Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Knight moves I"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/sja1UHNf"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/8/8/3n4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Let's briefly take a timeout from knight domination in order to explore how knights move in general.

A centralized knight is a powerful piece. It can jump to eight different squares (highlighted in green), all of which are themselves potentially good squares too. [%csl Ge7,Gf6,Gf4,Ge3,Gc3,Gb4,Gb6,Gc7] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Knight moves II"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/JWWgTh1V"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/8/8/3n4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ If we now consider all the squares the centralized knight can jump to in exactly two moves (highlighted in blue), we can appreciate just how strong the knight is. In just two moves, a centralized knight can reach more than half of all the squares on the chessboard!

It's also useful to notice that all of these squares are the same color as the original square the knight sits on. Since a knight only moves to squares the opposite color of its current square, it takes an even number of moves to attack squares of the same color. [%csl Bd3,Bf5,Bd7,Bb5,Bc4,Bc6,Be6,Be4,Be2,Bg2,Bg4,Bg6,Bg8,Be8,Bc8,Ba8,Ba6,Ba4,Ba2,Bc2,Bd5,Bh7,Bh3,Bh5,Bf1,Bb1,Bd1] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Knight moves III"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/sWLkP5ds"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/8/8/3n4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Allowing for three knight moves, a centralized knight can reach basically every square on the board... [%csl Rd8,Rf8,Rg7,Rg5,Rb8,Ra7,Ra5,Ra3,Rb2,Rc1,Ra1,Re1,Rg1,Rh2,Rf2,Rd2,Rg3,Rh8,Rh6,Rh4,Rd6,Rc5,Rd4,Re5] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Knight moves IV"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/JDN4Yc2m"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/8/8/3n4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Except these! Armed with the knowledge that it takes so long for a knight to move two squares diagonally, it's worth repeating the previous tip.

PRO TIP: Placing a piece exactly two squares diagonally from a knight ensures it cannot be attacked by that knight for at least 3 moves. [%csl Yf7,Yf3,Yb3,Yb7,Yh1] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: King dominating a knight"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/OzIZc2yU"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/8/8/2n1k3/8/3K1Q2/8/8 w - - 4 3"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This queen vs knight endgame is well-known to be a win for white. For a full walkthrough on how to perform this checkmate, see: https://lichess.org/study/UsqmCsgC/AGJrweqW

Here, white is in check and must make further progress somehow. By placing the king exactly two squares diagonally from the black knight, the knight is effectively dominated! } 3. Ke3 $1 { [%cal Gc5d3,Gc5e4,Be3e4,Be3d3] } 3... Ne6 4. Qg4 $1 { Just as the king first dominated the knight, so too does the queen. White is safe from all forks. [%cal Bg4g5,Ge6g5,Ge6f4,Ge6d4,Ge6c5,Bg4d4] } 4... Kd5 5. Qe4+ Kd6 6. Qf5 { This move simply prevents the black king from moving up the board. } 6... Nc5 7. Kd4 Ne6+ 8. Kc4 $1 $18 { The king once again dominates the knight and now has made further progress pushing the black duo up the board to their doom. White repeats this pattern of dominating the knight with the king and queen in order to eventually checkmate, as in https://lichess.org/study/UsqmCsgC/AGJrweqW. [%cal Ge6d4,Ge6c5,Bc4c5,Bc4d4] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 1: On the attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/05Cxjorh"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3rr1kn/ppnqb1pp/2p1p3/6PP/1PBPP1Q1/P3B3/2N5/2R2R1K w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ We have more space in the center and on the kingside, the bishop pair, and the open c and f files, so white is clearly better with an ensuing attack. Moreover, black's knight on h8 looks to be in a sorry state. What's the best way to further our attack? } 1. g6 $1 h6 $18 { Yes exactly! After h6, it's clear that this knight on h8 is doomed to passivity - trapped in the corner forever.
Sadly, black could not have played hxg6 because after hxg6, our mate threat of Qh5->h7 will require them to sacrifice their poor knight just to stop the mate! } ( 1... hxg6 $2 2. hxg6 Rf8 3. Qh5 $18 { [%cal Gh5h7] } ) *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 2: Attack and defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/0m3Rdf01"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3r2r1/p1p2n1k/1p4p1/4p2p/PP2PP1P/4BP2/2K3R1/6R1 w - - 0 2"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black has just played e5, attacking our f4 pawn. How should we respond? } 2. Rd2 $1 ( 2. Kc3 $1 { Equally good. Play Rd2 instead for the solution. } ) ( 2. Rd1 $5 { Reasonably good as well. Play Rd2 instead for the solution. } ) ( 2. fxe5 $2 { Oh no you panicked! After Nxe5, we have to play defensively with Rg3 just to save our f3 pawn. Now the knight is out of control! } 2... Nxe5 3. Rg3 Rgf8 4. f4 Ng4 $10 ) ( 2. b5 $5 { Another interesting try. Play Rd2 instead for the solution. } ) 2... exf4 $6 3. Bxf4 { Exactly! We were never afraid of black taking on f4, simply improving our bishop, which now dominates the f7 knight! Furthermore, by trading a pair of rooks, we are preparing for an endgame where black has less counterplay than if both rooks remained on the board.
