Rook endings: rook pawns and the Vančura idea
In short
Rook endings with an a- or h-pawn are drawn more often than other rook endings, because the attacking king has little room and the rook in front of the pawn has no good squares.
By the end you can
- Know why a-pawn rook endings are drawish
- Defend with side checks and the Vančura set-up
The lesson
Rook endings with an a- or h-pawn are drawn more often than other rook endings, because the attacking king has little room and the rook in front of the pawn has no good squares.
When the attacking rook is in front of its pawn and the pawn is on the sixth rank, the defender’s rook can attack the pawn from the side (on the sixth rank) while the king stays near the other wing. This Vančura set-up draws, because the attacking rook is tied down.
Key points to remember
- Rook pawns are drawish
- Defending rook attacks the pawn from the side
- Keep the defending king on the other wing
Examples
Show the moves
1... Rc6 2. Ke3 Rd6 3. Ra7+ Kg6 4. Ke4 Kh6 5. Ke5 Rc6 6. Kd5
Homework
Hold the Vančura practice position three times.
More endgames lessons
- Mini-games: pawn wars and queen vs pawns (Foundation)
- Can the king catch the pawn? The rule of the square (Novice)
- King and pawn vs king: opposition (Class F)
- Passed pawns and promotion races (Class F)
- The Lucena position: building a bridge (Class E)
- The Philidor defence: holding rook endings (Class E)