Why You Must Stop Offering Draws

Listen up. Offering a draw is a fast way to stop getting better. When you offer one, you are saying the result (getting a safe half-point) matters more than the process (learning how to win the whole game). That is backward thinking.

A draw offer happens when:

You’re doing well but you get scared. You have a winning position against a strong player, but you don’t trust yourself to finish the job. Don’t do this! This is the exact moment you need to learn.
You’re losing badly and want an easy escape. You hope your opponent lets you off the hook.

The Drawback of the Draw

The only good thing about a draw offer is that you might not lose.

The bad things are huge:

You look weak to yourself and your opponent.
You miss a chance to learn something important.
You start thinking about quitting instead of finding the best move.

The New Rule

My student used to offer draws all the time, even when he was winning. I told him: Play as if draw offers do not exist.

He couldn’t offer one, and he couldn’t accept one.

It was hard at first, but it forced him to play the game all the way through. His confidence exploded.

Later, he was in a lost position in a big game. His opponent felt sorry for him and offered a draw instead of checkmating him. My student looked at me and said, “Sorry, I can’t take it. I play on.” Then he resigned.

He proved he learned the lesson. He chose the hard truth over the easy point.

You have to do the same.

Forget about offering or accepting draws. Focus only on the next move.

Ready to Level Up Your Chess?

Coach Rathish offers personalized chess coaching for all levels—kids, teens, and adults. 15+ years of experience, proven student success, and a passion for the game.