This position was adapted from Petrosian - Botvinnik, 1963. The full game can be found here: https://lichess.org/pWQiqGGi } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 3: Controlling the outpost"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/0l2t7rbn"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r2q1rk1/2pb1pbp/1p1p1np1/p1nPp3/2P1P3/2N1B2P/PPQNBPP1/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black's knight is firmly established on the c5 outpost. How can we kick that knight out, with the goal of dominating it on either a6 or b7? } 1. b3 $3 ( 1. a3 $4 { Don't be too hasty! After a4!, white will never be able to get in the b4 pawn break. How can we better prepare b4? } 1... a4 $10 ) ( 1. b4 $4 { Don't be hasty. This loses a pawn after axb4. } 1... axb4 $17 ) 1... Ne8 { The first time you learn this amazing idea is delightful. In order to play b4, we have to play the counter-intuitive b3! Meanwhile, black is preparing the classic f5 pawn break... } 2. a3 f5 3. f3 ( 3. b4 $6 { The right idea, but a little too quick! After Na6, both the b4 pawn is hanging and your e3 bishop is about to be trapped with f4! } 3... Na6 4. Qb3 $4 f4 $19 { [%csl Ge3] } ) 3... Nf6 4. b4 $1 Na6 { Finally, we have succeeded in executing our plan to control the c5 outpost! } ( 4... Nb7 $5 $14 { The knight's going nowhere here either... } ) 5. Qb3 $16 { The knight on a6 is completely dominated, and white has the queenside completely under control. White will prepare the c5 pawn break next, with possible threats towards the king on g8. } ( 5. b5 $4 { Oh no! You just gave black the c5 outpost again! } 5... Nc5 $17 ) ( 5. Qb2 $5 $16 { Just as good. Play Qb3 instead for the solution. } ) ( 5. Rfb1 $2 { Loses a pawn after axb4 axb4 Nxb4! } 5... axb4 6. axb4 Nxb4 $17 ) ( 5. Rab1 $6 $14 { Not terrible, but there's no need to give up the a file. } ) *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 4: Offsetting the knight"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/EO2SFQt4"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1r6/5kpp/p1n1pp2/2p4P/n1P3P1/P1B1P3/3NKP2/3R4 w - - 3 7"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black has just played Na4, attacking our bishop. Do we have a convenient response planned? } 7. Ba1 $1 { Nice retreat! This move highlights the power of the bishop over the knight. Black's knight on a4 is completely dominated and can only retreat if it wants to make further progress. Meanwhile, our bishop is still influencing the entire board, attacking the f6 and g7 pawns from its safe corner. } 7... Na5 $2 { Black's knights are trying their best to hop into our position. What's the best way to generate an initiative now that both knights are sidelined on the side of the board? Take your time - this problem is about to get challenging! } 8. Ne4 $3 ( 8. g5 $1 { An interesting move as well! Taking this pawn would allow Ne4 to hit with devastating effect! Play Ne4 instead for the solution. } 8... fxg5 ) 8... Nxc4 $6 { You've just sacrificed the c pawn. Is this genius or madness? } 9. Rd7+ Kg8 { Black needed to defend the g pawn. Kf8 was equivalent.
Regardless, black's position seems solid enough. How do we finally break through? } 10. h6 $1 ( 10. Bxf6 $3 { Also completely winning! Play h6 instead for the solution. } 10... gxf6 11. Nxf6+ Kh8 12. Rxh7# ) ( 10. g5 $6 { Not the best way to break through. After Nab6, our rook is hit and we still have not broken through. White remains better here though too. } ) 10... gxh6 11. Bxf6 $18 { Excellent job! The strong bishop on the long diagonal has been unleashed. Meanwhile, black's knights are still accomplishing nothing on the queenside (and in fact are still mostly dominated). The threat of Rg7+ is decisive, winning at least the two h pawns and giving white a passed g pawn.
This was taken from the positional masterpiece, Yusupov - Lautier 1994: https://lichess.org/I77L5Gug } ( 11. Nxf6+ $5 { Also winning. Play Bxf6 instead for the solution. } ) *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 5: Resisting domination"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/647LaRLD"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/1p1pnpb1/p1n1p1pp/8/2P1P2B/1NNB4/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 1 11"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Our knight on e7 is currently pinned by the bishop on h4 and dominated by the e4 pawn. How can we best resolve this pressure? [%cal Be4f5,Be4d5,Rh4d8] } 11... g5 12. Bg3 { Without an immediate justification of this last move, g5 can only be described as a hook that white will quickly attack with h4 or f4. Can you justify this last move by utilizing the squares temporarily under our control? } 12... Ne5 ( 12... Ng6 $2 { The right idea, but unfortunately you just allowed Bd6 followed by c5! with complete dark squared control. Stop Bd6 first! } 13. Bd6 Re8 14. c5 $16 ) ( 12... d6 $6 { This move is a little slow. After f4!?, white is opening our king and has a lead in development! } 13. f4 gxf4 14. Bxf4 Ng6 15. Be3 Nce5 16. Be2 $14 ) 13. Be2 { Nice job finding an active knight move, attacking and defending! After having played g5, the e5 square is a temporary outpost for our knight. } ( 13. h4 $5 N7g6 $1 14. h5 $6 Nf4 $17 ) ( 13. f4 $5 gxf4 14. Bxf4 N7g6 $10 ) 13... N7g6 $1 $10 { Exactly! Now h4 and f4 are ruled out permanently, our knights have found stable dark squares on e5 and possibly f4, and we'll be able to complete development after b6+Bb7. Black has fully equalized.
