Tempo

Tempo is a "turn" in chess. If you reach the same position with one more move than expected, then you lose a tempo, likewise, saving a move is called gaining a tempo.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

The sequence 1...Rxg7+ Kf8 2.Rf7+ Kg8 reaches the same position but with black down a pawn. This is gaining tempo.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5							g5 b~		5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1			c1 ~~						1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

2...Bb4+ loses tempo. White can simply respond with 3.c3 and black wastes a move moving their bishop back.

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