King and rook checkmate

King and rook versus king can also force checkmate, but it requires more coordination than mating with a queen. The rook can cut off an entire row or column, yet it does not control diagonal squares. The attacking king must approach and build a barrier the enemy king cannot cross.

How to reduce the king's space

1. Place the rook so it confines the enemy king inside a broad, safe area.
2. Bring your king closer to control the row or column toward which you want to drive the defender.
3. When the enemy king must retreat, use the rook to shrink the area and repeat until the king reaches the edge.
4. In the final position, the rook checks along the edge while your king covers the neighboring squares.

The rook must not approach without protection, because the enemy king can attack and capture it. This method is different from ladder mate, which uses two rooks, or a rook and queen, to push the king and depends much less on the attacking king.