If you want to see how securing these squares can lead to a win, please see Artemiev playing a model game from this position in 2015: https://lichess.org/0kFiKbNy/black. } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Exercise 6: Central domination"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/CgDZBxRS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/ppppbppp/2n2n2/1B6/3PP3/5N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 1 8"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "21:29:04"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black has played poorly in this Ruy Lopez and temporarily given up the center for fast development. Can you properly punish their poor play? } 8. d5 $1 ( 8. e5 $5 { Also an interesting try, but only if you had planned to play Qb3! after Nd5. There's a more direct way forward. } 8... Nd5 9. Qb3 $16 ) 8... Nb8 { Black was forced to retreat because the knight on a5 is offsides and almost trapped, and the knight on b4 just gets kicked immediately after a3.
White is now solidly better, but can you find the most crushing move in the position? } 9. e5 $1 ( 9. Nc3 $5 { A solid move, but one that doesn't quite fit the theme of this study. } ) ( 9. Re1 $5 { A solid move, but one that doesn't quite fit the theme of the study. } ) ( 9. Bd3 $5 { A solid move, but one that doesn't quite fit the theme of the study. } ) 9... Ne8 $16 { First one knight and then the other! Black has been fully kicked back to the 8th rank and needs to play precisely to avoid collapse in the near future.
Note that Ne4?? would have lost beautifully to d6 cxd6, Qd5! Ng5, Bxg5 Bxg5, e6! hitting the g5 undefended piece and crashing through. } ( 9... Ne4 $4 { [%cal Gd1d5,Gd5e4,Gd5g5] } 10. d6 $1 cxd6 11. Qd5 { [%cal Gd5g8] } 11... Ng5 12. Bxg5 Bxg5 13. e6 { [%cal Gd5g5] } 13... dxe6 ( 13... Be7 14. exf7+ Kh8 ( 14... Rxf7 15. Bc4 $18 { [%csl Gc8] } ) 15. Bd3 $18 ) 14. Qxg5 $18 ) *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Thanks for enjoying this study!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/adf18Wg0"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3n4/8/8/3B4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Be sure to like this study and share with your friends if you enjoyed it! Feel free to ask/answer any questions in the chat room if you're stuck on a key idea. You can check out my other instructive studies too if you're working on improving your game.
-NoseKnowsAll

* Beginner endgames you must know! https://lichess.org/study/wukLYIXj
* Intermediate endgames you must know! https://lichess.org/study/UsqmCsgC
* More endgames you must know! https://lichess.org/study/xtDSXkyi
* Advanced endgames you must know! https://lichess.org/study/UO2zqigQ
* Rook endgames you must know! https://lichess.org/study/bnboDhFM
* Knights | How to dominate your opponents! https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4
* Bishops | Slice through the opposition! https://lichess.org/study/kNn68T8l
* Rooks | Infiltrate for activity! https://lichess.org/study/U7tTRtdj
* Always sacrifice the exchange! https://lichess.org/study/h3ccaYFE
* Beautiful checkmates https://lichess.org/study/YtBYXc3m [%cal Bd5a8,Bd5g8] } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: What is the Ruy Lopez"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/v4PVa9lp"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "17:43:02"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { The Ruy Lopez is objectively one of the most solid openings with white and is Magnus Carlsen's most successful opening. If you enjoy open positions then this opening is for you. There are not many sidelines black can go for so you will not need to spend a week booking up. } 1... e5 { This study will give you a full repertoire against e5. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { My favourite thing about this opening is that it is very hard to go wrong and with decent play white will always have a small positional advantage. Objectively, this is regarded to be the most promising opening after 1. e4 e5 } 3. Bb5 { The Ruy Lopez (alternatively known as the Spanish opening) starts with a King's pawn game and features a bishop on b5 (Spanish bishop.) If you are a beginner that is very new to the game I would recommend the Italian opening where you will play Bc4 on move 3 instead of Bb5. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Basic ideas"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/XElliq2E"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "17:56:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { If you want to, you can play a classical, traditional position by developing the knight to c3. However, For intermediate and advanced players, I highly recommend going for the center with c3, d4. This idea is also more effective amongst humans. [%cal Gc2c3,Gd2d4] } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Basic ideas part 2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/K8TH2p33"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "18:02:50"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { There are traps with the bishop on b5 because of the alignment with the black king- there will probably be a pin in the future. So good players kick the bishop back with pawns at some point. If this occurs, you should re-route the bishop to the highlighted diagonal, ideally to c2. [%cal Gb1h7] } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Basic ideas part 3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/XBBnRgTO"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C64"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Central Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "18:07:49"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { After you have castled, played Re1, built the center, played h3 to stop the light bishop coming to g4, you can start manoeuvring your knight. [%cal Gc2c3,Gd2d4,Ge1g1,Gh2h3,Gf1e1] } 3... Bc5 { The orthodox manoeuvre is Nbd2 to f1 to e3/g3. From there, you should try to get it to f5. But be careful because if black's light bishop is guarding that square, black will gladly trade it off. The Ruy Lopez requires patience. [%cal Gb1d2,Gd2f1,Gf1e3,Gf1g3] } 4. c3 { I should point out that normally white's dark bishop is not a great piece. You can slot it on e3 to help with d4 control but if you do this make sure e4 is sufficiently protected. I like to just leave my bishop on c1 for a long time and only develop it when I absolutely need to. