[Event "K+R vs K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "0-1"] [FEN "8/8/8/8/5pk1/R7/1r6/6K1 w - - 0 1"] 1.Ra8? {Shows that he has no basic knowledge of this position. Necessary is 1. Rc3 or 1.Kf1, and only after 1...f3 then 2.Ra8, followed by checks on the g- and f-files. and White resigned. He should not regret the loss of a half-point, since he did not deserve it anyway. Ra7 is also a good option to keep a draw as you can see when you hit Analysis Engine.} (1.Rc3) (1.Kf1 f3 2.Ra8) 1...Kg3 2.Ra3+?? { The interesting part is that White is not lost yet. By 2.Rg8+ he still has an opportunity to save the game but in a more difficult way, which will be presented later in the book. If you do not know the easy way, do not expect anything better the hard way. Now White's position is totally lost. } (2.Rg8+) 2...f3 3.Ra1 Rg2+ 4.Kh1 Rh2+ 5.Kg1 f2+ 6.Kf1 Rh1+ {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R vs K"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "K5k1/8/8/8/8/8/8/6R1 b - - 0 1"] 1...Kf7 2.Rf1+ Kg6 3.Rg1+ Kf5 4.Rf1+ Kg4 5.Rg1+ Kf3 6.Rf1+ Kg2 7.Rf8 Kg1 8.Kb7 Kg2 9.Kc6 Kg1 10.Kd5 Kg2 11.Ke4 Kg3 12.Rf6 Kg2 13.Rf3 Kg1 14.Kf4 Kg2 15.Ke3 Kg1 16.Rg3+ Kh1 17.Kf2 Kh2 18.Rd3 Kh1 19.Rh3# 1-0

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "0-1"] [FEN "8/p2rk3/R7/P3pp2/8/4KP2/8/8 b - - 0 1"] [ECO "A02"] [Opening "Bird"] 1...f4+!? 2.Ke4? { Natural but wrong; 2.Ke2 offers defensive chances. } (2.Ke2) 2...Rd6!! { A surprising resource. White can only resign because the exchange of the rooks 3. Rxd6 Kxd6 leads to a clearly lost pawn endgame, while 3.Rxa7+ illustrates the original idea 3...Ke6!, when there is no defense against the mating threat 4... Rd4. The kings participate very actively in rook-and-pawn endgames. They support the advance of their own pawns, block the opponent's pawns as seen above, and create mating threats with the rook. This creates a great variety of strategic and tactical ideas, which we will become familiar with later in this book. Do not forget that the king is a slow-moving piece (one square at a time). Therefore, it is important to seize every opportunity to move the king to the center, or to a desired area. A typical mistake is to seek success with rook and pawns alone, without the king. This violates one of the basic chess principles, coordination of the pieces, and can lead to disappointments. The last participants in the rook-and-pawn endgames are the pawns. Capablanca once joked that all endgames are easily won, by creating a passed pawn, advancing it to the last rank, and capturing an opponent's piece for it. Hidden in this joke is the reality of how important pawns are in realizing the ultimate goal in rook-and-pawn endgames. The pawn's ability to advance to promotion is exploited both as a strategic and a tactical motif in the game. These features will be covered under the elements of tactics and strategy. } (2...Rd6 3.Rxd6 (3.Rxa7+ Ke6! { 4.-- Rd4# }) 3...Kxd6 $19) 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "R7/P3k3/r7/8/8/8/8/5K2 w - - 0 1"] 1.Rh8! Rxa7 2.Rh7+ Kd6 3.Rxa7 Kd5 4.Ke2 Kc4 5.Ke3 Kc5 6.Ra5+ Kc6 7.Kd4 Kd6 8.Ra6+ Ke7 9.Kd5 Kf7 10.Ke5 Ke7 11.Ra7+ Kd8 12.Kd6 Ke8 13.Rc7 Kf8 14.Ke6 Kg8 15.Kf6 Kh8 16.Kg6 Kg8 17.Rc8# 1-0

[Event "K+R vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "0-1"] [FEN "R7/4k3/8/8/8/p7/r3p3/4K3 b - - 0 1"] 1...Ra1+! 2.Kxe2 a2! { It is easy when you know the elementary pattern! Black sacrificed his pawn at e2 - there is no defense against the threat 3...Rh1! 4.Rxa2 Rh2+. White resigned. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "7R/2pk3P/Kp6/3P4/7r/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] 1.Kb7! { The tempting 1.d6 leads only to a draw after 1...Kxd6! (Or 1...Kc6! - mating threat! - 2.Ka7 cxd6! 3.Rc8+ Kb5 4.h8=Q Rxh8 5.Rxh8 d5 is also a draw, but not 1..cxd6?? 2.Kxb6 and there is no defense against the now familiar skewer 3.Ra8 Rxh7 4.Ra7+ and 5.Rxh7.) 2.Kb7 (not 2.Rd8? Kc6!-+) 2...Kc5! (If 2. ..Kd7? or 2...c5?, then 3.Rc8!+-) 3.Kxc7 b5 4.Kd7 Kb4=. } (1.d6 Kxd6! (1...Kc6! 2.Ka7 cxd6! 3.Rc8+ Kb5 4.h8=Q Rxh8 5.Rxh8 d5 $11) (1...cxd6?? 2.Kxb6 { -- 3.Ra8 } Rxh7 { 4.Ra7+ Ke6 } 3.Rxh7+) 2.Kb7 (2.Rd8+? Kc6 $19) 2...Kc5! (2...Kd7? 3.Rc8 $18) (2...c5? 3.Rc8 $18) 3.Kxc7 b5 4.Kd7 Kb4 $11) 1...b5 2.Rc8! Kd6 3.Rd8+ Kc5 4.h8=Q Rxh8 5.Rxh8 Kxd5 6.Kxc7 { The remaining black pawn is less advanced and easily captured by the combined effort of White's king and rook: } Kc4 { Or 6...b4 7.Kb6 b3 8.Ka5 and White wins. } 7.Kb6 b4 8.Ka5 b3 9.Ka4 b2 10.Rb8 Kc3 11.Ka3 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "8/4k3/1R5P/1p6/1P6/3p4/7r/3K4 w - - 0 1"] 1.h7! Kf7 { Though Black avoids the obvious skewer 1...Rxh7 2.Rb7+, White will still use the skewer technique to exchange rooks and transpose into a winning king-and-pawn endgame - a characteristic method which will be discussed later in the book. } (1...Rxh7 2.Rb7+) 2.Rb8 Rxh7 3.Rb7+ { After 3. ..Kg6 4.Rxh7 Kxh7 5.Kd2 White wins easily capturing both black pawns. Play it through and prove it to yourself! } (3.Rb7+ Kg6 4.Rxh7 Kxh7 5.Kd2) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R vs K+R"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "8/8/4r3/2R5/2K5/8/2k5/8 w - - 0 1"] 1.Kd5+! { and because of the discovered check White can capture Black's rook next move. } Kd3 2.Kxe6 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "0-1"] [FEN "R7/7p/6p1/6P1/2k1KP2/6P1/pr6/8 b - - 0 1"] 1...Rb4! { Using the same tactical device (2.Rxa2?? Kb3+!-+) to further the strategic goal of advancing the king to support the passed pawn, from a square where it will be hidden from the checks of the opponent's rook. Victory is now easy: } 2.Ke5 (2.Rxa2?? Kb3+ $19) 2...Kb3 3.Rxa2 { The threat was 3... Ra4 and promotion of a new queen. } Kxa2 4.Kf6 Kb3 5.Kg7 Rb7+ 6.Kf6 Kc4 7.g4 Kd5 8.f5 Ra7 9.fxg6 Ra6+ 10.Kg7 Rxg6+ 11.Kxh7 Rxg5 12.Kh6 Rxg4 13.Kh5 Rg1 14.Kh6 Ke5 15.Kh5 Kf4 16.Kh6 Kf5 17.Kh7 Kf6 18.Kh8 Kf7 19.Kh7 Rh1# 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [FEN "8/7p/4p2k/4P3/ppr2PKP/8/PR6/8 b - - 0 1"] [ECO "A01"] [Opening "Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack"] { The pin is also present in some other tactical themes, for example in deflection, as shown in the following diagram. } 1...b3! 2.axb3 Rb4 { (here is the pin) Black forces a favorable exchange creating a passed pawn, which decides the game. } 3.Rc2 axb3 4.Rb2 Kg6 5.h5+ Kh6 { Now White has no satisfactory continuation. If 6.Rb1 b2. } 6.Kf3 Kxh5 7.f5 exf5 8.e6 Kg6! { White's hoped for 8...Re4? 9.Rxb3 Rxe6 10. Kg3, reaching a theoretically drawn f- and h-pawn ending (see Chapter Two - Basic Rook-and-pawn Endgames). } (8...Re4? 9.Rxb3 Rxe6 10.Kg3 $11) 9.Re2 Rb8 10.e7 Kf7 11.Re3 { At first glance White seems to have achieved the desired position, for example 11...b2 12.e8=Q! Rxe8 13.Rb3, but } Ke8! { destroys all illusions. } (11...b2 12.e8=Q+! Rxe8 13.Rb3 $11) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1909.