Winning the Blocked Pawn by Zugzwang
White to play and win
PlayThe pawns are locked head to head, so this is a pure king battle. You win by reaching the enemy pawn first, and mined squares tell you exactly how to get there.
No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.
Winning the Blocked Pawn by Zugzwang
Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
When the pawns are blocked front to front, neither can move and the game is entirely a king race for the weak pawn.
Outflank, do not charge. Your king circles toward the enemy pawn from the side, using corresponding squares so the defending king can never both guard the pawn and hold you off.
Mind the mines. Some approach squares hand the defender the opposition. Choose the route that puts the enemy king, not yours, in zugzwang.
In this drill the defender resists perfectly. Approach on the right squares, win the pawn, and promote.