ChessA zwischenzug is when your opponent expects you to recapture right away, but you slip in a stronger move first. Most often that's a check or a capture. Once you've grabbed something, you go back and take what you were going to take. The name is German for "in-between move." When you play chess against the computer, every time you're about to recapture, stop for one second and look for something better.
What it looks like
When Black traded queens, he only thought, "queen for queen, fair enough." But the black queen on d8 was also protecting the rook on e8. Once she left, that rook had no protection.
If White takes back the queen right away, it's just a queen trade. By slipping in Rxe8+ first, which is check, so Black has no time to deal with the queen on d1, White wins a whole extra rook.
Common kinds of zwischenzug
Check first, then take back
That bishop on e7 was protected by the black queen. Once the queens came off, the bishop was left alone, and the knight picked it up with check, so Black couldn't save the queen at the same time.
Promote first, then take back
If White played Qxd2 right away, Black's rook on a4 could go to b4 and watch the b-pawn from behind, and the pawn would never promote. By promoting first and taking back second, White gets both.
A zwischenzug doesn't have to be a check. As long as the move you slip in is a bigger threat than your opponent's, like promoting, taking a more valuable piece, or threatening mate, he has to deal with it first, and your recapture can wait a move. The key: after your in-between move, the piece you meant to take back is still there and can't get away.
A real example: the Elephant Trap in the Queen's Gambit
This is the most famous zwischenzug in the openings. White thinks the knight on f6 is pinned and grabs the pawn on d5 right away:
On move 7 the white bishop took the black queen, and it looked like White had struck gold. But Black slipped in Bb4+, dragged the white queen into it, and ended up a piece ahead. For more, see the Queen's Gambit.
How to defend
- Before you trade, count which pieces will be left unprotected afterward. The piece you trade off is often guarding something else too.
- Think about whether your opponent can check first. You assume he'll take back, but he gives a check instead.
- Before you take back, look for a stronger move. Run through checks, captures and threats first.
- Don't let important pieces rely on a single defender. As soon as that defender gets traded off, a zwischenzug gets its chance.
Practice puzzles
Show answer
1... Nxe2+ 2. Kh1 Rxd8 Not so fast! The black knight first takes the bishop on e2 with check. The white king has to go to h1, and then the black rook takes back the white queen on d8. The white bishop was relying on the queen for protection, and once the queen was traded, it was left alone. Black wins an extra bishop.
Show answer
1... Rxe1+ 2. Kh2 Rxd8 Black first takes the rook on e1 with the rook from e8, giving check. The white king has to go to h2, and then Black takes back the white queen on d8 with the rook from a8. Black wins an extra rook.
Show answer
2. Bxe6+ Kh8 3. Rxd1 The white bishop first takes the knight on e6 with check. The black king goes to h8 (or the rook blocks on f7, and then that rook is pinned), and then the white rook takes back the queen. White wins an extra knight.
FAQ
Is a zwischenzug the same as an intermezzo?
Yes. Zwischenzug, intermezzo and in-between move are all names for the same tactic. Zwischenzug is the German word, and it's the one most players use.
Does a zwischenzug have to be a check?
No, but checks are the most common and the safest, because your opponent has to answer them. A capture or a mate threat works too, as long as your opponent has to deal with it first.
How do I avoid falling for one?
Before you trade, look at "which piece is left unprotected after the trade" and "does my opponent have a check?" Most zwischenzugs work because someone looked one move too few during a trade.
Try it yourself
The zwischenzug often shows up together with the desperado and the discovered attack. They're all about looking one move further during a trade. For more tactics, go back to chess tactics. To practice for real, play a free chess game online, and every time you're about to take back, look for a zwischenzug first.