October Vocabulary: Desperado

By Ramya Inapuri, Wizard Coordinator & Instructor in MA

 

Desperado is a Spanish word meaning ‘Out of Hope, or Desperate’.

In chess, a desperado is a piece that is "en prise" or trapped, but captures an enemy piece before it is captured itself.

Diagram by Jin Chess.
 
What’s the best move for white?
Both queens are hanging here, however white can win a piece by giving up the queen in a “Desperado” take:
1.Qxe7 + Kxe7
2.dxc6