A puzzle for everybody

I once played an online 5 minute game. After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him. I had used about 2 minutes. Then he told me "My position is much better than yours you know."

What's silly about that statement?

dont get it...

Originally posted by dpressnell
I once played an online 5 minute game. After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him. I had used about 2 minutes. Then he told me "My position is much better than yours you know."

What's silly about that statement?

It's what's known in the trade as "sour grapes".😏

Originally posted by dpressnell
I once played an online 5 minute game. After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him. I had used about 2 minutes. Then he told me "My position is much better than yours you know."

What's silly about that statement?

I bet this is your opponent:
http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=36013

Originally posted by yashsr
I bet this is your opponent:
http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=36013

No, that wasn't him. 🙂

This was about a year ago, on FICS.

I would give a hint as to why I say my opponent's statement was silly, but I think once the answer is given, it become so obvious that it's hard to give a hint. If I can think of a hint that won't give the answer away, I'll post it.

Well I don't see any problem with the statement other than the fact that once your flags down it really doesn't matter what your position is like...

Ok, here's the answer.

He spent 5 minutes thinking of his 20 moves, and I spent 2 minutes thinking of my 20 moves.

That his position is better when his time runs out has no bearing on the relative quality of his play versus mine, because he used 150% more time than me to think. If he hadn't used so much time that I win with the clock, it's very likely he would not have had a "better position" than me in the first place.

I see this mistake in logic a lot, sort of a loser's logic (excuse) that serves to convince a losing player that he really played better than his opponent so it's some sort of moral victory. The "I outplayed him, I just lost on time" argument doesn't hold water except in those relatively few situations where BOTH of you are nearly out of time and you have an overwhelming material advantage and your flag happens to be the one that falls.

Originally posted by dpressnell
I once played an online 5 minute game. After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him. I had used about 2 minutes. Then he told me "My position is much better than yours you know."

What's silly about that statement?

The fine line between finding good moves, and moving fast.
Theres a level of chess understanding that allows a player to move with more confidence, and thus make the opponent think longer to counteract any strong moves made.
In otherwords, you think, you flag.
Hes just trying to make himself feel better by saying he had a better position.
In a fast game, the one who has at least a pawn, is not mated, or stalemated, and wins on time WINS!!

Originally posted by Grandmouster
The fine line between finding good moves, and moving fast.
Theres a level of chess understanding that allows a player to move with more confidence, and thus make the opponent think longer to counteract any strong moves made.
In otherwords, you think, you flag.
Hes just trying to make himself feel better by saying he had a better position.
In a fast game, the one who has at least a pawn, is not mated, or stalemated, and wins on time WINS!!

You posted just after my answer, but I doubt you saw the answer before you started typing. You get the prize! (Let me know what it is when you pick it up.)

The opponent that I was speaking of had lost at least 10 games in a row due to time running out according to his history. My guess is that he thought a lot about his moves, not caring that he would lose on time, believing he was really outplaying people due to the slightly better quality of the moves he did make.

Originally posted by dpressnell
I once played an online 5 minute game. After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him. I had used about 2 minutes. Then he told me "My position is much better than yours you know."

What's silly about that statement?

You were simultaneously playing chess and doing the doggy-doggy with Eva Herzegovina?

Originally posted by dpressnell


The opponent that I was speaking of had lost at least 10 games in a row due to time running out according to his history. My guess is that he thought a lot about his moves, not caring that he would lose on time.

..........................

All this thread just to point this obvious and dull fact?

Originally posted by Ravello
..........................

All this thread just to point this obvious and dull fact?

Yep, totally agreeeeeeee .... that person should be on Mastermind and his specialist subject "The Bleeding Obvious"

He used 250%, not 150% of the time you used, you used 2 minutes, 2*2.5=5.

Originally posted by prosoccer
He used 250%, not 150% of the time you used, you used 2 minutes, 2*2.5=5.

He spend 250% of the time I spent, but 150% more than the time I spent.

After about 20 moves, my opponent ran out of time and I flagged him.

I wonder if there is a way to give away all your 15 takable pieces in 20 moves!?