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The Philidor defence
How to hold a draw with rook against rook and pawn.
Intermediate · Rook endgames · 2 steps. On Chess Castles, Chess Guru reads each step aloud in English, Hindi or Marathi while the moves play on the board, and you can practise any position against the engine.
Step 1
Black is a pawn down but can draw. The rook stays on the 6th rank, stopping the white king from coming forward. Only when the pawn moves to the 6th does the rook go to the back and give checks from behind.
Step 2
Moves: 1...Ke7 2.Rb7+ Kf8 3.Rh7 Ke8 4.Rc7 Kf8 5.Rd7 Ke8 6.Rd6 Rxd6 7.exd6 Kd7 8.Ke5 Kd8 9.Kf5
Watch Black keep the rook on the 6th rank, then switch to checks from behind. White can never escape the checks: draw.
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More lessons in Rook endgames
- The Lucena position: building a bridge: The most important winning technique in rook endgames.
- Rooks belong behind passed pawns: The rule of Tarrasch: your rook is strongest behind the passed pawn.
- Rook against pawn: count the moves: A rook usually beats a pawn, unless your king is too far away.
- The Vancura defence: Hold a rook and a-pawn endgame by attacking the pawn from the side.
Next lesson: Rooks belong behind passed pawns