Resign or play on till the bitter end?
Sort:
I have always heard that when you know you can't win, the decent thing to do is resign. But I have encountered players on Chess.com who expect you to play on so they can have the satisfaction of mating you. Thoughts?
You could play on in hope they make a mistake and create a stalemate.
Or you could resign and use your time wisely for another game or other non-chess activities.
Mar 29, 2023
0
#4
CraigHanson wrote:
I have always heard that when you know you can't win, the decent thing to do is resign. But I have encountered players on Chess.com who expect you to play on so they can have the satisfaction of mating you. Thoughts?
What's your goal in playing chess on this website?
If your goal is to have fun, then you should resign when the game is no longer fun.
If your goal is to improve your play and become a stronger chess player, then you should resign when you feel that there is nothing more to be learned by continuing.
If your goal is to pamper the ego of some online moron who feels cheated if he can't checkmate somebody, then don't ever resign.
If your goal is to squeeze out every half-point you can snatch, then don't ever resign.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#5
Tarraschfanboy wrote:
I am of the opinion that it's morally correct to always try to get to the end even if a position is completely losing you could still trick your opponent into a stalemate even if it's annoying for both sides I think the win has to be earned, and not given.
You don't often see the words "it's morally correct" and "trick your opponent" in the same sentence.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#6
this is all very weird considering that pretty much every coach tells their students to never resign
and besides, if your opponents always resign when you have a queen+king vs king, then when will you learn that checkmate?
and if you are on the losing side, you have to make your opponent prove that they know the basic checkmate; and if they dont, it is not your fault that you refused to resign
its their fault that they dont know how to finish the game
and about resigning when a piece down in the middlegame.... "the hardest game to win is the won game"
Never resign I blundered a queen and some moves later my opponent blundered forced checkmate in 4
Mar 30, 2023
0
#8
When I see checkmate coming, or if I a down a lot of material. I save myself the stress and just resign.
But when I am ready for battle, if I hang my bishop or knight, I will keep playing.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#9
Tarraschfanboy wrote:
blueemu wrote:
Tarraschfanboy wrote:
I am of the opinion that it's morally correct to always try to get to the end even if a position is completely losing you could still trick your opponent into a stalemate even if it's annoying for both sides I think the win has to be earned, and not given.
You don't often see the words "it's morally correct" and "trick your opponent" in the same sentence.
Well, is it not? how morally correct is it to just give your opponent an easy win instead of having them prove the advantage?
Edit: Think of it like this, if you just let them win off of a position that is losing for yourself you don't give your opponent the opportunity to learn or become better they deserve the toughest version of you at all times, I think as long as you don't use any kind of cheating it is of the moral high ground to give your opponent a difficult time regardless of whether it is winning or losing.
One could argue that it's morally correct to defraud a mark and take all his money, since this will teach him a valuable life-lesson: Don't be so gullible.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#10
blueemu wrote:
CraigHanson wrote:
I have always heard that when you know you can't win, the decent thing to do is resign. But I have encountered players on Chess.com who expect you to play on so they can have the satisfaction of mating you. Thoughts?
What's your goal in playing chess on this website?
If your goal is to have fun, then you should resign when the game is no longer fun.
If your goal is to improve your play and become a stronger chess player, then you should resign when you feel that there is nothing more to be learned by continuing.
If your goal is to pamper the ego of some online moron who feels cheated if he can't checkmate somebody, then don't ever resign.
If your goal is to squeeze out every half-point you can snatch, then don't ever resign.
Excellent.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#11
CraigHanson wrote:
I have always heard that when you know you can't win, the decent thing to do is resign. But I have encountered players on Chess.com who expect you to play on so they can have the satisfaction of mating you. Thoughts?
That's bad advice. What if you can draw?
I resign one move before checkmate when I'm certain my opponent will find the move. Sooner in slower time controls.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#12
Unless a draw is a realistic possibility, you might as well hope for their internet to fail and win by default.
It is generally good time management and good etiquette if the likelihood of a draw is low.
The only exception is when low level players are playing losing positions to develop their skills. But even then, if there's nothing to learn (as has been said above very well) then resigning is both good sportsmanship (they deserve the win, not to accidentally lose, and they don't deserve to have their precious time wasted out of spite or stubbornness) and efficient time management (you can learn more doing something else).
Mar 30, 2023
0
#13
the higher rated you get, the less it takes to resign.
I resign if I blunder a piece at a tournament, but a 1000 might not resign.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#14
Playing for stalemate doesn't happen at higher ratings, but may happen at lower ratings. Even at the 800 level, almost nobody stalemates.
Checkmating someone doesn't give me that much satisfication so I guess you can just resign.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#15
SlourpyPlorypy wrote:
Playing for stalemate doesn't happen at higher ratings, but may happen at lower ratings. Even at the 800 level, almost nobody stalemates.
I think you're wrong.
White is a USCF life master (old system) currently expert OTB. I've played him a bunch of games. He tends to get into time trouble. He is in his late-60s (I think).
Mar 30, 2023
0
#17
keep playing your opponent can always do a mistake... except if you are a GM, then mistakes probability is lower...
Mar 30, 2023
0
#18
Whether you resign or not, the important thing to remember is that it is entirely up to you. The resignation option is there for you. You do not resign out of respect, you resign because you do not want to continue playing. Respect and sportsmanship have nothing to do with it.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#19
BlueScreenRevenge wrote:
Whether you resign or not, the important thing to remember is that it is entirely up to you. The resignation option is there for you. You do not resign out of respect, you resign because you do not want to continue playing. Respect and sportsmanship have nothing to do with it.
I disagree. I think sportsmanship is a factor here, and polite chess culture should be a thing.
Mar 30, 2023
0
#20
DelightfulLiberty wrote:
BlueScreenRevenge wrote:
Whether you resign or not, the important thing to remember is that it is entirely up to you. The resignation option is there for you. You do not resign out of respect, you resign because you do not want to continue playing. Respect and sportsmanship have nothing to do with it.
I disagree. I think sportsmanship is a factor here, and polite chess culture should be a thing.
Yes. Resignation at the appropriate moment shows respect for self, for the game, and for the opponent. However, resigning early, especially among beginners is foolish. No one under 1000 and a lot of players over 1500 are extremely limited in their checkmating skills. Test them.