Lesson 16 of 16
How to defend the Philidor rook endgame
A pawn down in a rook endgame can still be enough to draw. Learn how Black seals off the sixth rank and when to start checking from behind.
Keep the sixth rank closed
In this example Black’s king blocks promotion on e8. Black’s rook keeps White’s king out of the sixth rank. Wait for e5. The pawn can no longer shelter the king from a check from behind on a neighbouring file.
White to move. Which part of the board should Black’s rook guard while the white pawn is still on e4?
- After Kf5, Black stays on the sixth rank with …Rb6. White’s king still cannot enter it.
- After e5 the rook goes to b1, ready to check from behind on the first rank.
- After Kg6 comes …Rg1+. The white pawn on e5 cannot block the check along the g-file.
Practise on the board
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