Ask Coach Jessica: What is Zugzwang?

Hi there, ChessKids! So, "What is zugzwang?" TameDanger, among others, would like to know. This is a tough one, because it's a higher-level type of chess strategy, but I think y'all are totally capaz (capable)!

Zugzwang describes a situation where you do not want to move, because all of your choices are bad!

In chess, you do not have the strange luxury of "passing" - you always have to take a turn. "Zugzwang" is pronounced "tsoog tsvahng" (more or less) and means "compulsion to move" - as in, you have to do it. By, Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl).

Does your room look like this? Then, um, you *have to* clean it.

Usually these positions don't arise until the endgame, because it's the endgame where you'll have fewer pieces on the board, and hence, fewer choices. If you can close in on your opponent so that his/her only moves will put him/her in a worse position, you've created zugzwang! As you get stronger at chess, you'll encounter more endgames. (That's why this is typically a higher-order strategy.)

Mutual zugzwang happens when neither side wants to move. Whoever's turn it is loses! Have you ever played a pawn football game that ended up like this? (Minus the kings.)

 
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You'd have to be playing without your kings for this to be zugzwang, otherwise the kings would just go back and forth forever, and it'd be a draw. But if there are no kings, whomever has to move loses! Do you see why?
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Katzug?
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A very important endgame position you should memorize also uses zugzwang. It's called "trebuchet" which is apparently a medieval war thing, from the French. In chess, it looks like this:
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It's important because whomever is on the move will have to walk away from his pawn, and therefore lose it! You do have to know opposition in order to promote your pawn into a queen. And then you'll have to know the queen dance. But if those skills are under your belt, then you will know how to win this position! Try it!
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And here is one way to promote.
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Here is a famous zugzwang position from two amazing players: Nimzowitsch and Capablanca (3rd world champion).
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That's a complicated position, for sure. But look how uncomfortable that white king is! White can't find any good moves.
 
So when all your choices lead to something worse, you are zugzwanged and trounced. I hope you can use this high-level strategy in one of your games!
 
Let me know if it works!

RELATED STUDY MATERIAL

  • Watch the full scoop on how to win with king and pawn from GM Bryan Smith;
  • Winning with two pawns is even easier - just watch GM Ben Finegold do it;
  • We've got two more zugzwang videos for ya! GM Benzoo is here and IM PoppaBear is here!