Rook and Pawn Versus Rook Endgame - Rook Pawn

Rook Pawn

Endings with a rook pawn arise frequently because they are more likely to be the last remaining pawn (de la Villa 2008:145). If the pawn is a rook pawn, the chances of a draw are much greater. Even the equivalent of the Lucena position is no guarantee of success (it depends on the location of the white rook and who is to move) (Emms 2008:25). These endings are more likely to be a draw because of two reasons (1) the pawn can protect the king from checks from the rear only, and not from the side, and (2) the edge of the board reduces the king's mobility in trying to support the pawn (Averbakh & Kopayev 1987:150).

With a rook pawn, usually in actual play the defending rook or king is able to get in front of the pawn. If the defending king gets in front of the pawn, the game is a draw. If the defending rook gets in front of the pawn, the result depends on which king arrives on the scene first (de la Villa 2008:145).

The attacking king or rook may be in front of the pawn.