Rook Endgame: Active Defence With the King
Black to play and draw, after Reshevsky - Alekhine, AVRO 1938
PlayYour a-pawn is one square from promotion, and White's rook is tied to it. The way to save the game is not to sit and wait. You walk the king across to support the passed pawn, until stopping it costs White a whole rook.
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Active Defence: Walk the King to the Passer
Black to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
The active method. Instead of defending passively, the weaker side walks his king up to support his passed pawn. The pawn then becomes so dangerous that the stronger side must give up a whole rook to stop it.
The price. The march costs tempi, and the opponent uses them to advance his own pawns. Two connected passers with the king behind them beat a rook, so the plan can rebound.
The criterion. Active defence of this kind only pays when the enemy pawns are still far back and his pieces are awkwardly placed. Check both before you commit the king.
In this drill the criterion is met and the king march holds the draw.
Keep going
Self-Propelled Pawns Against a Counter-Runner
White to play and draw
One Tempo for the a-Pawn
Black to play and draw
The Structure Decides, Not the Tempo
White to play and win
All 96 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)