In chess, a "blunder" is an extremely bad move, typically one that drastically shifts a player's situation from "winning" to "drawn" or even "losing" in a single move. In chess annotation, a move considered to be a blunder is typically marked with a double question mark (??) after the move notation.

A blunder is contrasted with other types of bad moves of lesser impact - the "mistake" and the "inaccuracy."

For much of chess history, which moves counted as blunders was often quite subjective. However, in recent times, with the advent of computer evaluation by sophisticated chess engines, what counts as a blunder is often precisely defined. Typically a blunder is defined by computers as a move that loses the player three pawns or more of relative advantage compared to what the computer believes to be the best possible move.

Blun"der (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Blundered (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Blundering.] [OE. blunderen, blondren, to stir, confuse, blunder; perh. allied to blend to mix, to confound by mixture.]

1.

To make a gross error or mistake; as, to blunder in writing or preparing a medical prescription.

Swift.

2.

To move in an awkward, clumsy manner; to flounder and stumble.

I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow. Goldsmith.

Yet knows not how to find the uncertain place, And blunders on, and staggers every pace. Dryden.

To blunder on. (a) To continue blundering. (b) To find or reach as if by an accident involving more or less stupidity, -- applied to something desirable; as, to blunder on a useful discovery.

 

© Webster 1913.


Blun"der, v. t.

1.

To cause to blunder.

[Obs.] "To blunder an adversary."

Ditton.

2.

To do or treat in a blundering manner; to confuse.

He blunders and confounds all these together. Stillingfleet.

 

© Webster 1913.


Blun"der, n.

1.

Confusion; disturbance.

[Obs.]

2.

A gross error or mistake, resulting from carelessness, stupidity, or culpable ignorance.

Syn. -- Blunder, Error, Mistake, Bull. An error is a departure or deviation from that which is right or correct; as, an error of the press; an error of judgment. A mistake is the interchange or taking of one thing for another, through haste, inadvertence, etc.; as, a careless mistake. A blunder is a mistake or error of a gross kind. It supposes a person to flounder on in his course, from carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity. A bull is a verbal blunder containing a laughable incongruity of ideas.

 

© Webster 1913.

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