patzer

This chess term is not of Russian, but of German origin. A Patzer is a really bad mistake, something that makes you look like a total newbie to whatever you were trying to do. Used for a person (not normally done in German), it would mean somebody who frequently commits such mistakes.

Definition

The term patzer is taken from the German verb patzen which means, quite literally, to make a mess. Patzers are quite simply mess makers.

This term is most frequently used in the chess world to describe a player of low skill, or as an insult to a player of any level.

Example of use

Player 1: Oh no, I have to face someone named Igor Stralavanskov in the next round. I'm doomed.

Player 2: I wouldn't get so stressed if I were you. He's a patzer.