Word of the Day – Zugzwang

Zugzwang (noun)

zug-zvan

A situation in which the obligation to make a move is a serious, often decisive, disadvantage. Mainly used in chess but can be applied to any strategical warfare.

Literally translated from German as ‘compulsion to move’. I learned this new word today and as the parent of a serious check addict, I love it. We looked it up together and I can see it becoming a firm favourite in her vocabulary, she can’t wait to try it out at chess club.

Example sentences

“White is in zugzwang with that move.”