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Rubinstein"] [Black "Lasker"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "swiss"] [EventCountry "RUS"] [FEN "8/pr3kp1/R6p/4PK1P/6P1/8/P7/8 w - - 0 1"] { Deflection is used in many tactical operations to ensure a pawn's advance to promotion. We will cover these ideas in a special chapter later in this book. In more complex cases, deflection serves to create positions where other tactical elements come into play. By attracting an opponent's piece or pawn to an unfavorable square, it may be possible to execute a double attack or discovered attack, or capitalize on a resultant pin, etc. White played: } 1.Rd6! { If now 1...Rc7, then the deflection 2.Rd7+! Rxd7 sets up the pawn fork 3. e6+. White easily wins after 3...Ke7 4.exd7 Kxd7 5.Kg6 etc. To avoid this, Black played } Ke7 { but now the square g6 is not protected: } (1...Rc7 2.Rd7+! Rxd7 3.e6+ Ke7 4.exd7 Kxd7 5.Kg6 $18) 2.Kg6 { and Rubinstein won the game easily. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "2015.01.09"] [Round "0"] [White "Learn"] [Black "Learn"] [Result "1-0"] [FEN "8/5p2/8/3r2Pk/5K2/6R1/8/8 w - - 0 1"] 1.g6!! { If 1...fxg6, Black's pawn has been deflected into a fatal blockage of g6, and Black is mated by 2.Rh3#. If 1...Rd8 White wins by 2.g7 Rg8 3.Kf5 Kh6 4.Kf6 etc. } (1.g6 fxg6 (1...Rd8 2.g7 Rg8 3.Kf5 Kh6 4.Kf6 $18) 2.Rh3#) 1-0

[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1953.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Trajkovic"] [Black "Vidmar"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "SLO"] [FEN "7R/8/1p5P/p1k5/P1P5/7r/4K3/8 w - - 0 1"] { A typical combination of deflections, of great practical value. Trajkovic-Vidmar, Ljubljana 1953. After } 1.h7! { White's threat is 2.Rc8+ and 3.h8=Q. The only defense is } Kb4 { but now follows the thematic } 2.c5 { and Black resigned. If 2...bxc5 (deflection of the black pawn from the b-file) then 3.Rb8+ and 4.h8=Q, while if 2...Kxc5 (deflection of the black king to the open c-file) 3.Rc8+ and 4.h8=Q. } (2.c5 bxc5 (2...Kxc5 3.Rc8+ Kb4 4.h8=Q $18) 3.Rb8+ Kxa4 4.h8=Q $18) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1977.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Vadas"] [Black "Heuer"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "EST"] [FEN "6k1/R4p2/1pp2Pp1/4P3/1p1r1P2/1P6/1KP5/8 w - - 0 1"] { The advance of pawns to promotion offers many and varied tactical ideas. The following examples show the most typical themes in practice. } 1.Ra8+ Kh7 2.e6! { If 2...fxe6 the black pawn is deflected from the f-file, opening the way for White: 3.f7 and 4.f8=Q. } (2.e6 fxe6 3.f7 -- 4.f8=Q $18) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1972.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Ivkov"] [Black "Lombard"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "MKD"] [FEN "8/p1k2p1p/1p1R1P2/2p1P1P1/2P5/1P3KP1/1r6/8 w - - 0 1"] 1.e6! { A similar idea, but here the rook is sacrificed. After 1...Kxd6 2. exf7 wins, since the f6-pawn denies the black king access to e7. White's doubled pawns in this case are stronger than a rook, a good example of the changeable relative value of pieces and pawns. Black resigned. } (1.e6 Kxd6 2.exf7 $18) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1974.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Ivkov"] [Black "Sosonko"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "NED"] [FEN "8/1p2k2r/1P4R1/P1p4p/2Pp4/3K2P1/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { Being familiar with the ideas of the previous example, it should be easy for you to solve this position. } 1.Rc6! { Black resigned. The deflection 1... bxc6 clears the road for White's two connected pawns: 2.b7 Rh8 3.a6 followed by 4.a7, while after any other black move comes 2.Rxc5, and White wins easily. } (1.Rc6 bxc6 2.b7 Rh8 3.a6 -- 4.a7 $18) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1953.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Tipary"] [Black "Szilagy"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "HUN"] [FEN "8/8/6P1/5p1p/7k/1R6/5r2/3K4 w - - 0 1"] { In this position we are introduced to a new tactical element. After } 1.Rg3!! { Black is forced to capture White's rook } Kxg3 { otherwise 2.g7 and 3.g8=Q. The sacrifice deflects Black's king to the g-file, thus preventing its own rook from stopping the advance of the white pawn } 2.g7 { Black interferes with the action of his own rook! After } Rf4 3.g8=Q+ Rg4 4.Qf7 { White won, because no matter which of the black pawns is preserved, it is a theoretically lost endgame for Black. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1961.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Eisinger"] [Black "Haag"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "7R/8/8/8/2K1p2P/6r1/4k3/8 b - - 0 1"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Van Kruijs"] { Coordinated action between rook and king in the considered endgames very often is of a crucial importance in the presence of passed pawns. Typical examples are the following two positions, which are similar to each other. In both, despite material equality, Black's forces are better posted. King and rook actively support the advancement of the passed pawn. On the other hand, White's forces lack coordination. The king is far from its pawn, and is unable to assist its advancement. The continuation of both games shows the decisive role of better coordination. } 1...e3 2.h5 { White is not prepared to prevent the advance of the black pawn, for example 2.Kc3 Kf2 3.Rf8 Rf3, followed by 4.. .e2. } (2.Kc3 Kf2 3.Rf8+ Rf3 4.-- e2+) 2...Ke1 3.h6 e2 4.Rf8 { If 4.h7, then Black can coordinate his forces as follows: 4...Rg7 5.Kd3 Rf7! (rook secures the file for the king) followed by 6...Kf2. } (4.h7 Rg7 5.Kd3 Rf7 6.-- Kf2) 4...Rh3 5.Rf6 Kd2 6.Rd6+ Kc2 7.Re6 Rh4+ 8.Kb5 { Clearly impossible is 8.Kd5 Kd2 and Black wins, while if 8.Kc5 Black will play 8...Kd2 9.Rd6+ Kc3! 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Kd6 Rxh6!. This idea of optimal coordination between the pieces was first demonstrated by Lasker. } (8.Kc5 Kd2 9.Rd6+ Kc3! 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Kd6 Rxh6!) (8.Kd5 Kd2) 8...Kd3 9.Rd6+ Kc3 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Ka4 Kd3 12.Rd6+ Kc4! { If 13.Re6 Rxh6 14.Rxe2 Ra6 mate, while if 13.Rc6+ there follows 13...Kd5 14.Rc1 Rxh6 and it is obvious that Black wins easily. } (12...Kc4 13.Re6 (13.Rc6+ Kd5 14.Rc1 Rxh6 $19) 13...Rxh6 14.Rxe2 Ra6#) 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1967.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Taimanov"] [Black "Korchnoi"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "YUG"] [FEN "8/8/8/7R/4p2P/2K1k3/5r2/8 b - - 0 1"] { Here Black's task is more difficult, because compared to the previous example, he is a few tempi behind. } 1...Rf6! { A good post for the rook. From f6 it prevents advance of the white pawn, and simultaneously has enough room for distant checks. } 2.Rh8 { Alternatives would be 2.Kc2 Kf2 3.Re5 e3 4.Kd3 Rd6+ 5. Ke4!? e2 6.Kf4 (also losing is 6.Kf5 Rd5!) 6...Rd4+ 7.Kg5 Rd5! 8.Rxd5 e1=Q, and this endgame is theoretically won with the queen. Or 2.Re5 Rc6+ 3.Kb4 Kd4 followed by ...e3 and Black wins. } (2.Kc2 Kf2 3.Re5 e3 4.Kd3 Rd6+ 5.Ke4!? e2 6.Kf4 (6.Kf5 Rd5!) 6...Rd4+ 7.Kg5 Rd5! 8.Rxd5 e1=Q $19) (2.Re5 Rc6+ 3.Kb4 Kd4 4.