Zugzwang mate in 7

After 25. f4?? there was Rxg2# threat and no pieces on the kingside could move so led to somewhat rare zugzwang M7 position (pawns and king, bishop are stuck, if rook moves mate in one), if I just hold rook on the second rank.

hey wait

• why 31. re1 was not a blunder??

@SANJAY-KURAMA2003 said ^

hey wait

• why 31. re1 was not a blunder??

It's zugzwang, there is no other moves but to move rook. Ra1, Rb1, Rc1, ... Rh1 doesn't matter. It needs to move since it's only legal move. every move can't save g2 square no more. Blunder annotation only applies if you had winning/equal position but as a result of that move lead to losing position. f4?? is blunder because there is forced mating sequence, while Re1 is other options lead to M1 anyway so not a blunder.

also funny to mention that if you analysis the game with computer it will suggest the 31th move with alphabetical order. Ra1, Rb1, Rc1... yes, I know that it's purely programmed feature, but stockfish has quite a humor.

Rxg2 is not mate. White can answer with Rxg2.

@fernandocatolico said ^

Rxg2 is not mate. White can answer with Rxg2.

Not an immediate mate but the only defender of g2 square(except the king) is g1 rook. So if they run out of moves and need to move g1 rook, It'd be mate since defender of g2 square is now gone due to chess rule.

Then it's not Rxg2# as you said, but Rxg2!

What a picturesque game!

an interesting endgame

I'm glad this is actually zugzwang. When I read the title, I got PTSD flashbacks to this post!