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Your third rank
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The idea
Keep your rook on your third rank so the attacking king cannot advance; when the pawn steps onto that rank, swing the rook behind and check from far away.
A rook barrier on the third rank, then checks from the back.
- King in front of the pawn; rook on your third rank (the 6th for Black), cutting off the enemy king.
- Wait along the rank: do not let the king reach your third rank.
- When the pawn advances to your third rank, the enemy king has lost its shelter: put the rook on the first rank, behind it.
- Check from behind, from far away; the king cannot hide.
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).