Endgame · intermediate
Defend: Rook-Pawn Fortress
You're Black. A rook's pawn can't win if your king reaches the corner in front of it.
touch_appPlay it out against Stockfish. You have 12 moves; a move that throws the draw away is caught and explained.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8h
g
f
e
d
c
b
a
The task
You're Black. A rook's pawn can't win if your king reaches the corner in front of it.
- Hold the draw
- Goal
- Black
- You play
- 12 moves
- Move limit
Technique
- 1The corner a8 is your fortress: White can't drive you out.
- 2Shuffle between a8 and b8/b7 and don't wander off.
- 3If White's king traps you, it can only lead to stalemate.
Why it works
Rook pawns are the exception: once the defending king is in the corner in front of them, it's a draw.
If you get stuck
Head for a8 and stay near the corner.