chess, most do not. In fact, there are many that feel that someone who allows sportsmanship to intrude into the game is a weak player and generally a "wuss" or a "mark." How many of you will lose or draw when you can win? Time is just another means at getting to a win!

Thanks everyone for your comments. I guess I learned something new.

I had a similar situation to this except we had a knight each! My solution is if you feel annoyed don't play that person again.  

i just wanted to say i apologize if i didnt except your draw. I haven't played for some time but while going through my page i clicked on this link. I dont really remember what happened but i apologize!  IM assuming that u were probable the best player i played at that time, and i thought it would be a good thing to say  I beat a 1500-1600. I'm sorry . I was really just learning the game and strategy, and so fourth. again I just wanted to say I'm sorry. 

What about three move repetition draws?  The site doesn't seem to recognize them. I have been in several situations where we repeated moves 7 or 8 times. 

Hi:

In that case you should offer a draw and this is automatically a draw.