Draw Requests

I don't really understand the necessity of requesting a draw, in what situation would you ever need one that much anyways? I used it twice to get away with things, and some generous people too. I was in a losing position, with material down and my king pretty much exposed. I requested a draw, which was declined at first, but then I said I was playing on PC and needed to use the restroom, and somehow the opponent accepted it. At the time, I absolutely hated losing rating, which meant I hated resigning. Sometimes the draw requests are kind of too much, but honestly, what is the point? The percentage of ending of in the position where both of your materials are equalized and almost directly symmetrical to your opponents pieces is not so often. What is the purpose?

If you see winning chances for neither side, why move your pieces around without progress?

It seems that the purpose of this is for those situations, where there's simply not enough time and it's a good gesture.

I think I know what got you confused, @TipsChess_Official. You say the button is for "requesting" a draw. And that is how many people use it: They are in a losing position and "request" (aka: ask for) a draw. This kind of behaviour I find rude and childish. If you're losing, either fight and try to turn it around, or accept it and resign.

But it's actually not called "draw request", it's called "draw offer". It's for offering a draw, not requesting one. A situation where it would be appropriate to offer a draw: Two very strong players are playing, let's say Nakamura and Naroditsky. They both can see that a position will lead to a draw from a mile away. So one offers a draw, the other one agrees, and both of them save the time to play it out.

Another situation: A strong and a very strong player are playing, let's say Rozman and Nakamura. Rozman is fighting well, has a decent position, and maybe even winning chances, but only with very accurate and complicated play. Nakamura realizes that and thinks: "hmm, I'm the stronger player, so I will probably win, but it will be complicated and there is a chance I don't". So he offers a draw to Rozman. Rozman can now decide whether he thinks he can convert a very complicated, maybe slightly winning position against a stronger player, or he can accept the draw, and probably still gain rating for it.

Then there's draws in tournaments. Sometimes, based on previous rounds of a tournament, a player does not need to win a game to progress. So there, offering or accepting a draw can be a strategic decision.

But all that aside, it's just the rules of the game. According to the rules, a draw by agreement is possible. Lichess wouldn't be a good chess platform if it only adhered to some of the rules and ignored others. The "Draw Offer" button is a means to adhering to the rules of the game.

Just offered a draw in a bishop + 4 pawns each endgame as I did not see any other outcome. My opponent refused and proceeded to draw by repitition 3 moves later anyway. Strange chap.

I have allowed players a draw when they have unexpected visitors knock at the door (and the game is fairly even), or when they have clearly misclicked (as I have disabled the takeback option) ....on a different note, when players abandon the game I let it time out (I play a little solitarie whilst doing so) ....often they wish to play another game - cannot do so and are then forced to come back to the game they have abandoned and resign,,,,a little churlish of me I suppose ,,,,,but it is one small way to enforce internet manners.

A draw is a legitimate outcome of a game, OP. You seem to think there's something dubious about the whole business (for some reason).

@MrPushwood said in #7:

A draw is a legitimate outcome of a game, OP. You seem to think there's something dubious about the whole business (for some reason).

That is because of how they and their opponents use the feature: To get away with a losing position without losing any rating. That, to my mind, is indeed dubious.

@MrPushwood said in #7:

A draw is a legitimate outcome of a game, OP. You seem to think there's something dubious about the whole business (for some reason).
Though for humans (except top level players), draw is not that common!