Page 45 - Learning Chess Workbook Step 5

Rook ending

Rook endings occur quite often. It is therefore important to be able to recognize winning and drawn
positions. In each of the following positions White is a pawn up. In some cases this is sufficient to win
the game, but not in others.

The black king is in front of A similar situation, but much This position differs from the
the pawn. This is the best less favourable for Black, previous one in one crucial
spot for a defending king. whose pieces are restricted to respect: the kings and pawn
All the black rook needs to the back rank. Since the rook have been moved one file to
do is switch back and forth is tied, the defensive method the right. This one file means
on the 6th rank until the pawn as illustrated in the previous the difference between a win
reaches e6. Then the rook example is not available. and a draw. After 1 . Rh7+
must be played to the I st rank White has an easy win; after Kg8 2. Rg7+ Kh8 the board
to give checks 'from behind': 1 . Rg7+ Kf8 2. Rh7 Kg8 3. turns out to be too small, and
1 . ... Ra6 2. e5 Rb6 3. Ra7 f7+ KfS 4. Rh8+ he nets the thus White is unable to win.
Re6 4. e6 ReI 5. Kf6 Rf1+. black rook with an X-ray There is not enough room for
Black continues to give check check. the white rook to the right of
or else wins the pawn. Draw. the king.

The defending king is cut The distance between king Here the distance between
off. This costs Black half a and enemy rook is an impor­ the white king and the black
point. White wins with 1 . tant factor in rook endings. rook is sufficiently large for
Re + Kd7 2. Re4! (a move The more distant the check, a draw. If Black keeps giving
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to remember! ) 2 • .•. Rhl 3. the more effective it is. In check, he can obtain a draw:
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Kf7 Rf1+ 4. Kg6 Rg + 5. this position the distance is 1 . ... Rh7+ 2. Ke6 Rh6+ 3.
Kf6 Rf1+ 6. Kg5 Rg + 7. too small. After 1 . ... Rg7+ 2. Ke5 (3. KfS Rd6) 3 • .•. Rh5+
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Rg4. This winning method is Ke8 Rg8+ 3. Kf7 Rh8 (3 ... 4. Ke4 Rh4+ 5. Kd3 Rh8
.
called building a bridge. Rd8 4. Ke7) 4. Rhl Rd8 5. and Black wins the pawn. It
White cannot make any pro­ Ke7. Although 4 • ••. Rxhl is is important that in this type
gress without 2. Re4. 2. Kf7 is better, Black will still draw of positions the defending
met by 2 ... Rt2+ 3. Kg6 Rg2+ the short straw after 5. d8Q. king is on the 7th rank, and
.
4. Kf6 Rt2+ S. KeS Rg2 and not on the 8th rank.
the king is f o rced to retreat.
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