Skybound Chess
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Rook Endgames

The most common — and most drawn — endings there are. Cutting off the king, checking distance, keeping the rook active, defending from behind the passer, and making luft.

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  1. 1Cut off the kingStart hereA rook on a file the enemy king can't cross keeps it away from your pawn for good.→
  2. 2Checking distanceCheck from at least three files away, so the enemy king can never reach your rook to shelter from the checks.→
  3. 3The active rookAn active rook is worth about a pawn — almost never go passive to defend one.→
  4. 4Behind the enemy passerAs the defender, get your rook BEHIND the passed pawn — it can't advance without losing itself.→
  5. 5Don't rushIn a winning rook ending, improve everything you can before touching the pawn.→
  6. 6Rook versus pawnA lone rook draws against king and pawn by checking the king off its shepherd duty, then taking the pawn.→
  7. 7Make luftBefore the enemy rook mops your pawns and mates on the back rank, give your king a bolt-hole.→
  8. 8Trade into a won endingUp a pawn, offering the rook trade is often the cleanest path — king-and-pawn endings are much simpler.→
  9. 9The seventh rankIn the endgame a rook on the seventh eats pawns and pins the king back — worth a pawn on its own.→
  10. 10Rook behind, then pushYour rook behind your own passed pawn, the enemy's stuck in front of it — the winning setup. Advance.→