Queen against rook is lesson 1 of 6 in Endgame 9: Queen against rook, rook against minor piece, an endgame course suited to players rated around 2200 (advanced players). The queen wins against a rook, but the technique needs exact moves: forks and zugzwang. It has 6 interactive exercises: 6 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. (3 positions)
Black to move and win. (3 positions)
Worked examples
White to move and win. 1.Qa5 Re4 2.Qd5+ Rc4 3.Qe5. Only Qa5 wins quickly: the rook cannot stay near its king. This is a won endgame (checked with endgame tables). After Kc1 the win would be gone.
Black to move and win. 1...Qh8+ 2.Ke6 Qh3+ 3.Kd5 Qf5+. Only Qh8+ wins quickly: the rook cannot stay near its king. This is a won endgame (checked with endgame tables). After Ke8 the win would be gone.
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