Desperado

A desperado is a piece that is about to be captured but can still make one or more moves to cause damage before being taken, often capturing enemy material or giving checks.

Key Concept

Going Down Fighting

Instead of passively allowing capture, the piece creates threats or captures material.

Maximizing Value

The piece extracts maximum value before its inevitable capture.

Forcing Moves

Often involves checks, captures, or threats that must be addressed.

Common Scenarios

1. Desperado Rook: Captures pawns or pieces before being taken
2. Desperado Bishop: Gives checks or captures before capture
3. Desperado Knight: Forks or captures before going down
4. Desperado Queen: Creates maximum havoc before capture

When to Use Desperado

• Your piece will be captured anyway
• You can capture enemy material first
• You can give check to gain time
• You can create threats before being taken

Calculation

• Identify pieces that will be captured
• Calculate what they can do before capture
• Compare material exchanges
• Choose the most damaging desperado move

Defending Against Desperado

• Calculate opponent's desperado options
• Protect vulnerable pieces
• Consider the order of captures
• Look for counter-desperado moves

Practice Tips

• Look for pieces under attack
• Calculate what they can do before capture
• Practice material counting
• Study desperado puzzles

The desperado tactic can turn a losing exchange into an equal or winning one.

Related tactics: zwischenzug, intermediate-move, sacrifice