Zwischenzug
An unexpected "in-between" move that changes the evaluation before completing an expected sequence.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Zwischenzug is my favorite chess word, and not just because it is fun to say. It captures something profound about how chess really works: the game does not follow a script. Just because a sequence of moves seems forced and inevitable does not mean there is not a better option hiding in the middle of it. When I first learned about the zwischenzug, I started finding them everywhere — in my games, in master games, even in positions I had analyzed before and thought I understood. It was like putting on glasses for the first time.
What Is a Zwischenzug?
A zwischenzug is an in-between move — a move inserted into an apparently forced sequence that the opponent did not expect. Instead of making the "obvious" reply (usually a recapture), you play a different move first, one that creates a threat or improves your position. Only after your opponent deals with this intermediate move do you return to the expected sequence.
The term comes from German and literally translates to "intermediate move." It is one of the most important advanced tactical concepts because it challenges the assumption that sequences in chess are predetermined. Just because a piece exchange seems to be in progress does not mean both sides must follow the expected captures.
Here is a simple example: your opponent captures your knight, and you are expected to recapture their bishop. But instead of recapturing immediately, you play a check with a different piece. Your opponent must deal with the check, and only then do you recapture the bishop. The check was the zwischenzug — an unexpected interruption that may have improved your position (perhaps the king was forced to a worse square).
Zwischenzugs can be any type of forcing move: a check, a threat to capture a valuable piece, a pawn push that creates a threat, or anything else that demands an immediate response. The key is that it disrupts the opponent's expectations and changes the dynamics of the position.
Why Zwischenzugs Are So Effective
The power of the zwischenzug lies in the element of surprise and the disruption of expected sequences. When a series of captures or forced moves is underway, both players tend to calculate ahead assuming the "obvious" moves will be played. The zwischenzug breaks this assumption.
Consider the psychological impact. Your opponent captures a piece and expects an immediate recapture. They have already calculated what happens after the recapture and are planning their next moves accordingly. When you play an unexpected intermediate move instead, their entire calculation is thrown off. They must reassess the position with a new factor they had not anticipated.
But zwischenzugs are not just psychological tricks — they offer concrete benefits. Common advantages gained include: forcing the enemy king to a worse square through an intermediate check, winning an extra pawn by inserting a threatening move, gaining a tempo by making a useful developing move before recapturing, and changing the character of the resulting position in your favor.
At the highest levels of chess, zwischenzugs are a constant consideration. Grandmasters check for intermediate moves in every exchange, and many high-profile blunders have occurred because a player overlooked an opponent's zwischenzug. The concept is simple in theory but requires discipline to apply consistently in practice.
The best way to develop zwischenzug awareness is to build the habit of pausing before every "obvious" move and asking: is there something even better?
A Zwischenzug in a Typical Position
Let us look at a type of position where zwischenzugs commonly arise. In many opening and middlegame positions, exchanges are initiated, and both sides expect a sequence of captures. The zwischenzug disrupts this expected flow.
Imagine a common scenario: White plays Bxf6, capturing a knight. Black is expected to recapture with gxf6 or Qxf6. But before recapturing, Black plays Bxc3+, a check that forces White to deal with the bishop before Black takes back on f6. After White addresses the check (perhaps by blocking or moving the king), Black recaptures on f6 with an improved position — perhaps having won the c3 pawn or forced the White king to an awkward square.
In the position shown, the central tension creates numerous potential exchange sequences. In any of these exchanges, an in-between move could change the outcome. The question is always: before I make the expected recapture, is there a stronger move available?
Practice identifying zwischenzugs by analyzing exchange sequences in your games. After a game, go through every capture and ask: was there an in-between move I (or my opponent) could have played? Over time, this analysis trains your brain to spot intermediate moves during live play.
Remember: the zwischenzug does not have to be spectacular. Even a quiet pawn push or a simple developing move can be a devastating zwischenzug if it changes the evaluation of the resulting position.
Exchange sequences create opportunities for in-between moves. Always check for a zwischenzug before recapturing.
Common Questions About Zwischenzug
Is zwischenzug the same as an intermezzo?
Yes, intermezzo is the Italian equivalent of the German zwischenzug. Both terms refer to the same concept: an intermediate move inserted into an expected sequence. Some English speakers also call it an "in-between move." All three terms are used interchangeably in chess literature.
Can a zwischenzug be a quiet move or must it be a check?
A zwischenzug can be any type of move, not just a check. While checks are the most common zwischenzugs (because they are the most forcing), a threat to capture a piece, a pawn push, or even a quiet positional move can serve as a zwischenzug if it demands a response before the expected sequence continues.
How do I defend against an opponent's zwischenzug?
The best defense is awareness. Before initiating any exchange, calculate what happens if your opponent inserts an intermediate move instead of recapturing. If you see a dangerous zwischenzug, you might choose a different move order or avoid the exchange entirely. Always ask: what could my opponent do instead of the obvious reply?
Professor Archer says: My one piece of advice about zwischenzugs: never assume a sequence is forced until you have checked for in-between moves. Before you make the "obvious" recapture or reply, stop and ask: is there something better I can do right now? That pause, that moment of questioning the obvious, is where chess mastery lives.
Quick Quiz
Your opponent captures your bishop, and you are expected to recapture. Instead, you play a check first, then recapture. What is this intermediate move called?
- A discovered check - A discovered check involves moving one piece to reveal a check from another. The intermediate check before recapturing is a different concept — it is about timing, not discovery.
- A zwischenzug (Correct) - Correct. Playing a check (or any forcing move) before making the expected recapture is a zwischenzug — an in-between move that disrupts the expected sequence and often improves your position.
- A deflection - A deflection forces a piece away from a defensive duty. While the check might move the king, the concept here is about inserting an unexpected move into an exchange sequence.
- A clearance sacrifice - A clearance sacrifice opens a line for your own pieces. The in-between check is about timing and move order, not about clearing lines.