EFGHY -sn-+( +ktr-' -zp-zp& tr-+-%

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1 Quality of Rooks Open Files and Methods of Play Until now, we have studied the quality of pieces regardless their name. The lessons better development, piece out of play, local force superiority, and the collaboration between pieces were all about the quality and play of pieces in general. Now, it is time to study specific strategies for every of the 4 different pieces (rooks, queen, and minor pieces) and we start with the rook. The rook comes into play later than minor pieces, usually, after the castle is done, and after a longer preparation. Being a strong piece capable of fighting from a long distance with influence far in opponent s camp, the rook-play is very important. Qualities of the rook 1. The rooks control the same number of squares no matter their place. First of all, you should know that the rook is the only piece which controls the same number of square no matter where it is placed on the board. So, a rook on the corner can have the same value as a rook in the centre. 2. The rook is very powerful in attack. The rook is able to cut off all the escaping squares of a king making him as being on the edge of the board. This is why bringing the rooks in attacks against the king is often decisive. The rooks can be brought in attack by opening the files or by rook-lifts (bringing the rook in front of the own pawns). EFGHY -sn-+( +ktr-' -zp-zp& tr-+-% 3. The rook is a play coordinating piece. In most of the cases, the rooks are placed behind the theatre of battle supporting the own minor pieces and pawns in their actions. Besides supporting their pieces, the rooks create pressure far in the opponent s camp. 4. The rook is an important defender of the king. The rooks play a rather important role for the king s safety. Their main role is to defend the first (back) rank against the opponent s heavy pieces. There are even rare cases when an unprotected back rank cannot be exploited by the opponent s major pieces. Also, the rooks can defend the second (seventh) rank. tr-zppzp" -+RmK-! defghy In the position from the right, you can see that the d2-rook is capable to defend the g2- pawn after moving the f-pawn forward. Also, besides defending the first rank, the f1-rook defends another vulnerable point near the king: f2. 5. The quality of the rook is strongly connected with the own pawn formation As the bishops, the quality of the rooks is strongly influenced by the own pawns arrangement. There are more cases: 1

2 5.1. Rook behind blocked pawns The rook behind a blocked pawn from its own camp has a diminished value as it cannot operate on that file. In this diagram, the a1-rook is blocked by the a4-pawn which is also blocked by the black a5-pawn. However, even worse it is the situation on the b-file where the rook is also blocked and, in addition, the b3-pawn is weak, backward and needs permanent protection from the rook Rook behind mobile pawns If the rook is behind mobile pawns, the quality value of the rook increases a lot. For example, in our diagram, the f1-rook sees up to the fifth rank (by tactical means, we can consider the power of the rook transmitted through the e4 and f4 pawns one rank further). White threatens to play f4-f5 and, then, possible f5-f6 or f5xe6, opening the file for the rook which will be able to enter attack against Black s position. Moreover, the advanced white pawns allow the rook-lift: Rf1-f3- g3 (h3, or anywhere else on the third rank) Rook on a half-open file Here, the white rook is on a half-open file: White has no pawn on the c-file, while Black does have a pawn on the c-file. The quality of the rooks on half-open files is very high. The rook has a target on the c-file: the c6-pawn. If that black pawn looks well protected to you, think that after b2-b4, a2-a4, and b4-b5-xc6, White creates there a weakness and good target. Also, the rook can lift on more advanced ranks. In our diagram, White can play Rc1-c3-b3(a3) attacking Black pawns. Also, White has more space on the queenside because of the squares he controls along the c-file. We will see later the importance of the outpost, which in our diagram is on c5. 5zp-zp 4P+P 3+P tRR+ xabcy EFGHY -trk+( +pzpp' p+-+& +-+-% PzP-+$ +-+-# -+PzP" +RmK-! efghy X ABCD zpp+- 6-+p+ 5+-+p 4-+-zP PzP-+ 1+-tRxabcdy 2

