It depends on your personal values. If you're more interested in your rating, then go for the draw. If you're more interested in learning more about chess, especially from your own games, then decline the draw and keep playing to see what happens so you can learn from your loss--I mean your *outcome*--for the next time.
Should I accept draw?
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Nov 3, 2014
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#3
Go for win. Never settle for draw unless its technically dead draw.
Good point! Maybe the reason he offered you a draw is because he discovered that *you* have an advantage, or maybe even a winning position! Look deeper...
I have an open game so I can't post it. But here is the general situation:
Playing a higher rated player, even material, I think he has a slight positional advantage, it is the middle game -- still have almost all pieces.
Out of the clear blue sky, he offered me a draw! And I can't figure out why. Perhaps he sees a huge tactical move that I am missing, but I'm not good at tactics. On the other hand I'm pretty good at positional play, and maybe he's just bored. I love boring games, small advantages, etc.
Just thinking out loud, but should I take the offer. It will mean a ten point gain in rating, so I just grab it, right? But, for me, the game is rather challanging, especially since he has a slight positional advantage. With an almost 300 pt higher rating, maybe he will just roll over me, but no big deal.
Anyway, thanks for listening. I will spend more time deciding == do I go for the rating points, or go for the "learning experience".
Again, please don't look at my games and trying to figure out which one it is, since that could be considered cheating. But, without looking at the game, what do you think I should use in my decision?