Rook + Pawn vs. Queen + Pawn
by Dorian Rogozenco
In ChessBase Magazine #224, Dorian Rogozenco delivered the first of three parts on fortresses with the material distribution queen + pawn against rook + pawn. The difference between the motifs is the positioning of White's pawn. In issue #224, the white pawn stood on h5 and its opponent on f7. In issue #225, the white pawn had been moved to the g-file. And in this issue, the white pawn occupies the e5 square – and this position is also a fortress, provided the rest of the pieces are positioned correctly!
In the video introduction, Rogozenco explains what the defender must pay attention to when faced with this fortress on the board. First of all, the rook must be kept on the sixth rank to prevent the white king from crossing this rank and to prevent the e-pawn from advancing. In addition, the black king must always remain in front of the opponent's pawn, i.e. it must always be on the e7 or e8. If the defender disregards this rule, his king will be driven to g7 by the queen, and a ‘very simple’ but also very beautiful winning move for White will follow. It should also be noted that although the e6 square is covered by the Black's pawn on f7, it is still not a good square for the rook! This is because it would offer White a target to sacrifice his queen with Qxe6 and convert the position into a winning pawn endgame. With these three principles, you are already pretty well equipped to defend the fortress.
Rogozenco also explains a special feature: White can force his opponent to abandon his ideal position:
Here, Black is to move, and they must know the ‘only move’ that keeps the game a draw – ...Ra6! And after that, the rook must of course return to g6 as quickly as possible!
Following the video introduction, you will have the opportunity to study the fortress together with our expert in five videos of increasing difficulty. Prove to Dorian Rogozenco in the interactive video format that you have learned how to build another fortress. Have fun!
Interactive videos
Cooke - Murzin (2000) - How can White brake Black's fortress?
Giri - Nepomniachtchi (Candidates Tournament 2020) - Black to move and win
Giri - Nepomniachtchi (Candidates Tournament 2020) Variation - White to move and draw
Andreikin - Deac (2023) - White to move and draw
Savic - Djordjevic (2016) - How can Black to move hold the fortress?