In the world of Tabletop Games Z is for
Zugzwang
Zugzwang is a term borrowed from chess, describing a situation where a player is forced to move—even though any available move will make their position worse. Some turn-based RPGs and strategy games mimic this concept, trapping players in scenarios where every decision leads to disaster. If you’ve ever been in a fight where taking action just speeds up your demise, congratulations—you’ve experienced Zugzwang.