Tactics

What is a In-Between Move in chess?

Also known as: Zwischenzug

  • Zwischenzug
  • Tempo
  • Forcing

A forcing move inserted before the expected move, often a check or threat that changes the sequence.

Where the term comes from

Italian for 'interlude', borrowed from music, where an intermezzo is a short piece played between larger movements. It means the same thing on the board as the German zwischenzug — an unexpected move inserted into a sequence that looked forced.

In-Between Move FAQ

What is a in-between move in chess?

A forcing move inserted before the expected move, often a check or threat that changes the sequence.

Train this pattern on your own games

Reading a definition is not the same as spotting the pattern with a clock running. Chessiro's free game review runs Stockfish 18 over every move you play, names the concept behind each mistake, and turns the positions where it cost you into training puzzles. You can also see the idea in action in the classic games collection, where the greatest players in history demonstrate it.

Related terms

Free game review

See where in-between move decides your games

Chessiro reviews your games with an AI coach that names the concept behind every mistake, then drills you on the exact positions where it happened until you stop repeating them.