[Event "K+R vs K+R+P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook"]
[Black "King + Rook + Pawn"]
[Result "0-1"]
[FEN "8/8/8/8/5pk1/R7/1r6/6K1 w - - 0 1"]

1.Ra8 $2 { 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 } ( 1.Rc3 ) ( 1.Kf1 f3 2.Ra8 ) 1...Kg3 2.Ra3+ $4 { 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+ { and White resigned. He
should not regret the loss of a half-point, since he did not deserve it
anyway. } {#R} 0-1


[Event "K+R vs K"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook"]
[Black "King"]
[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 ( 16...Kf1 17.Rg4 Ke1 18.Rg1# ) 17.Kf2 Kh2 18.Rd3 Kh1 19.Rh3#
1-0


[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2015.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Black "King + Rook + 3 Pawns"]
[Result "0-1"]
[FEN "8/p2rk3/R7/P3pp2/8/4KP2/8/8 b - - 0 1"]
[ECO "A02"]
[Opening "Bird"]

1...f4+ $5 2.Ke4 $2 { Natural but wrong; 2.Ke2 offers defensive chances. } (
2.Ke2 ) 2...Rd6 $3 { 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 $1 { 4.--
Rd4# } ) 3...Kxd6 $19 ) 0-1


[Event "K+R+P vs K+R"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + Pawn"]
[Black "King + Rook"]
[Result "1-0"]
[FEN "R7/P3k3/r7/8/8/8/8/5K2 w - - 0 1"]

1.Rh8 $1 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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1940.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook"]
[Black "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Result "0-1"]
[FEN "R7/4k3/8/8/8/p7/r3p3/4K3 b - - 0 1"]

1...Ra1+ $1 2.Kxe2 a2 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Black "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Result "1-0"]
[FEN "7R/2pk3P/Kp6/3P4/7r/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]

1.Kb7 $1 { 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 ( 1...Kc6 $1 2.Ka7 cxd6 $1 3.Rc8+ Kb5 4.h8=Q Rxh8 5.Rxh8 d5 $11 )
( 1...cxd6 $4 2.Kxb6 { -- 3.Ra8 } 2...Rxh7 { 4.Ra7+ Ke6 } 3.Rxh7+ ) 2.Kb7 (
2.Rd8+ $2 Kc6 $1 $19 ) 2...Kc5 $1 ( 2...Kd7 $2 3.Rc8 $1 $18 ) ( 2...c5 $2
3.Rc8 $1 $18 ) 3.Kxc7 b5 4.Kd7 Kb4 $11 ) 1...b5 2.Rc8 $1 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: } 6...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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Black "King + Rook + 2 Pawns"]
[Result "1-0"]
[FEN "8/4k3/1R5P/1p6/1P6/3p4/7r/3K4 w - - 0 1"]

1.h7 $1 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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook"]
[Black "King + Rook"]
[Result "1-0"]
[FEN "8/8/4r3/2R5/2K5/8/2k5/8 w - - 0 1"]

1.Kd5+ $1 { and because of the discovered check White can capture Black's rook
next move. } 1...Kd3 2.Kxe6 {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + 3 Pawns"]
[Black "King + Rook + 3 Pawns"]
[Result "0-1"]
[FEN "R7/7p/6p1/6P1/2k1KP2/6P1/pr6/8 b - - 0 1"]

1...Rb4 $1 { 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 $4 Kb3+ $1 $19 ) 2...Kb3 3.Rxa2 { The threat was 3...
Ra4 and promotion of a new queen. } 3...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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + Pawn"]
[Black "King + Rook + 3 Pawns"]
[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 $1 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 $1 {
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 $2 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 } 11...Ke8 $1 { destroys all illusions. } ( 11...b2
12.e8=Q+ $1 Rxe8 13.Rb3 $11 ) {#R} 0-1


[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 } 1...Ke7 { but now the square g6 is not protected: } (
1...Rc7 2.Rd7+ $1 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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "2017.08.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "King + Rook + Pawn"]
[Black "King + Rook"]
[Result "1-0"]
[FEN "8/5p2/8/3r2Pk/5K2/6R1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]

1.g6 $3 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { White's threat is 2.Rc8+
and 3.h8=Q. The only defense is } 1...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 "Cleanchess.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
$1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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
$3 { Black is forced to capture White's rook } 1...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 } 2...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 10.Re6
Rh5+ 11.Kd6 Rxh6 $1 ) ( 8.Kd5 Kd2 ) 8...Kd3 9.Rd6+ Kc3 10.Re6 Rh5+ 11.Ka4 Kd3
12.Rd6+ Kc4 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 $5 e2 6.Kf4 ( 6.Kf5 Rd5 $1 ) 6...Rd4+ 7.Kg5 Rd5 $1 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 $1 ) 4...Ke2 5.h5 e3 6.Rg8 Rh6 7.Rg5 Kd3 $1 {
The idea is to prevent coordination between White's pieces, which 7...Kf3?!
8.Kc3 would allow. } ( 7...Kf3 $6 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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. } 2...Ra4 3.Kc3 Ra1 { Not 3...Rxf4? 4.d6!. } ( 3...Rxf4 $2
4.d6 $1 ) 4.Re8 Rd1 5.Kc4 { Now, close contact and coordination between the
king and the pawn. } 5...Rc1+ 6.Kb5 Rd1 7.Rd8 a4 { Better chance for
counterplay is offered by 7... g5!?. } ( 7...g5 $5 ) 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 $1 Rxg4 11.d6 $1 exd6 12.exd6 Rd4 13.Kc6 { It is already obvious that
the black rook cannot stand against the coordinated white pieces. } 13...Rc4+
14.Kd5 Rc2 15.d7 Rxh2 16.Re4 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 gxf5 3.Kf4 Re7 4.Rxc6 h4 5.Rh6 Rg7 6.Rxh4 {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+6P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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. } 2...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 {
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 "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1978.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "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+ $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 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 $1 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 "Cleanchess.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 $2 { 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 $1 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. } 5...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. } 7...Rc1 $1 { 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+ $2
11.Rxe4 $1 ) 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 $1
$19 ) 13...Ra3+ 14.Kf2 Rd3 { A very instructive practical lesson! } 0-1


