Rook Endgames - Lesson 18 - Introducing More Pawns Part 4

Pawn Types

Often it is not the quantity of the pawns involved that's important but the structure quality and the stage of advancement.

Rook_Endgame/centre vs outside pawns.pgn

Big Majorities

This next case pitches two connected passed pawns against three.

After playing over this example you will probably conclude that White would still be winning even if Black had extra pawns say on e7 and d6. The significant factor is how far advanced the pawns are and clearly White's pawns have already left their traps!

Rook_Endgame/big majorities.pgn

NOTE: This example hasn't really provided anything new. It has merely reiterated how strong connected pawns are in endgames and reminded us that passed pawns are meant to be pushed.

Here's an example to illustrate a spot of practical advice that could easily win you points (hopefully just like all the other advice!).

Rook_Endgame/big majorities 2.pgn

So that's it for now. In next few lessons we will handle some tricky situations & learn some advanced techniques. Please express your views about the lessons . We need to know your needs so that we can deliver the right thing . Your valuable comments will be our motivation to carry on.

Goodbye & Stay Tuned !!

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 17 - Introducing More Pawns Part 3

All Pawns on the Same Side

NOTE: With all other things being equal and all of the pawns on the same side of the board, one extra pawn is not enough to win.

Certainly the previous lessons showed how with careful defence, if the defending king is on the queening square then rook and pawn versus rook is a draw. With a liquidation to this simple ending usually being the aim, it also follows that 2 versus 1 and 3 versus 2 are also draws. The more pawns involved, however, the better the winning chances and the more active the defence needs to be.

Rook_Endgame/pawns on same side.pgn

Don't get me wrong, though. The defender must not get complacent, particularly if the attacker can keep his pawns together. Indeed, often a great deal of accuracy is required, as illustrated in the next case...

Rook_Endgame/pawns on same side 2.pgn

Hope you enjoyed the lesson. We are not even close on finishing this series of lessons on Rook Endgames. So see you next time.

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 16 - Introducing More Pawns Part 2

The Extra Outside Passed Pawn

Let's move on to a very instructive case.

Rook_Endgame/extra outside passed pawn.pgn

Reversing the position of the rooks significantly alters the assessment of the position.

Rook_Endgame/extra outside passed pawn 2.pgn

In the next lesson we will introduce the situation where all the pawns are on the same side. So Goodbye & Stay tuned 

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 15 - Inroducing More Pawns Part 1

So far we have in Rook Endgames we have covered the basics, Rook vs Pawn(s),Rook & Pawn vs Rook scenarios. We are now going to introduce more pawns into the picture and analyze the different situations in detail. So lets dive in.

The more pawns that are brought into play, the more the issue is clouded. However...

WARNING: Always bear in mind your general principles however complicated the situation may seem.

Yes, if anything, the more complex the position seems, the more important all those 'rooks behind passed pawns' and 'activate your king' type of principles become.

Invariably, with all other things (that is pawn structure, positioning of the kings, relative rook activity) being approximately equal, strong players will shake hands for a draw in level material rook and pawn endings, often without even making a move.

Activating Rooks

The next example wouldn't be such an occasion of an early handshake, with the relative rook activities being the key issue.See the example below.

Rook_Endgame/activating rooks.pgn

To lose in such a manner is a horrible experience that I hope I have prompted you to try to avoid. Regarding the concept of offloading a pawn in search of activity, this is essentially based on the premise that, assuming a reasonably placed king and an active rook, there are excellent chances to hold a draw.

That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed the lesson. Next we will take the case of the extra outside pawn. Until then, Goodbye & Stay tuned !

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 14 - Rook & Pawn versus Rook Part 2

This lesson is the continuation of the lesson  Rook Endgames - Lesson 13 - Rook & Pawn versus Rook Part 1. In this lesson we are going to concentrate on the  situation where the defending king cannot blockade the pawn in Rook & Pawn vs Rook Endgames. So lets dive in.

Defending King out of Town

Defending rooks can be a real nuisance to the attacker, but in the vast majority of cases the defending king is required to have an input in order to achieve a satisfactory defence. It couldn't be worse placed than in the following example.

Rook_Endgame/king out of town.pgn

Bring the black king nearer and the story is significantly different. See below.

Rook_Endgame/King cut off.pgn

NOTE: For a defender, success or failure (in obtaining a draw) is usually dependent upon the proximity of his king to the pawn.

