My first post will be about something simple. It'll be about rook endgames.
Why rook endgames? Rook endgames are the most common endgame of chess, and it would be good to master it, either to get that draw or win.
The Lucena Position
In the lucena position, the pawn is at the 7th rank, one step to promotion, with it's own king blocking the promotion square.
White to play and win
1.Rc1+ This move is essential, as the black king needs to be 2 files away for white to win.
1...Kb6 Now what? If the white king moves out of e8, for example, 2.Kd7, he will then be rained checks from the black rook.
2.Rc4! The endgame idea behind this move is genius, which you will then see in the following moves. Note: The rook is 5 ranks away from the promotional square.
2...Re2 Black can actually do any rook move here.
3.Kd7
3...Rd2+ Black tries the plan of checking the white king till infinity.
4.Kd6
4...Re2+ Chase on.
5.Kd6 or Kf6
5...Kd2+ or Kf2+ respectively.
6. Ke5 6...Re2+
7.Re4! After exchanging rooks, black cannot get into the 'square' of the pawn (cannot catch up with the pawn). This shows the purpose of having the black king two files away.
1-0 White wins.
With this idea in mind, let us try some other variations that black might undertake.
Variation I
2...Kb5 Black attacks the rook
3.Re4 This protects the pawn, and also blocks the black rook from attacking it.
3...Kc6 4.Kd8 Rd2+ 5.Kc8 Ra2 threating mate 6.Kb8. The pawn will promote.
Variation II
1...Kd6 2.Kd8 the black king blocks its own rook from checking the white king.
Similar positions
What if the black king is on another square? let's say Kb5, controlling c4.
Now, white can safely play 1.Re1
1... Kc6 2.Kd8 Rd2+ Kc8
1-0
No matter where black's king is, make sure that it is 2 files away from the pawn. Also, you must be alert to other differences in the positions and other possible variations of black moves. But always note that with the lucena position, the side with the pawn always wins.
End of lesson
Applause please =p
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