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The bridge rank
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The idea
With your king in front of the pawn on the eighth rank and the enemy king cut off, bring your rook to the fourth rank: it will block the checks, a bridge for your king.
A rook on the fourth rank as a bridge over the river of checks.
- Cut the defending king off by a file with a check (Rd1+ for example).
- Lift the rook to the fourth rank (Rd4): this is the bridge.
- Walk the king out from in front of the pawn; when the checks come, approach the rook.
- Block the last check with the rook on the fourth rank; the pawn queens.
Press Next (or →) to watch the technique, move by move. Your side starts.
Every verdict comes from the Lichess tablebase (exact for seven pieces or fewer).