NOTE: For a defender, success or failure (in obtaining a draw) is usually dependent upon the proximity of his king to the pawn.

If we move White's rook and Black's king one file to the right, White's rook reaches the b8-square in time to ensure victory, although the process is more complex than it first appears.

See below.

Rook_Endgame/King cut off 2.pgn

'That's all very well' I hear you ask, 'but what happens when neither king is close to the remaining pawn?'

It's true that this second section of the chapter is mainly focusing on situations in which the attacking king is up with the pawn, but it is worth an example to respond to this query.

NOTE: If kings were not allowed to approach, a rook and pawn would not defeat a rook, but this is a hypothetical assertion. It's all about the relative position of the monarchs.

See below.

Rook_Endgame/No Kings.pgn

There are other simple situations that I would like to discuss, starting with the application of a little common sense (always useful in a game of chess!).

Rook_Endgame/building bridge.pgn

Shifting everything one file to the right makes White work harder. See below.

Rook_Endgame/lucena position.pgn

Rook_Endgame/King cut off 2b.pgn

Generally it doesn't look good for the defender when his king is cut off, but the following case shows that all may be not lost.

Rook_Endgame/frontal checks.pgn

Here is a more simplistic example of 'breaking the barrier'.

Rook_Endgame/Breaking the barrier.pgn

That's not the end of the story, though, as sometimes the attacker can be equally crafty.

Rook_Endgame/maintaining barrier.pgn

You are now armoured with the essentials of rook and pawn versus rook scenarios, but let me end this chapter with a position that incorporates several of our themes to date.

This is an interesting situation because at first it seems like a trivial win for Black, as his king got to where it counts first.

Rook_Endgame/flank attack.pgn

So That's it with Rook & Pawn vs Rook Endgame. In the next few lessons we will introduce more pawns into the picture and analyze the positions. Hope that you are enjoying these lessons . We are not done yet. There is a lot more to come. So stay tuned !

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 13 - Rook & Pawn versus Rook Part 1

When learning rook and pawn endgames it is really a good idea to start with the absolute basics. By this I'm referring to scenarios in which both sides have a rook but one player has a pawn too. If only rooks were involved then a defender could adequately prevent a pawn from promoting simply by getting behind it. However, the presence of kings naturally complicates things. Essentially, I'm going to split Rook and Pawn vs Rook Endgame lessons into two parts: one in which the defending king is able to blockade the pawn and the other where it cannot. I this lesson we will deal with the former. So lets get things going.

Defending King on the Case

By this, I'm referring to the defending king being able to have an active role in blockading the enemy pawn. Within this category I want to discuss two types of pawn: the outside pawn (a-, b-, g- and h-) and the central pawn (c-, d-, e- and f-).

The Outside Pawn

When blockaded, a rook's pawn provides fewer winning chances than any other pawn. See below.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs rook & pawn.pgn

The following position is slightly different. See below.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs rook & pawn 2.pgn

The Centre Pawn

Included in this category is the bishop's pawn. As examples with c- and f-pawns are essentially the same as ones with d- and e-pawns, this is where I will start. See the next one.

Rook_Endgame/rook plus centre pawn.pgn

WARNING: Passive defence does not work against a centre pawn.

However, one must not panic and vow here and now never to be a pawn down. First of all, because you'll never be able to uphold this vow(!) and, secondly, because there are other defensive techniques available. See below.

Rook_Endgame/philidor technique.pgn

It is completely clear that understanding and being able to employ this third rank (Philidor's) technique could salvage you a draw or two, but occasionally you may not be able to reach our basic position (for example, if you have just captured to liquidate a pair of pawns, reducing the situation from 2 v 1 to 1 v 0).

Now time for another one.

Rook_Endgame/king to short side.pgn

This concludes the discussion on the situation where the defending king is able to blockade the pawn. In the next lesson we will deal with the  situation where the defending king cannot blockade the pawn in Rook & Pawn vs Rook Endgames. After that we are going to introduce more pawns into the picture & will try to deal with them in much detail. 

Until then, Goodbye & Stay Tuned !

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 12 - Rook versus more Pawns

The topics up for discussion in this section include situations in which the rook is up against several pawns. Of course there are millions of scenarios that could be dreamt up in this category, while factors such as how far advanced the pawns are and how strong they are in terms of whether they are connected or isolated certainly come into play. However, first up I'd have to observe that the title in itself is deceptive. One mustn't forget that we are really talking about king and rook versus king and pawns. The king with the rook must be able to have a major role if the rook is to triumph.