3 5.4. Rook on an open file a) The disadvantage of an open file is that the enemy rooks can often neutralize it by exchanges. In this diagram, if Black can play Rf8-d8 or Re7-d7, the power of the d1-rook will be diminished. In this case, nevertheless, there is a resource: the outpost! White can use the d5-square (or Black can use the d4-square), for getting an advantage (see outpost, later in this lesson). b) If a rook on an open file cannot be neutralized, his value is very high and it is a clear strategical plus. The value of the rooks on open files is higher in the centre. For example: a rook on the d-file is much stronger than a rook on an edge file. Also, it is important to see if there are free squares to make DEFGHY +-trk+( -trpzp-' +-+-+& -zp-+-% +P+-+$ -+-zp-# +-zpk+" R+-+R! defghy possible the entrance in the opponent s camp and estimate the damages/problems that the rook can do there. Rooks on the 7 th rank A very important aim of the rook is to penetrate into the opponent s camp, on the 7 th rank. Why on the 7 th rank: - It is less protected than the back rank (so it is more practical to aim for it). - Usually, on the 7 th rank, there are more opponent pawns and/or critical squares which will be attacked making the opponent to defend. - The rook can cut the opponent king s way out from the back rank which is very important in endgames. Below are several cases and techniques when the rook entered the 7 th rank in the endgame. Opponent king cut off on the 8 th rank The white rook cut off the black king on the back rank. This usage of the rook on the 7 th rank during endgames is very strong. In this example, White wins by a technique which should be remembered: White advances the pawn on b7, and, then, plays Re7- c7-c8 assuring the victory. Black is to move, but he cannot defend. For example: 1 Kf8 2.Rc7 Rb8 3.b7 followed by 4.Rc tr-+k+( 7+-+-tR-+-' 6-zP-+-+p+& p+-% $ # P+" 1+-mK-+-+-! Black is to move 3

4 2 rooks on the 7 th rank case I In this position, the black rooks are on the 2 nd rank and White s material advantage and free pawns on the queenside are useless. 2 rooks can make a draw by eternal check against the opponent king blocked on the back rank. However, in this position, Black has an advanced pawn on h5 that will be used to defend one of the rooks while the other can checkmate: 1...Rxg2+ 2.Kh1 [2.Kf1 Rbf2#] 2...Rxh2+ 3.Kg1 Rbg2+ 4.Kf1 Now, Black will bring the pawn to defend the g2-rook: 4 h4 5.a6 h3 6.a7 Rh1# 2 rooks on the 7 th rank case II With 2 rooks on the 7 th rank, White can win a tempo by threatening mate with a rook cutting off the opponent king on the back rank and the other checking on the 8 th rank. In this position, White wins: 1.Rh7+ Kg8 2.Rfg7+ Kf8 First of all, the king was forced to move away from the corner. By threatening mate, White wins tempi: 3.Rxd7 Kg8 [3...a1Q?? 4.Rh8#] 4.Rdg7+ Kf8 5.Rxc7 Kg8 6.Rcg7+ Kf8 7.Ra ( 7+R+-+pmk-' p+& 5zP-+-+-+p% 4-zP-+-+-+$ # 2-trr+-+PzP" 1+-+-tR-mK-! Black is to move 8r+-+-+-mk( 7+-vln+RtR-' 6-+-zp-+-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% $ # 2p+-+-+K+" ! Rook + knight perpetual check A rook on the 7 th rank together with a knight can draw by perpetual check. In this position, Black can queen at next move and White s only chance is the draw by setting up the position for knight + rook: 1.Nf6! This is the position from where the knight and rook cooperate perfectly and can draw. For example: 1 a1q 2.Nh7+ Kg8 3.Nf6+ Kf8 [3...Kh8?? 4.Rh7#] 4.Nh7+ Ke8 5.Nf mk-+( 7+-+R+-+-' 6-+-+p+-zp& % 4-+p+N+-+$ 3+-zP-+PmK-# 2p+-+-+P+" 1+r+-+-+-! 4

