hope chess

hope chess (uncountable)

1. (chess) Play that relies on hoping one's opponent blunders or does not find a tactic.
   • 2010, Joel Johnson, Formation Attacks, →ISBN, page 245:

     No Hope Chess – do not place a piece on these squares hoping that your opponent will do something dumb.

   • 2018, Joel Benjamin, Better Thinking, Better Chess, →ISBN, page 190:

     I have told many a kiddie not to play 'hope chess'. The term, coined by my good friend Hall-of-Fame Grandmaster John Fedorowicz, suggests that you should play moves you will be comfortable with if your opponent makes the best reply.

   • 2020, Tanitoluwa Adewumi, My Name Is Tani … and I Believe in Miracles Young Readers Edition, Thomas Nelson, →ISBN, page 95:

     I've been doing something that Coach Shawn calls “hope chess.” That's when you just play any move and hope it works. Pretty soon I find out that it really doesn't work.

   • 2020, Alex Dunne, How to Become a Candidate Master: A Practical Guide to Take Your Chess to the Next Level‎, New In Chess, →ISBN:

     It is not too late for the Candidate Master to regroup, but waiting for your opponent to make a blunder is hope chess and usually does not work well.