The trebuchet

A trebuchet is a mutual zugzwang in a pawn ending. Each side has a pawn the other king is attacking, and whoever has to move loses the pawn or lets the enemy king in.

  1. The usual picture is two blocked pawns, or two pawns one square apart, with the kings each attacking the enemy pawn and defending their own.
  2. Passing is not allowed. The side to move must abandon the pawn or step away from the defense.
  3. Before you push a pawn into this shape, check whose move it will be. Being to move is the losing side.
  4. The line below is a one-pawn version of the same squeeze. White's king is pulled off the pawn, and Black's king steps in. It is an illustration of the king being dragged, not a full two-pawn trebuchet.

On the board

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h

Starting position.

Pawn endgame puzzles

These are puzzles tagged for that material, not a claim that every one is this exact ending. Theme page

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