Resignation: a practical example
A player may resign after losing a queen without compensation, but there is no requirement to resign simply because an engine shows a large disadvantage. Practical chances, remaining time, and the possibility of stalemate can still matter.
How to use the idea in your games
Avoid resigning on the basis of one alarming move without checking the board. Under FIDE rules, an unusual exception applies if the opponent cannot checkmate by any possible series of legal moves.
A useful study question
Can you explain resignation in your own words, identify it in a position, and describe when the idea does not apply? Test the explanation on a legal board before relying on it.
Connect the ideas
Compensation, Stalemate, Draw are useful next concepts. Follow the links to compare definitions and examples, then return to the complete chess glossary whenever an unfamiliar term appears.
Sources & further reading
References checked September 5, 2026. Linked services are independent of ChessRankings.com™.