stalling

and ultimately i agree.  winning the game and playing well is very important but the other stuff has some effect.

I think I've done that in a few games, but only so that I can be in an environment where I can make the very best move and not rush it. this is an example, I took a long time on this game but i came out ahead

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=18171641

EDIT: of course if im completely lost then I resign, but I thought I had a possible attack in exchange for the piece

As long as they make their moves on time, and don't abuse vacation, it's okay by me.  When you agree to three-days per move, you are agreeing to be patient.  It makes no sense to get aggravated if your opponent uses all his allotted time.

I completely agree.

Three-days per is three days per, settle down and if you need something to do play some live chess.

I see this in pretty much every game I play. Whoever is winning plays faster than whoever is losing; it's human nature. No one wants to rush forward to their *ouch* loss. But everyone want to rush forward and collect their ego-gratifying win.

Is there such a thing as poor sportsmanship? Sure disrespect is poor sportmanship, and maybe truly absurd continuations like that game Reb posted constitute a mild form of poor sportsmanship. But taking your time in a bad, but not hopeless game is not poor sportsmanship, it's garden variety procrastination -- Is it mildly annoying? Yeah, but it's far more annoying to be the one losing, so get over it.

-- How tough it must be, being perfect, and the regular people disappointing you all the time.

[Comment removed due to ex post sportsmanship]

pot calling the kettle black my gaffer. 

but hey, if this laissez-faire attitude is working for you, it's all good.  it's not an ad campiagn, but stalling really can suck

hehe

 IMO, even more of what's wrong with today's society is people willing to make judgements about others based on impressions and assumptions.  It hurts nobody to take the high road and accept victory gracefully.  One person may not approve of an other's actions (stalling), but since the time limits were agreed upon by both parties at the outset of the game, in my opinion it shows poor sportsmanship to complain about somebody playing within those boundaries. 

Repeat, this is my opinion, and you may not agree with this.  Just because you have your point of view doesn't mean others have to understand it, agree with it, or abide by it. 

To label or judge another person based on a differing opinion (or interpretation of "proper etiquette") demeans the party making said judgement.  I respect the fact that you don't like the behaviour you identify as "stalling".  Since I choose not to take offense to these actions, I don't agree with the necessity of calling "foul" by them. 

Hoping you find opponents with your same set of values...

Brian

and i guess in the end all i'm really thinking about is people being more willing to give and take but certainly give.  is it the end of the world that my opponent is completely and totally stalling in a lost position and now has turned his vacation on?  not even close...  does it suck?  yes it does.  anyone that says otherwise isn't being realistic.  BUT i'll live and eventually the win will come and on some level i showed grace.  i was a bit annoyed and have told him as much, but you're right, being easy to get along with is huge.  it does go both ways but beyond me, i suppose i can't do much about anyone else...

I agree.  Everyone being more tolerant, being willing to give and take, would go a long way to improving relationships both on and off line.  By taking that first step in overlooking the intended slight, and instead accepting your victory with a sincere "Thank you", will show a lot more class than the alternative.  Either course you take depends on the choice you make...  One of them just earns you more respect. 

Yours in Chess

Brian

Anthony, see my eariler post... there's nothing to be done, nor a need for anything to be done. The time control is what it is.

Yes, people don't like losing and so they delay the inevitable... is this really so hard to understand or tolerate?

But, in time, the win will come. Stop stressing.

i've got one going right now if you want to see it.

Here is a good example of stalling.

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=19900989

This game started on May 6th and took only a few days (maybe a week) to reach the position at move 23. After this my opponent took all the time he could to reach the current position. Then he went on vacation for a month. Now it appears he may let the game time out (I hope).

Here's another that has been going on since February 21st.

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=15583896

When I first started playing on chess.com I thought the long time controls would be a good idea in order to save vacation time and avoid time pressure. These games have made me change my mind about this.

Well, I accepted the game knowing it was 3, 5, 7 days what have you. So I just remain patient and play through. Stalling has always been around and not just on CHESS.COM.  There is no stalling in chess heaven. so you know where they are headed!! Haha!

I think it is human nature to be impatient. Agreed time per move takes honor in this issue of 'stalling'.  CC is not live chess game.  Therefore, time control wins.  Happy chess to all! 

Well, after defending people's right to play their games to the limit, slowly -- I'm a piece up in a rather uncomplicated ending where my opponent has no chances -- he could resign, instead he's taking his time and it's one of those positions where despite being won, it could easily take 20 or more moves to bring it to checkmate. This is driving me batty because he's got a nice juicy rating and I'm just dying to plump up on his points.

Resolved:

              A) I'm not going to complain to my opponent or make any snide remarks. He has the right to play the game as he chooses at the agreed upon time controls.

              B) I'm going to play as sharply and with as much focus as ever in order to bring home the win as efficiently as possilbe ( And god knows slipping up because of contemptuous carelessness in these situations is the ultimate agony!)

              C) I'm going to prevent heart-attack/stroke/homicidal insanity through a mixed therapeutic intervention including but not limited to: meditation, deep-breathing, yoga, gin, screaming, and Demerol.

              D) I'm going to check if my opponent has finally made his move less than 70 times a day.

             E) I'm going to try to slow play just a little less in my own losing games. (But only a little ).

good luck

well after i played the game out with conditional moves to every end, he finally let his timer run off.

i still think he's a dick.  the win was anticlimactic. 

I agree with you a little more with every aggravating passing day -- check my game with Chiccogiancarlo

Speaking of being a dick... I reread my earlier post and my: "-- How be tough it must be, being perfect, and the regular people disappointing you all the time --"

Wow, that comes across waaaay more a-hole-ish than I'd intended! No, really, I'm not like that!

They probably hope that your rating will go up before the end of the game, so they won't lose as many points. It's a bit pathetic.

haha  oh well.  no harm.  stalling is the worst.  (relatively speaking!)  haha