Advanced tactic · 6 of 15
The zwischenzug
German for "in-between move": before you recapture, play a stronger move first, usually a check.
- Learn how it worksThree examples with Capra. You play each one yourself.Three examples with CapraStart the lesson
- Practise on real puzzlesPractise on puzzles80 zwischenzug puzzles, from easy to very hard.0 of 80 solvedGo to the puzzlesGo to the puzzles
Check first, then take back
A check has to be answered at once, so the capture you were going to make is still there afterwards.
Before a pawn takes back
The rook takes a rook with check. The knight on e5 can wait one move.
Before a queen trade
The knight takes the bishop with check. The queen on d1 can wait one move.
Before you take the queen
The bishop takes the knight with check, so nothing can take back on d4.
Zwischenzugs in numbers
Counted from the 1,083 zwischenzugs in our puzzle library, all taken from real games- 1 in 250
of our puzzles has a zwischenzug in it.
- 30%
of them win the queen. No other prize is as common.
- 61%
of them come in the middlegame.
Which piece makes the first move
- Queen29%
- Rook28%
- Bishop19%
- Knight17%
- Pawn6%
What it wins
- Queen30%
- Rook29%
- Bishop16%
- Knight15%
- Checkmate6%
Good to know
Zwischenzugs: common questions
What is a zwischenzug in chess?
Zwischenzug is German for "in-between move". Instead of making the move your opponent expects, usually a recapture, you play a stronger move first, such as a check. Then you make the expected move and come out ahead.
Is a zwischenzug the same as an intermezzo?
Yes. Zwischenzug, intermezzo and in-between move are three names for the same thing. When the in-between move is a check, some players call it a zwischenschach.
Why does a zwischenzug work?
Because a check or a bigger threat has to be answered at once. Your opponent spends a move on it, and the capture you were going to make is still there on the next turn.
How do I find a zwischenzug?
Do not recapture without thinking. Before every recapture, look at your checks and at captures that carry a threat. Before you capture, ask if your opponent has an in-between move of their own.