Originally posted by XanthosNZ
Every time this topic comes up I give the same answer (in fact I'm saving a copy on my computer for the next occasion it comes up). A player should resign when they have nothing to gain from continuing the game. This could be the slight possibility of a draw or learning something by watching a stronger player exploit an advantage. Once that point is reache ...[text shortened]... satifaction of frustrating a player who has shown themselves to be completely bereft of class.
I agree with what you said, however, I would add that many times people continue playing hopeless games, haphazardly moving pieces with no plan or idea. Sure, they have the right to do that, but that doesn't make it right. I don't mind these resignation threads, because even though they are repetitive they remind people that it is acceptable to resign. Chess unlike many other games and sports has the option of resignation and it is not rude to simply quit midgame if you are losing. For example, wouldn't you be angry if you were playing someone in tennis and down two sets they simply walked off the court? Probably, at least I would be. But this is not so in chess. I guess what I'm saying is that newcomers in the game of chess often keep moving and playing, not because they feel they have something to gain, but rather they are uneducated about the fact that resigning in chess is an acceptable and often times recommended action. These posts aren't superfluous, newcomers to this site should learn that playing out meaningless positions is not the norm, rather they should save themselves and their opponents some time and dignitiy and resign. I wouldn't ask someone to resign, that is quite arrogant and conceited, but I would post in the forum, like I am doing now, that moving your pieces for the sake of moving is really disrespectful to your opponent. If you feel you have something to gain or learn, then by all means continue, but I think new players especially but also some old players should know that there is nothing wrong with resigning in a clearly lost position and in fact it is in those lost positions usually the only good move.