Rook Endgame: Checking Distance and the Rook Too Close
White to play and win
PlayHis rook on b8 is only two files from your pawn on e6, with just c and d between them. A defending rook needs three files to keep checking from the side, so this one is too close and the position is won. But not at once: first hand him the move by walking your king round a triangle, d6, d7, e7, so that every move he has weakens his position.
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The Rook Too Close to the Pawn
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
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Rook endings are decided by distance. The defending rook needs room to check from, and when it does not have that room, the extra pawn goes through.
Three files, minimum. A rook checking a king from the side has to be far enough away that the king cannot simply walk at it. Two files of separation is not enough. Here the black rook is on b8 and the pawn is on e6, with only c and d in between, and that is why White wins.
Only Kd6+. It looks like a retreat. It is a discovered check: the king on e7 was blocking its own rook on a7, and stepping to d6 opens the seventh rank onto the black king. Any other first move only draws.
The checks run out. After Kd7 and Ke7 White has handed Black the move, and Ra1 sets up the finish: Rb7+ Kd8 Rb8+ Kc7, and the checking rook is attacked by the king. That is what a rook without checking distance is worth.
In this drill the defender checks from the best angle he has. Take the discovered check first.
Keep going
Rook Behind the Pawn, King to e8
White to play and win
The Vancura Position
Black to play and draw
One Tempo Too Late for Vancura
Black to play and draw
All 96 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)