Here we are already in week four of chess summer school. Having looked at some instructional king and pawn endings, we now turn our heads to an equally devilish set of endings known as rook and pawn endings. Because rooks are usually the last to enter the game, they are usually around in the endgame after the minor pieces and queens have finished taking each other. Then, if one side has one more pawn, that side will trade off all the pieces it can to push the extra pawn. They even noticed this in the 15th century, and our first ending, the one you must must must know is a hat tip to Lucena of that era. You must know exactly how you win this position because it pops up a fair amount of times. Can you write all the moves down right now?

Solution:

1.Re2+ Kd7 2.Re4 [It has to be this square! White is about to build a bridge of sorts to get the king and rook together. If he goes Re5, the Black king will harass him. If he only goes to e3, the White king and he cannot meet. Watch how they meet!] 2...Kd6 3.Kf7 [The rook has done its job in keeping the Black king cut off. Now the White king steps out to threaten to queen, thus forcing Black to check.] 3...Rf1+ 4.Kg6 Rg1+ 5.Kf6 [The king has to protect the pawn.] 5...Rf1+ 6.Kg5 Rg1+ 7.Rg4 [And the rook and king meet, blocking the check and leaving no way for Black to stop the pawn promotion. That's how you win!]

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.