Zugzwang Chess Puzzles
Any move you make worsens your position. You wish you could pass — but in chess, you must move.
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About Zugzwang
Zugzwang is a German word meaning "compulsion to move," describing a situation where the obligation to move is a disadvantage. Any move the player makes worsens their position. This concept is most common in pawn endgames and king-and-pawn endings, where a single tempo can decide the game. Recognizing and engineering zugzwang positions is a powerful endgame skill.
How to use these puzzles
Study the position carefully before moving any pieces. Try to find the best move on your own, then click on the piece you want to move and select the target square. Use the Hint button if you get stuck. After solving the puzzle, use the Next Puzzlebutton in the Current Turn card to practice another position from this theme.