[Event "K+R+5P vs K+R+5P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 $2
Rh1+ 4.Kg5 Rxh7 5.gxh7 Kg7 6.Kxf5 c5 $11 ) 3...c5 ( 3...Rh1+ 4.Kg6 $18 ) 4.Rd7
$1 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 $1 ( 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. } 6...Kh8
7.Rxc7 Re8 8.Kxf5 Re4 9.Kf6 Rf4+ 10.Ke5 Rg4 11.g7+ $1 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 ( 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+ $1 Rxe6 8.d5+ $18 )
5.Rxe6 Kb7 6.Rf6 Rg2 7.e6 $1 { The two connected passed pawns are a major
force, especially when they get close to the last rank. } 7...Rxg4+ 8.Kd5 Kc7
9.Rf7+ Kd8 10.Rxa7 Rh4 11.Kc5 {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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 $1 {
Preventing c2-c3, which would improve White's defensive chances. } 2.Kb2 e4
3.Rd1 e3 $1 4.Kc1 { Losing is 4.Rxd4? e2 5.Re4 Re5. } ( 4.Rxd4 $2 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 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 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 $2 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 $1 11.Ra7+ Ke6 12.Ra5 $1 {
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 $2 g4 13.Rxh5 g3 $1 ) ( 12.b5 $2 g4 13.Rg7 f5 ) 12...Rc4 13.b5 g4
14.Ra1 h4 15.Kc7 $1 { 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 $2 g3 16.Rg1 f5 17.Kb7
f4 18.c8=Q+ Rxc8 19.Kxc8 f3 20.b6 f2 $1 ) 15...g3 16.b6 g2 17.b7 {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+3P vs K+R+4P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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 $2 { 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 $3 exf5 2.e6 $1 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 $1 $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 $1 6.h5 f3 $1 7.h6 e5
$1 8.Re1 $1 a3 9.Rxe5+ Kc4 10.Re1 a2 11.h7 Ra8 $1 { 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 $1 $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 "Cleanchess.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+ $5 ( 1.Rxc6 Kg5 $11 ) 1...Kh5 $2 { 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 $1 ) 2.Rg1 $1 Ra4 3.e5
c5 4.e6 $1 Ra8 { If 4.. .Ra6 5.Kf4! Rxe6 6.Kf5+-. } ( 4...Ra6 5.Kf4 $1 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1
{ Transition to a pawn ending by means of a temporary pawn sacrifice. }
1...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. } 4...Ke5 5.a4 f4 6.Kc4 Kd6 7.a5 $1 { It would be a mistake
to play 7.Kd4? e3 8.fxe3 fxe3 9.Kxe3 Kc5=. } ( 7.Kd4 $2 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 2.Rf3 { Obligatory. If 2.
f3, then 2...h2 and Black wins. } ( 2.f3 h2 $19 ) 2...Ra5 $1 3.Kxh3 Rf5 $3 {
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 $1 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 $3 { The only move. If 6...
Ke6, then 7.Kg5=. } ( 6...Ke6 7.Kg5 $11 ) 7.Kh5 Kd6 $1 { After 8.Kg5 Ke6 9.Kh6
Kd5! etc. the black king reaches e4. } ( 7...Kd6 $1 8.Kg5 Ke6 9.Kh6 Kd5 $1 )
{#R} 0-1