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Ruy Lopez main line"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/JbFllsoL"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C88"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "18:19:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 { This is Morphy's defense. } 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 { The Ruy Lopez main line. } 7. Re1 { The move you should play. } 7... d6 { Look at all the ideas both sides used and you will get a better understanding of this opening. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: The open Ruy Lopez with 7...exd4"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/J47ssabS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C80"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Open"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "18:22:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Nxe4 { This is the open Ruy Lopez. To get out of this without material loss black must play very well and it is easy for white to play this position. Usually, the people playing this only play it because they don't know theory. You can play Re1 but I encourage d4!! } 7. d4 { Opening the center while black's king is in the center. Please note: You are not playing a Ruy Lopez without castling early. } 7... exd4 { This is one of the moves black can play. It is the main one. Nd6 is also played but runs into dxe5 and white is better. } 8. Re1 { Using the pin... } 8... d5 { Defending but also preparing to develop the light bishop. In this position there are countless candidate moves. I would probably advise thaf you do not worry about regaining the pawn for now and instead focus on development.
There are 2 main moves- Nc3 and Bg5 } 9. Bg5 { Another move you can play. This is saying that I will take my time to regain the pawn but for now I have rapid development. Bg5 is the best move but make sure you are prepared. } ( 9. Nc3 Be6 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Rxe4 Be7 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Qe2 { And White is better. } ) 9... Ne7 *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: The open Ruy Lopez with 7...d5"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/PJ4FkeTL"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C82"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Open"]
[UTCDate "2021.05.09"]
[UTCTime "17:34:11"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Nxe4 7. d4 d5 { This is the line which we saw in the previous chapter but instead of playing exd4 Black has played d5. In most higher level games you will see d5 because exd4 inevitably ends in a worse position for Black. } 8. dxe5 { Regaining the pawn while attacking d5. } 8... Be6 { The next few moves are fairly inter-changeable. You will want to play c3, Bc2, Nbd2 in any order as long as Black is passively developing. Eventually, you might have to exchange knights on e4 but try to leave the tension for as long as possible. If Black ever plays d4 then leave the tension between pawns and remember that you have control of e4 then. [%cal Gc2c3,Gb3c2,Gb1d2] } 9. c3 { (Remember you do not have to play c3 first.) If Black decides to play f5 in the future then use d4 instead to station your knights- whatever happens DO NOT en passant on f6. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Berlin defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/ooS9jvZ0"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.28"]
[UTCTime "18:35:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 { The immediate Nf6 before expanding the queen side pawns is called the Berlin defense. This is an indication that black is wanting a draw. This is very hard to break through with white and the Berlin is the most solid, drawish defense against the Ruy Lopez. } 4. d3 { This is the move I play, just keeping the position nice and solid. You will play for the same ideas as the main line Ruy Lopez, but using an extra tempo. 0-0 is also played a lot, which transposes into the main line but black's pawns on the queenside are not extended and white's bishop is still on b5. The reason I prefer d3 over 0-0 against the Berlin is because in the main line white will always have a4!, a move common in the Ruy Lopez } ( 4. O-O { The reason I prefer d3 over 0-0 against the Berlin is because in the main line white will always have a4! (a move commonly seen in the Ruy Lopez) to break down/undermine black's over-extended pawns. In the Berlin though, black has not pushed those pawns. } 4... Nxe4 { Also, on move 4 the best move for black is now Nxe4. This is now possible because as you saw in the game I linked in the open variation chapter the black pawns that were pushed encouraged the light bishop to go to b3 from where it plays an important role in pressuring d5. } 5. Re1 { If you decide to go for this line, the best move is Re1, and the game will be very drawish. } ) 4... d6 { So if you go for d3, just use the normal ideas but taking one extra tempo to complete the plan. *Remember, the Berlin is very solid so do not ruin your position trying to break through. