The Rook Belongs Behind the Leading Pawn
White to play and win
PlayThe rule of the chapter, in one move. Against two connected passed pawns, the best square for the rook is behind the more advanced of them: here, Rg6.
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The Rook Belongs Behind the Leading Pawn
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
When a rook faces two connected passed pawns, one rule decides the game: the rook belongs behind the more advanced pawn.
Only one move. Rg6 wins. The g-pawn is the leader, and the rook slots in behind it, freezing it and keeping the f-pawn in range.
Behind the wrong pawn loses. Rf6, behind the f-pawn, does not hold, and neither does anything on the a-file. The rule is not a preference, it is the difference between a win and a loss.
Then collect. With the leader nailed down, the rook picks the pawns off one at a time and the rest is elementary technique.
Keep going
Rook Against Separated Pawns
White to play and draw
Separated Passers Overrun the Rook
Black to play and win
Pawn on the Seventh: Building the Bridge
White to play and win
All 83 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)