When to resign?

just to set the record straight - when I played my opponent who kept playing on even when his position was hopelessly lost, I did put aside any irritation I might have had given what I would have done in his position and played quite correctly, playing timely moves (ok, I did more conditional moves than normal in the hope of speeding things up) and winning in the most efficient way I could find. That's it I suppose - it takes all sorts but for me doing things right is important.

no!  it's not the chess that does it (though many will agree with you to blow a smokescreen!)

Excuse me, in chess, there's something called stalemate. Never heard of it? :P

Well anyways, I've play this old guy a couple of times, and he never resigns, it bothers me SOOOOOOOO much. When we play, it's (almost) always in the third round of Sunday Quads, which end at 8pm. Usually what happens is, i get up a piece or a few pawns, then he keeps playing when we're both in time pressure (it's only G/45). I'm hungry and tired all the time he does this, and he's stolen so many wins, rating points and money. I've requested to not be put in his quad, but luckily I'm rated 100 points higher now. ;)

gimmewuchagot: isn't that why we love playing this game so much? I mean, you have to grit your teeth and accept you are playing someone who is oblivious to your feelings and surpress your inclinations of irritation at this inconsiderate so and so and on the way learn to be serene, courteous and patient to name but three generally recognised sought afterable qualities. Now what other game helps enable such building of character?

+1? I thought Google+ wasn't so popular :P

Anyway, umm, I don't have much more to say.

Oh yeah, so playing in an OTB tournament I resign when: I lost big material (between a piece, rook, or piece[s] for a queen) and I no longer have any little cheapo traps to set to win back material.

Playing turn-based (slow) online chess, I usually play on until I have no chance to draw whatsoever, or when I'm at a disadvantage and for some reason need to save my vacation time.

When I play blitz, I resign when I'm not up on time and losing the position by say, at least a piece.

A beginner should never resign. It will help you learn the 3 aspects of the game. I may be somewhat a rookie to this game but every move gives your opp. A chance for a mistake. There are times its a landslide and I can understand, but you shouldn't fault anyone playing it out unless they r being idiots about it.

Depends on the time control. Usually I give up when it's near mate in 1 or 2 (unless I don't see it).

When opponents are reluctant to resign I usually amuse myself by trying to find the quickest and most accurate win.  Stats show that we make more mistakes when ahead in material.

The Deep Blue designers considered resignation appropriate when down by the equivalent of4 pawns.  The Radio Shack Talking e-Chess is programmed to resign when down by 9 pawns. 

Using a doubling cube (like backgammon) could force sooner resignations.

so how did you like Expendables 2?

I have played a number of players on here who don't have a clue about how to win an endgame. This usually becomes quickly apparent. If that is the case why should I resign?

I have converted a number of 'Lost' games into either Wins or Draws.

If you are so confident that you have a winning advantage, then prove it and checkmate your opponent.

+1

when the fat lady sings!!  no better time!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! *glass shatters*

I think most people do not know how to evaluate a position as dead lost.
I've seen a lot of sitautions where people resign to premature because they thought their position was lost but afterwards found out that they could have drawn. - and how bad does that feel?

being down a knight early is not the same as being lost. check the halloween gambit.

of course, but I like Carlsberg better even though it has only 4.6%

I will answer since you ask but it is kind of off topic.

In denmark it is part of our culture to get drunk at a party. more drunk = more fun. more % = cool. By the way a brewery made a beer with 17%.
most beer is 4.6 but a lot of breweries have made beer with a lot of %.

i never resign, # sign is so cool...

+1 even tho i dont drink

i mainly play correspondence ches , i find people who are about to be mated and dont resign funny , i just kill them and get on with the next game .This game ends when you kill the king , resignation or draw if none other is posible just kill the king.

A grandmaster resigned in a completely won position lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7p4G78WWD8
would like see more examples of GM resigning in a won position 1964. this is entertaining. I guess sometimes being a gentleman comes before being a fighter.