What's the ettiquette on resigning a lost position?

If I'm winning, I feel a bit cheated if the opponent resigns. I'd rather practise my endgame and have the satisfaction of the final mate. And if I'm losing, I play it out so the opponent can benefit. Also, there's always the chance of a draw.

However, some people clearly get miffed if a losing player will not resign, so what's the "proper" thing to do?

Thanks

There have been innumerable threads on this already. I still can't resist replying...

In my opinion, you resign when the game is essentially over. That is when both sides know perfectly well that the game is won, and how it's going to go, and that there isn't anything left to try to hinder that. There's NOT always the chance of a draw. Playing it out from there on is a waste of time for both players.

Of course, when that is depends on your level.

Personally, I resign when I know that if I was playing the other side, I'd see an easy and quick conclusion to the game. Forced mate, queen down, rook down in an empty board. No ambiguities or passed pawns for possible queens.

It's just a matter of taste, I suppose. I mean in boxing if you knock a guy down 3 times, you don't keep going till he's actually dead.

However there are times if my opponent makes a particular nice sacrifice, or combination I'll let him play it out to the mate.

I do find players resign too quickly especially when the lose a minor piece for nothing.

It was a great man who said "Fight to the kings!" but he was obviously very optimistic.

Nice sunglasses!

When I see my oponent will force mate me, I play to the end. There is unofficial rule that you should let your opponent finish his/hers combination. Why would I take him pleasure of finishing great game in great way. But when you are playing tournament, and you are last in your group, and you are down 2 queens, 2 knigts and a pawn (with only king on your side) and you are still playing 70+ moves game while 600 people w8 for you to finish, that is just lame.

I have heard this "unofficial rule" about letting your opponent finish his/her pretty mating combination here before.  Someone even wrote that Grandmasters always allow the mate to be played out.  I've been playing for over 30 years and never heard it said anywhere else, perhaps it's not in every country?  I read a lot of chess literature and I've rarely seen GM's make or let someone play out a mate, they resign.  Personally I don't feel cheated at not getting to play a mate out, it's a compliment that my opponent sees it coming and resigns.

Some people don't know how to resign like beginners don't know how to castle. It's of no consequence to us, is it, but let's keep talking about it. Forever!!

I did not here about "rule" here, I too have lots of chess books, and I have read it there more then few times.

This one is example of bad resigning

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=14422010

I dont know if you can read chatbox, but reason given to me is "But this one I just knew I had no ideas. And I knew I would just be pushing pieces about aimlessly. Seemed the best thing."

This is example of good sportmanship

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=13838764

and this one is very lame and pointless.

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=11634228

Resign only when you are sure you can't win or draw.  I take into account the strength of my opponent too.  Most higher rated players won't mind at all when/if you resign. 

It's ultimately up to you -- maybe message the person and ask whether they want you to play on or resign if you are that concerned about it.

The other side of the coin is there too... if it pains you to keep playing a lost game, you should resign regardless imo.

T'is indeed a tricky subject, sort of slauthering the owl cow when it's got a bun in the oven, which comes first, the chicken or the egg?

I hope you are not just trolling. And yes, same threads with same title as this have been made before. You could just lool for them if you are so wondering what the answer is. There is no answer.

 The egg. That one I know.

He's right. It is the egg

really? If I make what I think is a clear game deciding combo or start a forced mate, not only don't I care whether they resign or not, but most of the time I just discredit them as not able to see it. Resignation is only unjustified to me in even games.

How can you feel cheated if your opponent resigns? If your opponent resigns - you won. Your opponent isn't obligated to allow you to practice mating attacks or endgames if he thinks its hopeless. Neither of course, is someone obligated to resign. If they don't the best course is to be calm and try to punish them for it, since playing for a draw, or even a win, in a lost position some consider an attempt at a swindle.

Still, beginners need to learn so you should only resign if you think you've nothing left to learn by playing on.

ahhhhh!!!! ANOTHER thread about resigning!!!!! just do what you like who is gonna make you do anything else?!

Apologies. I didn't realsie that there'd been otrher threads on this before, (yes I realsie now that I should have looked first).

Thanks for all the advice though.

Be careful or the Forum Police will get you!

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/the-forum-police

I resign when I can't be bothered to play on, knowing that unless my opponent does something really stupid, I'm going to lose.  Once the fight's gone, I suppose.  I like to get on with trying to kick someone else's a&&!

Of course, if the opponent TELLS me to resign, unless we've played 20 odd games and I consider the other person an online mate, I'll play the game out as long as humanly possible, depending on how rude he or she was.

I'm sorry but this is almost the goofiest thing I've read on here. Does anyone really think a high level player needs the satisfaction of checkmating? C'mon. Both players know the position. It's gonna happen. It's as good as happenning. All that matters is the number 1 being written on the crosstable!

The real learning happens after the game when you play it over with your opponent exchanging ideas, asking questions, and playing out missed variations. Every one of us misses things at the board. Only by revisiting your positions and examining them with a fresh set of eyes do you really learn the truths. One of the great features on this site is the vote chess. When you get a group of players not afraid to toss out ideas, you get some fantastic analysis (Go Team Canada!). 

Make an effort after each game to learn. Ask your oppenent what their plan was or why they made that move. Communicate and learn!