I think individual personality plays a large part in whether it is fruitful to play on with a large disadvantage. Almost certainly it is futile to play on against someone rated 1700 or higher if you are down a piece without compensation, its just unlikely that they will make the mistake necessary for you to get back in to the game. Some people are able to grind away draws though from lost positions and this does require some strength of character. I think the essential point though is that if you find a particular game (regardless of state) is adversely affecting you then its best to walk away from it. I had a won OTB game once that I offered a draw on just because I was exhausted from the grind the game had been up to that point and I had a long tournament ahead of me ..
Originally posted by arrakisSorry but this is not a good advice,especially for beginners.
For example, if you are down a piece and have no compensation then it’s as good as a lost game. RESIGN IT!
God knows how much games I won or drew when I was down a whole piece.
Yes, sometimes happens that out of frustration you resign a game where you just blundered but generally a piece is not enough of a reason to resign a game.
There's great satisfaction when pulling out a stale mate or even trading pieces for pawns so that your opponent hasn't enough material to deliver checkmate.
A newbie won't never learn form such things if he always resigns as soon as he loses a piece.
Originally posted by RavelloI agree with you when it comes to very new players. If anything else they should watch how they get finished off and learn how to do it right.
Sorry but this is not a good advice,especially for beginners.
God knows how much games I won or drew when I was down a whole piece.
Yes, sometimes happens that out of frustration you resign a game where you just blundered but generally a piece is not enough of a reason to resign a game.
There's great satisfaction when pulling out a stale mate or eve A newbie won't never learn form such things if he always resigns as soon as he loses a piece.
However, for the people who have seen it before and would know how to finish off a game when you are up a considerable amount of material... the point of the thread is - Let it go! chalk it up to experience and feel the weight lifted when you click resign and no longer have to stress about what pawn will fall next.
If you are not having a nervous fit about the game and you want to hope for a return blunder or just watch the carnage. enjoy... I have done that. Or, if you just want to make the finish as difficult as possible as training for a OTB game that may be short on time in the future, it's fine.
I looked at this thread like a guy telling his friend who is a widower that it's OK to date again. Click resign, shed a tear, then hit your clock on your next game and try again.
There are numerous games that I have won despite inferior material.
There are numerous games that I have lost despite superior material.
Blunders often happen that can win a lost game or lose a won game.
I wouldn't encourage my proselytes resigning games of the only reason that they have less material. Fight on as long there is a chance of winning.
Hmm, if this were postal chess I'd agree. However, expending 5 seconds thought on a clearly won position is not much effort. BTW I'm not the one dragging the game on. There is a reason why people resign in OTB play. Play every game to the bitter end and soon you won't be asked for a rematch. Unfortunately the anonymity of the internet allows such behavior.
Originally posted by slugworthSounds a bit childish to me. "You want to be stubborn? See, I can be even more stubborn than you, muahahaha!"
Hmm, if this were postal chess I'd agree. However, expending 5 seconds thought on a clearly won position is not much effort. BTW I'm not the one dragging the game on. There is a reason why people resign in OTB play. Play every game to the bitter end and soon you won't be asked for a rematch. Unfortunately the anonymity of the internet allows such behavior.
i think it all comes down to 2 factors
1.how likely is your opponent to screw this up. Is it a simple position or a difficult one? what is his rating? how has he played the game so far?
2.how long will the game last. pushing on for a few extra moves to see if your opponent will correctly complete a combination is usually worthwhile (sometimes you might even find a loophole.) pushing on when you blunder a piece in the first ten moves, thats irritating.