Rook & Pawn vs Bishop

White to play and win

Play

Rook and pawn beats a lone bishop: the exchange plus a pawn is decisive. Escort the pawn and keep the bishop from trading itself for it.

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

Rook & Pawn vs Bishop

Win against perfect defense

Waking the engine…

The theory

Rook and pawn against a bishop is a win, but as with the knight, the danger is a trade: bare rook versus bishop is a draw, so the pawn must queen.

The method. King in front of the pawn, rook cutting off the defending king and guarding the promotion path. Advance steadily; the bishop cannot both blockade and stay safe from the rook.

The trap. A bishop that gives itself for the pawn reaches a drawn rook-versus-bishop. Keep the pawn's route covered so that sacrifice loses the bishop for nothing.

In this drill you convert the extra exchange and pawn. Lead with the king; the tablebase bishop will try to give itself up at the right moment.

Keep going

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