A desperado is a piece that is already doomed and so captures as much material as it can — or sells itself for the best price — before it is inevitably lost.
When a piece is trapped or will fall no matter what, leaving it to be taken for free is the worst outcome. The desperado idea is to make it count: grab a pawn or a piece, or force the most favourable trade, on its way off the board.
It comes up most in sharp positions where both sides have hanging pieces. If your piece is lost anyway, snatch material with it first; if both sides have a loose piece, the desperado often decides who comes out ahead.
The lesson is to never resign a doomed piece to nothing. Before you accept a loss, check whether that piece can take something — or deliver a check — and at least break even on the exchange.
A piece that is already lost which captures material — or forces the best possible trade — before it inevitably comes off the board.
Whenever a piece of yours is doomed: instead of losing it for nothing, use it to take a pawn or piece, or to force a trade on your terms.
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