---
title: "How to Resign a Xiangqi Game Politely · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Say or signal it clearly, avoid excuses, and offer a brief acknowledgement of good play. Resigning a genuinely lost position is normal, not a defeat of character."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-i-resign-a-game-of-xiangqi-politely
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# How do I resign a game of xiangqi politely?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> **Say it plainly and briefly.** A clear "I resign" or, online, clicking the resign button, is all that is needed. There is no ritual beyond that: a short acknowledgement of the game, a handshake or its online equivalent, and moving on. Long explanations or excuses are unnecessary and generally unwelcome.

## When it is reasonable to resign

Once checkmate is forced and visible, or once the material and positional gap is so large that continuing only delays an inevitable result. There is no shame in it; strong players resign lost positions routinely rather than playing out mates that both sides can already see. Beginners are sometimes better off playing it out anyway, since finishing a losing game teaches basic checkmate patterns you have not yet seen. See [basic checkmates](https://xiangqimaster.com/endgames/basic-checkmates).

## What not to do

Do not resign out of frustration in a position that is actually fine, a habit worth watching for after a single blunder rattles you. And do not stall a genuinely lost position for a long time hoping for a mistake; it is permitted, but it is not well regarded, especially in casual or social settings.

## Related questions

Is it rude to offer a draw instead of resigning?

Only if the position clearly does not warrant one. Repeated draw offers in a losing position can be seen as distraction and are penalised in formal events.

Should beginners ever resign?

Rarely. Playing out a clearly lost position against a patient opponent, or the computer, is genuinely useful practice at converting an advantage.

## Related xiangqi resources

Check and checkmate

Including why stalemate is a loss

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