Knight and Pawn vs Rook: Holding the Fortress
Black to play and draw
PlayA rook does not beat a lone knight that stays near its king, so knight and pawn hold the draw here. What you must do is keep the knight glued to your king.
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Knight & Pawn Hold vs Rook
Black to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
A rook outweighs knight and pawn, yet the extra material buys nothing here: a rook does not beat a lone knight that stays near its king, so the draw never depended on the pawn.
The method. A rook does not beat a lone knight that stays near its king, so you are never obliged to keep the pawn. Keep king and knight within one another's reach; the pawn may safely go to e2, where the knight on g3 defends it and the white king is stuck on e1 stopping it.
What to avoid. Two traps only: a knight separated from its king gets hunted down by the rook (Nh5), and a knight that steps next to the enemy king is simply taken (Nf1, Ne2).
In this drill you defend with knight and pawn. Keep the knight beside your king and the rook has nothing to attack.
Keep going
Bishop & Pawn Hold vs Rook
Black to play and draw
Rook vs Bishop: The Safe Corner
Black to play and draw
Why the Bishop Pawn Only Draws
White to play and draw
All 30 rook vs minor positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)