lichess.org
Donate

Is this behaviour legitimate?

Hi all,

I recently played a game which I won't link to since I don't want to name the other player in case his/her behaviour is considered legitimate per Lichess rules. In my view it should be considered trolling but I thought I should get some input before I bother mods with it. We reach this position

lichess.org/editor/rr6/pQ2ppbk/7p/4P1p1/n2R4/6B1/PP3PPP/4R1K1_w_-_-_0_1

I'm white and it's my turn to move. At this point my opponent offers a draw. I ignore it and just make my move. A few moves later the situation is even more hopeless for the opponent and I've advanced my h-pawn removing any chance of a back rank mate. At this point my opponent offers a draw again.

After the game we have the following exchange via the messenging service.

Me - "I, and I assume others as well, would appreciate if you would stop it with the draw offers in losing positions. The only point and purpose to that is to induce misclicks and irritate the opponent. It's bad manners. Stop it."

Opponent: "I do not push anyone to accept draw, It is at the menu wich means you cannot misclick. usually, when I offer draw, I add time to opponent. If you have wanted to know why I did it, you could just ask. However, you have your own answer behalf me. have a good day."

I would consider draw offers in positions like this unsportsmanlike (and repeated offers even more so). Is this something I should report?
No this is not worth reporting. This is legal by every chess site and real life organization.

This may be annoying and rude to some, but at least your opponent did not simply leave his clock running , sac all his pieces for stalemate or quit the game with any of the other rage quit methods.
You don't have to manually decline the draw, making a move will auto decline it.

I see it as bad manners but as blindkingmen says, there are worse behaviours.

With OTB games, if someone continually offers a draw you can call the arbiter who will most likely ask them to stop or worse.
Thank you both for your answers.

I'll just have to live with it.

To anyone reading this thread who does this I would encourage you to stop.
@WS83 , I don't do this, but the way I see it, these players are just trying to take advantage of any chance of not losing that they can. There is the smallest chance that you will accept after all, if you don't see the way forward for some strange reason.
The behaviour is not report worthy IMO but begging for draws is not exactly a great way to take a loss either.
To me, it seems like this person might have believed there was some reason to offer a draw, judging by his response. If he were just trying a cheap trick, I doubt he would have responded at all. Maybe he thought he saw a tactic that could earn a draw? Hanlon's razor could be used here, I would think.
I wouldn’t discuss such issues with my opponent.

Offline: inform the arbiter if necessary
Online: blocking if necessary
Thanks again,

As mentioned the draw offer was repeated later in a worse and simpler position, and was initially made immediately after losing the queen (which I didn't mention) so I don't believe it was done in good faith. It's somewhat common at this level.

Blocking is an excellent suggestion.
Some of today's kid players offer draws repeatedly while losing. They hate to lose, and seek any way out. Sometimes the offer is accepted.
I have no problem with his first offer, regards of the position or situation. Maybe you're tired of playing, or only want a draw, or soup's on the stove, or your mother is calling. He has a right to offer, and doesn't need to have a reason.

Second or repeated offers can amount to harassment. Pay them no mind, just keep playing. It is not illegitimate, just annoying. --- Or sometimes amusing: OTB, I may smile or grin as I say no, and the kid may smile back and shrug his shoulders. What the heck, worth a try.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.