Ethics of resigning the game

Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to this site, played only a dozen of games, or so, and did not play online against other players before (only against computers).

I'd like to hear the opinion on following topic that I found strange, at least in my opinion, when playing here.

I have situations when my opponents resigned the game, to my surprise, I did not expect it. I guess they resigned because I had pieces won or my position was stronger. However, I don't think that I would manage to check-mate within remaining time.

The aim of the match is, of course, to win. But me or my opponent needs to win within predefined time limit. We choose the time limit.

What I want to say is that I would not resign the game even if my oponent had a Queen and Rook over me, if I believed he/she would not manage to check-mate within time limit.

Is it unethical if I fight untill the last move, do I miss something there? When you resign the game - when your opponent got pieces won regardless of remaining time, or when you are certain you will get check-mated within seconds?

That's subject to debate. I myself only would resign in totally lost positions where I was down on time. Some people find it annoying that sometimes you can have a comeback, but in my opinion, comebacks are part of chess. Often players get annoyed that they are losing and just resign because the don't want to bother with playing any more.

Besides some game types arent about checkmate or material (Bullet) theres surely no need to resign all "lost positions".

"Some quick! moves always will do, but dont start to think (maybe try before position got lost ^^) now, your opponent has to prove he´´ s winning."

Also remember this is internet chess. Occasionally something happens and I have to leave the game unexpectedly. In that case I resign. Otherwise I rarely do because at my low level each game is a learning experience even if I'm losing.

As rookie_gto said, this is debatable, but I generally resign if the position is totally lost no matter what the time is (well, unless the opponent was really negligent with the clock, like letting the time runs out in an early middlegame)

I don't feel good about 'winning' on time, since I actually lost the game.

Have a look at recent other threads on this issue where the pros and cons of resigning are discussed in some detail.