Learn To Use A Draw In Chess To Your Advantage
We’ve all been there, completely losing in a game, but holding off that resignation, because you see a possibility of saving a draw in chess. Whether from three-fold repetition, surprise stalemate, or the fifty-move rule, a draw can be either a miracle or a dull finish. As you improve at chess, every rule in the game becomes an opportunity to learn to win, or at least not to lose.
What is a Draw in Chess and Why it Isn’t Always a Disappointment
Understanding a draw is the first step to learning how to use it to your advantage. A draw in chess is neither a win nor a loss. In tournament play, it still earns half a point, which can impact the outcome of a chess match. This could come into play if you win in a tournament, and the players behind you can only catch up if you lose. So, playing for a draw can be beneficial. You see this more often at the top levels of chess. Chess players typically agree to a draw at the highest levels when neither side can realistically win.
How to Win a Chess Game
To understand a draw, you must understand how to win! A player wins if they can checkmate the opponent’s king. Understanding checkmate is key not only to understanding a draw, but also to understanding a draw by insufficient material. This means that if neither player has the pieces required to force a checkmate under any sequence of legal moves, it is a dead position and a draw. Typical examples include King vs. King, King and Bishop vs. King, or King and Knight vs. King.
Smart Moments for Chess Players to Play for a Draw
If you are winning in a game of chess, then obviously you don’t want a draw. So, the best time to play for a draw in chess is if you are losing. When you can no longer checkmate the opponent’s king, there are some cases where you may claim a draw under drawing rules like the 50-move rule, or if you notice that the position has repeated three times, you can claim three-fold repetition.
Time Plays a Part
When both players agree that no progress can be made, they may end the chess game by mutual agreement. However, one factor as to whether a player should accept a draw by agreement is often the time they have remaining. If you are down by less time than your opponent, even if you have a promising position comparatively, you may consider offering a draw in a relatively equal position. A player under time pressure who cannot win even if the opponent runs out of time might still only draw if there’s no material to checkmate. In time scrambles, opponents may also blunder perpetual check, or the game could be declared a draw via stalemate.
Key Chess Stalemate and Drawing Tactics to Know
A chess stalemate is when a player does not have any legal moves, but also is not in check. Because no move can be made, the game is a draw. It you think it might be stalemate, always make sure that there are no legal moves, even from other pieces. The stalemate rule can lead to some desperate saves and devastating moments for the winning side. I have seen countless games from beginners that end because they are not careful in looking to see if their move leads to a stalemate. Look at this example below: the king has no legal moves, but is also not in check, leading to a stalemate.
50 Move Rule
Another interesting rule in chess, which may be rarer than en passant, is the 50-move rule, which allows players to claim a draw if no pawn has moved and no capture occurred in the last 50 moves.
Perpetual Check
A more interesting tool that you can use tactically is the perpetual check. This tactic leads to a draw when the same position is repeated due to repeated checks. You can set this up, though. Take the following position. You are losing material, but if you scan your forcing moves, you can find a way to save the game!
Using the Draw in Chess as a Strategic Weapon
Depending on the level of play or the type of event, players sometimes agree to a draw early in a tournament to conserve energy for later rounds. More beginner players should avoid this particular strategy, but taking an early draw in the last round of a long tournament is still common. If you are losing in a game, using a draw as a strategic weapon is valuable. Depending on how much time the game has left, threatening perpetual check or heading for a dead drawn position can frustrate opponents into making errors. When you’re behind, forcing a draw through repetition, stalemate, or the 50-move rule can salvage critical points.
Things to Look Out For
The key to strategically clutching a draw is to be aware of certain things that can make you look for a draw. This is usually for tricking your opponent into a stalemate or a perpetual check. Still, it's also never too late to find a tactic that forces your opponent into a draw by insufficient material.
King has no Moves
If your king has no legal moves, then you might have a chance for tactics involving stalemate. Throwing your last remaining piece at your opponent when your king has no moves left can be a satisfying desperado sacrifice. Look at the position below.
Exposed Lines to the King
Perpetual check is one of the most frustrating ways to lose out on a victory. If you are losing in a game but still have some pieces left, especially a queen, be on the lookout for the lines to your opponent's king. You should always calculate the checks in the position; even if you are completely losing, you might find something that can save the game.
Late Game Tactics
I always tell students that the game is never over if you still have a knight on the board, even if it’s not the same trick or trap that secures a draw. Always stay alert for tactics, even if you don’t have enough material to checkmate yourself.
Draw Offer Etiquette
Whether you are playing online or in an OTB (over the board) tournament, there is certain etiquette that you should know about offering a draw during a chess game. There is less etiquette when playing online, but it could still be rude or lead to someone reporting you.
Online Etiquette
The main thing to know about offering a draw online is that it can still annoy your opponent if you do something like offering a draw after every move, or if you offer a draw in a completely losing position, your opponent might report you for spamming. Chess.com's policies don't mention draw offers specifically, but don't be annoying! The bigger thing to be aware of is etiquette when playing in person.
How to Offer a Draw In OTB Chess
In USCF-rated games, there's a specific order to follow when offering a draw. Not only could it be bad etiquette to do it incorrectly, but it could also be against the rules. Here’s how it works:
- Make Sure it is Your Turn: Never offer a draw during your opponent's turn. This would distract them while they are thinking, and would be against the rules.
- Make Your Move: Once it is your turn, before you offer a draw, start by making a legal move on the board. If you do not, your opponent has the right to ask you to make your move first before considering the offer. Once you make your move, you can make your offer.
- Offer the Draw: Immediately after your move, before hitting your clock, verbally say something like, “I offer a draw.” Do not say more. You should not speak in the playing area outside this minimal amount. Your opponent must know you are offering a draw and not resigning.
- Press Your Clock: After offering the draw, press your clock to complete your turn. And allow your opponent to consider your offer.
At this point, it’s your opponent’s choice:
- Accepting the Draw: They can accept the draw by saying so or simply shaking hands. Again, keep your discussion to a minimum.
- Rejecting the Draw: If they make a move without responding verbally, that automatically counts as rejecting the offer.
For Chess Players, the Draw Is a Tool—Not a Crutch
Mastering how to draw in chess includes knowing when to claim a draw and when to fight on. If you are a beginner player, you should often fight on. If pieces are still on the board, then there could always be tactics that lead to a win. But understanding drawing rules like draw by insufficient material or the fifty move rule can help you handle endgames confidently and know if you should resign or play on. Knowing how to move the game toward a draw when needed is a skill every well-rounded player must develop. Because not all chess games end in checkmate, you need to understand how to utilize a draw, like any other rule in chess, to benefit your game.