Prospect v. Buffalo Grove (1): How to Offer a Draw

On October 18, Buffalo Grove beat Prospect 43-25 in a match that featured several well fought games. As I am not going away this weekend and Prospect has a bye next week due to Wheeling's inability to field a team in the MSL this year, I am looking forward to going over the games a bit more thoroughly than I have been able to do for the earlier matches. However, a couple of questions about the rules arose during the match (without fisticuffs thankfully) that players need to be familiar with.

THE PROPER WAY TO OFFER A DRAW

If you want to know whether your opponent would be happy to split the point, the proper way to do so is to make your move on the board, say "I offer a draw," and then proceed to press the clock. A draw offer made prior to making your move is considered illegal and a draw offer made while your opponent's clock is running is considered illegal. The penalty for a illegal draw offer is two minutes added to your opponent's time. Your opponent may decline your draw offer either by saying so or by making a move on the board. Draw offers may not be withdrawn prior to being accepted or declined.


It is important to note that AN ILLEGAL DRAW OFFER CAN STILL BE ACCEPTED! Moreover, if your opponent offers you a draw while it is his move, you can ask him to make his move on the board before you decide whether to accept. You are free to wait to see whether he comes up with a good move or a blunder before accepting or declining. He cannot withdraw his offer before you decide.

THE PROPER WAY TO CLAIM A DRAW BY THREEFOLD REPETITION

Either player may claim a draw if the same position appears on the board three times with the same player to move, but the procedure is different depending on whether it is the claimant's move that causes the repetition or his opponent's although he must have a complete scoresheet to prove the claim in either case. If your opponent makes a move that causes the repetition, you stop the clock and claim a draw. If your opponent does not acknowledge the claim, call a steward who will verify the claim from the sheet. If it your move that will produce the repetition, DO NOT MAKE THE MOVE ON THE BOARD. Write the move on the scoresheet, stop the clocks and claim the draw. After the move is made on the board, the moving party can no longer claim the draw.

The situation arose on 7th Board where Prospect's Dhruvin Talati initially outplayed Buffalo Grove's Ryan McGogagle to gain an advantage of two pieces. Dhruvin then reverted to his habit of playing much too quickly and proceeded to give back the pieces on two consecutive moves. The game reached a rook and pawn ending in which Ryan held the advantage. However, perhaps as a result of his earlier difficulties, he offered Dhruvin a draw which was declined. At one point, Ryan delivered some sixteen checks in a row during which the same position was repeated many times. However, while Ryan offered a draw, he never claimed a draw. Eventually, Ryan simplified to a king and pawn ending in which he was still winning, but apparently having determined that a draw was the best he could hope for, he played too defensively and allowed Dhruvin to turn the tables.

IS IT LEGAL TO TELL YOUR OPPONENT TO START HIS CLOCK?

Chatting after the match, Mr. Barrett correctly pointed out that it is illegal for anyone to tell a player to press his clock. Thus, the Buffalo Grove player who courteously pointed out that his opponent had forgotten to push his clock was actually violating the rules and could have incurred a penalty. When we checked the rules, however, we discovered that the player who has been told to press his clock is also subject to a penalty so the Buffalo Grove player did not stand to lose anything by being polite.

While there is very little difference between how the game of chess is played under IHSA and USCF rules, I have noticed that the IHSA tends to provide a specific penalty for many infractions (e.g., inproperly offering a draw) where the USCF leaves the question of a penalty of to the discretion of the tournament director. At first, this struck me as nitpicky, but I think there is some logic to it. At a USCF tournament, the penalty decision is vested in a director who is likely an experienced tournament player himself and who has no vested interest in the outcome of the game. On the other hand, at an IHSA match, the decision may well be vested in a faculty sponsor for one of the teams who may have little no playing experience. By spelling out the penalties explicit, the IHSA reduces the opportunities for second guessing.