I have just made a terrible blunder. Next move my opponant, who is rated almost 200 points higher than me, can take my queen. I saw it as I pushed "submit."  (if only I could have seen it before... but I didn't.)

So in such a situation, what do you all do:

 a - resign?

 b- struggle on with no queen for the sake of the game?

 What is the sensible thing to do and the good sportsmanship thing to do?

Now I read that Grandmasters resign immediately if they lose a pawn. Well, I am no Grandmaster or anywhere near that, and I lost a QUEEN.  Early in the game, too.

Is resigning being a quitter? Or is resigning seeing the handwriting on the wall, and moving on?

I'd like your thoughts, please.

stwils

I think that it really depends on the remaining position of the game. You can win a game without the queen. You may still have the opportunity to promote a pawn. This may be a good way to learn some new tactics and strategy. The only reason you should resign is if there is absolutely no chance of you winning. Don't let the rating of the other player intimidate you. Even they make mistakes.

Look around for the equivalent of a long pass in football, ie a crazy attack and you might get lucky.  If no such attack exists, say, "Sorry I blundered, we had a good game going and I blew it", and resign.  It is certainly not being a quitter.  Ask for another game to redeem yourself.  If you play on, he will probably consider the rest of the game boring and predictable.

depends on the type of game. 2 minute bullet, maybe plug on depending on the position and times.

Never surrender!   Just because you lose a queen early on doesn't mean you lost the game.  Just make your opponent think you have some kind of ingenous plan up your sleave.

I looked at the game to which I think you refer.  It's a tough one as you won't be able to recapture the knight.  I would likely resign it.  But, hey, where there's a knight, there's hope, right?

To answer your question as relates to 200+ point ratings etc. => you really have to factor what rating level he's at to miss checks, captures and threats. Most people above USCF 1800 are "believed" to look for forcing moves on EVERY turn (both for them and their opponents) over 95% of the time.  Of course => when they find a forcing move by their opponent, they will figure out how to deal with it as well.

What about the really strong ones? Perhaps 99% meaning that the chances of a cheap shot are really bleak. THOUGH not impossible :)

The curve drops drastically below 1800 and the 1300-1500 player will probably do it only 50% of the time, at best.

So If I was 1000  and my 1200-rated opponent took my Queen, I'd call that a nothing more than a temporary setback :)

So as long as you have material that can make "checks" , "captures" and "threats" with winning and drawing chances (however crazy they might be), I'd say keep playing.  If your opponent is annoyed at you for not resigning, he can sort out his feelings and crush you anyways.  Make him work for it!

Remember => We're all human and can make mistakes.

well.. r u losing the queen in exchange of your opponents queen? then its absolutely fine..!!! but, otherwise, though its a serious prob, i suggest that he/she should not resign...

You all have been helpful. In looking at the game again, I see I was in such a big hurry to castle, that I missed the boat. Why the rush to castle when there is danger lurking?

I was short sighted. Blind to the board and only responding to what was in my head that kept saying, "Castle now. Castle now."

stwils

Soliciting advice on a game in progress is not permitted and neither is providing it.  Even in a situation where your next step is as obvious as it is in this one you need to find your own course.

Hey Stwills-

I'm about your rating and I'd say soldier on unless it looks really hopeless. I recently pulled out a victory after hanging my queen early (against a lower rated opponent).  Also, in some other thread a comment was made about people letting off the gas once they get their opponent's queen -- not deliberately, just counting the game as won in their heads when there's a lot of chess left to play.

Sorry. I was not trying to get anyone to look at the game. It was only a general question.

But I am sorry if I did something wrong here.

stwils

lose?

Hey, TheGrobe, have you ever read Kerouac's On the Road?

Funny you should mention it -- it happens to be my favourite book.  Why do you ask?

I'm sure it was innocent enough, and I suspect you knew the answer before you asked, but generally it's best to wait until the game is over before posing a question about what you should have done.  I doubt much harm can come of this particular instance, but one exception to the rule can start a slippery slope of subjectivity.  It's best it's adhered to strictly.

I am really sorry. I was not  trying to get advice on this particular game. In fact, I am surprised you all found it. I did not intend this.

I will resign at once and end any problems.

stwils

Do you remember the part of the book after Sal has been working as a night watchman?  He briefly discusses his coworkers by saying something along the lines of, "They were a terrible crew of men.  Men with cop souls."

Have you read "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" and or "Demon Box".  The former was written by Tom Wolfe, the latter Ken Kesey.  If you want to know more about the fella whom Kerouac based Dean Moriarty on, these books may interest you.  The dude's real name was Cassidey.  He died in Mexico, his last words were something like, "22,345".

What does this book have to do with wondering about losing my queen in the early game? 

Anyway, I have already resigned the game.

stwils

I've not read the "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" but I did read "Demon Box" about 15 years back.  I read up on Neal Cassidey after reading "On the Road" though.  Speaking of Kesey, "One "Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is one of my absolute favourite movies of all time.