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Classical Ruy Lopez"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/DKca9tSG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C65"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "08:25:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 { This is the classical Ruy Lopez. It is not played that often at a high level, but it follows opening principles which makes it a favourite among beginners. The difference between this opening and the main line is that black's dark bishop is on c5 instead of e7. Having the bishop on e7 is more solid but the bishop on c5 can lead to pressuring f2. } 4. c3 { Against the classical you must take the center with c3, d4. The idea of developing the knight to c3 is bad because then you will not be able to exploit the bishop on c5. I always play c3 in this position but you can castle right away if you want. Instead of c3 or 0-0 if you try the center fork trick with Nxe5 followed with d4 this will not work as well because black will play Qe7. } ( 4. Nxe5 { In this position black can either play Qe7 or Qg5 winning back the pawn. One of the lines is 4.-Qe7 5. Nxc6 Qxe4+ 6. Be2 dxc6 and black has already opened up the light bishop. } ) 4... Nf6 5. O-O O-O { Black could not have taken the pawn on e4 for the same reasons in the open Ruy Lopez and here d4 will be even stronger because it comes with a tempo on the dark bishop. } 6. Re1 d6 7. a3 { I play a3 because after d4 if black trades once on d4 they can then play Bb4 to cover the e1 square so a3 covers b4. } 7... Be6 { This is something a lot of people play. If you play the classical it would be much better to transpose into a Archangel variation for black (see chapter 9.) Black has fallen into a fatal trap that we prepared with a3. } 8. d4 $3 { d4!! Grabbing the center and winning a piece. If we didnt play a3, this would still work out very well but black would trade once on d4 and then Bb4 hitting the rook and getting a small bit of material back. Just so you know it is not good for black to trade once on d4 because white will have an unchallenged center. } 8... Bb6 { Na5 was actually best but if they play this then... } 9. d5 { Forking the knight and bishop. Black is losing a piece. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Ruy Lopez Archangel variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/HaTbG9RQ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C78"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Neo-Arkhangelsk Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "09:32:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 { This is the Archangel variation. The idea for black is to put a bishop on c5 and a bishop on b7 from where they will be staring down the white king. Sometimes, you will have to play d5 to shut down the light bishop on b5 but make sure you don't over-extend your center. The classical variation usually transposes into the Archangel. Use similar ideas to the ones you would use against the classical. } 6... b5 *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Breyer defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/1CIMur1N"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C95"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, Zaitsev Hybrid"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "13:25:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 { We have transposed from the main line to the Breyer defense. The idea of this opening is that the knight on c6 does not really have a purpose because of the move d6. With Nb8 you are preparing to manoeuvre the knight to a better square e.g. to d7 from where it will contribute towards the center. I play the Sicilian against e4 but when I am playing a Ruy Lopez I go for the Breyer. } 10. d4 Nbd7 { This looks weird, but it is worth trying. It is Magnus Carlsen's second favourite defense against the Ruy Lopez. Black will keep trying to undermine white's center with moves like c5. Just continue with the normal ideas. After c5 do not be afraid of black exchanging all the pawns on d4. This will leave you with a great knight on d4. It is best to leave the tension for as long as possible. } 11. Nbd2 *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Chigorin defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/564iJjCb"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C96"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "14:05:44"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Na5 { This is the Chigorin defense. It is the Breyer defense but there is a knight on a5 instead of b8. You definitely won't want to give up your Spanish bishop for that knight so you should play Bc2. } 10. Bc2 { The reason I don't like the Chigorin as much as the Breyer is because the knight on a5 is a bad piece. } 10... c5 { Black still has the idea of c5 that we saw in the Breyer, but with the knight on a5. The thing that makes the Chigorin different is that instead of re-routing the knight to d7, you first play c5 and bring the knight back to c6. } 11. d4 *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Marshall gambit"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/VLI3XQq9"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C89"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack, Modern Main Line"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "14:45:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O { 0-0 indicates the Marshall gambit. This is an aggressive relpy to the Ruy Lopez. Black will be the one attacking but white will be up a pawn. } 8. c3 d5 { The Marshall gambit is on the board. } 9. exd5 { This is what happens if you accept it. } ( 9. d4 { Declining the Marshall gambit. If black plays exd4 then e5 grabs some space and after the knight has moved you can recapture on d4 with the pawn. The best move is dxe4. } 9... dxe4 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12. Bxd1 Nd5 { Here you can take on e4, so I suppose d4 is not really declining the gambit if black plays these moves. But I just showed one line, there are a few black can choose. This line is very safe and it is around equal. } ) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 { Black will get sufficient compensation for the pawn. They have open lines which can lead to a devastating attack. } 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 { This is what is usually played } 14. g3 Qh3 { White has some weaknesses around his king but if white defends properly you should end up being up a pawn. If you are not interested in accepting the Marshall, I have shown in the sideline how you can decline it and still keep a small advantage. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Schliemann variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/y39wQEwj"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C63"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense"]
[UTCDate "2020.08.29"]
[UTCTime "15:41:15"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 { This is the Schliemann variation. Black immediately attacks white's center with the f-pawn. This opening is extremely rare- I only know one player who plays this and you will barely ever run into this. If you accept the pawn, the players playing this will know the next 50 moves of what to play. I would just recommend d3. } 4. d3 { Against the Schliemann you might have to play a bit more traditionally by developing the knight to c3 instead of going for the standard c3, d4 idea, which will not work as well because then it will be easy for black to undermine your center. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Bird defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/ZkmKufaS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C61"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.09.12"]
[UTCTime "14:58:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 { This is the Bird defense. The aim for black is to get good control of the center with c6, d5 at the cost of doubling his pawns. This opening is quite dubious and not popular at the highest level. } 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. d3 { The main line. } 5... c6 6. Ba4 { If Bc4 then d5 will come with a tempo. With the bishop on a4 there is a useful pin on c6. } 6... d5 { This is one move they might play. I this happens you can take it. } 7. exd5 Qxd5 { If Qa5 then c3 and the queen will defend the bishop. } 8. O-O { After Re1 you will play normally and eventually undermine d4 with c3. } *
[Event "The Ruy Lopez for all calibre of players: Norwegian defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/tmxyapCB/G8KDBGSI"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/tmtnt200"]
[ECO "C70"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.09.12"]
[UTCTime "15:08:09"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5 { This is the Norwegian defense. This is not very popular but there are traps to fall in to at a lower level. } 6. O-O { This is the best and most common move. } ( 6. Nxe5 Nxb3 7. axb3 Qg5 { This is what happens when you grab the pawn. } ) 6... Nxb3 7. axb3 { You usually want to keep your Spanish bishop but This is an exception where you will get the open a-file. The b-pawns are doubled but doubled pawns are only weak when they can be attacked and exploited. Now you are threatening to take on e5 because g2 is defended. } 7... Bb7 { Black should have defended the pawn with d6 or counter-attacked with Nf6. } 8. Nxe5 Bxe4 9. Re1 { Attacking the bishop. } 9... d5 10. d3 { Forcing the bishop to move. } 10... Bf5 11. Nc6+ { Winning the queen. } *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Concept of shelter"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/Kj96WhcR"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/8/1R6/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "11:35:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This is the Lucena position. It is a win, but not without correct strategy. Watch what happens when white does not play most accurately } 1. Rd3+ Ke6 2. Kc7 Rc1+ { Black capitalizes on the fact that the white king must protect the pawn and has no where to hide except b8 from checks. However, b8 blocks the pawn from progress. Black tries for a perpetual, and white cannot make progress simply from moving his king, as Black just checks. [%cal Gc1c8,Gb1b8,Ga1a8] } 3. Kb6 Rb1+ { All black has to do is check on one of the three highlighted files, or attack the b-pawn if the king ventures away too far [%cal Ga1a8,Gb1b8,Gc1c8] } 4. Kc6 Rc1+ { [%cal Gc1c8,Gb1b8,Ga1a8] } 5. Kb5 Rb1+ { [%cal Gc1c8,Gb1b8,Ga1a8] } 6. Ka6 Ra1+ 7. Kb6 Rb1+ 8. Kc6 Rc1+ 9. Kb6 Rb1+ 10. Kc7 Rc1+ 11. Kd8 Rb1 { [%csl Gb8][%cal Gb1b8] } 12. Kc8 Rc1+ 13. Kb8 { Back to where it all started...
