I think that was his point. Having a protocol is worthless if you don’t know how to handle it when the protocol is not followed, which will happen with great frequency with inexperienced scholastic players. In the end it’s up to the TD to do their best, and we must trust the TD to do just that.
I disagree, but I don’t want to argue with you about it. One of the drawbacks of being a moderator.
Jack, I think you are correct here. None of us like this type of nonsense. For my students, and for the tournaments I direct, I do try to prevent some of this.
That when a persons hand is extended over the board, to make clear what the opponent is seeking. I have seen incidents in which one player thought they were
agreeing to a draw, and the other thought his opponent was resigning.
Rob Jones
Some coaches I’ve encountered teach their students to offer a draw before resigning just in case and some have succeeded. The same coaches tell me there’s nothing wrong with that.
As for extending the hand without words before the agreement, if they shake and the opponent says he didn’t agree to a draw, I rule to play on and inform the one making the offer should only extend after they agree.
For repeated offers I explain to both players that one has made it very clear he wants a draw, the opponent has made it clear he wants to continue playing. If the opponent changes his mind he will do so by making an offer so there is no need to offer again. That has always worked for me at least for the game in question. Some go back to their bad habit in future games.
I had a game once when one player kept offering a draw in a clearly worse position. Finally the opponent said “I know you want a draw. Don’t offer me one again. If I want a draw I’ll let you know.” Later, the position became drawish, maybe even a forcible draw. The player came up to me and asked what to do. I don’t remember what I told him, but it was not to offer another draw.
Alex Relyea