Zugzwang

Zugzwang means the obligation to move is itself a disadvantage. The position would be fine if the side to move could pass, but every legal move loses something.

In puzzles, the winning move often does not check. It leaves the opponent with only moves that drop material or allow mate. The rules page explains the word, and this page is the drill.

Source database: 64,450 puzzles with this tag. This trainer: 180.

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Puzzle rating 999 · played 1,442 times in the source set

Find the move.

Solved in a row: 0. The next puzzle stays near rating 1,400.

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beginner2,841 in the source database · 36 on the pageeasy9,338 in the source database · 36 on the pageintermediate12,162 in the source database · 36 on the pagehard19,285 in the source database · 36 on the pageexpert20,824 in the source database · 36 on the page