Exercise 7.1Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
7
Practical Rook Endgames · Kapilash Chess Academy
Rook against Pawns
When the pawns run
In this lesson you will learn
- When a rook beats advanced pawns and when it does not
- Cutting off the king from its pawns
- Attacking pawns from behind
- The defender's tricks: under-promotion and stalemate
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.
7.1 Rook against Pawn
In many rook endings one side gives up the rook for a pawn, or races its king and pawn against the rook. The rook usually wins if the defending king is cut off, or if the attacking king gets back in time. When the pawn is far advanced and supported by its king, the result can be a draw.
- Cut off the king along a rank or file before you go after the pawn.
- Attack from behind: a rook behind the pawn keeps attacking it as it advances.
- Count how many moves your king needs to reach the pawn.
Diagram 7.1White to move
Example 7.1 · Cut off along the rank
Black's king is about to escort the b-pawn. White's king is far away in the corner.
1.♖e5! cuts the black king off along the fifth rank. The pawn cannot advance without its king, and the white king has time to come back. One rook move that separates king and pawn is often worth more than a check.
Diagram 7.2Black to move
Example 7.2 · King and pawn together
Black's a-pawn is far from White's king. Black to move.
1...♔c4! brings the king next to the pawn. Together they reach a2 and b2, and White's king is too late. For the defender, the king beside the pawn is the key to the draw.
Defender's tricksWhen the pawn is about to queen, look for under-promotion to a knight with check, or a king position that gives stalemate.
Remember
- Cut off the king first.
- Attack the pawn from behind.
- Count the king race.
- Defender: look for under-promotion and stalemate.
Exercises · Lesson 7
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 7.2Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.3Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.5Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.6Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.7Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.8Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.9Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.10Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.
Exercise 7.11Find the move
White to move
White to move and win.
Exercise 7.12Find the move
Black to move
Black to move and draw.