zugzwang

Noun

Meaning

(chess) A situation in which a player is forced to make a disadvantageous move.

(figuratively) A situation in which someone is forced to make a disadvantageous move

Examples

A player cannot "pass"; at each turn they have to make a legal move (this is the basis for the finesse called zugzwang ). Source: Internet

Nonetheless, a disadvantage of the knight (compared to the other pieces) is that by itself it cannot lose a move to put the opponent in zugzwang (see triangulation and tempo ), while a bishop can. Source: Internet

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