Why I don't resign losing positions

In this game, I am playing White in a inter-collegiate game against a player rated somewhere between 200-300 points higher than me (I'm around 1500). The other player can also be a bit cocky when he knows he has the win, taunting his opponents. In this game, I had a pretty good advantage, threw it away, then came back after not giving up and got the point, tying him for fourth place.

Nice one.

Was your opponent really that smug whilst he was winning? I've never played over the board chess, and certainly never been near a tournament, however, I'm not sure I'd want to go. Most the stories I hear about tournament play sounds like it's a rubbish experience with people being arrogant and rude. Also, the pressure. Maybe it's just the case that bad stories make it through more than plesent ones.

 Do you have any good tournament experiences?

Possible forum there :)

Good game, well presented and annotated.

Good question Maradonna. I have not played tournaments either, though I have had the opposite impression. I've heard that people are generally well-behaved and that a camaraderie exists between most the players.

Obviously there will be tales of both positive and negative, i'd be interested in hearing what people's opinions are... are OTB tourneys mostly a friendly experience?

The pressure is something I WOULD like to feel at some point. I'd like to see how I handle it. I tend to think it would eventually crush me, but I'd like to try and hold out against it.

Maradonna> I've never played over the board chess, and certainly never been near a tournament, however, I'm not sure I'd want to go. Most the stories I hear about tournament play sounds like it's a rubbish experience with people being arrogant and rude. Also, the pressure.

oginschile> Obviously there will be tales of both positive and negative, i'd be interested in hearing what people's opinions are... are OTB tourneys mostly a friendly experience?

At the World Open, there was alot of pressure during the games and sometimes one or both of us were upset. But after the dust settled we were friendly with one another, chatted, and watched how each other did in the standings. The only exceptions were a couple players who attempted to win using underhanded means.

Oh I absolutely say those interested in OTB tournaments/games should do so. While my opponent here was slightly rude (nothing compared to how he was at the end of the game lol), I've always had great experiences in OTB play. I've only played in college tournaments, and a month and a half of unrated USCF tournaments, but it's much more fun watching your opponent struggle through the same things you are, contemplating moves, trying to look at a different side of the board in hopes he thinks you have a different plan lol, etc.

Also, the time controls for OTB tournaments are usually longer than what you'd experience in other chess games. Usually much longer than blitz, but they also offer the challenge of not getting a day to analyze one move. I find I play my best chess OTB, and I enjoy it the most.

@ Chess Lobester

 Yeah, there probably wasn't a need for 6.b3. However, the version of the Colle that I play is the Zuckertort variation, where b3 defines the variation. It's really just from habit of playing thousands of games with it.

very nice game , I had completely forgotten the colle system, I learned it in my younger years.I just might bring it back into my repertiore

I highly recommend it. I find it to lead to interesting games, and it's pretty easy to learn, as well as being not too dependant on what your opponent is playing.

likesforests wrote:

At the World Open, there was alot of pressure during the games and sometimes one or both of us were upset. But after the dust settled we were friendly with one another, chatted, and watched how each other did in the standings. The only exceptions were a couple players who attempted to win using underhanded means.

please give an example of what underhand means an otb player could utilise - it can be something you have experienced, or observed between other players

Here's a game that I should have lost, but after my opponent literally demanded that I resign, I decided to find a way to win...

I totally agree with you about not resigning. We learn early on that the object of the game is CHECKMATE, but how soon we forget this.

@ Niven42

That was a cute game lol. At what point did he demand you resign? There didn't seem to be any earth-shattering lost positions, although if I had to guess, it was probably after move 32. fxe5+. Also, I wouldn't put down the opponent's name in the game without permission, even if he was annoying lol.

@Head_Hunter

I love that explanation the best. A game isn't lost or won until the person is put into checkmate. So simple, yet as you said, so easily forgotten.

Very interesting combination at the end there.

In friendly play, I personally resort to "underhanded" tactics such as saying PWN!!! every time I take a pawn, but you can know it's in good nature.

Head_Hunter wrote:

I totally agree with you about not resigning. We learn early on that the object of the game is CHECKMATE, but how soon we forget this.

Oh Head Hunter how right you are. I think your reminder statement (The object of the game is CHECKMATE) should be above each game we play on this site.

waggro> please give an example of what underhand means an otb player could utilise - it can be something you have experienced, or observed between other players

A player made a bad move. Afterwards he realized it so he took his move back. When his opponent called the TD he denied having done this. The good news is such people are rare and they run real risks if they're spotted, but they do exist.

Granted this wasn't an official tournament, but when I worked the olympics in 2002 our department had friendly chess tournament going one day while stuck onsite doing testing.

I watched my boss gain a promising attack against a Swedish programmer only to see his position fall apart when he pushed too hard.

I watched intently to see if he would continue his attack which was doomed to failure, or if he would wisely pull back and defend what he had left. He angrily made a bishop move and then claimed a mate in two moves. I was amazed that I hadn't seen it before so I studied the position a little closer only to see he had both his bishops on dark squares.

His opponent gamely resigned, seeing the coming mate, but not seeing the error. I could see in my bosses eyes he knew what he had done.

A rather remarkable way of cheating, and amazing he didn't get caught. I didn't say anything cuz it wasn't like there was money at stake and... he was my boss.

I did however mate him in the next round so justice was served anyway.

Oddly enough, he is now a CPA doing people's taxes!