-- e3 $19) 2...Rc6+ 3.Kb2 Kf2 4.Rf8+ { If 4.h5 e3 5.h6 and the winning approach is already familiar from the previous example: 5... Rf6 6.h7 Rf7! All of the black forces participate in attaining the goal! } (4.h5 e3 5.h6 Rf6 6.h7 Rf7!) 4...Ke2 5.h5 e3 6.Rg8 Rh6 7.Rg5 Kd3! { The idea is to prevent coordination between White's pieces, which 7...Kf3?! 8.Kc3 would allow. } (7...Kf3?! 8.Kc3) 8.Rd5+ Ke4 9.Rd8 e2 10.Kc2 Ke3 11.Re8+ Kf2 12.Rf8+ Ke1 13.Rf5 Rc6+ 14.Kb2 Kd2 { The end would have been 15.Rd5+ Ke3 16.Re5+ Kf3 17.Re8 Rf6 18.Kc2 Kf2 19.Kd2 Rd6+ and 20...e1=Q. White was never able to coordinate his pieces. } (14...Kd2 15.Rd5+ Ke3 16.Re5+ Kf3 17.Re8 Rf6 18.Kc2 Kf2 19.Kd2 Rd6+ 20.Kc3 e1=Q+) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Peev"] [Black "Radev"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "BUL"] [FEN "5k2/4pp1p/1R4p1/p2PP3/5PP1/4K3/7P/r7 w - - 0 1"] { Coordinated action by White's pieces led to victory also in the following two examples, from tournament practice: White's potentially passed d-pawn is more valuable than Black's a-pawn, because its advance is supported by the combined effort of White's king and rook. } 1.Rb8+ Kg7 { The first task is to force Black's king as far away as possible. } 2.Kd2! { This is an interesting example of "coordination from a distance." In spite of its retreat away from the d-pawn, White's king continues to act in coordination with the pawn, because the threat is 3.d6, when the black rook is unable to stop further advance. } Ra4 3.Kc3 Ra1 { Not 3...Rxf4? 4.d6!. } (3...Rxf4? 4.d6!) 4.Re8 Rd1 5.Kc4 { Now, close contact and coordination between the king and the pawn. } Rc1+ 6.Kb5 Rd1 7.Rd8 a4 { Better chance for counterplay is offered by 7... g5!?. } (7...g5!?) 8.Kxa4 Rd4+ 9.Kb5 Rxf4 { The pawn captures here and next move do not save Black. His misfortune is that his king is confined and unable to participate for the rest of the game. } 10.Re8! Rxg4 11.d6! exd6 12.exd6 Rd4 13.Kc6 { It is already obvious that the black rook cannot stand against the coordinated white pieces. } Rc4+ 14.Kd5 Rc2 15.d7 Rxh2 16.Re4! { A typical technique in rook-and-pawn endgames. In case of 16...Rd2+ there follows 17.Rd4 - again good coordination between White's pieces. } (16.Re4 Rd2+ 17.Rd4) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+2P+K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1908.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Lasker"] [Black "Tarrasch"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/8/7k/4pK2/6R1/7P/4r1P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Benko Opening"] { Lasker coordinated the efforts of his rook and king in order to capture Black's e-pawn. } 1.g3 Re3 { Black tries to exchange his e-pawn for White's g-pawn, which would lead to a draw. } 2.h4 Kh7 { Or 2...e4 3.Kf4 Re1 4.Rg5 e3 5. Kf3. There is no defense to 6.Re5. } (2...e4 3.Kf4 Re1 4.Rg5 e3 5.Kf3 $18) 3.Rg5 Re1 4.g4 Kh6 5.Kf6 Kh7 { The threat was 6.Rh5 mate. } 6.Rxe5 { and White won after a few additional moves. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1929.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Capablanca"] [Black "Michell"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [FEN "6k1/2R5/2p1r1p1/2Pp2Pp/3PpP1K/4P3/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { The definition of "activity" in rook-and-pawn endgames refers to actions by the king and rook, leading to threats which force the opponent into a defensive posture. Active pieces have adequate space and mobility, i.e. they are not confined, or tied down to a defensive task. In situations of material equality, the more active pieces usually have a great advantage. The assessment of this position is easy. Both black pieces are very passive. Black's king is limited to the back rank, while Black's rook has no moves because of its obligation to defend the c-pawn. The road to victory involves activating White's king, which Capablanca does in an instructive manner: } 1.Kg3 Kf8 2.f5! gxf5 3.Kf4 Re7 4.Rxc6 h4 5.Rh6 Rg7 6.Rxh4 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+6P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1910.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Speyer"] [Black "Alekhine"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "6k1/6pp/4R3/p1p5/PpP5/2p5/2Pr1PPP/2K5 w - - 0 1"] { In order to be active, the rook requires a lot of space. One of the more reliable general rules is that a rook on the seventh rank is optimally active. This is easy to understand. From opening to endgame, the seventh rank is the rear of the pawn structure. If attacked from the side, the pawns cannot defend on their own. If the pawns have advanced, an attack from rear makes them vulnerable, since their striking power is only forward. Additionally, the opponent's king is often cut off, forcefully limited to its first rank, and exposed to great danger. All of this we already saw in the positions of Diagrams #5, #42 and #43. The devastating effect of a rook on the seventh rank is quite obvious here. } 1.Rc6 Rxf2 2.Kb1 { The mating threat forces White to lose time. } Rf1+ 3.Ka2 Rc1 { Before annihilating White's kingside, Black also captures the c2-pawn with a typical maneuver. } 4.Rxc5 Rxc2+ 5.Kb1 Rb2+ 6.Kc1 Rxg2 7.Rb5 (7.Rxa5 b3) 7...Kf7 8.c5 Ke6 9.c6 Kd6 10.c7 Kxc7 11.Rxa5 Rxh2 { The rest is clear: } 12.Rb5 Rb2 13.a5 Kc6 14.Rb8 Kc5 15.a6 Ra2 16.Rc8+ Kb5 17.Rb8+ Kc4 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1954.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Alexander"] [Black "Unzicker"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "NED"] [FEN "8/r7/5kp1/8/p5P1/R4K2/8/8 b - - 0 1"] { The main principle of rook activity was explained by Tarrasch: the rook is best posted behind pawns, whether one's own or the opponent's. This rule is especially valid for the passed pawn. If posted behind ones' own passed pawn, the rook adds power to its advance, and forces the opponent to block the pawn, thus making his own pieces passive. An instructive example of Tarrasch's rule is shown here. Compare the capabilities of the two rooks, especially the white rook's unsavory role. White's rook has no useful move, because if, say, 1.Re3 or 1.Ra1, then Black's passed pawn will move ahead. } 1...Ke5 2.Ke3 g5! { Remember this position, since it introduces us to another element of endgame strategy. White is to move, but any move by his pieces would lead to positional or material loss. For example, if 3.Kf3, then 2...Kd4 and Black's king moves to support his passed pawn, while if 3.Kd3 Kf4, and White loses the g-pawn. The alternative is to move the rook, but after 3.Ra2 a3, White again is forced to make an unfavorable move. This situation is called zugzwang (German for "move compulsion"), and is often encountered when exploiting material or positional advantage in rook-and-pawn endgames. Of course, White could be tricky with 3.Ra1 a3 4.Ra2, trying to avoid the zugzwang situation. But then the waiting move 4...Ra8 (or to any other square on the a-file) once again puts the opponent in zugzwang. This typical "transfer of the move" is well worth remembering. The game ended as follows: } 3.Kf3 (3.Ra2 a3) (3.Ra1 a3 4.Ra2 Ra8) 3...Kd4 4.Kf2 Kc4 5.Ke2 Kb4 6.Ra1 a3 7.Kd3 a2 8.Kc2 Ka3 {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Diagram #47: G. Hamann"] [Black "Mortensen"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/6p1/7p/3k4/2r5/4K3/2p3PP/2R5 b - - 0 1"] { A rook actively posted behind its pawn creates additional problems for the opponent. Defending against such an augmented passed pawn can lead to new weaknesses in other areas. Black has a positional advantage (more active pieces), even though his extra pawn will be lost. Black uses the right to move, and the activity of his pieces, to surrender the pawn in a way that gives him a different, decisive advantage. } 1...Rc3+! { Nothing is gained by 1...g5 2. Kd3, and after 3.Rxc2 Black's king will get no access to White's pawns. } (1...g5 2.Kd3 -- 3.Rxc2) 2.Kd2 Kd4 3.Rxc2 Rxc2+ 4.Kxc2 Ke3 { The rest is clear - White's pawns are easy prey: } 5.g3 g5 6.Kc3 g4 7.Kc4 Kf3 8.Kd4 Kg2 {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1977.