5 An advanced rook can be in danger The rook is a weighty piece and sometimes can be in danger in opponent s camp. When going so far with the rook, we have to be sure that the rook can be retreated back along the file. In this position with Black to move, a minor piece cuts down the defense and the retreat of the advanced white rook from c7. After 1 Bc6, White loses the exchange. Rook on 7 th rank an advantage in endgames A rook on the seventh rank is o great importance in endgames, being a decisive factor in many situations. Therefore, in the late middlegame, exchanges which permit the entrance of the rook into the opponent s camp are an important strategical aim. In this position with White to move, after 1.Rd7, the rook threatens the black queenside pawns, cuts the black king on the 8 th rank, while the white king can move up to c6, bringing victory. 8-tr-mk-+-+( 7+ptRn+ptr-' 6p+-sNp+-zp& 5+-+l+-+-% 4-+-zPLzp-+$ zP-# 2PzP-+-zP-zP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! 8r+-+-+k+( 7zp-zp-+-zp-' 6-zp-+-+-zp& % zP$ 3+-zP-+-zP-# 2PzPK+-+-+" 1+-+R+-+-! Opening files and getting their control The files can be opened after exchanges which involve the pawns. There are some typical methods of opening the files and getting their control which are important to be known: A method to open the file is by advancing the pawns forward, forcing at least an exchange with the opponent pawns. If the opponent s structure is damaged (one of the pawns is advanced), the opening of a file takes much less time and efforts. The pawn which must be pushed to open the file is the pawn from the adjacent file with the opponent s advanced pawn. Here, White can open the g-file playing g4-g5. Another think he should do is to prevent Black from playing h6-h5. White can eventually play h2-h4-h5 to block the black h-pawn on h6. FGHY +k+( pzp-' +-zp& -+-% +P+$ -+-# zp-zp" -tr-! fghy 5

6 Before the exchange which leads to opening a file, double the rooks and eventually even bring the queen too on that file. This way the opponent might be forced to cede the file before the exchange. These maneuvers are possible if you have local space advantage. In this position, White has space for maneuvers and before the exchange on b6, he brings the queen behind the rooks: 1.Qa1! Now, Black is forced to cede the a-file as the rook on a8 will be attacked 3 times after the exchange. When the file is already open, you can temporarily block the file with a piece restricting opponent pieces. With the space gained, you can make maneuvers, preparing doubling the rooks on that file. When you are ready, release the blockade and get the control over the file. In this position, Karpov played: 1.Ba7! blocking the a-file temporarily. His next moves were Bb1-c2 and Re1-a1 succeeding to double the rooks. Another way to open the files is to trade pieces defended by the pawns. Here is a very instructive example. White has the open d-file, while Black has the open c-file. White has an obstacle on the c-file against the possible attack of black rooks, which is the c3- knight. By 1 Na4, Black forces an exchange with 2 good results: - removes the obstacle from the c-file - after the exchange 2.Nxa4 bxa4, Black opens one more file on the queenside (the b-file). 8r+-tr-wq-+( 7zp-+-+-+k' 6-zp-+p+p+& 5zPP+p+pzPp% 4R+pzP-zP-+$ 3+-zP-zPK+P# 2R " 1+-+-wQ-+-! 8r+rwq-vlk+( 7+n+l+p+p' 6-+-zp-snp+& 5+p+Pzp-+-% 4-zPp+P+-+$ 3+-zP-vLNsNP# 2R+-wQ-zPP+" 1+L+-tR-mK-! XHGFEDCBAY 1-mKLtR-+-tR! 2zPPzP-+PzP-" sNNzP# 4+-+P+-+-$ 5-vL-+-+p+% 6+-snpzp-snp& 7pzppvll+-+' 8+k+-tr-tr-( xhgfedcbay Black is to move 6

