zugzwang

[ tsook-tsvahng ]

noun

, Chess.

1. a situation in which a player is limited to moves that cost pieces or have a damaging positional effect.

zugzwang

/ ˈtsuːktsvaŋ /

noun

1. a position in which one player can move only with loss or severe disadvantage

verb

1. tr to manoeuvre (one's opponent) into a zugzwang

Word History and Origins

Origin of zugzwang¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from German, equivalent to Zug “move, pull” + Zwang “constraint, obligation”

Word History and Origins

Origin of zugzwang¹

from German, from Zug a pull, tug + Zwang force, compulsion

Example Sentences

White’s position is bleak and approaching zugzwang as none of her pieces can move without material loss.

From Washington Times

“It is clear that a military or political victory will not be possible. But a loss is not possible either. This is turning into the situation in chess known as zugzwang, when each step is worse than the next and yet it is impossible not to move.”

From Washington Post

The chapter title “ZUGZWANG”? A connection between chess and diplomacy.

From New York Times

One of his best games came against New Jersey GM Brandon Jacobson in Round 5, tying up his opponent with a neat positional zugzwang out of an unconventional King’s Indian set-up.

From Washington Times

He likened his dilemma to a "zugzwang" - the position where a player in chess or draughts faces only bad moves.

From BBC