In-Between Move Tactic-- OTB Examples

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In-Between Move Tactic-- OTB Examples
Compiled by ChessCoachClark

The name in German for this tactic is Zwischenzug. The Italian name is Intermezzo. Technically, it's an In-Between Half-Move, since only one ply, step, or turn is involved.

The name has existed in the 'sloppy' way for a very long time, so for expedience in searching and referring to this tactic, I leave its name unchanged. (The 50-Move Rule does, indeed, properly mean 100 plies, however. So much for clarity, eh?)

It could be taken as a surprise move, an unexpected ploy that sends the game in a different direction. In some cases, a player can win material and even checkmate by way of their In-Between Move. In fact, in this game-- NN vs E Canal, 1935, the In-Between Move gave checkmate.

The maxim usually attributed to Emanuel Lasker-- If you see a good move, sit on your hands and look for a better one-- certainly applies to these situations. These games represent excellent examples of 'thinking outside the box' and being open to situations beyond what could be ascertained with medium effort. 'Always bring your best game' was declared by the chess coach in 'Knights of the South Bronx' as well and is relevant in the context of these games.

ChessCoachClark (CCC) originated this game collection and he updates it on occasion. This project is a work in progress, culling games from various sources, including several chess training books and personal research. The games are ordered by date (oldest first), not by importance.

Be well.
Be safe.

15. ...Nf4+ instead of axb6
NN vs Blackburne, 1871
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 21 moves, 0-1
In Between for Black at 15 Bxh7+ and White at 20 Rh3+
Lasker vs J Bauer, 1889
(A03) Bird's Opening, 38 moves, 1-0
Spielmann vs A Reggio, 1905
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 24 moves, 1-0
Salwe vs A Speijer, 1910
(D05) Queen's Pawn Game, 43 moves, 0-1
Alekhine vs Flohr, 1931
(D26) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 29 moves, 1-0
Not 9...Nxc2 to win the Exchange, but 9... Nd3#!!
NN vs E Canal, 1935
(C20) King's Pawn Game, 9 moves, 0-1
Lasker vs Euwe, 1936
(D12) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 33 moves, 1-0
33. ... Nxe1, not gxf5 and 36. ... Nb3+ instead of Nxf5
Barcza vs Bronstein, 1949
(A20) English, 36 moves, 0-1
C Orbaan vs H Kramer, 1950
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 25 moves, 0-1
Fischer vs E Nievergelt, 1959
(B88) Sicilian, Fischer-Sozin Attack, 42 moves, 1-0
Fischer vs T Ghitescu, 1960
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 43 moves, 1-0
Sachariev vs Dobrev, 1973
(B29) Sicilian, Nimzovich-Rubinstein, 12 moves, 1-0
G Govashelishvili vs A Kuindzhy, 1975
(A80) Dutch, 38 moves, 0-1
24. Rxc8+ (not Rxd6) gives advantage to White
Chiburdanidze vs I Platonov, 1980
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 41 moves, 1-0
Last move is an In-Between tactic-- instead of Rxd7-- for mate!
E McCormick vs H Rolletschek, 1987
(C28) Vienna Game, 47 moves, 0-1
If 29. ...Qxc3 then 30. Bxe6+ is an In Between move to win Rook
J Polgar vs S Singh, 1989
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 31 moves, 1-0
Bh7+ (not Qxd3), then Kf8 and Bxf5 are decisive
J Polgar vs I Rogers, 1993
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 42 moves, 1-0
30. ...Rxg2 (not retreating the Queen) gives advantage to Black
Timman vs J Xie, 1994
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 36 moves, 0-1
17...dxc5 18. Na4 (not bxc5) traps Queen by In-Between tactic
D Pavasovic vs B Rogulj, 1998
(C45) Scotch Game, 17 moves, 1-0
17. ... Nd5! (not retreat of Bishop) gives advantage to Black
P Tregubov vs J Polgar, 2005
(E12) Queen's Indian, 35 moves, 0-1
O Hole vs S Agdestein, 2006
(D07) Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense, 59 moves, 0-1
In-Between Move at EOG leads to pending Back Rank Mate!
D Malla vs W Kobese, 2006
(B32) Sicilian, 31 moves, 0-1
G Guseinov vs R Markus, 2012
(C41) Philidor Defense, 37 moves, 1-0
14. ... c3! attacks N directly, R at f1 by Barrage, and more!
Y Yu vs A Zatonskih, 2013
(C02) French, Advance, 24 moves, 1-0
N Dzagnidze vs S Guramishvili, 2013
(A13) English, 33 moves, 1-0
25 games

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