ZUGZWANG Meaning and
Definition
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Zugzwang is a German chess term that refers to a situation in which a player is forced to make a move, even when any possible move will result in a disadvantageous position or outcome. The term "zugzwang" translates to "compulsion to move" or "forced move" in English.
In chess, zugzwang typically occurs in the endgame, when there are fewer pieces on the board. It is often a result of skillful play that positions one player in such a way that any move they make will weaken their position and give their opponent an advantage. In this situation, not making a move is not an option, as the rules of chess require players to make a move on their turn.
The concept of zugzwang can also be extended beyond the realm of chess, and is used metaphorically to describe situations in which any possible action or decision will have negative consequences. This can be seen in various contexts, such as politics or business, where making a move or decision is necessary, but doing so will result in undesirable outcomes. Zugzwang implies a sense of being trapped or cornered, where the individual or player is compelled to act despite knowing that any action will be detrimental.
Etymology of ZUGZWANG
The term "zugzwang" originates from the German language. It is a combination of two words: "zug" meaning "move" or "play" and "zwang" meaning "compulsion" or "necessity". It is primarily used in the context of chess and refers to a situation where a player is forced to make a move that will worsen their position, or any situation where a person is pressured to make a disadvantageous move in a strategic game.
Conjugate verb Zugzwang
CONDITIONAL
I
would zugzwang
you
would zugzwang
he/she/it
would zugzwang
we
would zugzwang
they
would zugzwang
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be zugzwanging
you
would be zugzwanging
he/she/it
would be zugzwanging
we
would be zugzwanging
they
would be zugzwanging
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have zugzwang
you
would have zugzwang
he/she/it
would have zugzwang
we
would have zugzwang
they
would have zugzwang
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been zugzwanging
you
would have been zugzwanging
he/she/it
would have been zugzwanging
we
would have been zugzwanging
they
would have been zugzwanging
FUTURE
I
will zugzwang
you
will zugzwang
he/she/it
will zugzwang
we
will zugzwang
they
will zugzwang
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be zugzwanging
you
will be zugzwanging
he/she/it
will be zugzwanging
we
will be zugzwanging
they
will be zugzwanging
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have zugzwanged
you
will have zugzwanged
he/she/it
will have zugzwanged
we
will have zugzwanged
they
will have zugzwanged
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been zugzwanging
you
will have been zugzwanging
he/she/it
will have been zugzwanging
we
will have been zugzwanging
they
will have been zugzwanging
IMPERATIVE
you
zugzwang
we
let´s zugzwang
to zugzwang
PAST
I
zugzwanged
you
zugzwanged
he/she/it
zugzwanged
we
zugzwanged
they
zugzwanged
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was zugzwanging
you
were zugzwanging
he/she/it
was zugzwanging
we
were zugzwanging
they
were zugzwanging
PAST PARTICIPLE
zugzwanged
PAST PERFECT
I
had zugzwanged
you
had zugzwanged
he/she/it
had zugzwanged
we
had zugzwanged
they
had zugzwanged
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been zugzwanging
you
had been zugzwanging
he/she/it
had been zugzwanging
we
had been zugzwanging
they
had been zugzwanging
PRESENT
I
zugzwang
you
zugzwang
he/she/it
zugzwangs
we
zugzwang
they
zugzwang
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am zugzwanging
you
are zugzwanging
he/she/it
is zugzwanging
we
are zugzwanging
they
are zugzwanging
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
zugzwanging
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have zugzwanged
you
have zugzwanged
he/she/it
has zugzwanged
we
have zugzwanged
they
have zugzwanged
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been zugzwanging
you
have been zugzwanging
he/she/it
has been zugzwanging
we
have been zugzwanging
they
have been zugzwanging
