ChessmateGet the appTempo
A tempo is one move's worth of time in a chess position.
A move gains a tempo when it improves your position while forcing the opponent to spend a move responding. Repeatedly moving the same piece without a clear reason may lose time.
A tempo is one turn of activity
Tempo in chess refers to move time, not minutes on the clock. Using one move to improve a piece spends one tempo; forcing the opponent to spend a move responding can gain time for another plan.
A useful threat can gain a tempo
Developing a bishop while attacking the queen improves your position and may force the queen to move again. The opponent's repeated queen move is often described as losing a tempo because it delays another useful action.
Repeated moves are not automatically wasted
A second move with the same piece can be correct when it wins material, avoids a threat, or reaches a square the position now requires. Tempo describes the cost in turns; the position determines whether that cost was justified.