Middlegame Strategy: The Rook Lift

Buon giorno kids! You already know what to do in the opening, right?  CDC of course.  That means Center Develop Castle.  Well, what are you supposed to do next?  The middlegame requires some strategy.  First, make sure you get all your pieces to good squares.  Is there a piece you haven't used yet?  Maybe... your rook?  Today Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl) will show you one way to get your rooks involved in the attack.  It's called:  Rook Lift.

 

Lift is British English for Elevator.    Cool!  So you put your rook on the elevator, get out on the 3rd floor (rank) and off you go attacking the other king!  Wheee!

 

 

Let's see an example.  All of white's pieces are aiming at the king.  Who is not playing yet?  The rooks!  Normally I would say place your rook on the open file, but you have better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In this position, White would love to get a rook to g3 where it would be mating Black.  (Fantasy chess!)  The rook on d1 could go to d3, but would it be safe there?!  NOPE.  Hanging rooks :/ no good.  If you play Re1 to get on the open file, Black will just copy you and play Re8.    Hey!  Instead, play a4!

 

 

 

 

 

Did you see the plan?  Playing a4 allows for Ra3.  Then the rook can slide along the 3rd rank.  Let's look at a possible continuation.  (There is more than one response for Black.)   What if he blocks you?  Plan ruined?  No way!  Just sac your rook.  After the captures on g6 put your queen back on h5.  Then you have another rook waiting to take the elevator...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now black is in trouble!  The rook will come to g3 and the white queen and rook together will dominate the exposed black king.

Last puzzle.  Here the rooks are already on open files.  White has just sacked a bishop on h7 to draw out the king.  Can you sack your other bishop?  Then a queen check, then a rook lift!  Whew, let's see it!  Mate in 4!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rook lifts rock!  They are great ways to get your final piece (usually) involved in the dance party in the center of the board.  Remember, if you're not sure what to do, get your pieces to better squares, and think of the elevator-dance-move!