das  Schach

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃax/

♟️ What does "Schach" mean?

Das Schach (noun, neuter) primarily refers to two things:

1. The board game: A strategic board game for two players where pieces with different moves are moved on a checkered board. The goal is to put the opponent's king in "Schachmatt" (checkmate). It's often called "das königliche Spiel" (the royal game).
2. The state in the game: The situation in a chess game where a player's king is directly attacked by an opponent's piece ("im Schach stehen" - to be in check). The player must fend off this attack on the next move.

The word only uses the article das. Mix-ups are rare.

🧐 Grammar of "das Schach" in Detail

"Schach" is a noun with the neuter article das. It is mostly used in the singular without an article when referring to the game in general. The plural ("die Schachs") is very uncommon and might refer to different chess games or situations, but it's rarely used in practice.

Declension (Singular)

💡 Example Sentences

• Ich spiele gerne Schach. (I like to play chess. - Referring to the game generally)
• Der König steht im Schach. (The king is in check. - State in the game)
• Er beherrscht das Schach wie kein Zweiter. (He masters chess like no other. - The game as a concept)
• Sie bot ihm Schach. (She put him in check. / She offered check.)

💬 How to use "Schach"?

"Schach" is used in various contexts:

• As the game: "Lass uns eine Partie Schach spielen." (Let's play a game of chess.), "Schach fördert strategisches Denken." (Chess promotes strategic thinking.)
• During gameplay: "Du bist im Schach!" (You are in check!), "Ich biete Schach mit dem Läufer." (I check with the bishop.)
• Figuratively: The phrase "jemanden/etwas in Schach halten" means to keep someone/something in check, to control, restrain, or contain them/it. Example: "Die Polizei hielt die Demonstranten in Schach." (The police kept the demonstrators in check.), "Sie versuchte, ihre Ausgaben in Schach zu halten." (She tried to keep her expenses in check.)
• Compounds: Schach appears in many compound words, like Schachbrett (chessboard), Schachfigur (chess piece), Schachzug (chess move), Schachmatt (checkmate), Schachclub (chess club), Schachturnier (chess tournament), Schachspieler (chess player), Schachcomputer (chess computer).

⚠️ It's important not to confuse das Schach (chess, check) with der Schacht (shaft, pit, e.g., mine shaft, elevator shaft).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Schach"

1. Mnemonic for the article (das): Think of other neuter 'das' words for abstract concepts or games: das Spiel (the game), das Glück (luck), das Denken (thinking). Chess is das strategic game, das ultimate mind battle. Picture das board (das Brett) in front of you.

2. Mnemonic for the meaning (Game/Check): The word "Schach" sounds short and sharp, like a quick, decisive move (der Zug) in the game. Or think of the exclamation "Schach!" when the king (der König) is threatened – a brief, warning call.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Der Schacht: shaft, pit (e.g., mine shaft, elevator shaft, ventilation shaft). Masculine noun, completely unrelated to the game!

😂 A Little Chess Joke

German: Warum spielen Skelette kein Schach?

Weil sie keinen Körper haben, mit dem sie ziehen können!

English: Why don't skeletons play chess?

Because they have no body to move with! (Pun on 'body' and 'nobody')

📜 Poem about Chess

German:
Auf dem Brett, so schwarz und weiß,
beginnt die stille, ernste Reis'.
Figuren ziehen, Zug um Zug,
mal klug geplant, mal selbst Betrug.

Der Bauer vor, der Springer kühn,
die Dame mächtig, lässt Macht erblühn.
Der Läufer schräg, der Turm gerade,
im Denkerhirn die Strategie-Parade.

Der König bangt, in Not, in Pein,
ein falscher Schritt kann tödlich sein.
Bis einer ruft, mit leisem Hauch,
"Schach!" – und dann "Matt!" beendet's auch.

English Translation:
On the board, so black and white,
begins the quiet, earnest fight (journey).
Pieces move, move by move,
sometimes smartly planned, sometimes self-deceive.

The pawn ahead, the knight so bold,
the queen mighty, lets power unfold.
The bishop diagonal, the rook straight,
in the thinker's brain, the strategy parade.

The king fears, in need, in pain,
one wrong step can be fatal again.
Until one calls, with a soft breath,
"Check!" – and then "Mate!" also brings death (ends it).

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe Könige und Damen, doch kein Schloss.
Ich habe Läufer, doch keine Beine groß.
Ich habe Bauern, doch kein Feld zum Pflügen.
Man sagt "Matt!", wenn Züge nicht mehr genügen.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Schach (oder das Schachspiel)

English:
I have kings and queens, but no castle.
I have bishops (runners), but no big legs.
I have pawns, but no field to plow.
They say "Mate!" when moves no longer allow.

What am I?

Solution: Chess (or the game of chess)

🤓 Trivia & Origin

• Origin: The German word "Schach" comes from the Persian word "Shāh" (شاه), meaning "King". The term "Schachmatt" (checkmate) comes from "Shāh māt" (شاه مات), meaning "The king is helpless/defeated/dead".
• Popularity: Chess is one of the most famous and widely played board games in the world.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: In some countries, chess is considered an important part of the culture.
• Mind Sport: Chess is regarded as a demanding mind sport that promotes strategic and tactical thinking, foresight, and concentration.