[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.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 $1 $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. } 14...g5 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 f4 6.Ke4 { Activating the king, in order to coordinate an
attack with the rook. } 6...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 "Cleanchess.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 $4 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. } 2...c3+ 3.Kc2 Kc4 4.Rf4 {
Otherwise 4...d3#. } 4...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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. } 1...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. }
11...Kd6 12.Ke4 Ke6 13.Re5+ $1 { Forcing entrance either for the rook at e8 or
the king at f5. } 13...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { To create weaknesses in Black's kingside pawn structure. } 1...Rb2+
2.Kg3 Rb1 { If 2...h6 3.f6!. } ( 2...h6 3.f6 $1 ) 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 $1 { Observing Tarrasch's rule of
posting the rook behind the passed pawn. } 7...Ra8 8.Kg4 $1 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 "Cleanchess.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. } 9...Ra6 10.Rf3 Kxe4 11.Rxf7
Rxa3 12.Rf6 Rf3 13.Rxh6 Rxf2+ 14.Kc3 Rg2 15.Rc6 Rg3+ $1 16.Kb4 $1 { 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 $2 Rxg4 $19 ) 16...Kf4 ( 16...Rxg4 $4 17.Rxc4+ Kf5 18.Rxg4 Kxg4 19.h6
) 17.Rxc4+ e4 18.Rc1 Kf3 $1 19.Kc4 Rxg4 20.Rh1 { The familiar support of a
passed pawn by a rook behind it. } 20...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 $1 g4 28.Rh6 g3
29.Rf6+ Kg4 30.Rg6+ Kf3 31.Rf6+ Ke2 32.Rg6 Kf2 ( 32...Rxh7 $1 33.Rxg3 Kf2 $1
34.Ra3 ( 34.Re3 Rd7+ $1 ) ( 34.Rg8 e3 ) 34...e3 $1 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 "Cleanchess.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. } 5...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 $1 { 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. } 7...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. } 15...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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 ) 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 $1 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 $1 { 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 $1 { The most active
position for the rook. } 16.Ke6 a4 17.Rc1+ Kb4 18.Rb1+ Ka5 $1 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 $1 ) 21...Kb4 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $1 { 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 $1 { 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 "Cleanchess.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 $2 { 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 $1 2.Kh4 ( 2.g5 Rf8 $1 $11 ) ( 2.Rf5
Rf8 $1 3.Rxf8 Kxf8 4.Kh4 Kg8 $1 $11 ) 2...Rh8+ $1 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 $2 Rf7 $1 ) ) 3.g5 Rh8+ 4.Kg4 Ke7 5.g6 Rf8 6.Rf5 $1
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. } 8...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 "Cleanchess.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+ $1 { 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 $2 ( 5.Kg3 $1 Re2 6.Kf3 $1 $11 ) 5...Rh3+ 6.Kd2 Rh1 $1 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 $2 Rb2 $19 ) ( 2.Kg3 Kd5
3.Ra4 Kc5 4.Ra8 Ra1 $19 ) 2...Rb2 $1 { Using the tempo, prior to the pawn
being attacked. A mistake is still possible by 2...Kd5? 3.Rg3!=. } ( 2...Kd5
$2 3.Rg3 $1 $11 ) 3.Ra4 a2 4.Kg3 Kd5 5.Kf3 Kc5 6.Ke3 Kb5 7.Ra8 Kc4 0-1


[Event "K+R vs K+R+2P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1914.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Blackburne"]
[Black "Lasker"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[FEN "8/6pk/2R4p/8/8/1r6/6K1/8 b - - 0 1"]

{ Here is a classical example of a win with rook- and knight-pawn. } 1...h5
2.Ra6 g6 { Black's king advances using the pawns as a shelter. } 3.Ra4 Kh6
4.Rc4 Rb5 $1 { The direct 4...g5 leads to a draw by 5.Rc6+ Kg7 6.Rc5 Kf6
7.Rc6+ Ke5 8. Rc5+ Kf4 9.Rc4+ Ke3 10.Rc5, and due to a lack of shelter, Black
must either accept perpetual check, or sacrifice one of the pawns. } ( 4...g5
5.Rc6+ Kg7 6.Rc5 Kf6 7.Rc6+ Ke5 8.Rc5+ Kf4 9.Rc4+ Ke3 10.Rc5 $11 ) 5.Kg3 Kg5
6.Rc3 { Similar is 6.Ra4 h4+! 7.Kg2 (7.Rxh4? Rb3+ and Black wins) 7...Kh5 and
so on. } ( 6.Ra4 h4+ $1 7.Kg2 ( 7.Rxh4 $4 Rb3+ $19 ) 7...Kh5 $19 ) 6...h4+
7.Kh3 Kh5 8.Rc4 Rb3+ 9.Kh2 g5 10.Ra4 Rb2+ $1 11.Kh1 ( 11.Kh3 g4+ $1 12.Rxg4
Rb3+ $19 ) 11...h3 12.Rc4 g4 13.Kg1 g3 $1 { Here again, not 13...h2? 14.Kh1 g3
(14... Kh4 15.Rxg4+ =) 15.Rh4! Kg5 16.Rg4+! and draw. } ( 13...h2+ $2 14.Kh1
g3 ( 14...Kh4 15.Rxg4+ $11 ) 15.Rh4+ $1 Kg5 16.Rg4+ $1 $11 ) 14.Rc5+ Kg6
15.Rc1 Kf5 16.Ra1 Rd2 { The correct plan is for Black's king to advance to e2,
and then exchange the rooks. } 17.Re1 Kf4 18.Ra1 Ke3 19.Ra3+ Rd3 20.Ra1 Ke2
{#R} 0-1


[Event "K+R+2P vs K+R"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1958.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Smyslov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[FEN "8/8/3K4/6Pk/R6P/6r1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ Here the pawns are blocked one rank further back. Nevertheless, Black loses.
The analysis is by Botvinnik. } 1.Ke7 { The simplest method - the king is
heading toward h7. } 1...Rb3 { Or 1...Kg6 2.Kf8! Kh7 3.Ra6! Rf3+ 4.Rf6 and the
mating threat 5.Rh6 decides. } ( 1...Kg6 2.Kf8 $1 Kh7 3.Ra6 Rf3+ 4.Rf6 $18 )
2.Ra6 { Ensures a shelter for White's king on f6, and cuts off the retreat of
Black's king. } 2...Rb7+ { Hopeless is 2...Kxh4 3.g6. } ( 2...Kxh4 3.g6 $18 )
3.Kf6 Rb4 4.Rd6 $1 { A strange position. White has no need to hurry, because
the h-pawn is taboo: 4...Kxh4? 5.g6, while if 4...Rxh4 5.Kf5! again with the
threat of Rh6#. } 4...Ra4 ( 4...Kxh4 $2 5.g6 ) ( 4...Rxh4 5.Kf5 $1 ) 5.Re6 Rb4
6.Kf7 Rb7+ 7.Re7 Rb4 8.Kg7 { The threat of 9.Kh7 is irresistible. } 1-0


