The Philidor defence is lesson 1 of 6 in Endgame 7: The Philidor defence and rook endings, an endgame course suited to players rated around 1800 (strong club players). When the attacking pawn reaches the 6th rank, the defending rook goes to the first rank and checks from behind. 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
Black to move: hold the draw. (4 positions)
White to move: hold the draw. (3 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: hold the draw. 1...Rh2 2.Rd7 Rb2+ 3.Kc5 Rc2+ 4.Kb6 Rb2+. Checks from behind: the attacking king has nowhere to hide. The game is saved. After Kd8 the position would be lost.
White to move: hold the draw. 1.Rh8 Kb3 2.Rb8+ Kc4 3.Rc8+ Kd4 4.Rd8+. Checks from behind: the attacking king has nowhere to hide. The game is saved. After Kd1 the position would be lost.
More in Endgame 7: The Philidor defence and rook endings
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