Openings and endgames
Rook and pawns against rook
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Rook and pawn versus rook ending
Level: BasicA five-piece ending in which a king, rook, and pawn try to defeat a king and rook.
Lucena position
Level: AdvancedA winning rook-and-pawn versus rook setup where the attacking king occupies the promotion square and builds shelter from checks.
Bridge building
Level: IntermediateA winning rook-and-pawn method in which the rook shelters its king from side checks.
Philidor position
Level: AdvancedA drawing rook-and-pawn versus rook method that blocks the attacking king with a rook barrier, then checks from behind.
Vancura position
Level: AdvancedA drawing defense against rook and rook pawn where the defending rook attacks from the side and gives lateral checks.
Back-rank defense
Level: IntermediateA drawing method in rook and pawn versus rook: the king blocks the pawn while the rook waits on the row nearest its own side.
Last-rank defense
Level: AdvancedA concrete drawing method where the defending rook maneuvers along the promotion rank against a highly advanced pawn.
Frontal defense
Level: AdvancedA drawing method in rook versus rook and pawn where the defending rook stands in front of the pawn and checks the king head-on.
Short-side defense
Level: AdvancedA rook and pawn versus rook drawing method that places the king on the short side and rook on the long side.
Rule of three
Level: AdvancedA defensive rule requiring at least three horizontal rows of checking distance in certain rook and pawn endings.
Rule of five
Level: AdvancedA practical rule estimating whether a protected pawn wins when the rook cuts off the defending king by files.
Rook and two pawns versus rook ending
Level: AdvancedAn ending in which a rook and two pawns try to defeat a lone opposing rook.