Thoughts on Running Out Time in a Winning Position • page 1/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Any thoughts on when you have mate in one but run down the clock because your opponent is not resigning?

Personally I don’t think it is wrong. The opponent has the option to resign and easily get the ‘wait’ over. The one with mate had clearly won, so simply resigning in a position that should be resigned easily ends the wait with the proper game results. This is very different from the opponent running out the clock in a losing position, because now the opponent is just wasting the winner’s time. The winner can’t just press a resign button and receive the deserved result immediately, for that would just forfeit the game. But in the previous scenario, the losing opponent can easily just exit the game with a result that is clearly deserved (mate next move). I’m curious as to what other’s thoughts are on this, and if it is considered a ‘troll’.

Any thoughts on when you have mate in one but run down the clock because your opponent is not resigning? Personally I don’t think it is wrong. The opponent has the option to resign and easily get the ‘wait’ over. The one with mate had clearly won, so simply resigning in a position that should be resigned easily ends the wait with the proper game results. This is very different from the opponent running out the clock in a losing position, because now the opponent is just wasting the winner’s time. The winner can’t just press a resign button and receive the deserved result immediately, for that would just forfeit the game. But in the previous scenario, the losing opponent can easily just exit the game with a result that is clearly deserved (mate next move). I’m curious as to what other’s thoughts are on this, and if it is considered a ‘troll’.

WFM Funkmaus

#2

What a nonsence! Throwing games away which are not lost is rating manipulation.
It is their choice when to resign. The time on the clock can be used by both sides to their preference.
Do you really want to sit there and enjoy your mate?! You like to humilitate someone?!
If you have mate in one on the board - go ahead, finish them. Game over!

What a nonsence! Throwing games away which are not lost is rating manipulation. It is their choice when to resign. The time on the clock can be used by both sides to their preference. Do you really want to sit there and enjoy your mate?! You like to humilitate someone?! If you have mate in one on the board - go ahead, finish them. Game over!

Developmentals

#3

True, I’m just curious on the etiquete of the decision. The person doesn’t have to be humiliated if they just press the resign button though...

kingdave2

#4

@Developmentals It seems to me like you are putting yourself in the exact same position as your opponent - you both can end the game with a click. Etiquette-wise, it might seem like you are toying with your opponent, pretending not to see the mate in 1. It's not as if people (at least me and my opponents) don't overlook mate in 1 all the time.

pn2206 edited

#5

Hmm, a bit like how you don't resign when you're down a ton of queens.

https://lichess.org/ORYPy0L9#0

Hmm, a bit like how you don't resign when you're down a ton of queens. https://lichess.org/ORYPy0L9#0

jonesmh

#6

IMO, you're wasting time, and it doesn't matter what the position is. I consider it to be bad sportsmanship, and I would block someone for this action.

MananGirdhar21

#7

Wtf... Were u doing having mate in 1 and admiring. It takes less time to checkmate the opponent than to resign. Both of you will have to find the checkmate. It is not 100% that he knows there is mate in 1

MrScribbles

#8

It is your opponent's right to play the game out till mate. Resigning is never obligatory. It is not your right to stall out the clock. That is directly against Lichess rules.

jbesky

edited

#9

I definitely understand why someone would wait(i.e. "use their time") to double-check their checkmate against this player who refuses to resign or make sure you don't have a mouseslip. If they find it uncomfortable, they can resign. They didn't resign earlier, why can't you give them more time to think over what the implications of them playing on is. They doubt your ability to put it away? When I'm down to just my king and they have a major, it's time to put it away.

I also understand the notion of ending it quickly by just playing the checkmate, but there's nothing against letting them deal with their resistance to resigning. When one get's to the top of a mountain, you don't just rush back down again, but look around, and enjoy the scenery...

I don't see what's wrong with letting your opponent torture themselves. I take it to more as, "Do you want to save some sense of dignity and just resign before I promote a few more pawns?"

They're within your right to wait, but why can't you delay the result even once it's obvious? I need to checkmate them ASAP? That's not in FIDE's rules, and I don't think it's in lichess's.

edit addition Now, yes. I don't always resign when I'm lost. Sometimes, the game becomes a draw, but if my opponent is delaying the checkmate, I'll just resign. I know they can do it, and they have time and move on. No harm done, unless the loser does it.

I definitely understand why someone would wait(i.e. "use their time") to double-check their checkmate against this player who refuses to resign or make sure you don't have a mouseslip. If they find it uncomfortable, they can resign. They didn't resign earlier, why can't you give them more time to think over what the implications of them playing on is. They doubt your ability to put it away? When I'm down to just my king and they have a major, it's time to put it away. I also understand the notion of ending it quickly by just playing the checkmate, but there's nothing against letting them deal with their resistance to resigning. When one get's to the top of a mountain, you don't just rush back down again, but look around, and enjoy the scenery... I don't see what's wrong with letting your opponent torture themselves. I take it to more as, "Do you want to save some sense of dignity and just resign before I promote a few more pawns?" They're within your right to wait, but why can't you delay the result even once it's obvious? I need to checkmate them ASAP? That's not in FIDE's rules, and I don't think it's in lichess's. *edit addition* Now, yes. I don't always resign when I'm lost. Sometimes, the game becomes a draw, but if my opponent is delaying the checkmate, I'll just resign. I know they can do it, and they have time and move on. No harm done, unless the loser does it.

WFM Funkmaus

#10

You are right, that is not stated in the rules.
Some people want to finish the game by letting their opponent checkmate.
You see it from the negative side, they are holding on and try to avoid the inevitable until the last second but believe me, there is a positive side as well. You played a good game and your opponent wants to give you the pleasure to deliver checkmate.
If you enjoy wasting your time by delaying mate - it is your right as well - fine.

Just before writing this I was in EliteSuperBlitz and got tactically outplayed by someone who found a combination saccing his bishop, then the rook - like in a puzzle. I usually resign but here I have let them mate. And wrote GG in general chat. It was a nice end indeed.
Btw. I consider it strange when someone keeps on playing being whole army down and resigns just one move before checkmate. Strange, but also okay, it is their game, their time, their right. :-)

You are right, that is not stated in the rules. Some people want to finish the game by letting their opponent checkmate. You see it from the negative side, they are holding on and try to avoid the inevitable until the last second but believe me, there is a positive side as well. You played a good game and your opponent wants to give you the pleasure to deliver checkmate. If you enjoy wasting your time by delaying mate - it is your right as well - fine. Just before writing this I was in EliteSuperBlitz and got tactically outplayed by someone who found a combination saccing his bishop, then the rook - like in a puzzle. I usually resign but here I have let them mate. And wrote GG in general chat. It was a nice end indeed. Btw. I consider it strange when someone keeps on playing being whole army down and resigns just one move before checkmate. Strange, but also okay, it is their game, their time, their right. :-)