Learn · lesson 3 of 8 · Rook endgames
Lucena position
The rook builds a bridge to shelter the king from side checks. The key winning position in rook endings.
White to move: White wins
Starting position. “Next” plays it move by move.
Rook endgames · Rook vs. rook
The position and its key
The rook builds a bridge to shelter the king from side checks. The key winning position in rook endings.
The verdict
White to move: White wins
The key
1.♖d1+ ♔e7 2.♖d4
Lucena position
How to recognize it
- Rook and pawn vs. rook
- The pawn stands on the 7th rank, not on the edge file
- Your king stands on the queening square
- The enemy king is cut off by at least one file
- The way to win: rook to the 4th rank, the king walks out, the rook blocks the side checks – building a bridge
Lucena position
In our databases
Games in which exactly this kind of position stood on the board – recognized by material and the places of the pieces, each confirmed by the tablebase. Counted from the stronger side's view.
Often comes from these openings
B22 Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation 26 B33 Sicilian Defense: Open 15 E11 Bogo-Indian Defense 15 B07 Pirc Defense 14 B06 Modern Defense 13
Examples – the great players first