patzer
1
9.9
A chess player who plays poorly because they lack skill
- noun
- /ˈpɑːtsər/
- Offensive
:
[OFENSIVO] jugador de ajedrez poco hábil
- As a beginner, she often felt like a patzer trying to compete against more experienced players.
Examples
-
The chess club welcomed everyone, including patzers who wanted to improve their skills.
-
Jeremy knew that "patzer" was chess talk for a minor player.
Fiction book (1997) -
Checkmate, you little patzer.
-
During the tournament, I realized that my opponent was just a patzer who made basic mistakes.
Synonyms
18
9.9
A person who behaves foolishly and makes bad choices
is a neutral term for lack of chess skill rather than a rude insult
3
7.9
A person who is not good at a sport or other activity
is specific to chess rather than general clumsiness in activities
9.9
A person who is very bad at games like chess
is someone poorly skilled rather than entirely without skill
Antonyms
Compounds
How Skilled
grandmaster
14
6.7
- Specialized
14
6.7
master
791
4.2
791
4.2
expert
3
3.5
3
3.5
competent
114
3.6
114
3.6
patzer
1
9.9
- Offensive
1
9.9
novice
46
3.4
46
3.4
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word patzer comes from German Patzer, originally meaning 'blunder' or 'bungler' and from the verb patzen 'to botch'. It became chess slang for someone who makes clumsy mistakes, so a patzer is a poor or unskilled chess player.