In chess, zwischenzug (German for "intermediate move") is a common tactic that occurs often in game.

Zwischenzug is where one player threatens the other and, instead of countering the direct threat from player one (as expected), player two plays a move which poses an even more serious threat to player one. The first player must then counter the threat from player two, which will ideally change the entire situation to the second player's advantage. Such moves are also called intermezzos, or intermediate moves.

The diagram shows an example. It is Black's turn to move and Black moves (see algebraic chess notation)

1. ... Rxh4

expecting White to play 2. Qxh4, but White has a zwischenzug:

2. Qd8+

which is followed by

2. ... Kh7

3. Qxh4+ Kg8

4. Qxg3

and White has won a rook.

External links

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• source of position

Chess tactics | Chess terms | German loanwords

Zwischenzug | Vahekäik