How to use your rook effectively?

The most commonly misunderstood piece in chess is the rook. Many players have real problems with their rooks and don’t know how to play with them.

Today, IM Vangjel Buli has prepared a new text lesson for you. He will teach you with an illustrative example – a game he played in the Accelerated Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense. There is one famous Russian rule about rooks – find all the reasons why you should place one rook on an open file and then move the other rook!

Let’s imagine that we have two rooks, one on f1 and the other on a1. Let’s imagine that we have only one open file, the e-file. We should think hard and find reasons for deciding which rook we should move to e1.

If we decide to place the f1-rook there, then we should bring the other rook, the a1-rook, to e1! This is a very well-known rule and it is useful in practice. What I’m trying to say is that some rook moves are mysterious. But after this lesson, you will understand clearly how to play with rooks.

The rooks should go to open files. I hope this is very clear to you.  What can we do if there is no open file in the position? How should we place our rooks in this situation?

V. Buli – H. Xhakoni [B35]

16.07.2016

White to play

White has finished the opening tasks and developed all of his pieces. How should he play now? This is the critical moment for White because he has a lot of options. Should White play f4, or Nd5, or capture on c6, or develop the queen with Qd2, or play something else?

The position is about equal and has good potential for both sides. Please think for 3-5 minutes from White’s point of view and try to find the best move for White.

11.Re1! We should place the rooks on open files, when we have open files. As the game proceeds, it is possible to exchange some pawns or to exchange some pieces. If we exchange some pawns, then one file can open. Similarly, we can exchange some pieces and then we can have an open file that way.

Usually in the Accelerated Dragon variation, White castles on the queenside and, after that, prepares the attack on Black’s kingside. In this particular variation, Black forces White to castle short. White cannot attack Black’s monarch, so he needs to play in the center. The most typical move for White is to play the knight to d5. If Black exchanges this central knight, then White will recapture with the e-pawn and we will have a semi-open file there.

This is the key to the position! White wants to put pressure on the semi-open e-file and, more specifically, on the backward pawn on e7.

Before placing the knight on d5, White is preparing this plan with the mysterious move Re1. This move is connected with all actions in the center. White is planning ahead and trying to coordinate all of his pieces in order to open a file for his rooks.

Suggestion: you may like to see the video lesson “Magical Chess Rooks” by GM Levan Aroshidze.

11…Rac8 12.Qe2!? White intends to bring the rook to d1; for that reason, 12.De2 is a simple evacuation 12…Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.Rad1 b5

White to play

Black cannot capture the e4-pawn because the pawn on d6 is falling. You can see that clearly in the following variation:

14…e5? 15.Be3 Bxe4 (15…Nxe4?? 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.Bd2+- Black loses the bishop) 16.Rxd6 Bc6 17.Red1. White takes control of the d-file and has more active pieces

.

15.Nd5 Bxd5

The idea for Black is to take on d5 with the bishop and then to exchange the bishop on g7 with that of his opponent on d4, in order to enter into the ending with a good knight vs bad bishop on b3.

16.exd5

Black to play

Now we can clearly see what the aim of the mysterious rook move was. White has strong pressure on e7, the bishop pair and a more promising position.

16…Rfe8 17.c3 Nd7 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rd4!

Black to play

If we compare the White and Black rooks, then we can see that White’s heavy pieces are much more active. Black pieces, including queen and rooks, are not standing well, have no active role, and possibly need to defend the e7-pawn in particular.

Suggestion: learn how to use an open file in chess now.

By contrast, White’s heavy pieces are very active, control a lot of space and are now ready to jump into the attack. Black’s king is not well protected. Black manages to exchange the dark-squared bishops in order to achieve a good knight vs bad bishop on b3, but now he will pay the price. The dark squares and the fianchetto formation are really weak.

White uses his positional advantage to transfer his heavy pieces to the kingside and start attacking there. His plan is to play the queen to d2 and the rook to h4.

