Zugzwang

derNoun

compulsion to move; being forced to act; chess term for disadvantageous position

English translations

  1. 01

    compulsion to move

Word details

German meaning
Zugzwang bezeichnet im Schach eine Situation, in der jeder mögliche Zug eines Spielers seine Position verschlechtert.
English meaning
Zugzwang
Synonym
Spielzwang
German example
Im Endspiel geriet der Spieler in Zugzwang und verlor die Partie.
English example
In the endgame, the player was in zugzwang and lost the game.
Type
Noun
Article
der
Singular Form
der Zugzwang
Plural Form
None

Example sentences with “Zugzwang”

  1. Er war im Zugzwang und musste eine Entscheidung treffen. (He was under compulsion to move and had to make a decision.)

Frequently asked questions

What does the German word 'Zugzwang' mean in English?

Zugzwang is a chess term describing a situation where a player is forced to make a move, but every available move worsens their position. It is used metaphorically in business and politics.