page_title: Glossary of chess
section_title: S
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of chess / S
caption_attribution_description: Capablanca and Eisengerg's score sheet (uma planilha de notação de Capablanca e Eisenberg).
context_page_description: This glossary of chess explains commonly used terms in chess, in alphabetical order. Some of these terms have their own pages, like fork and pin.
context_section_description: S 
  [from German: Springer, "jumper"] Alternate notation for the knight. Used rather than K, which means king.
  sac 
  Short for sacrifice, usually used to describe a sacrifice for a mating attack.
  sacrifice 
  A move or capture that voluntarily gives up material in return for an advantage such as space, development, or an attack. A sacrifice in the opening is called a gambit, especially when applied to a pawn.
  SAN 
  An abbreviation for standard (or short) algebraic notation (e.g. 1.Nf3), as opposed to long algebraic notation (e.g. 1.Ng1-f3).
  sans voir 
  [from French] See blindfold chess.
  Scholar's mate 
  A four-move checkmate (common among novices) in which White plays 1.e4, follows with Qh5 (or Qf3) and Bc4, and finishes with 4.Qxf7#.
  score 
  See game score.
  score sheet 
  The sheet of paper used to record a game in progress. During formal games, it is usual for both players to record the game using a score sheet. A completed score sheet contains the game score.
  sealed move 
  Lengthy OTB games can be adjourned, though the practice is far less common today. To prevent unfair advantage, the player whose turn it is to move is required to write down their next move in the approved notation and put it in a sealed envelope. Upon resumption, the arbiter makes the sealed move and the game continues. The player may be forfeited if the sealed move is illegal, ambiguous or unclear. See also Adjournment (games).
  second 
  An assistant hired to help a player in preparation for and during a major match or tournament. The second assists in areas such as opening preparation. The second assisted with adjournment analysis, before the practice of adjournments was abandoned in the 1990s.
  second player 
  The expression "the second player" is sometimes used to refer to Black.
  seesaw 
  See windmill.
  Semi-Closed Game 
  An opening that begins with White playing 1.d4 and Black replying with a move other than 1...d5. Also called half-closed game. See also Open Game and Closed Game.
  semi-open file 
  See half-open file.
  Semi-Open Game 
  An opening that begins with White playing 1.e4 and Black replying with a move other than 1...e5. Also called half-open game. See also Open Game and Closed Game.
  seventy-five-move rule 
  The game is drawn if no capture or pawn move has occurred in the last seventy-five moves by either side, related to the fifty-move rule for looking at a series of moves without capture or pawn move.
  sham sacrifice 
  An offer of material that is made at no risk, as acceptance would lead to the gain of equal or greater material or checkmate. This is in contrast to a true sacrifice in which the compensation is less tangible. Also called pseudo sacrifice.
  sharp 
  Risky, double-edged, highly tactical. Sharp can be used to describe moves, maneuvers, positions, opening lines, and styles of play.
  shot 
  Slang for an unexpected or sharp move that typically makes a tactical threat or technical challenge for the opponent.
  silent move
  A move that has a dynamic tactical effect on a position, but that does not capture or attack an enemy piece. See also quiet move.
  simplification 
  A strategy of exchanging pieces, often with one of the following goals: as a defensive measure to reduce the size of an attacking force, when having the advantage to reduce the opponent's counterplay, to try to obtain a draw, or as an attempt to gain an advantage by players who are strong in endgame play with simplified positions. Also called liquidation.
  simultaneous chess 
  A form of chess in which one player plays against several players simultaneously. It is usually an exhibition.
  sitzfleisch 
  [from German, "sitting flesh"] The ability to sit still.
  skewer 
  An attack on a valuable piece, compelling it to move to avoid capture and thus expose a less valuable piece which can then be taken. See also X-ray.
  skittles 
  A casual or "pickup" game, usually played without a chess clock. At chess tournaments, a skittles room is where one goes to play for fun while waiting for the next formal game.
  slow 
  Describes a strategy that requires too many tempi to complete, allowing the opponent time to consoli
caption: A score sheet
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