A mistake could drastically reduce ones territory even when the game is "decided". Of course such mistakes don't happen if the players know what they are doing and are giving a bit of attention to the game. But that's not always the case.
However, i also think that it is very annoing to play out the end when the territories are enclosed. I will resign when i see i have lost and wish my opponent would do the same. But if they choose to fill the board then so be it.
And of course a game of chess can be won without the queen. With experienced players playing that is very unlikely and at top level it's next to impossible. But at general BrainKing level it happens all the time.
(hide) If you click on a person's name and then click Finished games you will have a list of games that have been completed, then click on the name of the game to get a summary of all of these games, then click on the name of the game again and you will have a game to view and analyze. (Servant) (show all tips)