A B C D E F G-H I-L M-N O P Q-R S T U-Z

Unclear: An uncertain situation. Some players never use this assessment, insisting that every position is either equal or favorable for one side or the other. It has even been said that “unclear” is a lazy way to avoid figuring out what’s really going on in a position.

Variation: A line of play usually referred to about opening lines; but the term also is used in the other phases of the game. Any alternative to the line actually played is termed a variation.

Weakness: Any pawn or square that is difficult or impossible to defend.

Wild: Extremely unclear. A sharp situation or move with unfathomable complications.

Zugzwang: “Compulsion to move.” A German term referring to a situation in which a player would like to do nothing (pass), since any move will damage his game.

Zwischenzug: “In-between move.” A German term for an often unexpected reply thrown into an expected sequence of moves.

A B C D E F G-H I-L M-N O P Q-R S T U-Z