Talking Dictionary
Chess Words
Click on text to hear the word spoken.
En Passant
From the French, "in passing". Abbreviated e.p. One pawn can capture another e.p. if the capturing pawn has reached the fifth rank and the captured pawn is moved two squares forward on an adjacent file. The capture is made as though the opponent's pawn has moved only one square forward.
En Prise
French again. A piece is en prise when it is left exposed to capture with nothing to show for it.
Fianchetto
A bishop played to the side of the board is said to be fianchettoed. Usually, the bishop is played to
g2
or
b2
(
g7
or
b7
for black), from which position it sweeps along the long diagonal to the opponent's
a8
or
h8
(
a1
or
h1
for black) square. The word is from the Italian fianco - the flank or side.
Zugzwang
A situation in which a player would prefer not to move at all. since the rules require a move on his turn, the player is forced to weaken his position.