Clearly, we need something that provides shelter to the king. See the next chapter for that. } *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Lucena Win - Main"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/vTbj0JVF"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/8/1R6/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "11:00:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This is the Lucena position. It seems as if the position is a draw, due to the lack of shielding of the white king from checks once it leaves the b8 square. However, there is a method called "building the bridge" which allows white to win the full point. } 1. Rd3+ { This first check gives the white king some "breathing space" } 1... Ke7 { We will discover what happens after Ke6 in the next few chapters } 2. Rd4 $1 { Moving the rook to the 4th rank builds the bridge, which will later shield the king. } 2... Ke6 { Approaching the rook [%cal Gd4b4,Gb8c7,Gc7b6,Gb6c6,Gc6b5] } 3. Kc7 { Giving room on b8 for promotion } 3... Rc1+ { Attempting to perpetually check the king } 4. Kb6 { Advancing closer to the rook, which will offer shelter } 4... Rb1+ { Black continues to check } 5. Kc6 { Note that Kc6 is neccessary, Kc5 hangs the pawn } 5... Rc1+ 6. Kb5 Rb1+ 7. Rb4 $1 $18 { The white rook now blocks all the checks and the pawn promotes. [%csl Gb8][%cal Rb1b4,Gb7b8] } *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: King approaches the pawn"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/afzHfw0S"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/8/1R6/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "23:37:12"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. Rd3+ Kc6 { Black tries to attack the pawn, but this provides shelter along the c file for the white king [%cal Gc1c8] } 2. Kc8 { [%cal Gc1c8] } 2... Rh1 { Black tries for a skewer, but the rook can block } 3. b8=Q Rh8+ 4. Rd8 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Defending approaches with the king"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/MkdaUvR5"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/8/3R4/8/r7 b - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "11:22:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1... Ke6 { Attempting to disrupt Re4 with Ke5 } 2. Rd4 Ke5 3. Rb4 { Neat move which allows white either shelter behind the black king (if he approches) or on b6. } 3... Kd5 ( 3... Ra2 { Black does not approach with the king as it provides shelter } 4. Kc7 Ra7 ( 4... Rc2+ 5. Kb6 Kd5 6. b8=Q $18 ) 5. Kb6 $18 ) 4. Kc7 Rc1+ 5. Kd7 { Shelter behind enemy king } 5... Rh1 6. b8=Q $18 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Defending stops checking"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/irLPNAwf"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/8/1R6/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "23:15:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Standard Lucena, however, black uses another defending resource } 1. Rd3+ Ke7 2. Rd4 Ra3 3. Kc7 Rc3+ 4. Kb6 Rb3+ 5. Kc6 Ke6 $1 { Black does not follow on with Rc3+, and rather tries to both stop the pawn promoting and also for a sneaky tactic. Can you figure out the way to win? } 6. Rc4 ( 6. Rd5 $4 { This lose 1/2 point. Black has a tactic. Can you find it? } 6... Rxb7 { Both rooks are hit, if Kxb7 then Kxc5 draw. Note that Black cannot win by attempting to deflect the king away from the rook with Rc3+, as black blocks with Rc5 [%cal Re6d5,Gc6b7] } ( 6... Rc3+ $4 { Giving back the win } 7. Rc5 ) 7. Kxb7 Kxd5 $10 ) 6... Rb2 ( 6... Rh3 7. Rb4 Rc3+ ( 7... Rh8 8. b8=Q ) 8. Kb6 ) 7. Kc7 Kd5 8. Rc1 ( 8. b8=Q $4 Rxb8 9. Kxb8 Kxc4 ) 8... Rxb7+ 9. Kxb7 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Lucena: Defending Rook prevents the bridge"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/M0UeBRpX"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "1K6/1P1k4/8/8/4r3/2R5/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.21"]
[UTCTime "09:44:06"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black tries to stop the bridge by placing his rook on the 4th rank (from the view of the superior side). However, this turns out to be a simple win. } 1. Rd3+ Ke6 2. Kc7 $1 { White's idea is to chase down the rook with his king. The rook is just close enough } 2... Rc4+ 3. Kb6 Rb4+ 4. Kc6 Rc4+ 5. Kb5 $18 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Practice!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/rbhDjGH4"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "4K1k1/4P3/8/8/8/8/R7/7r w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.17"]
[UTCTime "11:27:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. Rg2+ Kh7 2. Rg4 Rf1 3. Kd7 Rd1+ 4. Ke6 Re1+ 5. Kf6 { Or Kd6 } 5... Rf1+ ( 5... Re3 6. e8=Q ( 6. Rf4 Kg8 7. Rf5 Kh7 8. Kf7 Kh6 9. e8=Q ) 6... Rxe8 7. Kf7 { [%cal Gf7e8,Gg4h4] } ) 6. Ke5 Re1+ 7. Re4 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Alternate method to Lucena for c-f file pawns"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/QzyIsA2v"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "2K5/2P1k3/8/8/8/2R5/8/6r1 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.21"]
[UTCTime "09:51:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Sometimes it may be safer to use this alternate method to promote the pawn. This method works for c-f pawns. The idea is to get the rook on the 8th rank to defend against checks, and then for the king to hunt down the rook. [%cal Gc3a3,Ga3a8,Ga8b8,Gc8b7] } 1. Ra3 { If the pawn is c or d file move rook to 'a' file, otherwise if e or f file move to h file. } 1... Rb1 2. Ra8 Rb3 { Black has nothing better than to wait } 3. Rb8 Rd3 ( 3... Rxb8+ 4. Kxb8 Kd7 5. c8=Q+ ) 4. Kb7 Rb3+ { [%cal Gb7a6,Ga6b5,Gb5c4] } 5. Ka6 Ra3+ 6. Kb5 Rb3+ 7. Ka4 $18 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Philidor Position - White's hopes"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/DNo8oLXA"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3k4/7R/8/2PK4/8/8/8/6r1 b - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.18"]
