Lesson 8: Rook against pawn

A rook against a lone pawn should win, but the pawn has a king to help it. Here you learn to cut off the king when you have the rook, and to block its way with your own king when you have the pawn.

What you'll learn

The rook cuts the king off along a file
The rook cuts the king off along a rank
With the pawn: your king stands in the other king's way
The Saavedra position, where the pawn wins

Lesson 8 of 12 in Endgames with Lavi · about 12 minutes · 6 steps · comes with Plus. Your progress is kept in this browser, and with your profile if you have one.

Mate with a rook
Rook endgames: the basics
The Lucena position

Updated November 6, 2026

What you'll learn

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