Exercise 4.1Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
4
Practical Rook Endgames · Kapilash Chess Academy
Defence: Checks from the Right Distance
The long side and the short side
In this lesson you will learn
- Why checks from close range fail
- The long-side and short-side rule
- Using the king to attack the pawn
- Defending when the pawn has reached the seventh rank
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.
4.1 Checks Need Space
A defending rook should give checks from far away. Checks from close range let the enemy king approach the rook and escape. The rule: the defending king goes to the short side of the pawn (the side with fewer files), and the rook goes to the long side, where it has room to check from a distance.
Diagram 4.1Black to move
Example 4.1 · Check, then take
White's pawn is on f7 and White's king is beside it. Black's king guards f8.
1...♖g4+! — the check from the side drives the white king away from the pawn, and the black king then takes on f7. Before you give up hope, look at every check: one check at the right moment can save the game.
Diagram 4.2Black to move
Example 4.2 · The king attacks the pawn
White's pawn is on g7, but White's king is not close enough to protect it.
1...♔f7! attacks the pawn. White's checks do not help, and Black keeps checking from behind with the rook. The defending king is an active piece: send it towards the pawn.
Remember
- Give checks from a distance.
- Defending king on the short side, rook on the long side.
- One check at the right moment can save the game.
- Use your king to attack the pawn.
Exercises · Lesson 4
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 4.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.7Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.9Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 4.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.