2 definitions by Ark-47

A more accurate definition of cheese in Starcraft 2:

A cheese strategy is simply a high risk/high reward tactic which aims to win a game with little strategic effort, and relies on the failure of the opponent to properly react. A cheese strategy will often leave the cheeser at a significant disadvantage should the cheese fail.

Perhaps the most popular example is the photon cannon rush, in which photon cannons are built in close proximity to the enemy base so that they can be used offensively. If spotted early, the cannon rush will likely fail and the defending player will have a significant economic advantage, exemplifying the high risk/high reward nature of cheese.

A cheese strategy does NOT necessarily take advantage of imbalances in the game, and most cheeses are easily countered if they are spotted early and there is adequate time to prepare (hence why many cheeses rely on poor scouting).

Cheese is often regarded as "cheap" or "dirty" play, as the player cheesing does not try to counter their opponent or adjust their strategy. "All-in" strategies are good examples of this.

Below are some more examples of cheeses. Note how each cheese strategy takes advantage of "common" flaws in the defending player's build/strategy. If the flaw is not present, the cheese will likely be countered and lose:
General:
Worker Rush (Drones, Probes, or SCV only) - Takes advantage of poor reaction and micro (the defending player must use their workers)
Early All-in (Zerglings/Drones, Zealots/Probes, Marines/SCVs) - Takes advantage of poor scouting, poor early defense, and improper reaction (If the defending player fails to use their workers, the cheese will be effective)
Proxy Rush (Gateways or Barracks near enemy base) - Takes advantage of poor scouting and poor early defense.

Protoss:
Dark Templar Rush - Takes advantage of lack of detection
Void Ray Rush - Takes advantage of lack of anti-air and/or lack of early pressure
Cannon Rush - Takes advantage of poor scouting

Terran:
Reaper Rush - Takes advantage of poor scouting and early defense
Marine Rush - Takes advantage of poor scouting and early defense
Planetary Fortress Rush - Takes advantage of poor scouting

Zerg:
Zergling Rush (6, 7, or 10 pool are most common) - Takes advantage of poor scouting, improper reaction (Vs. 6/7 pool, you must user workers), and poor early defense

There are others, these are just the most common.
by Ark-47 March 7, 2012
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Sentimental and/or dramatic, yet superficial and unconvincing.

The word cheesy is often defined simply as "sentimental", but there is a key distinction between the two. A situation is cheesy when the characters, their motives, and/or their emotions are not believable. It is a sentimental moment (it could be extremely sad or happy), but there is a weak connection to the characters or their situation, thus making it cheesy.

Many people confuse the two, and it is a matter of opinion to a certain degree, but things can be sentimental, emotional, or dramatic without being cheesy.
The Blind Side is so cheesy, it's just one scene after another of overly dramatic and sentimental mush without any significant character development.
by Ark-47 March 6, 2012
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