Rook against pawn is lesson 1 of 6 in Endgame 4: Rook against pawn and the Lucena, an endgame course suited to players rated around 1200 (improving players). The rook wins if your king gets back in time or the enemy king is cut off from its pawn. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
White to move and win. (4 positions)
Black to move and win. (3 positions)
Worked examples
White to move and win. 1.Rf1+ Ke4 2.Kf7 f4 3.Kf6 Ke3 4.Kf5. The rook and king stopped the pawn in time. This is a won endgame (checked with endgame tables). After Kf7 the win would be gone.
Black to move and win. 1...Ra6+ 2.Kh7 Ra5 3.Kh6 Ke3 4.g5 Kf4. The rook and king stopped the pawn in time. This is a won endgame (checked with endgame tables). After Kd3 the win would be gone.
More in Endgame 4: Rook against pawn and the Lucena