Intermezzo (zwischenzug) puzzles
84 free intermezzo (zwischenzug) puzzles from real games, rated 892 to 2336. Solve them on the board below; your accuracy feeds your weakness map.
What is a intermezzo (zwischenzug)?
An intermezzo (German: zwischenzug) is an in-between move: instead of the 'obvious' recapture, you play a check or bigger threat first, then recapture on your terms.
These are the moves that make players say 'I didn't see that coming'. Training them means pausing before any automatic recapture.
Common mistake
Recapturing on autopilot.
How to spot it
Before recapturing, ask: is there a check or bigger threat available first?
The in-between move must be forcing, or the opponent gets time to save their piece.
Watch for the opponent's intermezzo too, before you start a capture sequence.
Related themes
- Attraction (decoy)Drag a piece onto a fatal square.
- ClearanceClear a square or line for another piece.
- InterferenceCut the line between two enemy pieces.
- X-ray attackAttack or defend through another piece.
- ZugzwangEvery move makes it worse.
Let the adaptive drill find your weakest pattern
Puzzles: Lichess puzzle database (CC0), filtered for popularity and play count. See how Weakspot works.