One of the things that annoys me when playing chess on www.chess.com is that often when my opponent is in an untenable position, it is obvious they won't win, they continue to play on! If I send a message like "Why don't you resign?" they usually do, but it seems without my prompting that they would play on till the bitter end with no hope of getting a positive result. Why is this? Are they hoping I will forget I am playing them and lose on time, do they not feel the pressure to resign because I am not actually sitting in front of them? I usually just resign. I sort of feel it is the honourable thing to do. I guess if my opponent has made a few silly moves earlier I might hold on in the hope they do it again. If I think I have some attacking possibilities I might also hold on. Anyway, what do you all think?

Well, I will resign if I think I am irretrievably lost, no swindles left or anything.

Unless my opponent sends my a "why don't you resign" message, then I will play on until he appologises for his rudeness.

It's about time someone brought this up. This topic hasn't been completely beaten to death thousands of times. Honest.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/this-is-why-people-dont-resign

I've been waiting for a thread like this! I especially like "the honourable thing to do", like asking your opponent to resign

Easy, fellow forum-dwellers! don't you know that Chess.com would blink out of existence without the daily resignation thread? they're the cosmic string that holds this place together.

Aum!

Because people mess up winning positions. It really is that simple - I've done it, and I'll do it again - but so has my opponent, so take advantage of the fact. 

Even being down to a K v K + Lone Pawn it's still worth playing, as you can still stalemate someone who's not studied endgames correctly.

You are so right, Prawn. I'm personally going to ask the OP to resign from this thread, so I can start posting pictures of my favorite movies!

I have the feeling it's either your movie pics or someone else with pastries/donuts/waffles/pancakes or 'flags with something random.

Poor sod (OP) doesn't stand a chance.

Why not?

To ErvinM from United Kingdom... these people are hoping that we get run over by a truck, or some other terrible ending, because they are sore losers and refuse to show good sportsmanship, Bottom line. King & rook vs. lone king & they take forever to resign. Almost all beginners know how to mate w/ King & rook vs. lone King. We've got players w/ 1700 & 1800 plus ratings & these sore losers drag out these hopeless positions. It's frustrating, but "consider the source" & don't let it rub off on you, that's all. What do you expect from a pig, but a grunt !?   ... Bill

Well, I'm a 1300 player. How can I learn endgames if I don't play them? You're a lvl 1600/1700 how can you learn endgames if you don't play them? It's not like we have the ability to play a blunderless game like some of the 2200+ people can. Besides, if I give up (sometimes I do: king + 2 rooks and me only king, I'll resign, no problem) but King with a queen? King with 2 knights? I'm gonna go for a stalemate. I consider it good sportmanship to put a fight.

I think that resigning in some situations is just common sense. There is no shame in it ! As for an endgame position, you can study it whenever you want after the game. I also noticed that people were much more likely to resign in online chess than in blitz games, and that it is all the more true if you were courteous to them. Personnally, when I play with good friends I know in real life, when one of us is in a 'hopeless' situation, then we just draw the game. In unrated games, when I see my opponent make losing moves purposefully (and this happens !), then sometimes I just resign : what is the point of going on playing with such people ?

Brick Top and Darth Vader says: Resign.

What about this? Reckon white had a chance that I could blunder a loss? :)

Tbh, I don't care if someone doesn't resign. Perhaps I would if I there were a maximum simultaneous game limit.

This is troll-land not utopia.

it's a game of dignity also.

Its always not over until it is over.I usually count my game gone when my opponent makes a mating move but before that everything is always possible.So Ervin be assured of a run to your last move when we meet on chess.com

I cannot speak for others but, generally speaking, the main reason I'll not resign is because doing so almost invariably loses the game for me.

I saw players losing in a way they would never have thought of that they called you 'cheater' while you utterly dominated them with your own clearsightedness !