Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 3/5/2009

Question
A good friend and I play chess once a week. When I'm ahead in pieces in the end game, he resigns stating that it is the sportsman thing to do. I want to play the game out. He is very upset when I won't resign when he is ahead and claims I won't give him his do and I'm too competitive and a poor sport. Granted, I'm still trying to win or gain a stalemate, but when the games over, it's over. I don't carry it with me. Is their an appropriate time to resign and is their some guide for sportsmanship? How far do you carry out the end game?
Thanks for your time.
Jim

PS: Are their certin pieces that you cannot accomplish a checkmate with? ie: king and knight, king and bisoph, etc

Answer
There's an old chess saying that say "you can't win by resigning."
It's up to the player to resign.
It just depends. A about three years ago, I was losing by a bishop and won. A couple of years ago I was down by a piece and drew. When I play someone who will not resign I wear them down and mate them. However, I will say that when I play a player I really respect, such as an International master and blunder a piece, I resign. I feel a little silly trying to win against a great player a piece down.

So, it just depends. Overall, I do not resign unless I feel I have no hope. Chess is a fighting game and you can't win or draw by resigning.
Chess is a lot like life. There is a time to give up on a dead end job or a difficult marriage/relationship and move on. Just exhaust all possibilities and then resign gracefully.

I hope this helps.

And Yes, you cannot mate with a king and knight or King and bishop.