Dumbest draw ever

This is a game between two GM's, which ended in a quick draw. Thoughts?

Its not really a dumb draw it is actually a very good one.

Black wants to control the e file with his rook but white keeps making the c7 threat.

If either diverts from there plan they will get a small disadvantage and in a GM game a small disadvantage is very major.

Seeing as white has over 100 less rating than black he was probably happy to draw, job well done.

White basically said, either give me a small advantage or I'm gonna draw the game which he did.

This looks like a case of white going for a draw honestly, which is sort of a "no no" in chess, but the guy he was up against had a much higher rating.

Maybe they both were OK with a draw because of their place in the tournament. Was this the last round?

Thought it was comical.

thought it was funny

Well no one on this site is better disposed to explain the rationale.

he is the draw master! ;)

That is what the letters combined make    prove it

Th' swine lay in sequestration cool'd

whatever

Actually, this was round 7 of 9 in the tournament. I do accept the point about the ratings though, in that sort of position, id likely have done the same thing.

This is a minor thing, but I believe you mean f7. 

As far as I remember this is a major problem for the very sharp Zeitsev variation of the Ruy, as the nature of the defense seeks counter chances for Black but it can't be played if White wants a draw.

More importantly, it is a game between two GMs from Armenia who know each other well and possibly are friends. Naturally, no one wants to hurt each others chances so the draw is predictable. The Kosintseva sisters never played a decisive game against each other and have no intention doing so regardless of the circumstances. That may not be what the audience wants but is simply part of the game.

Why not simply 12... h6?

Players might think they are not feeling well that day, be uncertain about the position, dont want to risk losing, or hope to save their energy for a different game. There might be a lot of reasons for agreeing to a draw that you cant necessarily see on the board.

And why not? As a spectator, I dont have a problem with that.

Pre-agreed draws happen even on the 1500 level according to some members of my club  ... especially if two friends or just fellow players of the same club are paired, one of them might ask "do you want to play?" and if the other one says yes, they play a normal game, but if not, they'll go for a draw ...

that was silly ... i can see if your living is chess protecting your rating ... otherwise just play ... if after a reasonable fight the result is a draw so be it ... i dont like systems where competion activities result in draws/ties ...in chess, good fighting play does result in 2 kings only on the board ... even after hours of play, decide the winner with blitz ... the better player that day will prevail.

Well kevinkin, what you think GMs do for their day job? Chess is their source of income. Outside of the top 30, it gets difficult to make a living that's why no one recommends playing chess as a career choice. Here is the prize list for that tournament: http://www.dubaichess.ae/default.aspx?PageID=86

GM Akopian placed 11th and netted $1100. Likely he was one of the invited GMs meaning his accommodation was paid for. See here: 1. The personally invited Grandmasters with an Elo rating of above 2600(1/1/2010 ) will be provided free accommodation in single rooms 3 star hotel .The personally invited Grandmasters with an Elo rating between (2550 - 2599) will be provided free accommodation in double rooms in hotels and will have to share the room with another Grandmaster.( there is limited number of rooms available, and the priority will be given to the earliest registration players .)
2. The personally invited Grandmasters are provided accommodation one day prior to the inauguration and one day after the closing ceremony of the championship.
3. The Dubai Chess & Culture Club will arrange entry visa and hotel booking for the other participants; they have to pay the accommodation expenses during the period of championship in Dubai - United Arab Emirates.

Even considering this, he likely had to pay his airfare so at the end he will be lucky to break even.

Chess and soccer are two activities where a draw is an accepted outcome regardless whether the draw was achieved by hard fight or as a result of the draw mutually benefitting both players/teams.