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Romanishin"] [Black "Mariotti"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "swiss"] [EventCountry "RUS"] [FEN "r7/Pp1k4/2p3p1/3p3p/1P1P1P1P/8/5PK1/R7 w - - 0 1"] { The far advanced a-pawn has preoccupied Black's forces. Romanishin utilizes this to create weaknesses and infiltrate the unprotected wing: } 1.f5! gxf5 2.Kf3 Kc7 { We can see the already familiar elements of zugzwang and transfer of the move in the variation 2...Ke6 3.Kf4 Kf6 4.Ra2! Kg6 (or 4...Ke6 5.Kg5) 5. Ke5 and White wins. } (2...Ke6 3.Kf4 Kf6 4.Ra2! Kg6 (4...Ke6 5.Kg5) 5.Ke5 $18) 3.Kf4 Kb6 4.Kxf5 Kb5 5.Ke5 Kxb4 6.Rb1+ Kc4 7.Rxb7 c5 8.dxc5 Kxc5 9.Rc7+ Kb6 10.Rd7 Kc6 11.Rd6+ Kb7 12.Rxd5 Re8+ 13.Kf4 Kxa7 14.Rxh5 Kb6 15.Re5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Arbakov"] [Black "Gurevich"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [FEN "5k2/R7/4p1pp/3p4/3P4/7P/5PPK/2r5 w - - 0 1"] { Passivity of the pieces, even if material is equal, is always a disadvantage, and very often leads to disaster. Often it is better to sacrifice a pawn and create active counterplay, than to defend weaknesses passively and give the initiative to the opponent. White has a weak pawn on d4 and a very active rook on the seventh rank. He has to make an important decision: to defend the pawn, or sacrifice it and use the active capabilities of his pieces. His decision in favor of the passive defense } 1.Ra3? { is a fundamental mistake. The active 1.Kg3! Rc4 2.Kf4 Rxd4+ 3.Ke5 would lead at worst to a draw, since on the sixth rank the white king creates threats and regains the sacrificed pawn. Recall how Black played in the game Lilienthal-Smyslov (Diagram #42)! Here are the consequences of passive defense in this game: } (1.Kg3! Rc4 2.Kf4 Rxd4+ 3.Ke5 $11) 1...Rd1 2.Rf3+ Ke7 3.Rf4 g5 4.Rg4 Kf6 5.f4 { White already has problems with the position of the rook, and tries to increase its scope. } Kf5 6.fxg5 hxg5 7.Kg3 { (see Diagram #51). Compare the two diagrams. The only similarity is that material equality is preserved. But the qualities of the position are totally different. White's rook is imprisoned and has no moves, while Black's pieces are optimally active. It is not surprising that White cannot cope with the increasing pressure. } Rc1! { White cannot counteract this regrouping of Black's pieces. } 8.Kf3 Rc4 9.Ke3 e5 10.Kd3 { Clearly losing is 10.dxe5 Rxg4 11.hxg4+ Kxe5. White bet on the trick 10...e4+? 11.Rxe4!, but Black does not fall for it. } (10.dxe5 Rxg4 11.hxg4+ Kxe5 $19) 10...Ra4 (10...e4+? 11.Rxe4!) 11.Ke3 e4 12.Rg3 Ra2 13.Rg4 { Also losing is 13.h4 g4 14.h5 Ra3 15.Kf2 Rxg3 16.Kxg3 e3+!. } (13.h4 g4 14.h5 Ra3+ 15.Kf2 Rxg3 16.Kxg3 e3 $19) 13...Ra3+ 14.Kf2 Rd3 { A very instructive practical lesson! } 0-1

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1924.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Capablanca"] [Black "Tartakower"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "USA"] [FEN "5k2/p1p4R/1pr5/3p1pP1/P2P1P2/2P2K2/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { At the end of this chapter, it is appropriate to underline one more time the extreme importance of active versus passive pieces in rook-and-pawn endgames. In all examples from practice, both those already discussed and those shown later in the book, we will always see, in both attack and defense, the strategic principle of the initiative. Only extensive experience analyzing a great many positions can develop a "gut feeling" for the essence of each position, enabling one to make the right choice as to when, where and how to play actively or passively. A good illustration to help all of this sink into the reader's memory, a prime example of the importance of pieces activity, is this classical example: } 1.Kg3! { Sacrificing two pawns to activate the king. Also possible was 1.Rd7 Rxc3+ 2.Ke2 Ra3 3.Rxd5 Rxa4 4.Rxf5+ Kg7, when White is better, but the win is still uncertain. } (1.Rd7 Rxc3+ 2.Ke2 Ra3 3.Rxd5 Rxa4 4.Rxf5+ Kg7) 1...Rxc3+ 2.Kh4 Rf3 { A possible defense was 2...Rc1, but the variation pointed out by Fine convincingly demonstrates the exactness of Capablanca's calculation: 3.Kh5 (3.g6? Rh1+ 4.Kg5 Rxh7 5.gxh7 Kg7 6.Kxf5 c5=) 3...c5 (3...Rh1+ 4.Kg6 and wins) 4.Rd7! cxd4 (4...c4 5.Kg6 and wins) 5.Rxd5 Rd1 6.Kg6 d3 7.Kf6 Ke8 8.g6 and wins. } (2...Rc1 3.Kh5 (3.g6? Rh1+ 4.Kg5 Rxh7 5.gxh7 Kg7 6.Kxf5 c5 $11) 3...c5 (3...Rh1+ 4.Kg6 $18) 4.Rd7! cxd4 (4...c4 5.Kg6 $18) 5.Rxd5 Rd1 6.Kg6 d3 7.Kf6 Ke8 8.g6 $18) 3.g6 Rxf4+ 4.Kg5 Re4 { Or 4...Rxd4 5.Kf6 Ke8 6.Rxc7! (If 6.Rh8 Kd7 7.g7 Rg4 8.g8=Q Rxg8 9. Rxg8 Kd6 10.Kxf5 Kc5 and Black has counterplay) 6...Rxa4 7.g7 Rg4 8.Rxa7 and White wins. } (4...Rxd4 5.Kf6 Ke8 6.Rxc7! (6.Rh8+ Kd7 7.g7 Rg4 8.g8=Q Rxg8 9.Rxg8 Kd6 10.Kxf5 Kc5 $132) 6...Rxa4 7.g7 Rg4 8.Rxa7 $18) 5.Kf6 Kg8 6.Rg7+ { White's pieces have started to work in full concert. } Kh8 7.Rxc7 Re8 8.Kxf5 Re4 9.Kf6 Rf4+ 10.Ke5 Rg4 11.g7+! Kg8 { Exchange on g7 is hopeless. } 12.Rxa7 Rg1 13.Kxd5 Rc1 14.Kd6 Rc2 15.d5 Rc1 16.Rc7 Ra1 17.Kc6 Rxa4 18.d6 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+4P+K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1932.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Sultan Khan"] [Black "Flohr"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [FEN "3k4/p6R/p3p3/4P1p1/3PK1P1/r7/7P/8 w - - 0 1"] { Black is clearly worse; his pawn structure consists of weak doubled and isolated pawns. Furthermore, if White captures either Black's g- or e-pawn, he will have a dangerous passed pawn. His active pieces also contribute to his advantage. } 1.Rg7 Rh3 2.Rxg5 Rxh2 3.Rg8+ Kc7 { Clever defense. Against 4. Rg7+, Black has 4...Kb6, winning a tempo to advance the passed a-pawn. Naturally, Black should still lose the game, but at least he would have some practical chance. } 4.Rg6! (4.Rg7+ Kb6) 4...a5 { Against 4...Kd7 a typical penetration follows: 5.Rg7+ Kc6 6.Re7 Rh6, and now the familiar fork 7.Rxe6! Rxe6 8.d5+ wins. } (4...Kd7 5.Rg7+ Kc6 6.Re7 Rh6 7.Rxe6+! Rxe6 8.d5+ $18) 5.Rxe6 Kb7 6.Rf6 Rg2 7.e6! { The two connected passed pawns are a major force, especially when they get close to the last rank. } Rxg4+ 8.Kd5 Kc7 9.Rf7+ Kd8 10.Rxa7 Rh4 11.Kc5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Westerinen"] [Black "Ermenkov"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [FEN "8/8/5k2/p1rppP2/8/PK6/2P4P/5R2 b - - 0 1"] [ECO "A40"] [Opening "Queen's Pawn Game"] { Even though White has an extra pawn, he is in a worse position, because his pawn structure consists of four islands, four weak isolated pawns. Note the f-file. White supports his passed pawn with the rook, but its advancement is stopped by Black's king. This is the best method for blockade of the opponent's passed pawn when it is supported by the rook. } 1...d4! { Preventing c2-c3, which would improve White's defensive chances. } 2.Kb2 e4 3.Rd1 e3! 