Exercise 12.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
12
Endgame Essentials · Kapilash Chess Academy
Rook Endings: the Philidor Defence
How to hold rook and pawn against rook
In this lesson you will learn
- The Philidor position: the rook on the third rank
- When to switch to checks from behind
- Keeping the king in front of the pawn
- The most common defensive mistakes in rook endings
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
12.1 The Philidor Position
The defender's most important drawing method is the Philidor position. The defending king stands in front of the pawn and the rook guards the third rank from the defender's side (the sixth rank for Black). The attacking king cannot come forward without leaving its shelter.
- Keep the rook on the third rank (sixth for Black) as long as the pawn has not reached it.
- When the pawn advances to that rank, the attacking king loses its shelter: move the rook to the back of the board.
- Now check from behind. The king cannot escape the checks without leaving the pawn.
Diagram 12.1Black to move
Example 12.1 · The Philidor defence
Black's king is in front of the pawn and the rook holds the sixth rank. Black to move.
As long as the pawn stands on d5, the rook stays on the sixth rank and the white king cannot reach it. After 2.d6 the pawn no longer protects the king, so the rook goes to b1 and gives checks from behind. White's king has nowhere to hide.
WarningThe most common mistake is to move the rook away from the sixth rank too early, or to put the king on the side instead of in front of the pawn. Then the attacking king walks in and you reach a lost Lucena position.
Diagram 12.2Black to move
Example 12.2 · Finding the only defence
White's pawn is on e7. Black must act at once.
In rook endings, defence is about precise moves. Here 1...♖g8! brings the rook to the eighth rank, and after 2...♖e8 the e7-pawn falls. The defender must find the one move that keeps the rook in touch with the pawn.
Remember
- Philidor: king in front of the pawn, rook on the third rank (sixth for Black).
- When the pawn advances to that rank, go to the back rank and check from behind.
- Keep the king in front of the pawn.
- Do not leave the defensive rank too early.
Exercises · Lesson 12
Every exercise has been checked with a chess engine: exactly one move keeps the best result. Find it and play it on the board.
Exercise 12.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.9Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 12.11Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.