19…Nf6 20.Qd2 Rc7 21.Rh4! h5 22.g4!

Black to play

We place the rooks on open files or try to open files for them. With his last move, White is trying to open files against the king. White would like to exchange some pawns and open files for the rook on h4.

22…Rh8 23.g5 Nh7 24.Qd4+! f6 25.gxf6+ Nxf6 26.Rhe4!

Black to play

Tactics serve a good strategy. Black’s knight is pinned, so White uses this fact to transfer the rook to the semi-open e-file and press the weak e7-pawn.

26…Kf7 27.Re6 Qb6 28.Qf4 Qb8 29.Bc2 Rg8 30.Qg5 Rg7 31.R1e3 1-0

White uses the rook lift technique. Another common way to develop the rooks is to transfer them in front of pawns. We can do that by moving the rook from the first to the third rank. We can see now that the rook is very active and ready to go to f3, in order to pin the knight, or it can go to g3 and put pressure on the g6-pawn. Black resigns.

Conclusion

1. You can put your rooks on open files.

2. You should put your rook behind a pawn only if this file will be opened in the near future.

3. You can use the rook lift technique to transfer your rook to in front of your pawn.

Author information – IM Vangjel Buli

 

Vangjel Buli is an Albanian International Master. He started playing chess at eight years of age with the “Partizani Club” in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. He has been a junior champion, and with the Partizani team won a lot of team medals at junior championship level.

He went to Italy in 1994 because of political troubles in Albania and has studied hard, achieving Master, FIDE Master, and then IM titles. His FIDE ELO rating is 2406.

He has stopped playing professional chess in tournaments but is an instructive teacher in many chess clubs in Florence. He has helped a lot of players to become Masters or Fide Masters, so I’m sure his coaching can help you to improve your game.

If you like this article, then please leave a comment below.  Please also share it with your friends using the ‘social share’ buttons.

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Remote Chess Academy student wins Millionaire Chess!

The third edition of Millionaire Chess took place from 6-10 October 2016 at Atlantic City.

What is Millionaire Chess?

Millionaire Chess is committed to revolutionizing the conventional models of chess tournaments globally. By holding high-stake tournaments in destination capitals, it is intended to encourage players of all ages and skill levels to play, study and enjoy the game they love. Its mission is to run the best chess tournaments the world has ever seen and to help raise the bar for chess tournaments worldwide.

The RCA team is very proud to say that one of our students from Nellore (India), V. Prudhvi Kumar, rated 1699, has had a fantastic event – he won the U-1800 section and laughed all the way to the bank with $12,000 (approx. Rs. 8 lakhs).

V. Prudhvi Kumar

Prudhvi hails from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and is trained by Riyaz Ahamad SK. He enjoyed playing the games and scored impressive and crucial victories. Prudhvi scored 5.5/7, qualifying for the Millionaire Monday event in the U-1800 section.

In the grand finale, he was pitted against Artem Verdiya, who had not even dropped half-a-point in the entire event. The first two games, held in 25-minute time control, ended in draws. A two-game match with 15-minute time control became necessary to break the tie.

Prudhvi was Black and has lost a pawn. But his opponent has just blundered with 17.Bb5?

Black to play

Can you find the winning trick that Prudhvi found to take the lead? 

In the next game, Prudhvi was White. His opponent just played 49…Rxf5, grabbing a pawn. Both players have their pawns on the two extremities of the chessboard.

White to play

How would you play here as White? Can you find the best continuation for White?

White to play

In the above game, Prudhvi has lost his queen with the compensation of a rook, knight and a pawn. It’s White’s turn now. Black’s king doesn’t look safe. Can you find a quick way to finish the game?

After calculating all possible variations, you can check all the games played by Prudhvi here.

Now let me share some interesting photos that you should not miss! 

