An unexamined life is not worth living.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Zugzwang in a rook endgame

image 
White to move
Plaskett – Fuster, 1979

White just played 40. Kg4 and Black resigned. He has to move the king away from b7, and then e8Q wins. If the rook moves, then White starts with a8Q, followed be e8Q.

I found this example a bit entertaining since zugzwang in a rook endgame is quite rare, since a rook is a very mobile piece. It also shows that putting a rook behind passed pawns is often the best strategy.

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