First, please do not ask for comment on games in progress.
Second, it's entirely fair to checkmate someone who's blundered. It doesn't give you the right, however, to be proud of the game. There's the difference.
All is fair in love and ...chess?
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I'm with DimKnight, do go for the win, if peolpe don't ever blunder than how can anyone ever win? Even if it is a big blunder that's how it works, its all part of the game, be happy that you won but don't be proud that you were so amazing because it wasn't you're greatness but his mistake that caused your win. All is fair in love and war. And chess is war.
Go for the win. Blunders are a part of chess. Chess is also about psychology. Some players, when they are ahead in material, get overconfident and are more likely to blunder. Players who are down in material should always take advantage of this aspect of the game. You are not doing your opponent any favors by ignoring the blunder and handing him the win. Sure, he wins, but his game loses. Hold him to task and give him the opportunity to learn from his mistake.
If I blundered like that and someone willingly ignored it and handed me the game I would be greatly insulted. All that being said, blunders suck. I hate when I blunder. I always beat myself up over it for awhile. On the other hand, if I am just straight up outplayed I am never upset. Heck, sometimes it even brings a smile to my face if I lose a piece to a particularly clever tactic. I can appreciate a good move, regardless of who makes it.
I also hate it when my opponent blunders because there is no satisfaction in beating someone who isn’t playing their best. But you should always go for the win. Unfortunately some wins will leave a sour taste in your mouth.
Once I hung my queen, not a good thing to do, and I was sure my opponent was going to take it, but he didn't and i got a check mate! I hadn't played chess in a while and it was like only me 2nd game on chess.com. I hated myself for hanging my queen and learned from it, just because my dad pointed it out. I sure hope that my oppnent just give me the win, that would make me mad
. But i took his blunder and got a checkmate the next move. I was happy because I was so supprised at what had happened and that I won, I didn't think I could checkmate him in 15 moves, I normally take a while. But I was never proud that I had won, I was glad I had learned, pleased that i set up a checkmate and took it, ferouis that i hung my queen and glad that it bumed my rating up to 1403, i'm not that high.
. But i took his blunder and got a checkmate the next move. I was happy because I was so supprised at what had happened and that I won, I didn't think I could checkmate him in 15 moves, I normally take a while. But I was never proud that I had won, I was glad I had learned, pleased that i set up a checkmate and took it, ferouis that i hung my queen and glad that it bumed my rating up to 1403, i'm not that high.
Checkmate him and challenge him to a rematch
As my old chess coach used to say:
'Kick your opponent when he is down'. You can be friendly after the game!
Mar 19, 2008
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#8
As you say you are a "few moves away", perhaps things will come out differently than you think. Do not assume that you have won this game.
When you have a game where you're behind in material and you're about to lose, is it fair to checkmate your opponent after he makes a mistake or a blunder?
I currently have a game where I'm just a few moves away being checkmated, but after Rae I can checkmate him with Qcxg7. Would this be "unfair" and a bit childish of me or should I just go for the win?