4.Kc1 { Losing is 4.Rxd4? e2 5.Re4 Re5. } (4.Rxd4? e2 5.Re4 Re5 $19) 4...Rxf5 5.Re1 { Still ineffective is 5.Rxd4 Rf1+ 6.Rd1 e2 and Black wins. } (5.Rxd4 Rf1+ 6.Rd1 e2 $19) 5...Rf2 6.c3 Ke5 7.h4 Rh2 { Black regains material equality, and now the activity of his pieces is decisive. } 8.Kd1 Ke4 9.cxd4 Kd3 10.Kc1 { If 10.d5 then 10...Ra2 and wins. } (10.d5 Ra2 $19) 10...Kxd4 11.Rg1 Rxh4 12.Kc2 Rh2+ 13.Kb3 e2 14.Ka4 Rh5 {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1977.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Torre"] [Black "Miles"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "NED"] [FEN "6k1/pp3p1p/6p1/3P4/4r3/1P6/1P1R2PP/6K1 b - - 0 1"] { The fight against a passed pawn depends foremost on blockading it. The best way to block is with the king, in order to leave free the more strong and mobile piece - the rook. Black uses this important principle in the next position: } 1...Kf8! 2.d6 Ke8 3.Rc2 Rb4 { The king can neutralize the passed pawn on his own; now is the time for the rook to attack White's weak doubled pawns. Naturally, all of this is very well calculated, since White's rook also exhibits considerable activity. } 4.Rc7 Rxb3 5.Re7+ Kf8 6.Rc7 Ke8 7.Re7+ Kd8 8.Kf2 { If 8.Rxf7, then 8...Rxb2 9.Rxh7 a5 and wins. } (8.Rxf7 Rxb2 9.Rxh7 a5 $19) 8...a5 9.Rxf7 a4 10.Rxh7 Rxb2+ { Black clearly wins. In addition to the blockade, the main idea was to create the passed pawn. } 11.Kf3 a3 12.h4 { Or 12.Rh8+ Kd7 13.Ra8 a2 followed by b5-b4-b3. } (12.Rh8+ Kd7 13.Ra8 a2 { followed by b5-b4-b3. }) 12...Rb6! { If 13.Rh8+ Kd7 14.Ra8 , then 14.. .Ra6. } (12...Rb6 13.Rh8+ Kd7 14.Ra8 Ra6 $19) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1972.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Kholmov"] [Black "Vasiukov"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "team"] [FEN "8/7k/1R3p2/1P4p1/P4r2/4K3/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { Time - the ability to perform a critical task in fewer moves than the opponent needs to prevent it or create counterplay - is the dynamic aspect of strategy. In rook endgames, even one extra tempo can be extremely important, especially in situations when both sides have passed pawns. White's pawns are further advanced, and thus have the advantage of extra tempi on their way to the last rank. This advantage is decisive: } 1.a5 Kg6 2.Rb8 Ra4 3.b6! Ra3+ 4.Kd2 Ra2+ 5.Kd3 Rxa5 6.b7 Kf5 { The alternative 6...Rb5 7.Rg8 leads to the same position as in the game. } (6...Rb5 7.Rg8+) 7.Ra8 Rb5 8.b8=Q Rxb8 9.Rxb8 Kf4 10.Ke2 Kg3 11.Rf8 Kg2 12.Rxf6 g4 13.Rg6 g3 14.Rg8 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1953.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Szabo"] [Black "Troianescu"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "ROU"] [FEN "6k1/5p1p/R5p1/8/8/3K4/1PP3r1/8 w - - 0 1"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Polish (Sokolsky; Orang-Utan)"] { A particularly instructive demonstration of the importance of time is seen in Szabo-Troianescu, Bucharest 1953. All pawns but one are in their initial positions. White is to move, which obviously gives him one extra tempo. However, he has one more hidden extra tempo: due to Black's king being on the eighth rank, a white pawn promotes with check. These two tempi are more important than Black's extra pawn. Annotations here are based on those of Barcza. } 1.b4 Rg1 { 1...Kf8 was perhaps preferable. If 2.c4, then 2...Rb2 is slightly better for Black than the actual game continuation. } (1...Kf8 2.c4 Rb2) 2.c4 Kf8 3.c5 { Later analysis showed that with 3.b5 White would advance more easily. } (3.b5) 3...Rc1 4.Kd4 Rb1 5.Ra4! { After 5.Rb6? Ke7 neither of White's pawns can move. If 5.c6 Rxb4+ 6.Kc5 Rb8 7.c7 Rc8 8.Kb6 wins a rook, but because of the Black's three connected passed pawns, the outcome is not so clear. } (5.Rb6? Ke7) (5.c6 Rxb4+ 6.Kc5 Rb8 7.c7 Rc8 8.Kb6 $13) 5...h5 6.c6 Ke7 7.Ke5 f6+ 8.Kd5 Rd1+ 9.Kc5 Rc1+ 10.Kb6 g5! 11.Ra7+ Ke6 12.Ra5! { Avoiding the trap 12.Rh7? g4 13.Rxh5 g3!, or 12.b5? g4 13.Rg7 f5 and White's victory is problematic. Now the threat 13.Rc5 forces Black to the defensive. } (12.Rh7? g4 13.Rxh5 g3!) (12.b5? g4 13.Rg7 f5) 12...Rc4 13.b5 g4 14.Ra1 h4 15.Kc7! { The final touch. If 15.c7? then 15...g3 16. Rg1 f5 17.Kb7 f4 18.c8=Q+ Rxc8 19.Kxc8 f3 20.b6 f2! } (15.c7? g3 16.Rg1 f5 17.Kb7 f4 18.c8=Q+ Rxc8 19.Kxc8 f3 20.b6 f2!) 15...g3 16.b6 g2 17.b7 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1925.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Lasker"] [Black "Levenfish"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "RUS"] [FEN "8/r4pK1/2k1p1p1/p3P3/R4P1P/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { Any loss of tempo in creating counterplay can be fatal. Here is a classical example. } 1.Kf6? { White's only chance is to create a passed pawn. This could have been achieved by 1.f5!! exf5 2.e6! fxe6 3.Kxg6 and despite his two extra pawns, Black cannot win, e.g. 3...Kb5 4.Ra1 f4 5.h5 e5 (also 5...f3 6. Rf1! a4 7.Rxf3 a3 8.Rf1 a2 9.Ra1 Kc4 10.h6 Kb3 11.h7 Ra8 12.Re1! leads to a draw) 6.Re1 Kc4 7.Rxe5 Kd3 8.h6 f3 9.h7 Rxh7 10.Kxh7 f2 11.Rf5 Ke3 12.Rf8 a4 13.Re8+ etc. Lasker uses this idea two moves later, but then without the desired effect. } (1.f5!! exf5 2.e6! fxe6+ 3.Kxg6 Kb5 4.Ra1 f4 5.h5 e5 (5...f3 6.Rf1 a4 7.Rxf3 a3 8.Rf1 a2 9.Ra1 Kc4 10.h6 Kb3 11.h7 Ra8 12.Re1 $11) 6.Re1 Kc4 7.Rxe5 Kd3 8.h6 f3 9.h7 Rxh7 10.Kxh7 f2 11.Rf5 Ke3 12.Rf8 a4 13.Re8+) 1...Kb5 2.Ra1 a4 3.f5 exf5 4.e6 fxe6 5.Kxg6 f4! 6.h5 f3! 7.h6 e5! 8.Re1! a3 9.Rxe5+ Kc4 10.Re1 a2 11.h7 Ra8! { If 11... Rxh7 12.Kxh7 f2 13.Rf1 Kd3 14.Ra1! the position is a theoretical draw. } (11...Rxh7 12.Kxh7 f2 13.Rf1 Kd3 14.Ra1 $11) 12.Kg7 f2 13.Ra1 Kb3 14.Rf1 a1=Q+ 15.Rxa1 Rxa1 16.h8=Q Rg1+ {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+2P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1946.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Bernstein"] [Black "Prins"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [FEN "8/8/2pR4/1p6/1r2P1k1/4K3/8/8 w - - 0 1"] { 1.Rxc6 Kg5 leads to a clear draw, but White exploits an ingenious possibility: } 1.Rg6+!? (1.Rxc6 Kg5 $11) 1...Kh5? { Such a moves is almost automatic but in this case it is a mistake. Correct would have been 1...Kh3!. The text allows White to create mating threats which win a few decisive tempi for the advance of his pawn. } (1...Kh3!) 