Zugzwang

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

King and Pawn endgame zugzwang

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

The player to move will be in zugzwang.

Zugzwang (German for "compulsion to move") is a position in chess that arises when any move for the player whose turn it is will be counterproductive (leading to loss of pieces or the game).

Waiting Move

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

While 1.c6 is not losing, the powerful waiting move 1.Ke3 puts black in zugzwang and mate in 4.

A waiting move is a move that accomplishes very little in the position. It is meant to put the opponent into zugzwang the next move. It is chess's alternative to a "skip move".

External Links

Dictionary.com definition of zugzwang

To move is a disadvantage here and it would be preferential to have the opponent make 2 moves.

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