[UTCTime "01:41:23"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Blacks position seems completely lost - seems like white can play Kc6 and win with the dominant king seting up a Lucena. However, black's position is in fact a draw, but it can easily slip without accurate strategy - and let's how white aims to win in action [%csl Gc6] } 1... Rd1+ $4 { [%csl Gc6] } 2. Kc6 Re1 3. Rh8+ Ke7 4. Kc7 Ra1 5. c6 Rb1 6. Kc8 Rc1 7. c7 Rb1 8. Rh4 Rb3 9. Re4+ { White reaches a Lucena, the dream goal! Black has lost the originally drawn position } 9... Kf6 10. Kd7 Rd3+ 11. Kc6 Rc3+ 12. Kd6 Kf5 13. Re5+ Kf4 14. Rc5 Rd3+ 15. Kc6 Rf3 16. c8=Q *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Philidor Position - Correct Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/ZQzFKvp3"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3k4/7R/8/2PK4/8/8/8/6r1 b - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.18"]
[UTCTime "01:46:48"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Instead of allowing the king to advance to the 6th rank and gain a dominant position, black should block the king from advancing with the defending rook } 1... Rg6 { White cannot attempt to progress without moving the pawn, and checks to the defending king do not do anything [%csl Re5,Re4,Rd4,Rc4][%cal Gh6a6] } 2. Rh8+ Kc7 3. Rh7+ Kc8 4. Ke5 { Black can simply play waiting moves along the 6th rank with the rook } 4... Rc6 5. Kd5 Rg6 6. c6 { Finally, white gives pushing the pawn a go as nothing else seems to work. However, this destroys the shelter white used to have on c6 should the defending rook every check him. } 6... Rg1 $1 { The brilliant move: black simply swings his rook to the first rank and can now perpetually check white. } 7. Kd4 Rd1+ 8. Kc5 Rc1+ 9. Kd5 Rd1+ 10. Ke6 Re1+ { Black can attempt to chase down the rook diagonally, but that does not work as you will see } 11. Kd5 Rd1+ 12. Ke4 Re1+ 13. Kd3 { If the king ever ventures too far away to try to stop the rook's checks, all the rook needs to do to defend is hunt down the pawn, which will drop. } 13... Rc1 { [%csl Rc6] } 14. Rh6 { White tries to defend [%csl Rc6] } 14... Kc7 { [%csl Rc6] } 15. Kd2 { [%csl Rc6] } 15... Rxc6 16. Rxc6+ Kxc6 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Lucena: Rook Pawns - Ia"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/kmIBmiow"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "K1k5/P7/8/8/1R6/8/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.22"]
[UTCTime "11:47:59"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ When dealing with rook pawns there are four main situations -
1. White rook is on 4th rank and black's rook is not on the file adjacent to the pawn;
2. White's rook is on 4th rank and black's rook is on the file adjacent to the pawn and there are less than FOUR files between defending king and pawn;
3. White rook is not on 4th rank and there at least FOUR files between defending king and pawn (in this case placement of the defending rook does not matter, it can be on the file adjacent to the pawn);
4. White rook is not on 4th rank and there are less than 4 files between defending rook and pawn, white's rook is on the file adjacent to the pawn;

We will explore the first case now. This is a simple Lucena win as the rook is already on the 4th rank } 1. Rc4+ Kd7 2. Kb7 Rb1+ 3. Ka6 Ra1+ 4. Kb6 Rb1+ 5. Ka5 Ra1+ 6. Ra4 $18 *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Lucena: Rook Pawns - Ib"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/NlgTV6EG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "K7/P1k5/8/8/1R6/8/8/r7 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.21"]
[UTCTime "10:18:09"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This is a first case as well. However, the position has been altered such that the defending king has a better position, and can reach b6, attacking the pawn. } 1. Rc4+ Kb6 { [%cal Ga1a7] } ( 1... Kd6 2. Kb7 Rb1+ 3. Ka6 Ra1+ 4. Kb6 Rb1+ 5. Ka5 Ra1+ 6. Ra4 $18 ) 2. Kb8 Rxa7 3. Rb4+ Ka5 $3 $10 { Preventing Rxa4 and Kxa7 from gaining any material. Now you would think that if we had the rook on the 3rd rank, we could avoid this saving move, right? Wrong. Black could avoid this sequence altogether, as now the rook cannot use the Lucena strategy. See next section [%cal Gb8a7,Ra5b4] } ( 3... Ka6 $4 4. Ra4+ { [%csl Ra7][%cal Ga4a7,Gb8a7] } 4... Kb6 5. Rxa7 $18 ) *
[Event "Rook Endgames: Lucena & Philidor: Lucena: Rook Pawns - II"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/Vnzt6p8p/IOuDU5Ee"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Tournaments"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "K7/P1k5/8/8/5R2/8/8/1r6 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2016.07.21"]
[UTCTime "10:28:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Now we will explore the second case. There are less than 4 files between defending king and pawn, and the rook is controlling the file adjacent to the pawn. Let's see how this turns out. Attempting to build the bridge does not work as the rook is guarding the king's only few escape squares. Therefore, we need to try to get our rook to block the defending rook. } 1. Rf8 { Attempting to get to b8 and trade rooks } ( 1. Rc4+ Kd7 $10 ) 1... Ra1 2. Rb8 Rc1 3. Rb7+ Kc8 { Progress cannot be made. This position is a draw. So far we have discovered if the defending rook is not on the file adjacent to the pawn and our rook is on the 4th rank, we have a win except when the king can attack the pawn and the rook is also attacking the pawn, and if the defending rook is on the file adjacent, it is a draw. } *