What is Zugzwang in chess?
A position where any move you make worsens your position.
Zugzwang is most common in endgames. You'd love to 'pass', but chess forces you to move, and every move loses ground.
Spot zugzwang in your own games
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- En passantA special pawn capture of a pawn that just advanced two squares.
- CastlingA move that tucks your king to safety and activates a rook.
- FianchettoDeveloping a bishop to the long diagonal from b2, g2, b7, or g7.
- GambitSacrificing material, usually a pawn, for faster development or attack.
- StalemateA draw where the player to move has no legal move and isn't in check.
- CheckmateThe king is in check and has no legal way to escape - the game is over.