
Rook Endgame Challenge #3
It is said that all rook endings are drawn. That may be true with players of equal strength; however, players that have more knowledge of the rook endgame have good chances at changing the course of the game (see my note at the bottom). Two players come to mind that have out played their opponents many times in the rook endgame, Jose Capablanca and Magnus Carlson. Capablanca once said, "Endings of one rook and pawns are about the most common sort of endings arising on the chess board. Yet though they do occur so often, few have mastered them thoroughly... sometimes while apparently very simple they are in reality extremely intricate."
Players love to study the openings; however, for most players this is a waste of time. Learning the rook endgame is invaluable and is never a waste of time. Learn the endgame, esspecially the rook endgame. So take the challenge, test your knowledge, and learn the Rook and King vs. the Pawn and King endgame.
NOTE: If you don't believe that mastering the rook endgame can change the coarse of the game, take Chess.com's challenge @ https://www.chess.com/endgames/rook/winning-rook-endings/challenge. You start out with a winning position; see if you can pull it off, and if you can't try to draw but don't be surprised if you end up losing (a admit, I've lost a few times and I have not yet mastered all five challenges! I'm good with the first three but 4th one is kicking my butt).
This challenge completes our lessons for the Rook and King vs. Pawn and King endgame.
Leave a comment, let me know what you think about this series. Did you learn something, was it a good review, would you like to see more about rook endings? Or whatever, I can even accept constructive criticism; however, I did spend a lot time on this so please be easy on me.