TIP: The first step in these situations is to identify the 'danger' pawns.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs more pawns.pgn

In our previous example White was rightly favourite for the full point, but he did have to work quite hard. White has an easier plan in the next example in which he is in the arguably more realistic situation of still having a pawn left himself.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs more pawns 2.pgn

Rook versus three connected Pawns

Although it occurs relatively rarely in practice, as many seem intrigued by the prospect I will just say a few words about the fascinating scenario of a rook (and king!) versus king and three connected pawns. See below.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs more pawns 3.pgn

In the the lesson Rook Endgames  - Lesson 7  - Pushing Passed Pawns it was asserted that 'passed pawns are meant to be pushed'. The following position would certainly provide the unprepared with a headache!

Rook_Endgame/rook vs 3 connected pawns.pgn

Actually, I've just noticed something amusing. If we revisit the last example but instead with Black to move (it was White in the example), then we can see that the same positions arise.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs 3 connected pawns 2.pgn

WARNING: Beware of under-promotions!

Oops, sorry I just did!

That's it with Rook vs. Pawn Endgames . In the next few lessons we are going to concentrate on Rook and Pawn vs. Rook Endgames. So don't miss them. It's will be easier for you track what's happening here if you choose one the following subscription options. So what's bugging you ?

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 11 - Rook versus Connected Pawns

NOTE: Generally connected pawns are superior to isolated pawns in rook endings.

Though I am obviously making quite a lot of them in these lessons, usually I am wary of making generalizations, as it is nearly always possible to find exceptions to the rule. Clearly, two connected passed pawns on their home squares aren't going to be as worrying to someone as two isolated ones on the seventh rank, and the above note refers to pawns of similar advancement.

I will return to the isolated versus connected pawns debate with rooks present in future lessons but for now let me talk about situations involving a rook against connected pawns

.

Nobody can deny that Black's pawns look like a tasty duo. It is amazing, though, how weaker players can overestimate their value in situations such as this.

WARNING: Never underestimate the value of pieces in endgames.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs connected pawns.pgn

TIP: Pawns frequently become more relevant in endgames but never forget that a rook is worth five points.

If we shuffle everything up the board one rank then obviously the same procedure would be applicable. Bringing all the pieces down one rank, though, requires White to employ more subtlety. See below.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs connected pawns 2.pgn

That Sixth Rank Myth

We have just seen an example where a king and rook defeat a king and two connected pawns on the sixth rank. What then should we make of the frequently touted remark that 'two connected passed pawns on the sixth rank always defeat a rook'. Clearly that refers to instances where the defending king (i.e. the one paired with the rook) isn't on hand to help. Check out this following example.

Rook_Endgame/sixth rank myth 1.pgn

TIP: Two connected pawns on the sixth rank will defeat a rook provided the rook can't win one of the pawns immediately, the king partnering the rook can't have a significant input and the king with the pawns isn't detrimentally placed.

One would imagine that 'a significant input' would refer to the king being instantly active in the role of stopping the pawns. However, there is another way in which it can have an influence, as illustrated below.

Rook_Endgame/sixth rank myth 2.pgn

The following example is very similar to the previous one. Here Black has the option of running his king to the queenside but, as seen in the note to Black's first move, this doesn't actually help his cause.

Rook_Endgame/sixth rank myth 3.pgn

So in this lesson we have learnt quite a lot. Now things gets a little complicated when more pawns come into the picture. Well there is nothing to worry. We will take that issue in the next lesson. Until then Goodbye  & Stay Tuned !.

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 10 - Rook versus Split Pawns

Already previous lessons of this series will have provided you with some of the basics regarding situations of a lone rook against pawns. Generally a rook does well to try and stop an enemy passed pawn from behind, but if the enemy king is in the vicinity, the rook can only realistically expect to win if its own king has an input. Now we will examine the different situations that arises in Rook versus Split Pawns Endgame.

Rook versus Split Pawns

Rook_Endgame/rook vs split pawns 1.pgn

TIP: The rook should be kept flexible and active at all times. 

Here is another case of how the rook can work wonders by flitting around.
 

Rook_Endgame/rook vs split pawns 2.pgn

Lets take the previous example into another level. See below.

