Chess Endgame: Rook vs. Pawn - Reti, 1928

[chessrobot2010]

Nice examination, thanks for this educative example. If you wish to see the chess match between our chess robot and World ex-champion Vladimir Kramnik, please visit my video :)

[tyrone0ferrara]

I don't know how reti found this, his brain must have been like a computer.

[sharpguy23]

@GreenCastleBlock

i m sorry..abt wrong notation.. I am damn sure I checked my notation.... anyway..my first move is Rd2....

1) White Rd2 - Black moves d4 that is the best

2) White Rd1 - Kd5 is the only option else white king will come down

3) White Kd7 - now any move black plays... white will come close to pawn.

[GreenCastleBlock]

@sharpguy23 Yep that is the mainline of the study. White will win.

[sharpguy23]

Well I see that... but see this variation..

1. Rd4 d4

2. Rd1 ... the only option for black is Kd5 (else white king will come down)

3. Kd7.. now what next any move black plays white king will come down close to pawn. like Ke4

4) after this white king will come to Kc6 and then Kc5.......

[GreenCastleBlock]

@sharpguy23 1.Rd4 is an illegal move. That's where the Rook starts out. If I assume you mean 1.Ra4 (the move you were talking about earlier) then 2.Rd1 is illegal. Your line makes no sense. Watch the video again and if you have any other questions please check your notation before you post.

[sharpguy23]

Why is it a draw... ? At 1:37 instead of Rh4 make Ra4 and black will be forced to d4 followed by Kc6. At this black has no option but to push the pawn to d3. then white moves king to Kc5 and done...Black will loose.

[GreenCastleBlock]

@sharpguy23 After 1.Ra4 d4 your suggestion of 2.Kc6 is illegal, as the king is on e7. 2.Kd7 would be met with 2...Kd5. White can try 3.Ra5+ but Black will draw by one tempo.

[RotoryWombat]

What a counter intuitive first move. Thanks for the video, Matt. It was great.

[TheJoshic32]

Wow, amazing video. I love watching your videos. I always thought rook vs pawn was a forced draw. I've been in this position before ;D thank you.

[su3eichfeld]

Hi Matt! This is a fantanstic video! I have enjoyed it so much and it really helps me improve my endgame knowlegde. I hope you never get tired of making chess videos!!

Schöne Grüße aus Deutschland, su3

[bakingbaker]

Even though white moves to D2 and black pushes the pawn, by moving his king along the C5, D5, and E5 squares black could eventually get a draw by repitition on three times right?

[GreenCastleBlock]

No. 1.Rd2! d4 2.Rd1 Kd5 3.Kd7 is winning.

3...Kc5 is met by Ke6 and 3...Ke5 is met by Kc6.

[ChessStudent2009]

Thank you. It was a little bit hard for me to understand. I guess, I have just watched too many videos today. I need to learn them step by step. And, I guess, the good thing for me is that I am a hard-working person and if I decided to learn something, I would do it. And now, I have decided to learn Chess and difficulties will not stop me on the road. Thank you very much once again!

[Anthracyte]

good job on this.

[halette20001]

omg! You did an amazing job. Your videos are fantastic! I really appreciate the time you take to make them. Thank you very much!!!

[itzlogan]

thanks, you are a great instructor.

[trixapete]

great explanation matt! perfect structure

[RaymondR127]

Awesome vid! :-)

[david99lee]

You do an excellent job explaining the basics of the position and the concepts needed to understand the endgame.

BRAVO!!!!

[Raimondi]

Great video, endgame is an often neglected theme and your explanation is clear as water.

Thanks!

[siddharthp1983]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much for such a clear explanation.

[BasicPawn]

Your explainations are crystal clear. Please keep them coming, thanks.

[OliverCheok]

Awesome! Thanks!

[EndgameStudies]

Excellent clarity in explanation...

[jrobichess]

Excellent vid Castle - good showcase of the importance of opposition and tempo!

[mavaddat]

How do you think Reti reasoned that this was the best move? In other words, what do you think is the fundamental concept behind this position? King opposition?

[GreenCastleBlock]

Definitely. Usually Rook vs. Pawn is a race (where you always want to have the move), but this study actually proves that opposition can still be important.

[SuperDieMaxx]

this is why i like chess, it's those unexpected moves that gives you the win.

[fezzjr]

great job Matt

[robobrain10000]

awesome video.

[cataras1]

Thank you very much Matt. Glad you are back!

[TheDude541]

Very impressive.

[roaddog481]

Excellent - Thanks Matt.