zwing zwang

i came across a term like this somewhere...could some kind soul please it explain it for me?

'Zugzwang' it's German.Can't really think of an English word for it 😕
It is used when you are forced to move into losing.
A well known simple example: White has K on e3 and R on c8 Black has a K on d1.It's Black's move and he can only make a move that loses = zugzwang
It's seen a lot in endgames with pawns.For example,say you managed to close the position and your opponent can't make any progress,it would be draw if you didn't have to move,but you have to and you cannot but make a move that allows one of your opponents pawns to break through and win the game for him = zugzwang.
That's about the best I can explain it.Hope this clears it up a little😀

ps: zwing zwang sound a lot more fun 😉🙄😵

A player is said to be in 'zugzwang' when he is placed in a terrible predicament, that the only moves he can make will worsen his position. He'd rather not move at all, but unfortunately the rules of chess don't allow a player to 'pass'.

It doesn't necessarily mean he'll lose. For instance, there are many endgame situations in which the player with the advantage can only draw if it's his move, but would win if it was his opponent's turn.

Dave

Thanks SirLAL and David.

Isn't that the Chinese symbol with the White and Black Tadpole in a circle? Zing and Zang... 😉

Originally posted by ChessNut
Isn't that the Chinese symbol with the White and Black Tadpole in a circle? Zing and Zang... 😉

Babelfish gives me "course-forced" for zugzwang. The English equivalent perhaps "railroaded"?

Originally posted by pompomtom
Babelfish gives me "course-forced" for zugzwang. The English equivalent perhaps "railroaded"?

Originally posted by dfm65
i came across a term like this somewhere...could some kind soul please it explain it for me?

Originally posted by dfm65
nice...what does babelfish say about zwingzwang?

Originally posted by pompomtom
I didn't see an option for 'Australian to English'.

Originally posted by dfm65
i thought babelfish were supposed to be universal translators?

surely zwingzwang means something, in some language, somewhere? if it doesn't, perhaps it should? i have this mental image of a pawn zwinging to take a piece, discovering check against the enemy king , then zwanging to take another piece after the opponent is forced to move his king. sweeeeeet...