Skip to main content

Zugzwang 

(Noun) Being forced by circumstances to do something which you do not wish to do.

The word is from the German and means "compulsion to move"

The term is most frequently used to describe a strategy in chess whereby one player is forced to make a move they do not wish to make. It is also used more generally to describe any comparable situation.
Of course I lost! He knew my game plan from the start. Put me in zugzwang after zugzwang till he had me right where he wanted me.

I'm in a terrible zugzwang. Can you give me some advice?

(as verb/adj) This year's bonus has me zugzwanged with the tax man. If I declare it, I'll lose the lot.
Zugzwang by StaticRabbit January 14, 2010
Related Words

Zugzwang 

German word for "compulsion to move." Zugzwang is a term used in chess when it's your turn to move a piece, but regardless of where you move, you will be at a disadvantage. In other words Zugzwang is when you need to move, but you don't want to because of the terrible conditions.
Dude: So what? Are you going to introduce to her and at least try to get her number?

Shy guy: I want to, but she's with all her friends, and that's kind of embarrassing.

Dude: You know you won't see her again until summer's over.

Shy guy: Shit, I hate being in zugzwang!
Zugzwang by PokarFace June 27, 2010

Zugzwang 

definition
When you’re in love with Matthew Gray Gubler but there’s nothing you can do about it. Your affections are futile. Give up now.
usage
I made a vision board of our wedding but it was a complete zugzwang because when asked if he preferred “big white wedding or elope” he chose “antelope”.
Zugzwang by California Noire May 12, 2020

zugzwang 

A situation in Chess where one person is forced to make an undesirable move.
Zugzwang, mother fucker!!!
zugzwang by mowaaan June 7, 2004

zugzwang-cum 

When you cannot stop the process of cuming and therefore must cum despite experiencing something interrupting your arousal and/or the pleasure gained from achieving orgasm.
Bob was watching his favorite big-ass latina-bitches porn when his grandmother suddenly walked into his room, so he stopped masturbating and turned off the porn, yet he was already in zugzwang-cum.
zugzwang-cum by AndyBozac December 27, 2017

zugzwang 

a word in chess that means that all your possible moves are bad. Can also be used to describe personal life.
jeez, what a zugzwang!
zugzwang by saskenarutosakuraLOVE October 21, 2019