Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gambit'

English Word: gambit

Key Russian Translations:

• гамбит [/ɡamˈbʲit/] - [Formal, Chess term; also used in broader strategic contexts]
• хитрый ход [xʲitrɨj ˈxot] - [Informal, Figurative; Used in everyday strategic discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common among chess enthusiasts and strategic contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with specialized vocabulary like chess terms, though basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гамбит: /ɡamˈbʲit/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in 'go')

Note on гамбит: Be cautious with the palatalized 'бʲ' sound, which is a softened 'b' typical in Russian; non-native speakers may confuse it with a standard 'b'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A strategic opening move in chess, involving a sacrifice for advantage

Translation(s) & Context:

• гамбит - Used in formal chess discussions or writings; common in competitive or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• В шахматах он применил классический гамбит, жертвуя пешку ради контроля центра.

  In chess, he employed the classic gambit, sacrificing a pawn for control of the center.

• Этот гамбит в игре привел к неожиданной победе, несмотря на начальную потерю фигуры.

  This gambit in the game led to an unexpected victory, despite the initial loss of a piece.

• Тренер научил нас гамбиту как тактике, которая требует смелости и расчета.

  The coach taught us the gambit as a tactic that requires courage and calculation.

• В современной версии гамбита игроки часто адаптируют его под быстрые партии.

  In the modern version of the gambit, players often adapt it for rapid games.

• Гамбит Кингса иногда используется в турнирах для психологического давления на противника.

  The King's Gambit is sometimes used in tournaments for psychological pressure on the opponent.

Secondary Meaning: A calculated strategy or ploy in non-chess contexts, e.g., in business or politics

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрый ход - Informal and figurative; Applied in everyday conversations about tactics or maneuvers.
• гамбит - Less common, but used in formal or borrowed contexts from chess.

Usage Examples:

• В переговорах он использовал хитрый ход, предлагая уступку, чтобы добиться большего.

  In negotiations, he used a cunning gambit, offering a concession to gain more.

• Ее гамбит в бизнесе заключался в инвестировании в рискованный проект для долгосрочной выгоды.

  Her gambit in business involved investing in a risky project for long-term benefit.

• Политический гамбит лидера включал неожиданное заявление, чтобы перехватить инициативу.

  The political leader's gambit included an unexpected statement to seize the initiative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation "гамбит" is a masculine noun (мужской род) and follows standard Russian declension patterns for foreign loanwords. It is not irregular but may vary by case and number.

For "хитрый ход", "хитрый" is an adjective that agrees with the noun "ход" (a masculine noun). It changes as: Nominative singular - хитрый ход; Genitive singular - хитрого хода. This follows regular adjective declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • маневр (maneuver; more general and less aggressive)
  • хитрость (cunning; implies deceit more strongly)
  • тактика (tactic; broader strategic sense)
• Antonyms:
  • прямой ход (straightforward move; direct and without deception)
  • пассивная оборона (passive defense; avoiding risk altogether)

Related Phrases:

• Шахматный гамбит - A chess-specific gambit; refers to opening strategies in chess games.
• Хитрый бизнес-ход - A cunning business move; used in professional contexts for strategic decisions.
• Гамбит в политике - A political gambit; implies a risky maneuver in political scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Гамбит" directly borrows from English and is most accurate for chess contexts, but in broader uses, opt for "хитрый ход" to sound more natural in Russian. Always consider the formality: "гамбит" is neutral to formal, while "хитрый ход" is informal. In sentences, ensure agreement with case and gender, as Russian requires. For English learners, remember that Russian often pairs such words with verbs like "применить" (to apply) or "использовать" (to use) for strategic actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "гамбит" as /ɡæmˈbɪt/ (like the English version), ignoring Russian palatalization.
  Correct: Use /ɡamˈbʲit/ with the softened 'b'. Explanation: Russian phonetics alter borrowed words, so practice with native audio to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Using "гамбит" in casual conversations without context, which may confuse listeners.
  Correct: Stick to "хитрый ход" for everyday figurative use. Explanation: "Гамбит" is chess-specific, so overgeneralizing can lead to misunderstandings in non-specialized settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, chess is a culturally significant game, with figures like Garry Kasparov as national icons. The term "гамбит" reflects this heritage, often evoking themes of intellectual strategy and risk-taking in literature and media, such as in Soviet-era films where chess symbolizes deeper life strategies.

Related Concepts:

• шахматы (chess)
• тактика (tactics)
• стратегия (strategy)
• фигура (chess piece)