Rook and passed pawn endgame technique
This is a Black-to-move Rook endings endgame study. With best play, the result is black wins; the solution runs 10 half-moves.
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Rook and passed pawn endgame technique is a Rook endings endgame study from the Climbchess curated set of 80 positions. Black wins by activating the rook to stop White's dangerous passed pawn while advancing the c-pawn. Rook activity and pawn coordination triumph over promotion threats.
Position: Black to move. Result with best play: black wins. Solution length: 10 half-moves.
FEN: 8/1r5p/3P4/4K3/8/8/1kpR4/8 b - - 0 1
Solving guide (move by move)
Show step-by-step solution
Try the position yourself first — endgame technique compounds when you struggle through the calculation before peeking.
- Black:
b2c3 - White:
d2d5 - Black:
c2c1q - White:
d5c5 - Black:
c3b2 - White:
c5c1 - Black:
b2c1 - White:
e5d5 - Black:
h7h5 - White:
d5c6
About Rook endings
Lucena, Philidor, Vancura — the most common practical endgames.
Related endgames
Underlying chess concepts
Endgame technique reduces to a small number of recurring patterns: opposition, key squares, zugzwang, fortress, breakthrough. Climbchess catalogues 4,505 interpretable patterns extracted from Leela Chess Zero via sparse autoencoders. Browse the methodology or jump straight into the trainer to attempt this exact position interactively.
Frequently asked
Is this position a win, draw or loss?
With best play: black wins. Black moves first.
What is the key idea?
Black wins by activating the rook to stop White's dangerous passed pawn while advancing the c-pawn. Rook activity and pawn coordination triumph over promotion threats.
How long is the solution?
10 half-moves (5 full moves) of forced or near-forced play.
Where can I practise it?
Open the Climbchess trainer using the deep-link button — the position loads pre-set so you can play it out against the engine.