100 endgames you must know(Expanded)

1 1 . Rook + two Pawns vs . Rook

Fou rth scenario

This is perhaps the best-known drawing scenario. Although most of us have seen it
in our games , it still comes as a surprise. If a passed pawn reaches the 7 th rank and
the attacking rook is in front of it, the rook becomes completely passive and then
the stronger side finds great difficulties in turning such a large material advantage
(two pawns) into victory.

Position 11.12

The best-known case involves a rook's pawn on the 7th rank, but it is not the only
possibility.
The analysis is quite easy : the black pieces just occupy their ideal positions (rook
on a-file and king on g 7 or h7) and wait. The rook must be ready to deliver checks
if the white king arrives to defend the a-pawn.
A second pawn, as here the g-pawn, does not change the result, as it cannot be used
to take the black king out ofthe safe zone.
1 .�f3 .l:la2 2.�e4 .l:la 1 3.�d5 l::ia2 4.�c6 I:.a 1 5.�b6 .l:lb1 + 6.�c6 .l:la 1 7.g4
.l:la2 8.g5 .l:la 1 9.g6 .l:la2
Of course, Black does not want to capture the pawn at all.
1 0.�b7 .l:lb2+=
We can easily observe that, if the second white pawn was on the h-file, White could
not win either. Not even if White had doubled pawns on the h-file. In those cases ,
the pawn stuck on the 7th rank could be on any other file.
Finally, the ending would be won if the second white pawn were on any other file,
for instance the f-file. White would win by just pushing the pawn.

Conclusion: Think twice before you push a pawn to the
7th rank with your rook in front of it. It can ruin a win­
ning position even ifyou have more pawns.

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