"DDEckerslyke" wrote in message


found this version...

You know that 'Patzer' is a derogatory term that denotes a hopelessly weak
player. But do you know how the word patzer came about? The word Patzer is a
favourite in most International events. The story goes that the German
Grandmaster Jacques Mieses was giving a simultaneous exhibition in England
at the turn of the century. One of his opponents had a lone king left on the
board against Mieses' King, Queen, Rook and Bishop plus two pawns. The
Englishman knew that the word 'Pat' meant Stalemate in German. When Mieses
arrived at the board, his opponent politely informed 'Pat, Sir'. As this was
far from the case, Mieses replied, "Patzer yourself. It's mate next move."

Patt means stalemate in German but I don't think that's the origin
of patzer. In German the verb "patzen" means to perform something
while making little mistakes here and there. The noun, Patzer, can
be used both to indicate the mistakes themselves or the person who
makes them. I have no idea where it comes from.

Marco


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