German Conversation · Level 18
90 words
German word
Schach
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃax/
Meaning
- neuter nounchess
Example
Die Regeln des Schachs sind einfach.
The rules of chess are simple.
More examples
Der Turm gab dem König Schach.
The rook checked the king.
Core concept
A tense contest of pieces and plans centered on the moment an attacked king must respond.
Common phrases
Schach spielen
play chess
eine Partie Schach
a game of chess
Schach lernen
learn chess
Similar words
Partie: A single game played in a chess match.
Zug: One movement of a piece during a game.
Schachmatt: A position in which the king cannot escape capture.
Remis: A result in which neither player wins.
Definition in German
Schach bezeichnet das Brettspiel auf einem 8x8-Feld sowie die Spielsituation, in der der König bedroht wird.
Word origin
The German noun derives through Middle High German and Old French from Arabic šāh, borrowed from Persian šāh for king, which became associated with the game and its check.
Usage tips
- Schach is a neuter noun, and its genitive appears as "des Schachs" in formal standard usage.
Other meanings
- checknoun
Related words
- Schachspielerchess playernoun
- Schachspielchess gamenoun
- Schachbrettchessboardnoun