zugzwang

[ tsook-tsvahng ]
/ ˈtsukˌtsvɑŋ /

noun Chess.

a situation in which a player is limited to moves that cost pieces or have a damaging positional effect.

Origin of zugzwang

1900–05; < German, equivalent to Zug move + Zwang constraint, obligation

Example sentences from the Web for zugzwang

British Dictionary definitions for zugzwang

zugzwang
/ (German ˈtsuːktsvaŋ) chess /

noun

a position in which one player can move only with loss or severe disadvantage

verb

(tr) to manoeuvre (one's opponent) into a zugzwang

Word Origin for zugzwang

from German, from Zug a pull, tug + Zwang force, compulsion