Yes, one of the most basic endgame rules is to keep rooks behind advancing pawns.
Kings should lead pawns, rooks back them up.
Kings should lead pawns, rooks back them up.
Don't worry, the final position is a draw. Some basic articles: http://www.chess-insights.com/rook-ending-essentials.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rook_and_pawn_versus_rook_endgame
Thx guys. The idea of rooks behind pawns is familiar to me. I was just surprised that the 2 pawns didn't mean anything. In the game I was just moving because of time but afterwards I was trying to figure if I could have given up one pawn to queen the other. With a bit more looking I saw I could not. All around it was a bad game because I had mate a couple of times and a winning endgame earlier but I blew it. You live and you learn. Peace
"Not all pawns are created equal". In KRP vs. KR, if the pawn is a rook pawn, it's almost always a draw. You can even add another rook pawn and it's still a draw in most cases. Rook pawns are more challenging than the other pawns for Knights, though.
I've just found where I read recently on this subject, an absolutely must read article: http://en.chessbase.com/post/karsten-mueller-understanding-the-vancura-draw
I've just found where I read recently on this subject, an absolutely must read article: http://en.chessbase.com/post/karsten-mueller-understanding-the-vancura-draw
Thank you Okgo. I'll read. I need to learn a little here and there. Peace
"In KRP vs. KR, if the pawn is a rook pawn, it's almost always a draw. You can even add another rook pawn and it's still a draw in most cases.
I've just found where I read recently on this subject, an absolutely must read article: http://en.chessbase.com/post/karsten-mueller-understanding-the-vancura-draw "
Can someone more experienced than me, such as a LM or any master please confirm this?
That article us exclusively about the "vancura draw", not KRP (or 2 pawns) vs KR.
I don't see how you arrived at the conclusion "if the pawn is a rook pawn it's almost always a draw, even with another pawn", it certainly wasn't from that article.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess/The_Endgame/Rook_and_Pawn_Endings
The above is more general (not specifically about one type of drawn game)
It says:
1. Three or More Pawns and Rook vs. Rook:
This situation should *always* be a win for the side that has the pawns and is not terribly difficult to play.
2. Two Pawns and Rook vs. Rook: This scenario *usually* results in a win for the player that's ahead, but in practice can be more challenging to execute.
3. One Pawn and Rook vs. Rook: Situations where one side has only a single pawn are the most complex of all rook and pawn endgames. Unlike the two above scenarios, they are not cut-and-dried, and there are more factors involved, such as the positions of both kings and rooks and the file the pawn is on.
I've just found where I read recently on this subject, an absolutely must read article: http://en.chessbase.com/post/karsten-mueller-understanding-the-vancura-draw "
Can someone more experienced than me, such as a LM or any master please confirm this?
That article us exclusively about the "vancura draw", not KRP (or 2 pawns) vs KR.
I don't see how you arrived at the conclusion "if the pawn is a rook pawn it's almost always a draw, even with another pawn", it certainly wasn't from that article.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess/The_Endgame/Rook_and_Pawn_Endings
The above is more general (not specifically about one type of drawn game)
It says:
1. Three or More Pawns and Rook vs. Rook:
This situation should *always* be a win for the side that has the pawns and is not terribly difficult to play.
2. Two Pawns and Rook vs. Rook: This scenario *usually* results in a win for the player that's ahead, but in practice can be more challenging to execute.
3. One Pawn and Rook vs. Rook: Situations where one side has only a single pawn are the most complex of all rook and pawn endgames. Unlike the two above scenarios, they are not cut-and-dried, and there are more factors involved, such as the positions of both kings and rooks and the file the pawn is on.
@Dionysus_god A NM says: "Black knows that an endgame with White up even two rook pawns is drawn and aims for such a position".
http://www.chess.com/blog/CraiggoryC/how-to-study-and-improve-quickly-in-the-endgame
http://www.chess.com/blog/CraiggoryC/how-to-study-and-improve-quickly-in-the-endgame
Well, it's a bit simplistic to just say that two rook pawns in that pure ending is just drawn. There are a bunch of versions that are winning, just a lot fewer than with any other two pawns.
In the OPs final position, for example, either having the a pawn on a3 or having the rook defending the a2 pawn on the 2nd rank instead of from a1 would yield a winning ending. It's dangerous to just assume that the two rook pawns are drawn.
Best to know exactly when it's drawn and why :)
In the OPs final position, for example, either having the a pawn on a3 or having the rook defending the a2 pawn on the 2nd rank instead of from a1 would yield a winning ending. It's dangerous to just assume that the two rook pawns are drawn.
Best to know exactly when it's drawn and why :)
Thanks OneOfTheQ. While this is a terrible example of my capacity to finish I know I have much to learn in the endgame. Peace
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