Lucena Position
EndgameRook EndgamesGoal: promote a pawn
The position
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White to move and queen a pawn. Count the squares and the moves: endgames like this are decided by a single tempo.
The idea
The Lucena position is the most important rook endgame. You have a rook and a pawn on the seventh rank and your king in front of it, and your opponent's king is cut off. The problem is how to get the king out of the way of the rook checks. The answer is to build a bridge.
How to do it
- Put your rook on the fourth rank (the "bridge"), where the enemy rook cannot check it easily.
- Move your king out from in front of the pawn, towards the side where the enemy rook checks.
- When the enemy rook checks, interpose your rook on the fourth rank.
- Now your king is safe and the pawn can queen.
Common mistakes
- Moving the king out without first putting the rook on the fourth rank.
- Letting the enemy rook check from the side forever.
- Not knowing the position, which is one of the most common rook endgames.
Remember
Build a bridge: rook to the fourth rank, king steps out, interpose the rook.