After White just played c5, he offered a draw. White is an IM with a rating a little below 2400 and Black is a GM with a rating of around 2650. Black accepted the draw as Black’s position is worst.
The question is if White was playing a 2000 rated player instead of a 2650 player, would he offer a draw? I think not.
I am not saying that White has a winning position but White should not take a draw here. Play the position, not the opponent!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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Awfulhangover, you must be appropriately named since you apparently missed the opening statement:
“After White just played c5”
Obviously Black can’t move the d-pawn (unless he prefers to be piece down) and his f-file foot soldier looks like a liability. I must agree with charming Susan, it’s like White obtained a better position only to be struck by his own prejudice!
Is this a winning position? Black seems pretty well ties up. If he marks time, is B-B4 a threat? Black has to get his king off the long diagonal immediately. Can he hold? Susan’s strong implication is this looks like apretty good position to her. Susan, would you expect to hold this position as black against an equal player?
This is not a clear “winning” position. However, White is better and White is the one who can and should try to go for the win. Black has to work hard to hold this.
There is absolutely no reason for White to offer a draw here. As I said, the test is simple. Would the same player offer a draw in the same position against a player rated 2000? The answer is no. That means that White should be trying to win.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com