losing position
Trailing in competition
A losing position is a situation in competitive games, especially chess, where one side faces inevitable defeat with optimal play from the opponent.
The term extends to any circumstance where the outcome looks unfavorable: We're negotiating from a losing position.
In strategy games, recognizing a losing position early can prompt resignation or a desperate gambit.
- fallingMoving downward freely
- slippingLosing footing unintentionally
- slipping awayGradually leaving or diminishing
- trailingFollowing behind something
- behindAt the rear
falling behind · deficit · disadvantage · retreat · decline · dropping · sinking · weakening · on the ropes · conceding · surrendering · crumbling · collapsing · down and out · stumbling · fading · backs to the wall · chasing
- chess endgamesking and queen, zugzwang, triangulation, fortress, fortresses
losing positionwinning position
Favorable competitive standing
upper hand · dominant position · advantage · winning · position of strength
losing, position, positions, positioned, positioning, positional, lost, losers, losses