In short: A way of losing a tempo: the king walks around a triangle and returns to the same square, so that the opponent is to move in the same position.
In many endgames everything depends on who is to move. If you have a position where your opponent would be in zugzwang, but it is your turn, you need to lose a move. One way is to let the king walk around three squares that form a triangle. After three moves the king is back on the same square, but now it is your opponent who has to move.
The triangle step by step
White's king goes from d5 to e5, from there to d4 and back to d5. Black's king can't do the same, because it has to stay close to the c-pawn and has no triangle of its own to walk around.
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Good to know
- It is all about tempo. Triangulation is a way of losing a tempo on purpose.
- Not just the king. The queen, rook and bishop can triangulate too. The knight can't.
- Close kin of the opposition. Often the goal is to take the opposition, so that the opponent's king has to give way. Read more in endgames: the opposition.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't the opponent do the same?
The opponent's king often has less room. In the example, Black's king has to stay close to the c-pawn and has no triangle of its own to walk around.
Can other pieces triangulate?
Yes. The king, queen, rook and bishop can all do it, but the knight can't.
Updated November 14, 2026
The starting position. Press ▶ or use the arrow keys.