Rook_Endgame/rook vs split pawns 3.pgn

NOTE: The closer together the split pawns are, the easier it is for the king to control them.

Frankly, the above note is obvious whereas the positions are quite obscure. Nevertheless, the clear difference between the two is that in the latter the pawns are one file nearer to each other. The quicker accessibility for the black king to either pawn completely changes the assessment.

That's it for now. In the next lesson we will examine Rook vs Two Connected Pawns situation. So Stay Tuned !.

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 9 - The Skewer Trick

The Skewer Trick

TIP: Always watch out for checks.

This doesn't mean always play a check if you see one, but rather that less can go wrong and more right if you are always on the ball regarding checks that you can make in a given position or your opponent can make after your intended move. See below.

Rook_Endgame/skewer trick.pgn

Lets continue from where we left the above example.

NOTE: Life isn't always fair!

Okay, I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that and probably more relevant is my advice that White could have avoided this trap with 1. Kg2!. See below.

Rook_Endgame/skewer trick 2.pgn

Interesting, isn't it. We will see you next time with another one. In subsequent lessons we will discuss Rook vs. Pawn Endgames in detail. Stay tuned!

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 8 - Cutting off the King

In this lesson you will find an important situation that will recur time in again in numerous endgame. Not wasting any word lets jump into it.

Cutting off the King

Rook_Endgame/cutting of the king.pgn

It should be said that this sort of race is not untypical in rook endings. Kings do end up on opposite sides of the board. One reason for this is that a king may need to travel a distance to eliminate enemy pawns in order to create a 'passer' of its own.

Another possibility is that a king makes a decision to journey up the board in order to help promote a passed pawn. That is often necessary with an enemy rook behind the pawn, and a typical outcome is that the king forces the enemy rook to sacrifice itself for the pawn. This gain in material, however, leaves the king offside, and then the long trip back starts. The big question is whether the king gets back in time to halt the opponent's pawn without having to give up its own rook for it. Clearly in this example it proved a bridge too far.

However, sometimes opportunities are missed and on move one the useful 'cut off' technique could have been employed in the form of 1 Rg5!!. See below.

Rook_Endgame/cutting of the king 2.pgn

 

That it ...Another one next time. Stay Tuned!

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Rook Endgames - Lesson 7 - Pushing Passed Pawns

Hello & welcome everyone to series of lessons on Rook Endgames. So far we have covered some basic endgame strategies in previous articles. Interested readers who have just joined us can scroll down to the bottom of this post to explore previous articles on this series under the 'Related Posts' section. Well today we are going to learn another basic endgame strategy concerning passed pawns. So sit tight & enjoy!

Pushing Passed Pawns

So far we have seen passed pawns both succeeding and failing to make a nuisance of themselves. In order to compare passed pawns, take a look at the following extreme case.

Rook_Endgame/pushing the passed pawn.pgn

NOTE: A famous adage runs 'Passed pawns are meant to be pushed'.

Clearly the closer pawns are to promotion, the more dangerous and similarly the more valuable they become. As it would no doubt force your opponent to take note, it does follow that you should get on with pushing passed pawns. However...

WARNING: Each plan should be taken on its own merits. Forgoing a sensible king centralization, for example, in favour of pushing a doomed passed pawn would not be bright.

That's it for now...Stay tuned coz there is much more to come.

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Rook Endgames -Lesson 6 - Shouldering off the Enemy King

Shouldering off the Enemy King

This is a very important concept in any endgame and essentially refers to the simple idea of maximizing your own king whilst if possible simultaneously reducing the scope of the enemy king. Take the following very simple case.

Rook_Endgame/Shouldering off.pgn

I hope that it is clear to you now. These are very basic endgame strategies.Slowly & steadily we will move to advanced lessons. In the next lesson we will concentrate on passed pawns.

That's it for now.See you next time.Stay tuned!

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Rook Endgames - Checking from the Side - Lesson 5

Checking from the Side

Let's look at another important technique available to the rook.

You should recall that two moves into second example of the previous post 'Rook Endgames - Rook Behind Passed Pawns - Lesson 4' we reached the following position:

Rook_Endgame/checking from side.pgn

TIP: Whilst it is usually best to activate a rook from behind, occasionally consider sideways checks.