2.Rg1! Ra4 3.e5 c5 4.e6! Ra8 { If 4.. .Ra6 5.Kf4! Rxe6 6.Kf5+-. } (4...Ra6 5.Kf4! Rxe6 6.Kf5 $18) 5.Kf4 c4 6.e7 c3 7.Kf5 Kh4 { Defense against the mate is mandatory; Black is forced to lose another tempo. } 8.Rc1 b4 9.Rb1 Rc8 10.Rxb4+ Kg3 11.Rb3 Kf2 12.Rxc3 Rxc3 13.e8=Q {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+6P (One double) vs K+R+6P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1955.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Stresser"] [Black "Fuchs"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/5p1p/p2kp1p1/P1Rp4/r2P1P2/4P3/4KP1P/8 b - - 0 1"] 1...Rc4! { Black forces a transition to a pawn endgame which he correctly evaluates as winning, because his king has the opportunity to penetrate the queenside. In addition, a passed pawn is created. } 2.Rxc4 dxc4 3.e4 Kc6 4.Kd2 Kb5 5.Kc3 Kxa5 { The end would have been 6.Kxc4 Kb6 7.Kb4 a5+ 8.Kc4 (or 8. Ka4 Ka6) 8...Kc6 and White is in zugzwang. After exhausting his kingside pawn moves, White must retreat his king, or play d4-d5 after which he is losing, because his king must stop Black's passed a-pawn while Black's will harvest the kingside pawns. It is obvious that in bringing about this pawn endgame Black is well aware of the idea of using the passed pawn as a diversion, which in most cases is decisive in pawn endgames. } (5...Kxa5 6.Kxc4 Kb6 7.Kb4 a5+ 8.Kc4 (8.Ka4 Ka6) 8...Kc6 $22) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+6P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Radulov"] [Black "Neumann"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/p6p/1pr2kp1/2PRpp2/1P6/3K4/P4PPP/8 w - - 0 1"] { We will see the same transition into a winning pawn endgame, though in a somewhat more complicated situation, in the following two examples: } 1.b5! { Transition to a pawn ending by means of a temporary pawn sacrifice. } Rxc5 { Otherwise 2.c6, and White wins easily. } 2.Rxc5 bxc5 3.Kc4 e4 4.Kxc5 { Strategically, the endgame is won, but there are still some tricky obstacles ahead. } Ke5 5.a4 f4 6.Kc4 Kd6 7.a5! { It would be a mistake to play 7.Kd4? e3 8.fxe3 fxe3 9.Kxe3 Kc5=. } (7.Kd4? e3 8.fxe3 fxe3 9.Kxe3 Kc5 $11) 7...e3 8.fxe3 fxe3 9.Kd3 Kc5 10.b6 axb6 11.axb6 e2 12.Kxe2 Kxb6 13.Ke3 Kc5 14.Kf4 Kd4 15.Kg5 Ke3 16.Kh6 Kf2 17.g4 Kf3 18.h3 Kg3 19.Kxh7 Kxh3 20.g5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1960.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Mititelu"] [Black "Barcza"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "HUN"] [FEN "8/5pk1/r3p3/8/8/1R4Kp/5P2/8 b - - 0 1"] { Black has two extra pawns, but the one on h3 is doomed, and the resulting rook-and-pawn endgame is a draw. But the pawn endgame is winning. While White captures the h-pawn, Barcza instructively uses this extra tempo to force the transition into a winning pawn endgame. } 1...Ra2! 2.Rf3 { Obligatory. If 2. f3, then 2...h2 and Black wins. } (2.f3 h2 $19) 2...Ra5! 3.Kxh3 Rf5!! { Forcing the exchange of rooks. } 4.Rxf5 exf5 5.Kh4 { Or 5.Kg3 Kg6! 6.Kf4 Kf6 7. Kg3 (if 7.Ke3 Kg5 and Black wins) 7...Ke5 8.f3 f4+ 9.Kg4 f6 10. Kh4 Kd4 and Black wins. } (5.Kg3 Kg6! 6.Kf4 Kf6 7.Kg3 (7.Ke3 Kg5 $19) 7...Ke5 8.f3 f4+ 9.Kg4 f6 10.Kh4 Kd4 $19) 5...Kf6 6.f4 Ke7!! { The only move. If 6... Ke6, then 7.Kg5=. } (6...Ke6 7.Kg5 $11) 7.Kh5 Kd6! { After 8.Kg5 Ke6 9.Kh6 Kd5! etc. the black king reaches e4. } (7...Kd6! 8.Kg5 Ke6 9.Kh6 Kd5!) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1948.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Sämisch"] [Black "Unzicker"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [FEN "8/6kp/6p1/2p5/2P5/1P1r2P1/1R3K1P/8 w - - 0 1"] { In practice, the struggle to achieve positional advantage is the struggle to create or enhance qualities favorable to us, and correspondingly to eliminate or diminish the same qualities for the opponent. The ability to foresee and evaluate such a favorable transformation is the basis for developing a plan for the game. White has a material advantage of one pawn, but neither side has any positional advantage. The immediate attempt to create a passed pawn with 1.b4 cxb4 2.Rxb4 offers positional compensation to Black after 2...Rc3!, placing an active rook behind the pawn. In other words, the attempt to create a favorable quality for our position, will also create a countervailing favorable quality for the opponent; essentially we have not achieved anything. In the actual game, White choose the strategically correct plan - to defend the b-pawn with the king, then to activate his rook (a favorable quality) and to capture Black's c-pawn, thus creating two very strong connected passed pawns. Even if it proves necessary to sacrifice two white pawns on the kingside for the c-pawn, the resulting position still would be advantageous to White, because White's pawns would move ahead earlier (extra tempi = favorable quality). Here is the actual execution of this plan: } 1.Ke2 (1.b4 cxb4 2.Rxb4 Rc3 $44) 1...Rc3 2.Kd2 Rf3 3.Kc2 Kf6 4.Kb1 Ke5 5.Re2+ Kd4 6.Kc2 h5 { Black also tries for counterplay by activating his king and pawns. } 7.Rd2+ Ke4 8.Rd5 Rf2+ 9.Kc3 Rxh2 10.Rxc5 Rh3 11.Rg5 h4 12.Rg4+ Ke5 13.Rxh4 Rxg3+ 14.Kb4 { This transformation leads to a simpler, basic endgame where the material advantage and favorable pawn structure are preserved. Black has no positional compensation - the activity and coordination of the forces are equivalent. Ultimately, the correct strategic plan results in a winning position. } g5! { Black's king is cut off at the sixth rank, preventing it from blockading the passed pawns. } 15.Rh6 g4 16.c5 Kd5 17.Rd6+ Ke5 18.Rd1 Rf3 19.c6 Rf8 20.Kc5 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1979.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Tringov"] [Black "Baretic"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "YUG"] [FEN "6k1/1r5p/ppR3p1/5p2/8/2P2KPP/PP3P2/8 w - - 0 1"] [ECO "A00"] [Opening "Kadas Opening"] { White has the advantage both materially (extra pawn) and positionally (active rook and king). All necessary qualities for a win are present. The realization is instructive: } 1.h4 Kf7 2.h5 g5 { Black does not win a pawn with 2...gxh5, because after 3.Kf4 White not only regains the sacrificed material, but also further activates his king. } (2...gxh5 3.Kf4) 3.b4 a5 4.a3 a4 { Better, but still not adequate, would have been 4...axb4. } (4...axb4) 5.g4! f4 6.Ke4 { Activating the king, in order to coordinate an attack with the rook. } Re7+ 7.Kf5 Re2 { Black makes his only try for active counterplay. } 8.Kxg5 Rxf2 9.Kh6 f3 10.g5 Ra2 11.Kxh7 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1977.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Bellon"] [Black "Karpov"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "ESP"] [FEN "8/p6p/8/2pk4/3p1P2/R5P1/P2K4/6r1 w - - 0 1"] { The assessment here is also easy - Black has both a material and a tremendous positional advantage: active king and rook, and two connected and far advanced passed pawns. White does not have the coordination to create any significant counterplay, while the transformation 1.Rxa7 Rxg3 2.Rxh7 Rg2+ 3.Kd1 (3.Kd3?? c4#) 3...Rxa2 leads to a lost position similar to Diagram #79. } 1.f5 (1.Rxa7 Rxg3 2.Rxh7 Rg2+ 3.Kd1 (3.Kd3?? c4#) 3...Rxa2 $19) 1...c4 2.Rf3 { White positions his rook behind his own passed pawn, but there is no time for its advance. Black not only has a few extra tempi, but his advancing pawns create threats against White's king. } c3+ 3.Kc2 Kc4 4.Rf4 { Otherwise 4...d3#. } Rg2+ 5.Kc1 Rxa2 { These two examples showed clear positions in which realizing the positional advantage was relatively easy. As we already know, in situations of no material advantage, with a positional advantage not so clear, the method of realization involves improving the favorable strategic qualities for our position, without neglecting the whole tactical arsenal. } 0-1

