Rook Endgame: Winning the Opposite-Wing Race
White to play and win
PlayThe same position, but now it is your move, and that one tempo wins. The rule: leave the a-pawn to your rook on a5, which holds it from behind for free, and walk your king up in front of your g- and h-pawns.
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The Same Position, One Tempo Better
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.
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
Winning the Rook for the Pawn
White to play and win
The f-Pawn Breaks the a8 Fortress
White to play and win
The Umbrella: Hiding Behind an Enemy Pawn
Black to play and win
All 96 rook endgames positionsFollow the full curriculum (free)