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The Desperado: Going Down Fighting
In chess, a "Desperado" is a doomed piece that refuses to die quietly. Since it will be captured anyway, it sacrifices itself to inflict maximum damage or win material before leaving the board. This guide explains how to identify and execute desperado tactics, turning a losing skirmish into a chaotic resource that can save the game.
💣 Chaos insight: When a piece is doomed, make it expensive! The Desperado tactic creates chaos and saves half-points. Learn to spot these resource-saving tricks in the heat of battle.
The Concept: If a piece is going to be captured anyway, use it to inflict maximum damage first. It has "nothing to lose," so it becomes a Desperado.
Desperado Examples
The following positions show desperado tactics in action. In each case, a piece that cannot be saved creates maximum impact before it is lost — by winning material, damaging pawn structure, or forcing the opponent into an inferior recapture.
1. The Chain Reaction
Bogoljubow vs. Schmid (1949)
5... Nxe4!
This starts a wild Desperado sequence. Both Knights are "hanging," but instead of retreating, they keep capturing:
Nxe4 6.Nxc6 Nxc3 7.Nxd8 Nxd1 8.Nxf7 Nxf2 9.Nxh8 Nxh1 10.Bd3 Bc5 11.Bxh7 Nf2 12.Bf4 d6 13.Bg6+ Kf8 14.Bg3 Ng4 15.Nf7 Ne3 16.Kd2 Bf5 17.Ng5 Bxg6 18.Ne6+ Ke7 19.Nxc5 Nxc2 20.Bh4+ Ke8 21.Ne6 Kd7 22.Nf4 Nxa1 23.Nxg6 Re8 24.Bf2 Nc2 25.Nf4 Nb4 0-1
This starts a wild Desperado sequence. Both Knights are "hanging," but instead of retreating, they keep capturing:
Nxe4 6.Nxc6 Nxc3 7.Nxd8 Nxd1 8.Nxf7 Nxf2 9.Nxh8 Nxh1 10.Bd3 Bc5 11.Bxh7 Nf2 12.Bf4 d6 13.Bg6+ Kf8 14.Bg3 Ng4 15.Nf7 Ne3 16.Kd2 Bf5 17.Ng5 Bxg6 18.Ne6+ Ke7 19.Nxc5 Nxc2 20.Bh4+ Ke8 21.Ne6 Kd7 22.Nf4 Nxa1 23.Nxg6 Re8 24.Bf2 Nc2 25.Nf4 Nb4 0-1
2. Fischer's Desperado
Petrosian vs. Fischer (1958)
12... Nxg3!
White has just played Nxe5, unleashing a discovered attack on the Black Knight on h5.
Instead of reacting passively, Fischer plays a Desperado! He uses the "doomed" Knight to capture a pawn on g3 first, inflicting damage before the position settles.
White has just played Nxe5, unleashing a discovered attack on the Black Knight on h5.
Instead of reacting passively, Fischer plays a Desperado! He uses the "doomed" Knight to capture a pawn on g3 first, inflicting damage before the position settles.
3. The "Crazy" Queen
Pilnick vs. Reshevsky (1942)
93. Qf2!
White is losing but finds a Desperado save! The Queen offers herself to be captured.
If 93...Qxf2, it is immediate Stalemate. If the King moves, the Queen continues to harass.
White is losing but finds a Desperado save! The Queen offers herself to be captured.
If 93...Qxf2, it is immediate Stalemate. If the King moves, the Queen continues to harass.
⚡ Chess Tactics Guide – Stop Missing Winning Moves (0–1600)
This page is part of the Chess Tactics Guide – Stop Missing Winning Moves (0–1600) — Most games under 1400 are decided by simple tactics. Learn how to spot forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, deflections, and mating threats before your opponent does — and stop losing winning positions to missed opportunities.
⚠ Stop Hanging Pieces – The Loose Pieces Drop Off Guide (0–1600)
This page is part of the Stop Hanging Pieces – The Loose Pieces Drop Off Guide (0–1600) — Tired of losing pieces for free? Learn the simple 5-second safety scan that prevents hanging pieces, stops avoidable blunders, and builds reliable board awareness in every position.
Also part of: Winning Chess Sacrifices Guide • Essential Chess Glossary