Did you know that chess communities coin their own slang terms? With the rise of online chess and internet streamers, new chess slang is being created faster than ever before!
Skittles
Skittles are casual, unofficial chess games frequently played in between rounds of official tournament games. These games are often played in what’s called a skittles room, or a room reserved especially for players to socialize, play, and unwind in after tournament games. The term may have originated from an old European pub or lawn game similar to bowling, where the targets are called skittles. Like in an offhand game of bowling, pieces may fly in these informal chess games that are often played even sitting on the floor!
Example sentence: Let’s go play some skittles after the next round!
Flag
No, this doesn’t have anything to do with flagging your opponent down like a taxi. Instead, to flag means to lose a timed chess game because you’ve run out of time on your clock, whether online or in real life. This term originates from analog chess clocks, which have a little red “flag” that is held up by the clock’s spinning minute hand until time has run out and it falls.
Example sentence: I flagged in a winning position, right as I was just about to checkmate my opponent.
Kibitz
To kibitz is to offer typically unwelcome advice or commentary while watching someone else’s chess game. This word is of Yiddish origin, deriving from the German Kiebitz, meaning an interfering onlooker.
Example sentence: Please stop kibitzing after my every move!
Spite check
A spite check is a check delivered for no strategic reason, usually out of anger or disappointment, by a player who knows they’re about to lose the game. It serves no purpose other than to release negative emotions.
Example sentence: After a couple of spite checks, my opponent finally resigned the game.
Cheapo
A cheapo is a tactical trap for your opponent to fall into, usually used by the player who’s losing. These don’t force a particular move for your opponent, but rather rely on them blundering because they don’t notice the trap you’ve set. With good play, these can be avoided, but if you’re not careful or under time pressure, you risk falling victim to a cheapo.
Example sentence: With only three minutes remaining on his clock, my opponent fell for a cheapo and lost his winning advantage!
Slang is the name of the game
With these chess slang terms under your belt, you’re now better prepared to face the world of chess. Show off your newfound knowledge by casually dropping a term or two next time you play a game!