[Event "K+R vs K+R+2 Split Pawns"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1895.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Schlechter"]
[Black "Chigorin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[FEN "2k5/1p2r3/8/4p3/4K3/8/8/3R4 w - - 0 1"]

{ Black realizes his advantage even more easily here: } 1.Rd5 { If 1.Rb1, then
1. ..Kc7 2.Rc1+ Kd6 3.Rd1+ Kc5 4.Rc1+ Kb4! 5.Rb1+ Kc3 6.Rc1+ Kb2 7.Rc5 Kb3
followed by Kb4, b7-b5 and Black wins. } ( 1.Rb1 Kc7 2.Rc1+ Kd6 3.Rd1+ Kc5
4.Rc1+ Kb4 $1 5.Rb1+ Kc3 6.Rc1+ Kb2 7.Rc5 Kb3 $19 ) 1...Kc7 2.Rc5+ Kd6 3.Rb5
Kc6 4.Rb1 b5 { Victory will be achieved with the pawn that is supported by the
king. } 5.Rc1+ Kb6 6.Rb1 Re8 $1 { Zugzwang - it is equally unfavorable to free
the blocked pawn with 7.Kd3 e4+ 8.Ke3 Re7! and White is again to move, or to
shorten the distance for frontal checks by the rook. } 7.Rb2 ( 7.Kd3 e4+ 8.Ke3
Re7 $19 ) 7...Kc5 8.Rc2+ Kb4 9.Rb2+ Kc4 { The end would have been 10.Rc2+ Kb3
11.Rc7 b4 followed by transfer of the king to b1, moving the pawn to b2, and
then ...Ra8 or ...Rc8, depending on which file is not protected by White's
rook. } ( 9...Kc4 10.Rc2+ Kb3 11.Rc7 b4 $19 ) {#R} 0-1


[Event "K+R+2 Split Pawns vs K+R"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1919.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Kostic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[FEN "6k1/1R6/2r5/5PKP/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ The stronger side usually wins if the king supports the advance of one of
the pawns, and the rook defends one or both pawns from the flank. Especially
interesting and often seen in practice are the endgames with rook and bishop
pawns (f- and h-, or a- and c-pawns). These endgames, though analyzed for many
years, are still unclear. This is also the opinion of Levenfish and Smyslov in
their monograph, as well as Botvinnik in a 1949 article in Shakmaty v SSSR,
and later publications. We will discuss only the most important positions
which every player should be familiar with, in practice. The position is lost
when the king of the weaker side is confined to the last rank. Here Black
defended according to Philidor by controlling the sixth rank. } 1.f6 $1 {
Kopaev proved that White wins also by 1.Rb8+ Kh7 2.f6 Rc5+ 3.Kg4 Rc4+ 4. Kf5
and moving the king to f8, but the plan chosen by Capablanca is easier to
understand. } ( 1.Rb8+ Kh7 2.f6 Rc5+ 3.Kg4 Rc4+ 4.Kf5 $18 ) 1...Rc1 2.Rg7+ Kf8
{ If 2...Kh8, then 3.Kg6 Rg1+ 4.Kf7 Ra1 5.Rg8+ Kh7 6.Re8 Kh6 and the thematic
7.Kf8! (7.Rh8+ Kg5 8.Kg7 also wins) 7...Kxh5 8.f7 and White wins. This
variation demonstrates one of the basic winning motifs - sacrifice the h-pawn
for a winning position with the f-pawn. } ( 2...Kh8 3.Kg6 Rg1+ 4.Kf7 Ra1
5.Rg8+ Kh7 6.Re8 Kh6 7.Kf8 $1 ( 7.Rh8+ Kg5 8.Kg7 $18 ) 7...Kxh5 8.f7 $18 )
3.h6 { With the threat 4.h7 - Black resigned. } {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1977.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Beliavsky"]
[Black "Radulov"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[FEN "8/5r2/R7/P7/6p1/5k2/1K6/8 b - - 0 1"]