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Rook Endgames - Rook Behind Passed Pawns - Lesson 4

Rooks belong behind Passed Pawns

There, I'm even repeating it now so as to help you commit it to memory!

In the following example there is a very dangerous black pawn that is ready to promote. Having spent a lot of time with juniors I notice that they place a lot of comfort value in blocking passed pawns.

Rook_Endgame/Rook behind pawns1b.pgn

NOTE: The underlying theme is that rooks like to be active and they can do that best from behind passed pawns.

Lets move on to the next example.How to stop that pawn?

Rook_Endgame/Rook behind pawns2.pgn

Now lets continue with the above example.

NOTE: A draw is better than a loss!

Bearing in mind this rather obvious remark, in fact White has numerous ways in which to avoid defeat.Explore it with the following example.

Rook_Endgame/Rook behind pawns2a.pgn

That's it for now.Stay tuned...there is much more to come!

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Rook Endgames - Limitations of a King - Lesson 3

Every King Should Know its Limitations.

Just as every man must know his limitations (well according to Clint Eastwood), the same must be true of kings. Actually, I guess it is the man (or woman) operating the king that matters.In all endgames it is advisable to get your king into the thick of the action rather than watching from the sidelines. However... Every King Should Know its Limitations but anyway take a look at the next example.

Rook_Endgame/king limitations.pgn

WARNING: The king is a great piece, but it is also a slow one.

Kings really are awesome pieces. Only the queen can control every square within touching distance of itself (as a king does), and thus when it appears on the scene it has a massive impact. The problem invariably is getting it on the scene.

TIP: Centralize your king.

This tip is universal advice to all endgames based on the premise that the king can access any part of the board in the quickest time when positioned here which is depicted in the following example.

Rook_Endgame/king limitations2.pgn

TIP: Rooks belong behind passed pawns.

I offer this tip now but I can assure you that it will be a recurrent theme throughout these lessons.
Hope you enjoyed. See you next time. Stay tuned!

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Rook Endgames - The Monster King - Lesson 2

The ‘Monster’ King

'King and pawn endings, minor piece endings, rook endings, queen endings; what do they all have in common?' I once recall asking a class of juniors. I was prepared for the sarcastic answer 'They're all endings!' but not by the particularly witty response 'They're all boring!' Regarding the latter, some may think that way, but they are usually the individuals who throw away a lot of their hard opening and middlegame work by not making the most of the pieces that remain in the endgame.
The point I was really hoping to make is that all endgames involve kings. Although we spend the early part of the game tucking away our own king into safety and planning devious ways to attack the enemy monarch, there comes a stage in every game where one decides that checkmate is no longer a reality and it could be time for the king to start pulling its weight like every other piece.

'King and pawn endings, minor piece endings, rook endings, queen endings; what do they all have in common?' I once recall asking a class of juniors. I was prepared for the sarcastic answer 'They're all endings!' but not by the particularly witty response 'They're all boring!' Regarding the latter, some may think that way, but they are usually the individuals who throw away a lot of their hard opening and middlegame work by not making the most of the pieces that remain in the endgame. The point I was really hoping to make is that all endgames involve kings. Although we spend the early part of the game tucking away our own king into safety and planning devious ways to attack the enemy monarch, there comes a stage in every game where one decides that checkmate is no longer a reality and it could be time for the king to start pulling its weight like every other piece. Of course an art in itself is knowing exactly when that time is, but in the  subsequent lessons on rook and pawn endgames I can safely say that it's all the time!

See here how both kings are ready to have a field day with the enemy pawns.

Rook_Endgame/the monster king 1.pgn

NOTE: Generally in endgames it is usually deemed a good idea to try and create a passed pawn as soon as possible. The outcome of this particular position depended on the tempi situation and, specifically, whom it was to move. White started and was always favourite in the race to promote a pawn. Note that in accordance with the previous note, Black would have had a better (but still not good!) practical chance with 3...b4 4 axb4 a4. All that is 'king and pawn' endgame territory, where tempi are absolutely vital. Devoid of a rook or two this position is not of so much interest to the following lessons of this  series but I just wanted to make the point that when a king is on the case there are few pieces that are as effective. 

TIP: The king is a tremendous piece. Use it!

In all endgames it is advisable to get your king into the thick of the action rather than watching from the sidelines. However every king should know its limitations. And what that means will be dealt in the next lesson. I urge followers to leave their views on the limitations of a king. 
Hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for more...

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