English Chess Forum

Last night was the annual friendly match between Harrogate and York. The top board game was closely fought and, with both players desperately short of time, the Harrogate player offered a draw. The York player considered this for a few seconds before accepting. A few seconds after the decision was made, his flag fell.

The five of us who travelled back together (not included the top board) had quite a lively debate about what would have happened had the York player's flag fallen while he was considering the draw offer. The others all thought that he would have lost on time but I suggested that as the draw offer was still live - the York player hadn't rejected it verbally or by making a move - he could still have taken the draw.

Was I right?

Can I just stress that this did not actually arise in the game, the Harrogate player involved was in another car (so not involved in the debate) and the match was played in excellent spirit.

The FIDE Laws of Chess wrote: 9.1 A player wishing to offer a draw shall do so after having made a move on the chessboard and before pressing his clock. An offer at any other time during play is still valid but Article 11.5 must be considered. No conditions can be attached to the offer. In both cases the offer cannot be withdrawn and remains valid until the opponent accepts it, rejects it orally, rejects it by touching a piece with the intention of moving or capturing it, or the game is concluded in some other way.

A flag-fall concludes the game in some other way, so the player would have lost on time.

Yes, agreed, as simple as that!