A young Prudhvi Kumar

 

Prudhvi with his coach Riyaz Ahamad SK

I know this student personally and his coach. Here is a photo of Prudhvi’s coach, Riyaz, along with me and my wife. 

Of course, the local newspapers did not miss this great news!

Finally, it’s really an amazing news story for RCA – our students keep making progress after studying our courses. This proves that our chess courses are of HIGH QUALITY and that they work, as you can see from the ‘success stories’ of several other of our students here.

And, most importantly, if you have had such an experience, or won crucial games in a tournament, please do share them with us – we’ll be very happy to know that and glad to publish your ‘success story’ on the RCA site for you. 

20 interesting and funny photos that summarize the World Chess Championship 2016

Before going to the photos, let me remind you that today is the LAST chance for you to grab our comprehensive and middlegame courses with a huge 40% discount. We’ve provided this special offer in honour of the World Championship match. Use coupon “40off” now – find more details here.
We’ve had some great entertainment over the past twenty days with some amazing games from two great chess players, Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin, in the World Championship match. The former successfully retained his title after the tense tie-break games. If you missed the tie-break games, you can find them here.

Now sit back and relax, as we’ll see this 20-day journey summarized by 20 interesting, cool and funny photos. 

#1 – The players after drawing colours (photo: Albert Silver)

 #2 – A disappointed Carlsen extending his hand to Karjakin after missing a win in Game-3

#3 – Carlsen stretched out on the couch, while Karjakin is locked in thought, during Game-4

#4 – Fabiano Caruana’s tweet, acknowledging Karjakin’s defensive skills

#5 – Karjakin looks like he has won a free mountain bike, while Carlsen looks like his crush won’t text him back. 

#6 – The first decisive game of the WC match, Game-8

#7 – Carlsen feeling the pressure during Game-8: “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown….”

#8 – That’s probably how Magnus Carlsen’s fans would have reacted to Game-8

#9 – Especially fans from India, who woke to this surprising turn of events

#10 – The tweets by Nakamura, Howell, Giri and Short say it all!

#11 – A frustrated Magnus Carlsen has left and did not attend the press conference

#12 – A photo edit by a chess fan, Bobby Fiske, before Game-9, saying: “The World Champion is fighting for his chess life!”

#13 – The second decisive game of the WC match, Game-10, where Carlsen levelled the score

#14 – Chess is brutal! The first crack in Karjakin’s World Championship dream

#15 – A happy Carlsen, and sad Karjakin, after Game-10

#16 – Magnus Carlsen’s cool pose during Game-11

#17 – Fabiano Caruana was surprised that Carlsen did not even try to capitalize on his White game (Game-12) but went directly for the tie-breaks

#18 – The winning moment – 50.Qh6+ is the way to wrap up the best possible (Carlsen’s) birthday gift!

Suggestion: you may like to see our special “Carlsen’s Birthday” article “Carlsen’s immortal chess game”

#19 – The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Magnus Carlsen – click on the image to watch the video clip.

#20 – Magnus Carlsen with the trophy – enjoying his best birthday! 

Did you enjoy these photos? Would you like to see more such ‘chess memes’ and funny photos?  Then “Like” the RCA Facebook page now!

Carlsen-Karjakin tiebreaks: Magnus is the World Champion!

Before going to the tie-break games, let me remind you of the massive 40% discount we’re providing you with on our comprehensive and middlegame courses, in honour of the World Championship Match. Use coupon “40off” while purchasing. Find more details here.
Magnus Carlsen has won the World Chess Championship, once again! He defended his title against Sergey Karjakin in a dramatic tie-break full of tension, with the final score of 3-1.

He’s done it, again!  (photo: Anastasia Karlovich)

Carlsen retained his title successfully, dominated in the rapid and made a beautiful combination in the last game. However, confidence in his total domination against the other players is seriously damaged by Karjakin. Carlsen, who played quite ‘badly’ this World Championship, had made many mistakes and lost many opportunities, failing to convert winning positions into win.

