Phases & endgames
Queen & rook endgame
Heavy pieces still on — king safety decides.
What is the queen & rook endgame?
A queen-and-rook endgame keeps the heavy artillery on the board with only pawns alongside. With so much firepower, king safety stays paramount: these positions feel like a middlegame and often end in a sudden mating attack or perpetual check.
Why the queen & rook endgame matters
Heavy-piece endings are deceptively dangerous — the side that looks better can be mated in three if its king is loose. Handling them well means you neither blunder your own king nor miss the attack on theirs.
How to use it to win
Tuck your king into a safe corner first, then coordinate queen and rook against the enemy king or a weak pawn. Watch constantly for back-rank ideas and perpetual checks on both sides.
Try an example puzzle
A real queen & rook endgame puzzle from the app. White to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
Show solution
1. Qg8#
Drill the queen & rook endgame on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.