My opponent offered a draw? How should I react?

Question

During a chess tournament, your opponent suddenly breaks the silence and whispers "Draw"? At this moment you have two options. Either accept (by confirming "Draw" and shaking hands), or declining (by saying "No thanks" and playing a move). If you accept, each player repeats half a point and the game is considered drawn; if you decline, the game continues. Keep in mind you do not need to reply immediately. What is the best choice?

Answer 1

Maybe this is me personally, but in my opinion, I would try to avoid draws if possible. The reason being is that there is much to be learned from trying to fight it out. Even if you lose, you learn more about your game and weaknesses than if you never played it out in the first place. Overall, you become a better player and you gain more endurance.

Answer 2

first of all you just have to see the position if your position is better than your opponent then just decline by saying no thats it and if equal then its all on you if you likes to draw you can accept it

Answer 3

It depends on the situation. Unless there is a very good reason, it is better to decline a draw offer. A good reason would be if you are in a lost position (very unlikely that your opponent would offer you a draw in such a case, has happened to me only once in my long tournament career).

Personally, I have lost only one game after declining a draw, won tens of games, and in a few cases the draw was inevitable (for example a player repeats position a second time, offers a draw, and even if you decline, the draw would be automatic after the third repetition.

If the situation is unclear with equal chances, it is better to decline. Better to learn a lesson after a tough fight that did not go your way, than get the easy half point of a draw.

Never accept a draw out of fear that you might blunder during the remaining of the game. And if you lose a game where you declined a draw, at least you can be proud that you tried your best.