Rook Beats Bishop With Pawns On

White to play and win

Play

Rook and pawn against bishop and pawn, with the pawns locked on the same file. The rook's reach and the more active king turn the extra exchange into a full point.

No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.

Rook Beats Bishop With Pawns On

Win against perfect defense

Waking the engine…

The theory

When rook and pawn face bishop and pawn with the pawns locked, the rook's superior range and the stronger side's active king decide the game.

Fix the target. A blocked pawn ties the bishop to its defense. That immobility is what the rook exploits.

Two fronts win. The bishop cannot defend its pawn and patrol the rest of the board. Attacking on a second front stretches it past breaking.

In this drill the defender clings to the fortress. Open a second front and the rook converts.

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