{ The play is much more dynamic when both pawns are passed pawns. In this
case, too, most positions are drawn. Each side advances his pawn, sacrifices
the rook at an appropriate moment, and the draw is ensured by the remaining
king and pawn. There are also a number of positions with positional features
offering interesting ideas for victory. See again Diagrams #36 and 37 and
consider them carefully. There, the decisive factor was the better
coordination between the pieces. Another important factor is also whose pawn
is more advanced. Black has one extra tempo, but one more refinement is
necessary: } 1...Rf5 $1 { The straightforward 1...g3 2.Kb3 g2 3.Rg6 Kf2 4.Kb4
g1=Q 5.Rxg1 Kxg1 6.Kb5 leads to a draw. After the text White cannot coordinate
his pieces well. } ( 1...g3 2.Kb3 g2 3.Rg6 Kf2 4.Kb4 g1=Q 5.Rxg1 Kxg1 6.Kb5
$11 ) 2.Ra8 { Or 2.Kb3 g3 3.Kb4 g2 4.Rg6 Rf4+! and 5...Rg4+-. } ( 2.Kb3 g3
3.Kb4 g2 4.Rg6 Rf4+ $1 $18 ) 2...g3 3.a6 Rf6 $1 { A typical winning maneuver.
3... g2? 4.Rg8 Ra5 5.Rf8+ Ke2 6.Re8+ Kf2 7.Rf8+ Kg1 8.Rf6 or 3...Ra5? 4.a7 Kg2
5. Kb3 leads to a draw. If White played 4.a7, then 4...Rf7!. The text would be
followed by 4...g2 and 5...Kf2, therefore White resigned. } ( 3...g2 $2 4.Rg8
Ra5 5.Rf8+ Ke2 6.Re8+ Kf2 7.Rf8+ Kg1 8.Rf6 $11 ) ( 3...Ra5 $2 4.a7 Kf2 5.Kb3
$11 ) ( 3...Rf6 4.a7 Rf7 $1 ) 0-1


[Event "K+R+2P (connected) vs K+R+P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1950.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Flohr"]
[Black "Szabo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[FEN "8/2R5/1p6/3r1k2/8/8/PPK5/8 b - - 0 1"]

{ The defender's task is very difficult (or impossible) also when the king is
cut off from the pawns. This is an excellent example. } 1...Ra5 2.a3 Ke5 3.Rd7
$1 { Black's king is cut off at a maximum distance from the pawns. } 3...Ke6
4.Rd2 Rh5 5.Kb3 { White's plan is to attack the black pawn, and if he cannot
capture it, exchange it for one of his own. This creates a winning
rook-and-pawn-versus-rook ending, with the opponent's king cut off. } 5...Rh4
6.Rd8 Ke7 7.Rd5 Rg4 8.Kc3 Rh4 9.b3 Rg4 10.Rd4 Rg3+ 11.Kc4 Rg5 12.Rd5 Rg4+
13.Kb5 Rg3 14.b4 Rg6 ( 14...Rxa3 15.Kxb6 $18 ) 15.Ka6 Rh6 16.b5 {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+2P (Connected) vs K+R+P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1957.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Portisch"]
[Black "Radovici"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "game"]
[FEN "8/7R/2k5/5K2/r7/2p2PP1/8/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ Another type of position important in practical play is that in which all
pawns of both sides are passed pawns, but the stronger side has two connected
pawns. As a general rule, such positions favor the connected pawns, and lead
to a victory in the great majority of cases. The basic plan is to advance the
connected pawns as far as possible, sacrifice the rook for the single pawn of
the opponent at the last minute, and make the connected pawns, supported by
the king, unstoppable. Here is a good example of this kind of struggle. }
1.Rh1 c2 2.Rc1 Rc4 3.Ke6 $1 Rc3 4.f4 Re3+ { Hopeless is 4...Rxg3 5.Rxc2+ Kb7
6. f5+-. } ( 4...Rxg3 5.Rxc2+ Kb7 6.f5 $18 ) 5.Kf6 Rc3 { Again, impossible is
5... Rxg3 6.Rxc2 Kd7 7.Re2!+-. } ( 5...Rxg3 6.Rxc2+ Kd7 7.Re2 $1 $18 ) 6.g4
Kd5 7.f5 Rc6+ 8.Kg7 Rc7+ 9.Kg6 $18 { The end would have been 9...Kd4 10.f6 Kd3
11. f7 Rc8 12.g5 Kd2 13.Rxc2+ Kxc2 14.Kg7 and White wins. } ( 9.Kg6 Kd4 10.f6
Kd3 11.f7 Rc8 12.g5 Kd2 13.Rxc2+ Kxc2 14.Kg7 $18 ) {#r} 1-0


[Event "K+R+P vs K+R+2P (Splitted)"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1973.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Tzouros"]
[Black "Minev"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventType "game"]
[FEN "8/R7/1p4p1/1r3k2/8/6P1/6K1/8 b - - 0 1"]