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+6P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1936.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Flohr"] [Black "Vidmar"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [FEN "r7/7p/p1pk2p1/R2p1p2/1P1K4/P3PP2/6PP/8 w - - 0 1"] [ECO "B00"] [Opening "King's Pawn"] { In addition to activation and coordination, one of the most important techniques to understand is the creation of weaknesses in the opponent's pawn structure. Without such weaknesses there are no objects for attack. Very often, one weakness is not enough, because it is easily defended. In such cases, it is necessary to create another weakness, ideally on the flank opposite to where the opponent has concentrated his forces. The following two examples are instructive for this topic. White has a positional advantage but must find the correct plan for its realization. The following annotations are based on those of Alekhine. } 1.e4! { White profits by the fact that Black's rook is tied to defense of the a-pawn and is unable to threaten or defend on the kingside, forcing Black to weaken his position there in a decisive manner. What follows is a classic example of how to play such an endgame. } fxe4 2.fxe4 dxe4 3.Kxe4 Ra7 4.Kf4 h6 5.h4 Ke6 6.Kg4 Ra8 7.h5 g5 { If 7...gxh5, then 8. Kxh5 Rg8 9.g4 winning easily. } (7...gxh5+ 8.Kxh5 Rg8 9.g4 $19) 8.g3 Ra7 9.Kf3 Ra8 10.Ke4 Ra7 11.Kd4 { White could also play immediately 11.Re5. } Kd6 12.Ke4 Ke6 13.Re5+! { Forcing entrance either for the rook at e8 or the king at f5. } Kd6 14.Re8 c5 { Desperation! } 15.Rd8+ Kc6 { Or 15...Kc7 16.Rh8 cxb4 17. axb4 and wins. Averbakh shows an even more convincing variation: 17.Rh7+ Kb8 18.Rxa7 Kxa7 19.axb4 (transformation into a winning pawn endgame!) 19...Kb6 20. Kf5 Kb5 21.Kg6 Kxb4 22.Kxh6 a5 23.Kg6 a4 24.h6 etc. } (15...Kc7 16.Rh8 cxb4 17.axb4 $18 (17.Rh7+ Kb8 18.Rxa7 Kxa7 19.axb4 Kb6 20.Kf5 Kb5 21.Kg6 Kxb4 22.Kxh6 a5 23.Kg6 a4 24.h6 $18)) 16.Rc8+ Kb6 17.Rxc5 Rh7 18.Re5 Kc6 19.Re6+ Kb5 20.Kf5 Rf7+ 21.Rf6 {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P (One double) vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1978.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Karpov"] [Black "Miles"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "BIH"] [FEN "8/3k1ppp/1pR5/3PpP2/1r2P2P/5P2/5K2/8 w - - 0 1"] 1.h5! { To create weaknesses in Black's kingside pawn structure. } Rb2+ 2.Kg3 Rb1 { If 2...h6 3.f6!. } (2...h6 3.f6!) 3.h6 g6 4.fxg6 hxg6 { If 4...fxg6, then e6 is not protected, and White's rook could penetrate there: 5.Re6 b5 6. Rxe5 b4 7.Re6 and White wins. } (4...fxg6 5.Re6 b5 6.Rxe5 b4 7.Re6 $18) 5.Rc2 Rg1+ 6.Rg2 Ra1 7.Rh2! { Observing Tarrasch's rule of posting the rook behind the passed pawn. } Ra8 8.Kg4! f6 9.Rb2 Kc7 10.Rc2+ Kb7 { The variation 10...Kd7 11.Rc6 demonstrates the results of the weaknesses provoked in Black's position - the weak pawns cannot be defended. } (10...Kd7 11.Rc6) 11.d6 b5 12.d7 { If 12...b4 13.Rc8 forces transformation into a won pawn endgame. There are four additional examples at the end of this chapter. The reader will be left to assess the positions on his own - who has the advantage, and how to exploit this advantage. Brief annotations will only highlight milestones and methods. } (12.d7 b4 13.Rc8 $18) {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1955.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Rellstab"] [Black "Matanovic"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "team"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/5ppp/8/2k1p3/r1p1P3/P1R4P/3K1PP1/8 b - - 0 1"] 1...Kd4 2.Re3 g6 3.g4 Ra6 { Having more space, Black has the greater opportunity for maneuvering. } 4.Rf3 Ra7 5.Re3 h6 6.h4 Ra6 7.Rf3 Ra7 8.Re3 g5 9.h5 { Opening another file is hardly in White's favor. The text may make possible later counterplay against the h6-pawn. } Ra6 10.Rf3 Kxe4 11.Rxf7 Rxa3 12.Rf6 Rf3 13.Rxh6 Rxf2+ 14.Kc3 Rg2 15.Rc6 Rg3+! 16.Kb4! { Not 16. Kxc4? Rxg4 and wins. Now the g4-pawn is temporary defended indirectly (16... Rxg4?? 17.Rxc4+ Kf5 18.Rxg4 Kxg4 19.h6 etc.), and White gains a few tempi. } (16.Kxc4? Rxg4 $19) 16...Kf4 (16...Rxg4?? 17.Rxc4+ Kf5 18.Rxg4 Kxg4 19.h6) 17.Rxc4+ e4 18.Rc1 Kf3! 19.Kc4 Rxg4 20.Rh1 { The familiar support of a passed pawn by a rook behind it. } Kg2 21.Re1 Kf2 22.Rh1 Rf4 23.h6 Rf8 24.h7 Rh8 25.Kd4 { According to Averbakh, White could have achieved a draw by 25. Rh2+ Kf3 26.Rh3+ Kf4 27.Kd4!, for example 27...g4 28.Rh6 g3 29.Rf6+ Kg4 30. Rg6+ Kf3 31.Rf6+ Ke2 32.Rg6 Kf2 33.Rf6+ Kg1 34.Rh6 g2 35.Kxe4=. However, this analysis is incorrect. Instead of 32...Kf2, Black wins by 32...Rxh7! 33.Rxg3 Kf2! 34.Ra3 (or 34.Re3 Rd7+!, or 34.Rg8 e3) 34...e3! 35.Rxe3 Rd7+ 36.Ke4 Re7+ and 37...Rxe3. } (25.Rh2+ Kf3 26.Rh3+ Kf4 27.Kd4! g4 28.Rh6 g3 29.Rf6+ Kg4 30.Rg6+ Kf3 31.Rf6+ Ke2 32.Rg6 Kf2 (32...Rxh7! 33.Rxg3 Kf2! 34.Ra3 (34.Re3 Rd7+!) (34.Rg8 e3) 34...e3! 35.Rxe3 Rd7+ 36.Ke4 Re7+ $19) 33.Rf6+ Kg1 34.Rh6 g2 35.Kxe4 $11) 25...e3 26.Rh2+ Kf3 27.Rh3+ Kg2 28.Rh5 e2 { White's position is already lost. } 29.Rxg5+ Kf1 30.Rf5+ Ke1 31.Kc3 { Or 31.Rf7 Kd1-+. } (31.Rf7 Kd1 $19) 31...Rxh7 32.Kc2 Rc7+ 33.Kb2 Kd2 34.Rd5+ Ke3 35.Re5+ Kf3 36.Rf5+ Ke4 37.Rf8 Re7 {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+6P vs K+R+6P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1975.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Bukic"] [Black "Matulovic"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "YUG"] [FEN "8/2p1r1k1/1p2p1p1/pP2P2p/P2R1P1P/6P1/6K1/8 w - - 0 1"] { White has a number of positional advantages: an active rook controlling the only open file with an opportunity to penetrate deep into Black's position, while Black has weak pawns and passive pieces. Still, the win is not possible without the creation of a passed pawn. } 1.Kf3 Rf7 2.g4 hxg4+ 3.Kxg4 Kh6 4.Rd2 Re7 5.Rd8 { Zugzwang. If the rook moves, then 6.Re8. } Kh7 6.Kg5 Kg7 7.h5 gxh5 8.Kxh5 Kh7 9.Kg5 Kg7 10.Rc8 Rd7 11.f5 Kf7 { Or 11...exf5 12.e6 Re7 13. Kxf5 when Black is again in zugzwang and has to play 13...Kh7 14.Kf6 and White wins. } (11...exf5 12.e6 Re7 13.Kxf5 $22 Kh7 14.Kf6 $18) 12.f6 { Black resigned in view of 13.Rh8. } {#r} 1-0

