Rook vs. Two Pawns

Rook against two pawns is the endgame where a rook fights two passed pawns. Two connected pawns on the sixth rank beat a rook if the defending king is too far away to help.

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c7 attacks the rook on b8. After Ra8, b7 attacks it again, and White wins: the black king on g8 is too far away to help.

Whichever pawn the rook attacks, the other advances to protect it or to promote. So the defender has to stop the pawns before the sixth rank, or bring the king to help.

How to do it

  1. 1With the pawns, push them side by side and get both to the sixth.
  2. 2Push the pawn the rook is not attacking, so each protects the other.
  3. 3With the rook, attack the pawns early and bring your king towards them.

For your level

Two connected pawns on the sixth rank beat a rook when the defending king is far away. Stop them before the sixth, or bring your king.

Common mistakes
  • Letting two connected pawns reach the sixth while your king is on the other side.
  • Taking one pawn with the rook without checking whether the other then queens.
Questions
What about two connected pawns on the fifth rank?
Then it depends on the kings and on who is to move. The rule for the sixth rank is the reliable one; on the fifth, calculate.

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