Zwischenzug

Zwischenzug might sound like someone's sneezing, but that's not really the case. In chess, you can use zwischenzug to catch your opponent by surprise and get on your way to winning the game!

Here's what you need to learn about the zwischenzug:

What Is Zwischenzug In Chess?

Zwischenzug is a chess tactic that happens when someone plays a move in the middle of a combination or tactical sequence to create a new threat. That new threat must be more meaningful than the first one and require an immediate response. Zwischenzugs usually involve checks but can also be a threat to a valuable piece or critical square.

Zwischenzug in chess.

In German, that word means something like "a step between other steps," and it's perfect to describe this situation. After all, a chess zwischenzug starts a new attack in the middle of your initial one.

In English, we sometimes call this an "in-between move." You can also use the Italian word intermezzo if you want to impress your Italian friends or if you're playing chess right before eating pizza!

Why Do Zwischenzugs Matter?

Zwischenzugs are very powerful moves because they usually come as a surprise to one of the players. Because of that, you can gain a winning material advantage if you master this tactic.

Consider the position below. White has just moved their queen to b5, thinking that Black would have to trade queens.

Black wins with a zwischenzug.

However, Black is not really forced to trade queens. White miscalculated that the queen's only defender is the knight on c3. They've also failed to recognize that there's a hidden in-between move that comes with a check and will cause them to lose material.

Black's winning zwischenzug.

Black takes the knight, leaving White's queen unprotected and forcing them to capture the black queen. Instead of recapturing the queen right away and losing the bishop, Black takes the white bishop on d2 with a check—the winning zwischenzug!

White can't ignore the check to save their queen, so they recapture the bishop and give Black time to recapture the queen. Black is up a whole minor piece!

As you can see, zwischenzugs can help you win a lot of material and get a winning advantage!

Show Off Your Zwischenzug Skills

Now that you know a new German word and you've learned the concept of the in-between move, it's time to show off your zwischenzug skills! Read the instructions to solve each of the puzzles below:

Puzzle 1: Black just captured a knight on f3 and is attacking your queen with their bishop. Should you recapture it right away?

Puzzle 2: Black just proposed a rook trade by attacking your g5-rook with their bishop. Should you trade rooks?

Puzzle 3: Now it's time for the real challenge! Black has an undefended queen on b6. Can you use a zwischenzug and that important undefended piece to win material?

Wrapping Up

You now know what a zwischenzug is and how you can use it to win material and defeat your opponents. Now, go to our Puzzles page to practice this vital tactic to become a zwischenzug master!

 

Zwischenzug Video