Checking Distance from the Long Side
White to play and draw
PlaySame idea, but now the defending rook sits far away on the long side with maximum checking distance. Combined with a pawn short of the mid-line, the defense is comfortable and the win is not there.
No signup needed. The opponent never gives up, and every mistake gets explained.
Checking Distance from the Long Side
Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
Checking distance is the defender's great weapon in rook endings. A rook far from the enemy king delivers checks that cannot be answered.
Long-side checks. With the whole board behind it, the defending rook checks from range. The attacking king cannot approach the rook to shut it up, so the checks continue.
Reinforced by the mid-line. Because the pawn has not crossed the center, there is no shelter far enough advanced to hide the king. Distance plus the mid-line equals a safe draw.
In this drill you again hold the stronger side. Learn to feel when checking distance has neutralized your extra pawn.