zugzwang
zugz
ˈzʌgz
zagz
wang
wæng
vāng
British pronunciation
/zˈʌɡzwaŋ/

Definition & Meaning of "zugzwang"in English

Zugzwang
01

a term in chess used to describe a situation where a player would prefer to pass their turn and make no move, as any move they can make would put them in a weaker position or lead to an eventual loss

What is "zugzwang"?

Zugzwang is a situation in chess where a player is forced to make a move that will worsen their position, because any possible move leads to a disadvantage. In zugzwang, a player would prefer to pass their turn, but since that is not allowed, they must make a move that causes harm, often leading to a loss or a draw. This situation typically occurs in endgames, where the player has fewer pieces, and even a small move can change the outcome of the game.

example
Examples
He felt like he was in zugzwang when he tried to make a decision but knew that whatever choice he made would have a negative outcome.
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