Zugzwang
In short
Zugzwang is a position where the side to move would prefer to pass, because every move worsens their position. It is common in pawn and minor-piece endings and occasionally decides middlegames with blocked structures.
By the end you can
- Recognise zugzwang
- Use waiting moves to put the opponent in zugzwang
The lesson
Zugzwang is a position where the side to move would prefer to pass, because every move worsens their position. It is common in pawn and minor-piece endings and occasionally decides middlegames with blocked structures.
To use it, look for waiting moves that keep your position intact while the opponent runs out of safe moves. A spare pawn move or a triangulating king are typical tools.
Key points to remember
- Every move worsens the position = zugzwang
- Keep spare tempi
- Waiting moves win endings
Examples
Show the solution
46. gxh4 gxh4 47. Kf3 Ke6 48. Kf4 Kf6 49. c5
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: zugzwang puzzles.
Homework
10 zugzwang puzzles.
More endgames lessons
- Mini-games: pawn wars and queen vs pawns (Foundation)
- Can the king catch the pawn? The rule of the square (Novice)
- King and pawn vs king: opposition (Class F)
- Passed pawns and promotion races (Class F)
- The Lucena position: building a bridge (Class E)
- The Philidor defence: holding rook endings (Class E)