What is a Desperado in chess?

A Desperado is a piece that is already trapped or doomed to be captured. Instead of waiting to be taken, it sacrifices itself to capture an enemy piece or inflict damage, 'selling its life dearly'.

What is a Stalemate Desperado?

This occurs when a player in a losing position repeatedly sacrifices a piece (usually a Rook or Queen) to force the opponent to capture it, resulting in a stalemate.

Desperado Chess Tactics – Selling the Life Dearly

The Desperado: Going Down Fighting

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.

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

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.

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.