Talk:Say nothing. Wait for the Amanuensis to speak instead/@comment-162.192.10.128-20150105050344/@comment-188.96.144.208-20170625163331

The term does derive from chess, but actually denotes a forced move, as Mfive pointed out. The move itself is not necessarily bad, but the fact that you are forced into it does carry a negative connotation. One example in chess would be when you announce check and the other player is forced to react. It is also common in checkers where you are forced to take enemy checkers, even if it leaves you at a disadvantage. It is also commonly used when describing politics (hence, I suppose, the Amanuensis' use of it here) - being that a politician is forced by public opinion to make a move, i.e. an announcement or take a stance, or lose all credibility.