Lucena Position
Build a bridge or use checking techniques to promote a rook pawn when your king is in front of the pawn.
Philidor Position
Defend rook-and-pawn endings by keeping the king out and using third-rank defense before switching to checks from behind.
Active Rook Principle
Choose activity, checks and entry squares over passive pawn defense whenever the position permits.
Rook Behind the Passed Pawn
Place the rook behind passed pawns because the rook's checking and supporting range increases as the pawn advances.
Cut Off the King
Use the rook to restrict the enemy king by files or ranks before trying to win pawns.
Checking Distance
Give side checks from enough distance that the enemy king cannot attack the rook while approaching the pawn.
Vancura Defense
Use lateral checks and rook placement to draw specific rook-pawn positions when the defending king is poorly placed.
Rook and Pawn on the Fourth/Fifth/Sixth
Understand how the evaluation changes as the pawn advances and which side needs king activity or checking distance.
Rook Versus Connected Pawns
Use checks from behind or the side and activate the king before the pawns become too advanced.
Practical Rook-Endgame Defense
Seek activity, perpetual checks, pawn races and king cutoffs instead of defending every pawn passively.