Rook vs Three Connected Passed Pawns
White to play and win
PlayA rook beats three connected pawns when its king is close and the pawns have not got too far. These pawns are on c4, d4 and e4, their fifth rank, and the rook still wins. The method: keep his king away from the pawns with the rook, attack them, and bring your own king. Before each move, ask: can a pawn queen next move, and who stops it?
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Rook vs Three Connected Pawns
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
Watch the method: press play to see the winning idea run, or step through it move by move.
Three connected passed pawns are a match for a rook: on the sixth rank they win, with or without their king behind them, because the rook cannot stop three promotion threats at once. Short of that, the rook wins.
The method. Block the pawns from in front with the rook, so no pawn can advance without being taken or leaving its neighbours weak. Then walk your king over to attack the front pawn and collect them.
The tipping point. The danger line is the sixth rank: three connected pawns there queen one by force, even with their king far away. Assess how far they have come before you commit to winning them.
In this drill the pawns are still on the fourth. Stop them, bring the king, and mop up. The defender will push a runner the instant your rook drifts.
Keep going
The Knight-Pawn Squeeze
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The Pawn That Beats the Rook
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The Rook's Waiting Move
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All 96 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)