Zugzwang: reserve tempo
In this lesson we introduce a new theme. We put the opponent into zugzwang with the help of a subtle pawn move, a so-called reserve tempo.
In examples 1 and 2 we see how white wins the game thanks to a reserve tempo. In Example 3, Black uses a reserve tempo to achieve a draw.
What do you have to do?
With the help of a reserve tempo, bring the other party into zugzwang and then bring your passed pawn to the opposite side.
Are you the defending side? Then use reserve tempo to make a draw.
We know by now that this position is a draw with a white pawn on e4 and white to move, black then has opposition. Here, however, the pawn is on e3 and by moving the pawn to e4 (the reserve tempo), white gives the turn back to black. Now it is white who has opposition. Black is in zugzwang. You have already learned how to play this out.
Important lesson: if the king is in front or just in front of his own pawn (direct squares left and right) and there is a square between the king and his own pawn, then the king is on a key square. This means that the position is won. Using a reserve tempo, the other player can then be forced into zugzwang.
From the previous lesson you know that if the pawn has crossed the center line, there does not have to be a square between the king and its own pawn.
