Zwischenzug: a practical example
After your opponent captures a piece, you may have a checking move that gains an advantage before you recapture. The extra move changes the position and can invalidate a sequence based on automatic exchanges.
How to use the idea in your games
Before every recapture, examine checks and strong threats for both sides. Many tactical errors arise from assuming that a capture obliges an immediate, matching reply.
A useful study question
Can you explain zwischenzug in your own words, identify it in a position, and describe when the idea does not apply? Test the explanation on a legal board before relying on it.
Connect the ideas
Tempo, Fork, Tactics are useful next concepts. Follow the links to compare definitions and examples, then return to the complete chess glossary whenever an unfamiliar term appears.
Sources & further reading
References checked September 5, 2026. Linked services are independent of ChessRankings.com™.