Skip to content

Zugpflicht

obligation to move (in board games)

noun TSOOK-pflikkht Rare
Arts & Culture Games

Usage Note

Zugpflicht is the rule in chess and other board games that a player must make a move on their turn — they cannot pass. Zugpflicht haben means to be compelled to move even when any move is disadvantageous. It is distinct from Zugrecht (the right to move).

Examples

"Wegen der Zugpflicht musste er eine wichtige Figur opfern."

Natural Translation

Because of the obligation to move he had to sacrifice an important piece.

Literal Translation

Because of the move-obligation he had to sacrifice an important piece.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic