Rook on the 7th

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25th June 2009, 10:49am

by The_Pitts
Plainfield Vermont (GMT-5) International

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 376

Given that every game is it's own case.

Would you agree or disagree that having a rook on the 7th rank, in a rook & pawns endgame is worth a pawn?

25th June 2009, 11:00am

by Shivsky
DFW United States

Member Since: Jun 2009
Member Points: 561

Well you have to be a little careful when dealing with "exactitudes" like that. :)

To borrow Captain Jack Sparrow's immortal words : They're more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules!

Though more often than not, I'd sac a pawn to get a tempo to bring my rook to the 7th WHEN

I've already lost a pawn to begin with, or am down even more material (at which point I need some active aggression to even have a chance to see a tactic)

My opponent's rooks are still sleeping on their rank.
My opponent's king is still on the bank rank (DUH :) )
The rest of my pieces are better developed + co-ordinated than his.
My opponent will immediately prevent 7th rank penetration on HIS move if I don't grab it immediately.

Am sure there are just as many exceptions, but hey, knowing the difference is what seperates the men from the boys. :)

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