Expert tactic · 1 of 9
Zugzwang
German for "forced to move". The side to move would be fine if it could pass, but every move it has loses.
- Learn how it worksThree examples with Capra. You play each one yourself.Three examples with CapraStart the lesson
- Practise on real puzzlesPractise on puzzles80 zugzwang puzzles, from easy to very hard.0 of 80 solvedGo to the puzzlesGo to the puzzles
Three ways to run Black out of moves
In each one White threatens nothing new. The win comes from handing the move to Black at the right moment.
A pawn move
The pawn steps to g5. Black's pawns are blocked, so the king has to give way.
A king move
The king attacks the pawn from d6, not d5. Black has to defend, and then the king steps to d5 with Black to move.
A rook trade
The rook check forces the rooks off. In the pawn ending that is left, Black has to move and every move loses.
Zugzwangs in numbers
Counted from the 1,057 zugzwangs in our puzzle library, all taken from real games- 1 in 250
of our puzzles has zugzwang in it.
- 62%
of them start with a king move.
- 100%
of them come in the endgame.
Which piece makes the first move
- King62%
- Pawn23%
- Rook9%
- Bishop4%
- Knight2%
What it wins
- Rook4%
- Knight1%
- Queen1%
- Bishop1%
- Checkmate0%
Good to know
Zugzwangs: common questions
What is zugzwang in chess?
Zugzwang is a position where the player to move would be fine if they could pass, but every move they have makes things worse. The word is German and means being forced to move.
When does zugzwang happen?
Mostly in endgames, and most of all in king and pawn endings. With few pieces left there are few safe moves, and sooner or later one side runs out of them.
What is mutual zugzwang?
A position where whoever has to move is worse off. The second example in the lesson is one. Each king guards a pawn and attacks a pawn, and the side to move has to let go.
How do I put my opponent in zugzwang?
Take away their useful moves first, then make a move that changes nothing important. A spare pawn move does it, and so does a king step that keeps everything guarded. Trading into a pawn ending where your king faces theirs and they have to move is another way.