Well, I guess that did!  I'd rather not lose four games in a row, however

eh...you are winning and he is losing

so if he wants to continue losing instead of ending his misery let him

You are right bullrock. I haven't bothered paying much attention to this policy. I find it such a petty thing to do. I simply make a note to crush them worse next time.

	What is vacation abuse and the policies regarding this?

OK folks, everyone take a deep breath and remember, while a competitive game, chess is supposed to be fun. We play for our love of the game. In his current position, yes he should resign and take the loss. All the nonlinear mathematics and even a sudden shift in the rules of abstract physics are not going to change the outcome. It might be considered bad sportsmanship, but there might be a remote chance that there's a good reason for your opponent's actions. I know your time is important to you as my time is to me. However, you just have let the game play out. It's sounds like you've won. The vacation rules for premium members are part of the "perks" of the membership (something I don't have).

I've looked over most of his games. He has way too many on the go and something like 25 moves due in 24 hours. He also has two clearly lost games and three clearly won games.

IMO he has no clue about the sportsmanship expected in the game of chess. I doubt he reads english either.

ignorance is bliss!

 Well, now, that is something I certainly hadn't considered (the part about him not speaking english) and perhaps you are right. 

Frankly, this seems to be such a frivolus issue.  If they want to delay a game, I'd be more than happy to prolong their agony.  From my perspective, an opponent isn't beaten until I fully prosecute the game to its correct conclusion or until they choose to conceed.  In the mean time playing by the rules (both on and off the board) are fair play.  If you think an opponent is wasting your time, ask yourself why the heck did you start the game in the first place?  They are not obligated to resign when you believe they should.  Whining about it just gives your opponent what they wanted - satisfaction that they got your goat and you were annoyed.  Just be patient, relax and enjoy the game.  You'll enjoy it more knowing they didn't win their trivial little mind games too.

 You have entirely missed the point of this thread, unfortunately.

<If you think an opponent is wasting your time, ask yourself why the heck did you start the game in the first place?>

You mean there's a way to know if opponents are going to play a competitive- friendly game of Chess, or if they aren't?  Even before the game starts?  Am I the only one besides BR who doesn't know this?

i can see your point, it does seem like he is doing this just to annoy you, and its working,

Listen everyone! If he has a legitimate reason for this, it is not against the rules! People are allowed to take needed vacation, that is why chess.com implemented that feature. As for the issue of him not resigning in between vacation, he is not required to resign when you think fit. It is perfectly ok for him to play it out.

 You are absolutely correct on this and I agree.

 This is the heart of this thread!  If this is true, then what exactly constitutes vacation absue?

If there is no legitimate reason for the vacation, then it would be abuse. However if he was low on time in one of his other games, and that's why he went on vacation, it is ok.

 Well, I have to disagree.  Any repeated use of vacation time which prolongs a LOST game is vacation abuse.  That is of course, my opinion only.  Apparently the administrators of this site disagree and it appears I just have to accept that.

wow, its just a game!  It will be over soon.  Better things out there to be frustrated over than this.  Keep your chin up!

 I only started this thread to get other people's opinions and some have made me out to be the guy who is on suicide watch!  In the grand scheme of things, this is beyond trivial, but how else can one get others' opinions?

if you have an opponent who is delaying a game that is CLEARLY over, then we will first warn that player, and then adjudicate the game.

 Well, I have reported this player more than once and have received the same message (the one I included in the original post).  It appears to be some sort of standard reply.  I requested adjudication the last time I reported this player and as you can read in the original post, that request was not commented on.  I believe adjudication in cases where a player repeatedly uses vacation time on a LOST game should be granted.  If you can help with that, it would be greatly appreciated.

If only this would work with tournaments.  There is a player, folks who've been around any length of time know who... who clogs up A LOT of tournaments (nearly all) with his extremely slow vacation-time prolonged play (from the opening move on...). I'd LOVE to block him... does it work for tournaments, oh please, oh please... 

Secondly, Bullrock...

When I joined this site I got all bent out of shape about folks who wouldn't resign lost positions. But as the months have gone by I've mellowed... there are many reasons for slowing down a losing game, some of them even somewhat legit. If I suspect an opponent is dramatically underrated, I'll slow play so that his darn rating gets to a more realistic point. I had one opponent who started the game as a 1600 player... and by the time the game was over he was rated over 2200... and his rating since then has topped out around 2400. Believe me I could tell I wasn't playing a 1600 chess player. When he got to a winning position I told him, "man, there's no way your rating reflects your actual ability... I'm gonna slow down a bit here and let you win some of your other games, nothing personal, but I don't want to take a big rating hit that I don't deserve." He was like, "ok, fine, that's your right."

You'll get used to it. Live and let live... It absolutely true that in a perfect world your opponent would resign what sounds like a hopelessly lost position. I used to feel as you do, so I completely sympathize... but take a step back, start another game, and don't let it bug you. If you let every rude, non-quite-socially-right interaction you have on the internet get to you... you'll go around ticked off at least 90% of the time.