What is Zugzwang?
Zugzwang is a German term meaning "compulsion to move." It refers to a situation in chess where a player is not in check but every legal move they can make worsens their position. Common in endgames, it effectively turns the right to move into a disadvantage. See examples of how to squeeze opponents into defeat.
The "Immortal Zugzwang Game"
Zugzwang is a situation where any move you make weakens your position, turning the right to move into a curse.
Usually, having the "move" in chess is an advantage. In Zugzwang, it is a curse. The most famous example in history occurred in Copenhagen, 1923, where Aron Nimzowitsch tied his opponent, Friedrich Saemisch, into a knot so tight that Saemisch resigned simply because he had to take a turn.
Friedrich Saemisch vs. Aron Nimzowitsch
Copenhagen (1923) • Queen's Indian Defense
1. The Quiet Killer
The Situation: Black has established an "Ultimate Bind" on the position. White's pieces are awkwardly placed, but arguably safe... for now.
The Move: Black plays the brilliant waiting move:
...h6!!
This innocent pawn move creates a "waiting" situation. It effectively says: "I'm not going to attack you yet. You move first."
2. The Paralysis
White Resigns (0-1). Why? Let's analyze White's options (White to move):
- Kh2? (King Move) → This unpins the g-pawn but allows ...R5f3! trapping the Queen.
- g4? (Pawn Move) → Similarly allows ...R5f3 with devastating effect.
- Nc3? (Knight Move) → Allows ...bxc3, losing material.
- Rc1? (Rook Move) → Allows ...Re2, capturing the Queen.
- Bc1? → Perhaps the only "legal" move that doesn't lose instantly, but after ...Bxb1, White is down a piece in a hopeless position.
Saemisch resigned to "preserve the position for posterity." It is a rare case where a Grandmaster gives up simply because they are allowed to move.
The "Immoral" Game?
Why "Immoral"?
Some chess commentators jokingly refer to this as the "Immoral Zugzwang Game" (or simply the "Immoral Game"). The logic? Zugzwang is "evil" because it turns the rules of the game against the player. Inflicting such total paralysis on a fellow Master is seen as practically cruel!
Masterful Propaganda?
Aron Nimzowitsch was not just a great player but a great marketer of his own ideas (like Prophylaxis). Modern engines show that Black was winning comfortably anyway (eval around -8.0), but by playing the waiting move ...h6, Nimzowitsch created a masterpiece of art rather than just a technical win.
— Aron Nimzowitsch
♟️ Related Strategy Concepts
Intermezzo (Zwischenzug)
While Zugzwang is about being forced to move, Zwischenzug is about inserting an unexpected move. Both concepts rely on manipulating the flow of turns.
Closed Games
Zugzwang appears most often in closed positions (like the Queen's Indian Defense shown above) where pieces lack mobility.