What’s Wrong with a Draw?

THIS column has often wondered why chess needs the rule that players are allowed to agree draws at any stage of the game. Players can call a halt to hostilities after a few moves, shake hands and adjourn to the pub. It doesn’t happen in any other sport and it shouldn’t happen in chess. Draw offers are highly distracting for players who are trying their hardest to win. It is so easy to damage your position since rejecting the draw makes you feel obliged to play something aggressive just to show how uninterested you are in your opponent’s peace proposals.

A category 20 tournament in Bulgaria next month will forbid draws by mutual agreement.