CHESS40 العربية

Open files

Where the rooks belong

Try this lesson in Chess40

Step 1

A file with no pawns on it is open. Rooks belong there: they can enter the enemy camp along it.

White: King g1, Rook a1, Rook f1, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Rook a8, Rook f8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7. Marked: d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d6, d7, d8.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Step 2

Both sides race to put a rook on the open d-file.

White: King g1, Rook a1, Rook f1, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Rook a8, Rook f8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Before
White: King g1, Rook d1, Rook f1, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Rook d8, Rook f8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
After

The moves: 1. Rad1 Rad8

Step 3

A rook on the seventh rank, the opponent's second, attacks pawns from behind and hems in the king.

White: King g1, Rook b7, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7. Marked: a7, b7, c7, d7, e7, f7, g7, h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Step 4

Where is a rook usually strongest?

An empty boarda8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
  1. On an open file, or on the seventh rank
  2. Behind its own pawns, in the corner
  3. In front of its king
Show the answer

Answer: On an open file, or on the seventh rank

Try this lesson in Chess40