{ Quite common are positions in which two opposing pawns stand on the same
file on one flank, while an unconnected passed pawn stands in the center or on
the other flank, as shown here. The typical winning plan for such a position
is: 1) arrange the pawns on the same rank, 2) defend the flanks with the rook,
3) cut the opponent's king off from the passed pawn, and 4) advance the king
towards the passed pawn. This was the plan followed by Black in this game. }
1...g5 $1 { Insufficient is 1...Rb2+ 2.Kh3 b5 3.Rb7 b4 4.Rb5+ Kf6 5.Kg4 when
White has activated all of his pieces, and counterplay against the opponent's
king and g-pawn ensures a draw. } ( 1...Rb2+ 2.Kh3 b5 3.Rb7 b4 4.Rb5+ Kf6
5.Kg4 $11 ) 2.Kh3 { No help is 2.Rf7+ Kg4-+. If 2.Rb7 Rb2+, when White's king
has to retreat to the first rank. Or 2.Ra6 Rb2+ 3.Kf1 (3.Kh3? g4+ and 4...Rh2
mate). 3...Kg4 4.Ra3 b5-+. } ( 2.Rf7+ Kg4 $19 ) ( 2.Rb7 Rb2+ ) ( 2.Ra6 Rb2+
3.Kf1 ( 3.Kh3 $2 g4+ 4.Kh4 Rh2# ) 3...Kg4 4.Ra3 b5 $19 ) 2...Rd5 $1 { Again,
not a good idea is 2...Rb2 3.Rf7 Kg6 4.Rf8! Rb4 (4...b5 5.g4 b4 6.Rf5=) 5.Rg8+
Kf6 6.Rf8+ Kg7 (6...Ke5 7.Rg8 g4? 8.Rxg4=) 7.Rf5 Kg6 8.g4 Rf4 9.Rb5 Rf6 10.
Kg3 Kh6 11. Kg2 Rg6 12.Kf3 Kg7 13.Ke4=. } ( 2...Rb2 3.Rf7+ Kg6 4.Rf8 $1 Rb4 (
4...b5 5.g4 b4 6.Rf5 $11 ) 5.Rg8+ Kf6 6.Rf8+ Kg7 ( 6...Ke5 7.Rg8 g4+ $2 8.Rxg4
$11 ) 7.Rf5 Kg6 8.g4 Rf4 9.Rb5 Rf6 10.Kg3 Kh6 11.Kg2 Rg6 12.Kf3 Kg7 13.Ke4 $11
) 3.Rf7+ ( 3.Re7 b5 4.Re8 Re5 $19 ) 3...Ke4 4.Rb7 b5 5.Kg4 Kd4 6.Kf3 Kc4 7.Ke4
Rc5 8.Rd7 b4 9.Rd1 b3 10.Rb1 Kc3 11.Rc1+ Kb4 12.Rb1 Rc4+ 13.Kf5 g4 14.Kg5 Kc3
{ In such endgames, the defender has a better chance to draw if he blocks the
passed pawn with the king. Or failing that, he should try prevent Black from
setting his pawns the pattern seen in this game, and aim for active
counterplay against the opponent's king and the flank with material equality.
} 0-1


