Zugzwang Explained
The fascinating concept where having to move is a disadvantage, and the best move is the one you wish you did not have to make.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Zugzwang is one of my favorite concepts in chess because it violates our intuition completely. In every other competitive endeavour, having the initiative is an advantage. In chess, there are positions where the best thing you could do is pass your turn, but you cannot. You must move, and every move makes things worse. It is like being forced to dig your own grave, one shovel at a time.
What Is Zugzwang?
Zugzwang is a German word meaning "compulsion to move." In chess, it describes a position where the player whose turn it is to move would prefer to pass, but passing is not allowed. Every available move worsens the position.
Zugzwang occurs most frequently in endgames, where the reduced material means there are fewer options and each move carries greater significance. In middlegame positions with many pieces, zugzwang is extremely rare because there are usually enough pieces to make a useful move with.
The concept is particularly important in king and pawn endgames, where zugzwang decides the outcome of many theoretical positions. Understanding when your opponent is in zugzwang and how to create such positions is a hallmark of strong endgame play.
A Classic Zugzwang Position
This is one of the simplest examples of zugzwang. White has the opposition with the king on e5 and the pawn on e4. If it is Black's turn to move, every option is losing. Moving to d7 allows Kf6 followed by e5 and the pawn promotes. Moving to f7 allows Kd6 with the same result. Moving to e7 allows e5 and the pawn marches forward.
If it were White's turn, the position would be drawn because White could not make progress. The side that must move loses. This is zugzwang in its purest form.
Black to move is in zugzwang. Every move loses. With White to move, the position is drawn.
Practical Applications
Zugzwang is not just a theoretical curiosity. It occurs in practical games regularly, particularly in endgames. The ability to recognize when your opponent is in or near zugzwang allows you to navigate endgames with precision.
One common application is in rook and pawn endgames, where one side can create a position where the opponent's rook must give up its ideal defensive post. Another is in bishop endgames, where the limited mobility of bishops makes zugzwang themes frequent.
The practical skill is knowing how to maneuver your pieces to put the opponent in zugzwang. This often involves triangulation with the king: making a three-move journey to return to the same square, effectively passing the move to the opponent.
Zugzwang FAQ
Can zugzwang occur in the middlegame?
Yes, but it is extremely rare. With many pieces on the board, there are usually enough options that at least one move does not worsen the position. Famous middlegame zugzwangs exist but they are exceptional cases.
What is mutual zugzwang?
Mutual zugzwang (or reciprocal zugzwang) is a position where whichever side has to move is at a disadvantage. These positions are critical in king and pawn endgames because the result depends entirely on whose turn it is.
How do I create zugzwang in a game?
The most common technique is triangulation: maneuvering your king in a three-square triangle to return to the same position with the opponent to move. This effectively passes the turn to them when their position cannot afford it.
Professor Archer says: Understanding zugzwang transforms how you think about endgames. Instead of trying to find a good move for yourself, you start thinking about how to put your opponent in a position where they have no good moves at all. This shift in perspective is what separates intermediate players from advanced ones.
Quick Quiz
What makes zugzwang unique among chess concepts?
- It is a situation where being forced to move is a disadvantage rather than an advantage (Correct) - Correct. Zugzwang inverts the normal advantage of having the move. In most chess positions, having the initiative and being the one to move is beneficial. In zugzwang, every available move worsens the position.
- It forces the opponent to sacrifice their queen - Zugzwang does not specifically involve queen sacrifices. It is a broader concept where any move worsens the position, regardless of which pieces are on the board.
- It only occurs when kings are in opposition - While opposition is related to zugzwang in king-and-pawn endgames, zugzwang can occur in many different types of positions with various pieces on the board.
- It means the game must end in a draw - Zugzwang usually leads to a decisive result, not a draw. The side in zugzwang typically loses because every available move makes their position worse.