Resign
(Or Play On?)
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
The option to Resign from a game should be seen as the LAST resort, when you've made a complete horlix of things and are totally certain you can no longer avoid Losing.
In competition, or when playing against another person, either across the Internet or in-person, you must declare your Resigning intentions, for opponent to accept.
Particularly when it comes to Tournament matches, where you may play many games through half or a full day; rather than playing on to the inevitable Loss, offering give up, from the current game could be seen as the wiser choice, as it allows you to conserve energies for your other matches, later on.
On this page, as something of an insight, we'll give three examples of when professional chess players consider a game is beyond them and makes more sense to concede defeat and Resign.
But, in addition, we'll leave you with a slice of caution, about jumping in and being all too ready to throw in the towl - it's just possible you could rescue ½ a point by salvaging a Draw; or even manage to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat ...
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
When Professionals Resign
- Example 1 -
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
When Professionals Resign
- Example 2 -
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
When Professionals Resign
- Example 3 -
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Because ...
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
When Resigning Could Be Premature
- You Might Salvage A Draw -
Before rushing into Resigning, have a REAL good look at the Board ...
It may be possible you could get your pieces into a situation that leads to a Draw - Stalemate - from which you'll, at least, walk away with ½ a point, rather than nothing from a Loss ...
While easier said than done, the quickest route to Stalemate is by triggering the Three Time Repetition Rule, through either a Perpetual Pursuit or Perpetual Check.
In the video clip, above, you get an idea of both of those Stalemate situations.
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
When Resigning Could Be Premature
- You May Still Win! -
If the circumstances are right and you've paid attention to the playing style and/or the skill of your opponent, then it's just possible, by playing on, that mistakes by your opponent could gift you an opportunity to snatch a win.
In the following video clip, Garry Kasparov responds about players Making Mistakes in Chess ...
Okay, snatching victory from the jaws of certain defeat may not be a plan you want to rely on in matches, as chances of overturning the imending Loss may not regularly present itself.
But, to offer a glimmer of hope, TWO circumstances spring to mind that might make an unlikely Win possible ...
1. Fatigue May Strike Your Opponent
Because it's a "Sitting-down Sport", it's easy for players to ignore the fitness requirements demanded by long, Tournament events.
In a leisurely game at home, against Fritz - where concentration isn't in critical demand and the "New Game" button is a short mouse click away, the state of a players physical conditioning ain't top of the list of requirements when it comes to a cheeky battle on the Board.
Alternatively, some players may find they're doing well in single chess matches played online and decide they'll have a stab at one of the Open Chess Tournaments, where decent cash prizes are up for grabs ...
However, when it comes to playing Tournaments, these internet warriors could find they must play multiple games in a in a single day ...
They may do well in their first game, but totally underestimate the cumulative effect of fatigue, brought about by the hours of total concentration at the Board and, before they know it, sloppy mistakes begin to creep into their game ...
This is something to watch for and take advantage of!
2. Opponent Gets Cocky & Loses Focus
This hope-offering circumstance comes as an annecdote from Yasser Seirawan, on pages 35/36 of his book, "Winning Chess Strategies" ...
Basically, Seirawan was attending a Junior World Chess Championship event and observed the title-deciding match, that would see a champion crowned.
Here's what happened ...
Black was in a clearly winning position ... With the h-file Pawn one step away from Queening and the Rook ensuring that Pawn's safe Promotion, it would be understandable if White had chosen to Resign.
According to Seirawan, White played on, out of sheer spite (as kids - and adults - sometimes will) and Checked Black's King with the Rook.
Black's head was drunk on the impending glory of becoming Champion and, not noticing the position of White's Bishop; nor being aware of the corridor-trap provided by the two side-by-side Pawns; Black's King was mindlessly retreated up to f8.
That ONE loss of focus allowed White to take that Rook and safely plant it next to Black's King, on e8, to land the "Checkmate" and, unthinkably, only moments before, claim the Junior World Championship crown!
This little annecdotal gem, from Yasser Seirawan, serves as both a warning to you, about getting complacent in victory; as well as offering a glimmer of hope, should you be in a seemingly hopeless situation and on the cusp of Resigning ...
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Don't Be Too Eager To Quit:
You Might Salvage A Draw | You May Still Win!
| Check Out The Stalemate Moves - You May Not Need To Resign |
