The third rank defence is lesson 3 of 3 in Rook endgames essentials, an endgame course suited to players rated around 1000 (improving players). Now the other side. With a rook against a rook and a pawn, a good defence draws. Keep the enemy king out, then check from behind. It has 1 interactive exercise: 1 find-the-move puzzle. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
Defend like this. Your king stands in front of the pawn. Your rook stays on your third rank, here the 6th rank, so the white king cannot step up. If the pawn moves up to that rank, the king loses its shelter. Then your rook goes to the far end and checks from behind.
Recap.
Rook against pawn: bring your king, the rook alone cannot do it.
Rook checks push the enemy king away from its pawn.
With the extra pawn, build a bridge on the 4th rank.
When defending, keep your rook on the third rank, then check from behind.
What you practise
The pawn has moved up to e6. Now the white king has no shelter from checks from behind. Send your rook far away down the b-file.
Worked examples
The pawn has moved up to e6. Now the white king has no shelter from checks from behind. Send your rook far away down the b-file. A draw. From far away your rook checks the king again and again, and it cannot hide in front of its own pawn.
chessGM