[Event "K+R+3P (Connected) vs K+R+2P (Split)"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1930.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Yates"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[FEN "8/5pk1/1R5p/4P3/5PP1/4r3/6K1/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ Chances for victory are increased when the pawns of the weaker side are
isolated. Probably the best example from practice is this one. This position
has been analyzed in detail by so many famous experts on endgames, that the
author will humbly compile and present all of them in this book, in order to
fully expose the whole picture of the struggle and the various possibilities.
} 1.Rb4 { White's plan is to expel Black's rook from the third rank, transfer
his own rook to the seventh or eighth rank, and advance the f-pawn. This is
most easily achieved by 1.Rb1!, denying Black the most active defense of
attacking the pawns from rear. A likely continuation then is 1...Re4 2.Kf3 Ra4
3.Rb8! Ra3+ 4.Kg2 Re3 5.Re8 Re2+ 6.Kf3 Re1 7.f5 Rf1+ 8.Ke2 Rf4 9.Ke3 Rxg4 10.
f6+ Kh7 11.e6! and wins (Kopaev). } ( 1.Rb1 $1 Re4 2.Kf3 Ra4 3.Rb8 $1 Ra3+
4.Kg2 Re3 5.Re8 Re2+ 6.Kf3 Re1 7.f5 Rf1+ 8.Ke2 Rf4 9.Ke3 Rxg4 10.f6+ Kh7 11.e6
$1 $18 ) 1...Rc3 2.Kf2 $2 { A mistake. Winning is 2.Rb8! intending 3.f5
(Kopaev). } 2...Ra3 $2 { Better drawing chances lie in 2...h5! (Levenfish and
Smyslov), followed, for example, by 3.g5 (3.gxh5 Rh3!) 3...h4 4.Rb7 Kg6 5.Rb6+
Kg7! 6.Rh6 h3 7.f5 (or 7.Kg1 Rf3 8.Rh4 Kg6 and Kf5=) 7...Rc5 8.f6+ Kg8 9.e6
(or 9.g6 fxg6 10.Rxg6 Kf7! 11.Rg7+ Kf8 12.Re7 Rc2+ 13.Kg1 h2+ 14.Kh1 Re2=)
9... fxe6 10.Rg6+ Kf8 11.Kg3 Rc3+ 12.Kh2 Rf3 13.Rh6 e5 14.Rxh3 Rf5 15.Rh8+ Kf7
16. Rh7+ Kf8 17.Rg7 Rf3 18.Kg2 e4= (Kopaev). } ( 2...h5 $1 3.g5 ( 3.gxh5 Rh3
$1 ) 3...h4 4.Rb7 Kg6 5.Rb6+ Kg7 $1 6.Rh6 h3 7.f5 ( 7.Kg1 Rf3 8.Rh4 Kg6 9.--
Kf5 $11 ) 7...Rc5 8.f6+ Kg8 9.e6 ( 9.g6 fxg6 10.Rxg6+ Kf7 $1 11.Rg7+ Kf8
12.Re7 Rc2+ 13.Kg1 h2+ 14.Kh1 Re2 $11 ) 9...fxe6 10.Rg6+ Kf8 11.Kg3 Rc3+
12.Kh2 Rf3 13.Rh6 e5 14.Rxh3 Rf5 15.Rh8+ Kf7 16.Rh7+ Kf8 17.Rg7 Rf3 18.Kg2 e4
$11 ) 3.Rb7 Kg8 ( 3...Kg6 4.f5+ $18 ) 4.Rb8+ $1 Kg7 5.f5 { Threatening 6.f6+
Kh7 7.Rf8 Kg6 8.Rg8+ Kh7 9.Rg7+ +- (Fine). } 5...Ra2+ { White's king cannot be
cut off along the third rank, e.g. 5...Rc3 6.f6+ Kh7 7.Rf8 Rc7 8.Kf3 Rb7 9.Kf4
Ra7 10. Kf5 Rb7 11.Rxf7+! Rxf7 12.e6+- (Levenfish and Smyslov). } ( 5...Rc3
6.f6+ Kh7 7.Rf8 Rc7 8.Kf3 Rb7 9.Kf4 Ra7 10.Kf5 Rb7 11.Rxf7+ $1 Rxf7 12.e6 $18
) 6.Ke3 Ra3+ 7.Ke4 Ra4+ 8.Kd5 $1 Ra5+ { After 8...Rxg4 9.f6+ Kh7 10.Rf8 Kg6
11.Rg8+ Kh5 12.Rxg4 Kxg4 13.e6 will produce a queen (Fine). } ( 8...Rxg4 9.f6+
Kh7 10.Rf8 Kg6 11.Rg8+ Kh5 12.Rxg4 Kxg4 13.e6 $18 ) 9.Kd6 Ra6+ 10.Kc7 Kh7 { Or
10...Ra1 11.f6+ Kh7 12.Rf8 Ra7+ 13.Kd8 Kg6 14.Rg8+ Kh7 15.Rg7+ Kh8 16. g5
(16.Ke8 h5 17.g5 h4 18.Rxf7 Ra8+ 19.Ke7 h3 20.g6! Ra7+ 21.Ke6+- ) (Lisitsin) .
16...hxg5 17.Ke8 Ra5 18.Rxg5 Ra7 19.e6! fxe6 20.f7 Ra8+ 21.Ke7 Ra7+ 22.Kf6 Ra8
23.Rh5# (Fine). } ( 10...Ra1 11.f6+ Kh7 12.Rf8 Ra7+ 13.Kd8 Kg6 14.Rg8+ Kh7
15.Rg7+ Kh8 16.g5 ( 16.Ke8 h5 17.g5 h4 18.Rxf7 Ra8+ 19.Ke7 h3 20.g6 Ra7+
21.Ke6 $18 ) 16...hxg5 17.Ke8 Ra5 18.Rxg5 Ra7 19.e6 $1 fxe6 20.f7 Ra8+ 21.Ke7
Ra7+ 22.Kf6 Ra8 23.Rh5# ) 11.Kd7 Ra7+ 12.Kd6 Kg7 ( 12...Ra6+ 13.Ke7 Ra7+
14.Kf6 $18 ) 13.Rd8 Ra5 { Other defenses are no better: 13...Rb7 14.Rd7! Rb6+
15.Kc5 Rb8 16.e6 Rf8 17.Kd5 Kf6 18.Rxf7+ +-; 13...Ra6+ 14.Ke7 Ra7+ 15.Rd7 Ra8
16.Rc7 Rb8 17.Kd6! Kg8 18.e6 fxe6 19.fxe6+- (Lisitsin). } ( 13...Rb7 14.Rd7 $1
Rb6+ 15.Kc5 Rb8 16.e6 Rf8 17.Kd5 Kf6 18.Rxf7+ $18 ) ( 13...Ra6+ 14.Ke7 Ra7+
15.Rd7 Ra8 16.Rc7 Rb8 17.Kd6 $1 Kg8 18.e6 fxe6 19.fxe6 $18 ) 14.f6+ Kh7 15.Rf8
Ra7 16.Kc6 $1 { Also winning is 16.Kd5 intending 17. Ke4 and 18.Rxf7
(Levenfish and Smyslov). Capablanca has placed his opponent in zugzwang. }
16...Kg6 17.Rg8+ Kh7 18.Rg7+ Kh8 19.Kb6 Rd7 20.Kc5 $1 Rc7+ 21.Kd6 Ra7 22.e6 $1
{ Precise! If 22.g5, then 22...hxg5 23.Rxg5 Kh7 24.Rg7+ Kh8 25.e6 Ra6+ 26.Ke7
Rxe6! 27.Kxf7 Rxf6!= (Fine). } ( 22.g5 hxg5 23.Rxg5 Kh7 24.Rg7+ Kh8 25.e6 Ra6+
26.Ke7 Rxe6+ $1 27.Kxf7 Rxf6+ $1 $11 ) 22...Ra6+ 23.Ke7 Rxe6+ { Or 23...fxe6
24.f7! Ra7+ 25.Kf6 Ra8 26.Kg6 and mate next (Fine). } ( 23...fxe6 24.f7 Ra7+
25.Kf6 Ra8 26.Kg6 $18 ) 24.Kxf7 Re4 { Or 24...Re5 25.g5! hxg5 26.Kg6+-
(Lisitsin). } ( 24...Re5 25.g5 hxg5 26.Kg6 $18 ) 25.g5 $1 hxg5 26.Kg6 { After
26...Re6 follows 27.Re7. } ( 26.Kg6 Re6 27.Re7 $18 ) 1-0


