In-between move

What is an in-between move?

An in-between move is a move that comes in between, when your opponent expects something else. The typical case is a series of exchanges: instead of recapturing right away, you first make a threat that has to be answered, and recapture afterward, on better terms.

The in-between move only works if it's forcing, for example a check, an attack on the queen or a threat of mate. Otherwise your opponent has time to save whatever was hanging. In German it's called a Zwischenzug, a word many chess players use in English too. Some call it an intermezzo.

The lesson works both ways. Before you recapture out of habit, see whether there's something even stronger first.

How the puzzles work

There are 150 puzzles here. Choose a level above the board. Within each level the puzzles get harder and harder, and when you come back you pick up where you left off.

Your opponent makes the first move, then it's your turn. If you get stuck, Hint shows which piece to move, and Show the solution plays the rest. The theme only shows once the puzzle is done, but here you already know what you're looking for.

In Puzzle training you get puzzles in this theme at your own level, and see how you're doing in each theme.

More puzzles

• Mate in one
• Mate in two
• Mate in three
• Fork
• Pin
• Skewer
• Discovered attack
• Double check
• Sacrifice
• Deflection
• Attraction
• Hanging piece
• Back-rank mate
• Smothered mate
• Promotion
• Endgame
• Rook endgames
• Pawn endgames
• Zugzwang

The puzzles come from Lichess, fetched on October 2, 2026.

Updated November 6, 2026