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Endgame

Trebuchet

A mutual zugzwang in a king-and-pawn ending where whoever moves loses.

The purest zugzwang: two kings face off over a pair of blocked pawns, and the player to move must step back and lose their pawn — and the game. Neither side wants the move.

It's the clearest illustration that in the endgame, having the move can be a liability, not an asset.

Why it matters

The trebuchet teaches mutual zugzwang in its starkest form — the idea that decides many king-and-pawn endings through triangulation and the opposition.

The mistake everyone makes

Rushing your king forward and reaching the key square with the move — landing yourself, not the opponent, in the losing zugzwang.

Related terms

Zugzwang
A position where every legal move worsens your position — but passing is not allowed, so you must move.
Opposition
Kings facing each other with one square between them; the side NOT to move usually holds the advantage.
Triangulation
Losing a tempo with the king (taking three moves to reach a square two allow) to put the opponent in zugzwang.
Corresponding squares
Pairs of squares in a locked pawn ending where each king must mirror the other to hold or win.

See Trebuchet in your own games

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