What is Zwischenzug? | Chess Terms

Zwischenzug is a German word that means "in-between move." Such moves are common in chess, but many times they can be quite unexpected! Other terms which mean the same thing in chess literature are intermezzo, intermediate move, and in-between move. 

This first game is a great example of a powerful zwischenzug used to develop an initiative. The great American player, Paul Morphy, was always tactically alert as we will see in this game.

Paul Morphy retired at a young age from chess to pursue a career as a lawyer.

This position is from the 2014 World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand. Anand missed his opportunity to use a powerful zwischenzug to win a couple of pawns and have strong winning chances.

Even World Champion Magnus Carlsen makes mistakes. | Photo: Maria Emelianova, Chess.com.

Try out these zwischenzug problems to test your new knowledge!

Zwischenzug is a powerful idea you can use in chess! Never assume that you or your opponent have to make the obvious move—There could be a stronger continuation just waiting to be played!

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