[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1905.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Marshall"] [Black "Chigorin"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "GER"] [FEN "8/5kpp/p4p2/1p6/2rP1P2/P3K1P1/1R5P/8 b - - 0 1"] { Black has several advantages: a queenside pawn majority, control of the open c-file, and the weakness of White's a- and d-pawns. } 1...Ke6! { Excellent! Black rejects 1...Rc3+ 2.Ke4 Rxa3 even though this wins a pawn and creates two connected passed pawns, because White, by coordinating the efforts of his king, rook and passed d-pawn, would organize strong counterplay. It is doubtful that Black could win in this line. After the text Black does seriously threaten 2... Rc3+, because if then 3.Ke4?? f5 mate! } (1...Rc3+ 2.Ke4 Rxa3) 2.Rb3 Kd5 3.Rd3 f5! { White is in zugzwang. After exhausting his pawn moves, White is forced to lose a pawn. } 4.h3 h5 5.Ke2 { Or 5.Rd2 (5.h4 g6 makes no difference) 5...Rc3+ 6.Rd3 Rxd3+ 7.Kxd3 a5 with an easily won pawn endgame because of Black's outside passed pawn. } (5.Rd2 Rc3+ 6.Rd3 Rxd3+ 7.Kxd3 a5 $19) (5.h4 g6) 5...Rxd4 6.Rc3 Re4+ 7.Kd2 { After 7.Kf3 Black's queenside pawns decide the game quickly because White's king is cut off. } h4 8.Rc7 hxg3 9.Rxg7 Rxf4 10.Rxg3 Ke5 11.Ke2 Rc4 12.Rg6 Ra4 13.Rg3 f4 14.Rb3 Rc4 15.Kd1 { If 15.h4 this pawn will perish quickly. White's situation is hopeless. } Ke4 16.h4 f3 17.Ke1 Kf4 18.h5 Rc1+ 19.Kf2 Rc2+ 20.Ke1 Kg3 21.h6 Re2+ 22.Kd1 Rh2 23.a4 b4 24.h7 Rxh7 25.Rxb4 Rh1+ 26.Kd2 f2 27.Rb8 f1=Q { This classic endgame combines almost all methods for realization of positional advantage. } {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+4P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1969.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Gheorghiu"] [Black "Portisch"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "MNC"] [FEN "8/8/p2p1k2/3P2p1/1P2r2p/2PR3P/6K1/8 b - - 0 1"] 1...Ke5 2.Kf3 Rf4+ 3.Kg2 { Or 3.Ke2 g4 4.hxg4 Rxg4 5.Kf2 Rg3! and according to Maric and Karpov, Black has a winning position. } (3.Ke2 g4 4.hxg4 Rxg4 5.Kf2 Rg3!) 3...g4 { Again, the important thematic method: the creation of a passed pawn. } 4.hxg4 Rxg4+ 5.Kh3 Rc4 { Now the transformation 5...Rg3+ 6.Rxg3 hxg3 would be a mistake, because capture of the g-pawn is without check, and after 7.c4! Kd4 8.c5 Kxd5 9.cxd6 Kxd6 10.Kxg3 White's king is able to reach the critical square c1. } (5...Rg3+ 6.Rxg3 hxg3 7.c4! Kd4 8.c5 Kxd5 9.cxd6 Kxd6 10.Kxg3) 6.Rd1 Rxc3+ 7.Kxh4 Rc4+ 8.Kg3 Rxb4 { The positional advantage is transformed into a material one, without White gaining any compensating strategic benefits. } 9.Ra1 Rb6! { The possible variation 9... Kxd5 10.Rxa6 Re4 11.Kf3 Re8 12.Ra1 introduces us to the subject of the next chapter, "Basic rook-and-pawn endgames," specifically rook and pawn against rook. Portisch avoids this, because if this specific position is correctly played, White achieves a draw. } (9...Kxd5 10.Rxa6 Re4 11.Kf3 Re8 12.Ra1) 10.Ra5 Kd4 11.Kf4 Kc4 12.Kf5 Kb4 13.Ra1 a5 14.Rb1+ Kc5 15.Ra1 Ra6! { The most active position for the rook. } 16.Ke6 a4 17.Rc1+ Kb4 18.Rb1+ Ka5! 19.Ra1 Rb6 { A regrouping of the pieces to assure optimum coordination. } 20.Ra2 Kb5 21.Ra1 { Or 21.Rb2+ Kc5 22.Rc2+ Kd4 23.Ra2 Ra6 24.Ra3 Kc4! followed by Kb4. } (21.Rb2+ Kc5 22.Rc2+ Kd4 23.Ra2 Ra6 24.Ra3 Kc4!) 21...Kb4! { After 22.Rb1+ Ka5 23.Ra1 Ra6! 24.Ra2 Kb4 25.Ra1 a3, the advance of the black passed pawn, supported by rook and king, is irresistible. } (21...Kb4 22.Rb1+ Ka5 23.Ra1 Ra6 24.Ra2 Kb4 25.Ra1 a3 $19) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1975.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Sax"] [Black "Tseshkovsky"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "CRO"] [FEN "8/8/4KPk1/8/8/6R1/8/2r5 b - - 0 1"] { In the case of a bishop pawn (c- or f-pawn) on the sixth rank, chances for the weaker side are much greater if his pieces are favorably posted (king on short side, rook on long). It is interesting that most endgame manuals pay little or no attention to this kind of position. Therefore, we will start with an oddity from practice, between two well-known grandmasters, which shows how misunderstood this type of position is. After 1.Rg3+, Black resigned. The decision is probably based on the fact that his king will be cut off, while his rook has not enough distance for checks from the side. However, the position is a draw! } 1...Kh7 2.f7 Rc8! { Not 2...Rc6+? 3.Kd7 and wins, or 2. ..Re1+ 3.Kd7 Rf1 4.Ke7 Re1+ 5.Kf8 Rh1 (if 5...Rf1, then 6.Rh3+ Kg6 7.Kg8 and wins) 6.Re3 and 7.Ke7 and wins. } (2...Rc6+ 3.Kd7 $18) (2...Re1+ 3.Kd7 Rf1 4.Ke7 Re1+ 5.Kf8 Rh1 (5...Rf1 6.Rh3+ Kg6 7.Kg8 $18) 6.Re3 -- 7.Ke7 $18) 3.Kd7 (3.Ke7 Rc7+ 4.Ke8 Rc8+ 5.Kd7 { leads to the same position as in the main line. }) 3...Ra8! { and draws, because White cannot improve his position, for example 4.Kc6 Rf8, or 4.Kd6 Rb8. } (3...Ra8 4.Kc6 (4.Kd6 Rb8) 4...Rf8) {#R} 0-1

[Event "K+R+P vs K+R"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1958.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Fischer"] [Black "Sherwin"] [Result "1-0"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "SLO"] [FEN "8/4k3/8/8/r5P1/5R1K/8/8 b - - 0 1"] { The disposition of White's forces is nearly identical to the previous diagram. Black played } 1...Ke6? { As we saw above, Black's chances lie in frontal checks and exchange of the rooks at an appropriate time. Black could have saved the game by 1...Ra8! 2.Kh4 (if 2.g5 Rf8!=) 2...Rh8+! 3.Kg5 Rg8+ 4.Kh4 Rh8+ and after 5.Kg3 Rf8 we have a position equivalent to Diagram #116 after 3. ..Rc8. Or 2.Rf5 Rf8! 3.Rxf8 Kxf8 4.Kh4 Kg8!=. After the text move, Black loses two tempi, and even though he returns to the correct defensive idea later, it is too late. } (1...Ra8! 2.Kh4 (2.g5 Rf8 $11) (2.Rf5 Rf8! 3.Rxf8 Kxf8 4.Kh4 Kg8 $11) 2...Rh8+! 3.Kg5 Rg8+ 4.Kh4 Rh8+ 5.Kg3 Rf8) 2.Kh4 Ra8 { If 2...Ra7, then not 3.g5 Rf7!, but 3.Kg5 and wins. } (2...Ra7 3.Kg5 $18 (3.g5? Rf7!)) 3.g5 Rh8+ 4.Kg4 Ke7 5.g6 Rf8 6.Rf5! Rh8 { Losing is 6.. .Rxf5 7.Kxf5 Ke8 8.Ke6 and so on. } (6...Rxf5 7.Kxf5 Ke8 8.Ke6) 7.Kg5 Rh1 8.Rf2 { A quicker win is 8.Rf4. Now we have reached the Lucena position. } Rh3 9.g7 Rg3+ 10.Kh6 Rh3+ 11.Kg6 Rg3+ 12.Kh7 Rh3+ 13.Kg8 { and Black resigned, because White follows up by building the bridge: 13...Rh1 14.Re2+ Kd7 15.Re4 etc. } (13.Kg8 Rh1 14.Re2+ Kd7 15.Re4 $18) 1-0

[Event "K+R vs K+R+P"] [Site "www.masterchessopen.com"] [Date "1967.01.01"] [Round "0"] [White "Smyslov"] [Black "Donner"] [Result "0-1"] [EventType "game"] [EventCountry "ESP"] [FEN "8/8/8/4k3/6R1/p7/7K/r7 b - - 0 1"] { The typical method for a win in this case, is shown in Diagram #133. } 1...Ra2+! { If 1...Rb1, then White has the save 2.Ra4! Rb2+ 3.Kg3 a2 4.Kf3. In such cases, the decisive factor is: which king will first reach the area close to the pawn and establish the respective winning or drawing pattern? Here it is White's king: 4...Kd5 5.Ke3 Kc5 6.Kd3 Kb5 7.Ra8 Kb4 8.Rb8+, etc. An interesting trap is 4...Rh2 5.Ke3? Rh3+ 6.Kd2 Rh1! 7.Rxa2 Rh2+ and Black wins, but White has at his disposal 5.Kg3! (instead of 5.Ke3?), and at every retreat of Black's rook, again 6.Kf3!=. } (1...Rb1 2.Ra4 Rb2+ 3.Kg3 a2 4.Kf3 Kd5 (4...Rh2 5.Ke3? (5.Kg3! Re2 6.Kf3 $11) 5...Rh3+ 6.Kd2 Rh1! 7.Rxa2 Rh2+ $19) 5.Ke3 Kc5 6.Kd3 Kb5 7.Ra8 Kb4 8.Rb8+) 2.Kh3 { Immediately losing is 2.Kg1? Rb2 followed by 3.a2 and 4.Rb1+, or 2.Kg3 Kd5! 3.Ra4 Kc5! 4. Ra8 Ra1, followed by ...Ka2 and ...Rb1 -+. } (2.Kg1? Rb2 $19) (2.Kg3 Kd5 3.Ra4 Kc5 4.Ra8 Ra1 $19) 2...Rb2! { Using the tempo, prior to the pawn being attacked. A mistake is still possible by 2...Kd5? 3.Rg3!=. } (2...Kd5? 3.Rg3 $11) 3.Ra4 a2 4.Kg3 Kd5 5.Kf3 Kc5 6.Ke3 Kb5 7.Ra8 Kc4 0-1