--- title: "The In-Between Move (Zwischenzug) in Xiangqi ยท Xiangqi Master" description: "Playing a forcing move before making an expected recapture or reply, changing the position first so the eventual response is worse for the opponent." url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-a-zwischenzug-in-xiangqi updated: 2026-09-22 source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com) license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) --- # What is a zwischenzug (in-between move) in xiangqi? These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing. > Direct answer > > **A forcing move played before an expected recapture or reply, so the position changes before the obvious move happens.** Rather than recapturing immediately, you insert a check or a bigger threat first. The opponent has to deal with that new problem, and only then does the original exchange get completed, on better terms. ## Why it is easy to miss Sequences that look forced, a capture answered by a recapture, feel automatic to play out, and it is precisely that automatic feeling that hides the in-between move. Before recapturing on reflex, check whether a check or a bigger threat is available first. ## Where it is most common Discovered checks are the classic vehicle, since a check must be answered before anything else happens on the board, including the recapture the opponent was expecting. A cannon threat created incidentally by another move can serve the same purpose. ## Related questions Does the in-between move have to be a check? No, any threat urgent enough that the opponent cannot ignore it works, though checks are the most reliable. Is this the same idea as tempo? Related. See [what a tempo actually is](https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-a-tempo-move-in-xiangqi): a well-timed in-between move is one of the clearest ways to gain one mid-sequence. ## Related xiangqi resources Discovered attacks Sharper here than in chess, because of the cannon Check and checkmate Including why stalemate is a loss Xiangqi tactics Forks, pins and discovered attacks ## Try it on a real board Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.