---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a riddle whose answer is chess, what…"
description: "\"“In a riddle whose answer is chess, what is the only prohibited word?”\" — Jorge Luis Borges"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/jorge-luis-borges-275_quote_in-a-riddle-whose-answer-is-chess-what-i_1214930.jpg"
---

#  In a riddle whose answer is chess, what is the only…

![“In a riddle whose answer is chess, what is the only prohibited word?” quote by Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/jorge-luis-borges-275_quote_in-a-riddle-whose-answer-is-chess-what-i_1214930.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/jorge-luis-borges-275_quote_in-a-riddle-whose-answer-is-chess-what-i_1214930.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/jorge-luis-borges-275_quote_in-a-riddle-whose-answer-is-chess-what-i_1214930.jpg)

> ““In a riddle whose answer is chess, what is the only prohibited word?””

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The riddle’s answer is chess; the forbidden word is “checkmate,” because naming it ends the game.

**In simple terms:** Forbidden word is checkmate in chess riddle.

Key Takeaway

Avoid naming the ending.

Themes

games logic creativity

Mood

playful curious

Type

riddle educational

When to use this quote

- puzzle design
- teaching strategy
- game theory
- creative writing

Key Concepts

Chess linguistics paradoxes

Questions to Reflect On

- Why does naming the solution change the puzzle?
- What other games have similar taboo words?

A Different Perspective

It assumes familiarity with chess rules.

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[Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/)

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