[Event "K+R+4P vs K+R+3P"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1930.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Capablanca"]
[Black "Yates"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[FEN "8/5pkp/R5p1/8/1r6/4PKPP/5P2/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ 3. Rook and Four Pawns Versus Rook and Three Pawns With this material
balance, the two most common pawn configurations in practice are: 1) all pawns
on the same flank, or 2) both sides each have three pawns on the same flank,
while one has a passed pawn on the other flank. When all pawns are on the same
flank, the 4:3 pawn ratio allows more winning chances than a 3:2 ratio. Still,
the natural outcome is a draw, assuming the defending side does not play as
passively as in the previous example. Diagram #177: Capablanca-Yates, Hastings
1930/31, from an earlier point than diagram 176. } 1.Ra5 $1 { Preparing g3-g4,
which if done immediately allows a pawn exchange leading to a draw: 1.g4 Rb5
and 2...h5 etc. } ( 1.g4 Rb5 2.-- h5 $11 ) 1...Rc4 $2 { Passive waiting. As we
will see below, White can create chances only by advancing his h-pawn.
Therefore 1...h5! is mandatory, when Black has nothing to fear (see also
Diagram #178). } ( 1...h5 $1 ) 2.g4 $1 { Preventing the most important
defensive move, ...h7-h5 } 2...h6 3.Kg3 Rc1 4.Kg2 Rc4 5.Rd5 Ra4 6.f4 Ra2+
7.Kg3 Re2 8.Re5 Re1 9.Kf2 Rh1 10.Kg2 Re1 11.h4 Kf6 { Better is 11...Ra1 12.h5
gxh5 13.Rxh5 f6! since it is proven that White cannot win this position. } (
11...Ra1 12.h5 gxh5 13.Rxh5 f6 $1 $11 ) 12.h5 $1 Re2+ 13.Kf3 Re1 { Another
mistake! Black should have played 13...Rh2. } ( 13...Rh2 ) 14.Ra5 Kg7 15.hxg6
Kxg6 { An obligatory weakening of the pawns, as after 15...fxg6 16.Ra7+ Kg8
(or 16...Kf6 17.Rh7+-) 17.e4! Rf1 18.Ke3 Rg1 19.f5! Rxg4 20.f6! the two
connected white pawns are decisive. } ( 15...fxg6 16.Ra7+ Kg8 ( 16...Kf6
17.Rh7 $18 ) 17.e4 $1 Rf1+ 18.Ke3 Rg1 19.f5 $1 Rxg4 20.f6 $1 $18 ) 16.e4 Rf1+
17.Kg3 Rg1+ 18.Kh3 Rf1 19.Rf5 Re1 $4 { After 19...f6! the position should end
in a draw. } ( 19...f6 $1 $11 ) 20.e5 Re3+ 21.Kg2 Ra3 22.Rf6+ Kg7 23.Rb6 $6 {
Correct would be 23.Rd6+-. } ( 23.Rd6 $18 ) 23...Re3 $2 { Black did not take
advantage of White's lack of precision, by restoring equality by 23...Ra4!
24.Kf3 Ra3+ 25.Ke4 Ra4+ 26.Kf5 Rc4 27.Rb7 Kg8! 28.e6 fxe6+ 29.Ke5 h5! After
the text move 23...Re3? we have the position of Diagram #176, in which
Capablanca demonstrated a certain victory. But Black had to make a number of
mistakes to get there! } ( 23...Ra4 $1 24.Kf3 Ra3+ 25.Ke4 Ra4+ 26.Kf5 Rc4
27.Rb7 Kg8 $1 28.e6 fxe6+ 29.Ke5 h5 $1 ) 1-0


[Event "K+R+3P(Connected)+P (Split) vs K+R+3P (Connected)"]
[Site "Cleanchess.com"]
[Date "1927.01.01"]
[Round "0"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventCountry "ARG"]
[FEN "8/5pk1/r5pp/P7/3R3P/6P1/5PK1/8 w - - 0 1"]

{ In positions with pawn equality on one flank and a passed pawn on the other,
the winning chances for the stronger side are exceptionally high, if the rook,
observing Tarrasch's dictum, supports the advance of the pawns from the rear.
Here is a typical example. } 1.Ra4 $1 { The outcome has been decided. Black
cannot move his rook. Any attempt to bring his king to the queenside will
leave the kingside unprotected, and White's king will penetrate. The progress
of the game itself is easy to follow, and requires no extensive explanation: }
1...Kf6 2.Kf3 Ke5 3.Ke3 h5 4.Kd3 Kd5 5.Kc3 Kc5 6.Ra2 $1 Kb5 7.Kd4 Rd6+ 8.Ke5
Re6+ 9.Kf4 Ka6 10.Kg5 Re5+ 11.Kh6 Rf5 12.f4 $6 { Better 12.Kg7! Rf3 13.Kg8!
Rf6 14.f4 Rf5 15.Kg7 and White wins (Alekhine). } ( 12.Kg7 $1 Rf3 13.Kg8 $1
Rf6 14.f4 Rf5 15.Kg7 $18 ) 12...Rc5 $1 13.Ra3 Rc7 14.Kg7 Rd7 15.f5 gxf5 16.Kh6
f4 17.gxf4 Rd5 18.Kg7 Rf5 19.Ra4 Kb5 20.Re4 $1 Ka6 21.Kh6 $1 Rxa5 22.Re5 Ra1
23.Kxh5 Rg1 24.Rg5 $1 Rh1 25.Rf5 Kb6 26.Rxf7 Kc6 27.Re7 $1 {#r} 1-0