The Same Position, One Tempo Better
White to play and win
PlayIdentical pieces, but you are to move, and that single tempo is the whole game. Black never gets ...a2 in with the counterplay it needs, and your connected pawns walk through.
New to this ending? Learn the method first: Rook Endgames
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The Same Position, One Tempo Better
White to play and win · Win against perfect defense
Waking the engine…
The theory
The rook behind the passer. Your rook on a5 restrains the enemy pawn permanently. It needs no help and it costs you nothing, so do not spend moves on that wing.
King in front, pawns behind. Walk the king ahead of the connected pawns and push. A rook check at the right moment shoves the defending king off the queening path.
Tempo decides. The same position with the other side to move is a draw. That is the whole lesson of this pair.
In this drill you hold the initiative. Use it on the kingside, not the queenside.
Keep going
Active Defence: Walk the King to the Passer
Black to play and draw
The Rook at the Side of the Pawns
Black to play and win
The Exchange Threat and the Rook Sacrifice
Black to play and draw
All 83 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)