Phases & endgames
Rook endgame
The most common endgame of all — and the most misplayed.
What is the rook endgame?
A rook endgame has only rooks and pawns left beside the kings. It is the most frequent endgame in practice and famously tricky: active rooks, the seventh rank, and the Lucena and Philidor positions are the core ideas.
Why the rook endgame matters
"All rook endings are drawn" is a joke precisely because so many winnable ones are thrown away. Because they appear so often, even a little rook-endgame skill converts directly into results across your whole career.
How to use it to win
Keep your rook active — behind passed pawns, yours or the opponent's. Learn the Lucena (how to win with an extra pawn) and the Philidor (how to draw a pawn down), and cut the enemy king off from the action.
Try an example puzzle
A real rook endgame puzzle from the app. White to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
Show solution
1. Rd8#
Drill the rook endgame on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.