Once again, he’s had problems with creating serious and principle opening repertoire, with White. The eighth game cost too much to his self-confidence. In the rest of the match, he tried to be extra-careful and not take too many risks. In this series of games, one little mistake can be crucial and it could be the last one of the match. This could be the reason for his quick draw in the twelfth game in classical rounds.

Karjakin gave his best as anybody could imagine in his wildest dreams. He had a good opening preparation, kept his nerves, and achieved some cool draws in difficult situations, with his amazing defending skills. He had a real chance to win the World Championship match, because he was a full point ahead after winning the eighth game. In the tenth game, he had a forcing drawish continuation, but unfortunately for him, he didn’t manage to find it. After that, there was no turning back and Magnus won a marvelous game!

Karjakin’s confession at the end

Karjakin proved that attack wins the game, but defense saves crucial games. Remote chess Academy is creating a new chess course related to this topic. This course will be ready soon and you should definitely not miss it, because you can learn all of the TOP-secret techniques. Thus, who knows, you may be the next challenger against Magnus Carlsen! 

(14) Magnus Carlsen – Sergey Karjakin [C50]
Carlsen – Karjakin World Championship (Tiebreak-2), 30.11.2016

White to play

This is the first interesting moment of the tie-break match. It was the second rapid game, where Carlsen was playing White. He has done everything right and he has the winning combination. Black’s rook is attacking the bishop on b4 and White decides to move it; but he missed a very nice counter-blow, the move Be6! After this move, White can achieve the winning picture.

73.Be6+! Kh8 74.Bf8 Rc7 75.Bf7

Black to play

Black cannot prevent the checkmate on g7. 75…Rb7 76.Bxg7#

(15) Sergey Karjakin – Magnus Carlsen [C78]
Carlsen – Karjakin World Championship (Tiebreak-3), 30.11.2016

22….a5!

White to play

This is a very interesting moment. Carlsen, who has more active pieces, makes a fantastic breakthrough on the queenside in order to control the d4-square. White would like to exchange the c3-pawn or remove it from its position.

23.axb5 axb4 24.Bd2 bxc3 25.Bxc3 Ne3 26.Rfc1 Rxa1 27.Rxa1 Qe8 28.Bc4 Kh8 29.Nxf6 Bxf6 30.Ra3 e4!?

White to play

This is an amazing fighting move. Black’s intention is to control that open a-file. He sacrifices the pawn in order to control and dominate the dark squares.

31.dxe4 Bxc3 32.Rxc3 Qe5 33.Rc1 Ra8 34.h3 h6 35.Kh2 Qd4 36.Qe1 Qb2 37.Bf1 Ra2

White to play

Black has a fantastic position. All Black pieces are very active and they are attacking the vulnerable g2-pawn. However, White could survive here by hitting the queen with the move Rb1.

Unfortunately, Karjakin captures the pawn on c7 and this was the final mistake of the game. We could say that this was his biggest mistake in the entire match. Carlsen finished him off with the move Ra1. The Queen on e1 and the Bishop on f1 is attacked, so White can’t do anything, but to resign.

38.Rxc7 [38.Rb1 Qd4] 38…Ra1 0-1

(16) Magnus Carlsen – Sergey Karjakin [B54]
Carlsen – Karjakin World Championship (Tiebreak-4), 30.11.2016

White to play

This is the position of the final game. Magnus manages to find a beautiful combination in order to win the game. Can you find the best moves for White? 
49.Rc8+ Kh7 50.Qh6+ 1-0

With this glorious queen sacrifice, Magnus Carlsen has won the World Chess Championship for the third time.

You can download the PGN of all the tie-break games here.

I hope you enjoyed the games as I did.  I hope the games motivate you to play more games, and for that reason, I wish you good luck with your games!

P.S. What was your favourite game(s) from this World Championship Match? Did you learn anything new or valuable?  Feel free to write your thoughts in the comments below. 

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