An open file is a file with no pawns of either colour on it. Rooks and queens can travel its whole length.
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A rook is at its best on an open line. On an open file it reaches the far side of the board, often the seventh rank, where the enemy pawns and king live. The first player to take the file usually keeps it.
How to do it
- 1Find the files with no pawns of either colour.
- 2Put a rook there before your opponent does, then bring the second rook behind it.
- 3Aim for a square on that file where the rook can enter, usually the seventh rank.
For your level
A line with no pawns is a road. Rooks love open roads. Put your rook there first.
Check you have it
Pitch it for:
Question 1 of 1
There is a checkmate in one move here. Find it and play it.
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Play your move on the board.
Common mistakes
- Taking the open file with a rook that has no square to enter.
- Allowing a rook trade on the file when you could have doubled first.
Questions
- What is the difference between an open file and a semi-open file?
- An open file has no pawns at all. A semi-open file has pawns of one side only, so the other side's rook can attack the pawn on it.
- Which pieces use open files?
- Rooks and the queen. Rooks gain the most, because at the start of the game they have no open line at all.