7 By using the outpost, a rook advance along the open file on a protected square, making room for the other rook (or queen) to come behind. See next chapter. The Outpost The outpost is a square on a half-open file or on an open file which is protected by a pawn and can be used by the own pieces. The d5-square is an outpost on a half-open file. The d6-pawn is a protected obstacle which White cannot attack with pieces, but White has another advantage: White can place a knight on d5 making a lot of pressure in the centre and both flanks. Also, the knight attacks the defender of the d6-pawn, the c7-pawn. After 1.Nd5, the move 1 c6 is not good because it weakens the d6-pawn, so Black has to defend with strong nerves and lets the strong white knight in the center. Notice the following aspect: if the white pawn on the e-file had been situated on e3, White wouldn t have reached anything by 1.Nd5, because of 1 c6 2.Nc3 d5!. Only the presence of the e4-pawn paralyses the d6-pawn. In conclusion, the outpost is defined as a square on the (half-)open file which is supported by a pawn. However, in many situations, the opponent is able to exchange the piece which comes on the outpost. If White plays 1.Nd5, after Nf6xd5, White does not obtain any advantage by 2.e4xd5 as Black neutralizes the new open e-file with 2 Rae8. So, the exploit of the d5-square has to be made with care in order to open a file that the opponent cannot neutralize too easy. White s TO DO list in this position is to put the knight on d5 after he is able to capture back with the c-pawn. So, White needs to play c2-c4 first: 1.Ne2! clearing the c-pawn s way to advance 1 Rfe8 2.Nf4 8r+-+-trk+( 7zppzp-+pzpp' 6-+-zp-+n+& % 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-sN-+-+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1+-+RtR-mK-! The d5-outpost is not controlled by Black (knight on g6) 8r+-+-trk+( 7zppzp-+pzpp' 6-+-zp-sn-+& % 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-sN-+P+-# 2PzPP+-+PzP" 1+-+RtR-mK-! The d5-outpost is controlled by Black (knight on f6) 7

8 White brings his knight on d5 by using another route 2 Rad8 3.c4 h6 4.Nd5 The knight arrived on d5, being supported by the c- pawn too. 4 Nxd5 5.cxd5! And, now, White has the half-open c-file for his rooks that Black cannot neutralize. Here, the c7- pawn is weak and Black cannot advance it because of the white d5-pawn. The outpost was replaced by an advanced pawn which confers White the advantage! In the same time, the exchange of the rooks was avoided. 5 Re7 6.Rc1 Kf8 7.Re3 g5 8.Rec3 Rc8 8-+r+-mk-+( 7zppzp-trp+-' 6-+-zp-+-zp& 5+-+P+-zp-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-tR-+P+-# 2PzP-+-+PzP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! Here, the c5-square is an outpost on an open file. The c-file is open, but both White and Black have a rook on it, so it looks impossible for one of the sides to take advantage from it. But, White can use his outpost for a typical maneuver and get an advantage: 1.Rc5! Now, White threatens to double the rooks by Rd1-c1 getting the control over the c-file and, then, play Rc7 getting a won endgame position. By exchanging on c5: 1 Rxc5 2.dxc5, White gets another important advantage: the free pawn on c5. 8r+r+-+k+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6-+-+p+-+& 5+p+p+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3zPP+-zP-+-# zPPzP" 1+-tRR+-mK-! As it is not so helpful to occupy an outpost on a half-open file with other piece other than a knight, the outpost on open files are good for supporting both rooks and knights. Strong rooks on ranks The rook is usually used to act along the files. If the rook enters the 7 th or back rank, into the opponent s camp, the rook acts with devastating effect along the rank too. The rook is less used to act along central or semi-central ranks (3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, or 6 th rank), much more less than it could. Instead, a strong player will watch any opportunity to get his pieces active and this includes using the rooks along advanced ranks when possible. 8

9 In this position is from the game Trifunovic Pachman, 1947, Black has the open e- and b- files for his rooks. He took the initiative by activating the heavy pieces on ranks: - The b8-rook comes on the fourth rank threatening the e4-pawn and after Rb4-a4, the a2-pawn. - The e8-rook comes on the fifth rank which is completely clear and ready to be used. Note that Black is not threatened on the back rank, so he is not in danger to leave it undefended. The game went: 1 Rb4 2.f3 Ra4 3.c3 Re5 with idea Be6, and Black has a better game because of his active rooks which are able to attack the weak white pawns from the queenside. XHGFEDCBAY 1-mK-tR-+-tR! 2zPPzP-+P+P" 3-+-wQ-+N+# 4+-+P+-+-$ % 6zp-wq-zp-+-& 7-zpp+lzp-zp' 8+k+r+-tr-( xhgfedcbay Black is to move 9