Well during middlegame, I would defintely prefer a queen, because as you say it can do a lot more than 2 rooks. On the other hand during end game I much prefer 2 rooks as they can easily cut off the king and attack something like a pawn, which might have been advancing. Also lined up rooks can easily give check, or even create a fork with their check. Although this is my opinion, and I'm sure everyone else has their own opinion.
Queen or Rook duo?
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Queens can maneuver better in a closed game. They also have fantastic forking power. Rooks can double up to support each other when attacking a king. This is important in an endgame. In the middle game, the queen often can get support from other pieces, and it is more difficult to get the rooks into the enemy camp. Still, if you put rooks on an open or semi-open file, you will put great pressure on the enemy. I often get a rook out an put it right in front of my castle, pointed right at the enemy king. Even a class E player knows what that is for, but it still is pretty effective at supporting the bishops that jump in there.
I really like how connected rooks can come right up to the king and give check, and the king can't take them. They can take pawns, and leap frog, pushing the king around in ways the queen alone can't.
Two very good responses, and both similar.
The problem I find with a 2-rook endgame is that if the opponent has a strong pawn structure the king can easily wriggle between them and avoid checkmate, while at the same time defending pawns from the rooks. Of course this can't last forever, but I tend to win faster with just the Queen.
Yeah, its all about the pawns. Connected rooks on an open board probably are stronger than an queen, but throw a bunch of strong pawns in there and she can rule the board.
I think the rooks have winning chances, while the queen has drawing chances, unless the queen has extra pawns on its side.
I agree with Windows-7. Also at ForThePawns, usually a strong pawn chain has to start somewhere, so the rooks, can slowly eat their way up if they have to.
lopoi88 wrote:
I agree with Windows-7. Also at ForThePawns, usually a strong pawn chain has to start somewhere, so the rooks, can slowly eat their way up if they have to.
Yeah of course, which is why I said it can't last forever. :)
the queen because it is a lot more MOBILE!
In the endgame, if you can get two rooks on the 7th, you will get a draw, minimum, usually, even if you're down material. So I'd have to say two rooks.
And, since the endgame comes after the middlegame... Though if you're not careful about your opponents queen, then you might find yourself down a piece or even a king 
good chess player know that 2 rook is better than queen unfortunately i much prefer queen in middlegame and endgame bcs i only hv 1 pieces to think that can do variety of things. for 2 rook, i felt like u need to b more focus n b more careful like to attacking opponent pawn, and to keep opponent queen quiet, so abit more to think about. so as average player, queen is more comfortable to play and less pressure i guess. 2 rook is better only if u know how to play accurately.
I agree with sydemac, though one thing is that when I've had the two rooks and made mistakes, I could still draw easily, though I was down some pawns. I think winning with the two rooks requires precision, drawing requires not blindering a rook or falling into a back-rank mate. (tis assumes your opponent does not have a far advanced passed pawn before you can get your rooks into play)
John Nunn says in a book he wrote: "In 2R vs. Q situations, king safety is important for the side with the rooks. If the rooks are not tied down to the defense of their king, they can target enemy pawns. Since pawns can be attacked twice, but only defended once, they often just drop off one by one."
So listen everybody, I've been thinking. I seem to do that a lot on this website... wonder why.
Well let's get to the point:
In middlegame and endgame, would you rather have two rooks or a Queen?
As we all know, 2 rooks are supposedly worth more than a Queen, but I would rather have a single Queen, especially in middlegame where rooks are often tucked away looking really stupid. What are your thoughts?
Please give an answer for middlegame and endgame!
Regards,
FTP.