Chess.com Announces New Restrictions on Draw Offers for Prize Events Starting in 2024

Chess.com to Implement New Rules Restricting Draw Offers in Prize Events Starting in 2024

In a move aimed at promoting more competitive and exciting chess games, Chess.com has announced that beginning in 2024, multiple prize events will restrict draw offers until after move 30. Additionally, in bullet chess prize events, draw offers will be prohibited for the entire game.

The decision comes in response to the long-standing controversy surrounding draws by agreement, especially in the early stages of top-level chess games. Unlike in other games or sports, where competitors cannot simply agree to a tie, chess players have often been criticized for opting for a draw too early in a game.

The affected events include Titled Tuesday, Champions Chess Tour, Speed Chess Championship qualifiers, Arena Kings, and Bullet Chess Championship & Bullet Brawl. In these events, players will not be able to offer a draw until after the specified move number, with the draw offer button disabled until then.

The timing of this announcement coincides with the ongoing FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, where early draw offers have sparked debate. Notable instances include GM Vladimir Fedoseev agreeing to a draw on move nine in the final round of the Rapid Championship and GM Lei Tingjie offering a draw in only three moves in the Women’s Rapid Championship.

Chess.com’s decision has received support from top players, including ban-the-draw-offer advocate GM Robert Hess. The platform hopes that these new rules will lead to more competitive and thrilling chess games in 2024.

Overall, while Chess.com acknowledges that players should not be criticized for agreeing to early draws if it benefits them, the platform believes that draw offers should not be an option in professional competitions. With these changes, Chess.com aims to elevate the level of competition and excitement in its prize events.