One Tempo Too Late for Vancura

Black to play and draw, after Romanovsky, 1950

The same pawn on a6, but the white king already stands on f4. That one tempo means the Vancura setup no longer arrives in time, and only two moves save the game.

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One Tempo Too Late for Vancura

Black to play and draw · Hold the draw against perfect play

Waking the engine…

The theory

Vancura's defence has a range. Move the attacking king one square closer and the rook can no longer reach its side post in time.

Cut the king off. With the white king on f4, Rc1 is the move: it denies the king the c-file and with it the route to b6 and b7, where it would free the rook from a8.

Then switch. Once White's rook leaves a8, go back behind the pawn on a1. When his rook takes over the defence from the side, hit the pawn from the side yourself with Ra5. Bring the king across all the while.

In this drill the passive a-file moves all lose. Only Rc1 and Ra5 hold the balance.

Keep going

Vancura With an Extra Rook Pawn

Black to play and draw

Doubled Pawns and the Philidor Draw

White to play and draw

Connected Pawns Escorted by the Rook Alone

White to play and win

All 83 rook endgames positions Follow the full curriculum (free)