Preventing the king battle end game

Here’s a fun little trick (tactic?) I just learned in a blitz game… by placing your rook on the second row below the king in the end game, it prevents your opponent from using his king in an effective way. If done early enough, and without your opponent realizing before he can break free his king, a well placed rook can allow your king to completely clean up shop before moving in for the mate

It may seem simple in theory, but learning / realizing / implementing such ideas can really help boost your game at a beginner / intermediate level!

what’s the take away? Remember your rooks can be used to block paths, not just attack!

Cool

Thanks

yeah this is a pretty common tactic in rook endgames to make sure that the opposing king doesn't get close to your pawns. 

for example this position might have been drawn if black's king was on the other side of the board, but since my rook is preventing it from advancing, i can easily create a passed pawn without any trouble. the black rook alone isn't enough to stop any promotions