Advanced Rook Technique

Submitted by FM_Eric_Schiller on Mon, 05/05/2008 at 1:28pm.

In this article I present three magnificent examples of advanced rook play. As John Watson pointed out in his brilliant Secrets of Chess Strategy, use of rooks has evolved considerably, and Karpov demonstrates this perfectly in his game against Hort. Spassky reveals the power of the defensive rook lift in a critical encounter with Tal, and we end with an oldie but goodie where Stoltz finishes off Frank Marshall with a sacrifice leading to a terminal rook lift.

You are probably familiar with a rook lift as an attacking technique, but are you aware that it can be used defensively as well? Take a look!

Finally, we examine a game with an attacking rook lift that requires a clearance sacrifice to set it up.

» posted in Middlegame

3524 reads | 21 comments |

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Comments:

by furrer - 16 hours ago
Denmark

Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 14

Nice!

Didnt Kasparov once say, that one of the reasons of his succes was his good use of rooks?

by mark422 - 6 days ago
Queens, NY United States

Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 51

Thank you very much! I know that the rook is a potentially dangerous piece, but I struggle at using it to its fullest potential. Thank you very much!

by rakesh_dagar79 - 8 days ago
India

Member Since: Apr 2008
Member Points: 26

thanks for posting.

by lupu1001 - 9 days ago
Romania

Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 4

One of the best set of examined games. Thank you.

by masteryoda - 9 days ago
california United States

Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 26

great games

by FM FM_Eric_Schiller - 9 days ago
Moss Beach, CA United States

Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 63

Hogan, capturing with the pawn was too optimistic, hoping to use the g-file for an attack. It turned out that Black took over the highway.

by santiR - 9 days ago
United States

Member Since: Apr 2008
Member Points: 37

great games all. thanks a lot, eric.

by hogan713 - 9 days ago
Acton, MA United States

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 3

In game 3, move 18: Why does white capture with the pawn, exposing the king, and not with the queen?

by cil_ray_cil - 9 days ago
Jeanerette LA United States

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 33

hello

by Ridzwan - 10 days ago
Pahang Malaysia

Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 641

awesome!

by queenofdeath - 10 days ago
all over the usa United States

Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 5

Lifting A Rook

Lifting a rook is not so much a strategy as a fancy name for a move. Lifting a rook simply means that you bring your rook off of the back rank by first going up, and then to either side.

by uritbon - 8 hours ago
tel aviv Israel just felt it was important to give the meaning to others

who may have asked what rook lifting was.... anyone have more input

place below...thanks...

by Decoy321 - 10 days ago
Brabant Netherlands

Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 134

Wow I love that last match, Great play. Thanks for posting!

by friday - 10 days ago
Bucharest Romania

Member Since: Nov 2007
Member Points: 59

thanks!!!

by uritbon - 10 days ago
tel aviv Israel

Member Since: Apr 2008
Member Points: 50

great instructive games, i now further ubderstand rook lifting and it's importence, thank you Erik

by leonelcm - 10 days ago
Mexico City Mexico

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 118

Thanx E. Schiller for posting this instructive games with a clear topic. I've learned a lot and now I have to practice rook lifting in both parts of a game: defense and offense. Thanx again...