zugzwang

(tso͞okˈtsvängˌ)

noun

A situation in a chess game in which a player is forced to make an undesirable or disadvantageous move.

Origin:

Origin: German Zugzwang

Origin: : Zug, pull, move (from Middle High German zuc, pull, from Old High German, from ziohan, to pull; see deuk- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + Zwang, compulsion (from Middle High German twanc, from Old High German)

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