Rules of the Double Rook Endgame

Hello, Chesskids! I started noticing a lot of double rook endgames occuring in my students' games. I then went to my favorite endgame book to study and teach out of, Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, and I did not find any content on double rook endgames. So I created this lesson for my students and now for all of you to check out and to put together some basic rules and understanding in double rook endgames.

Let us check out the first example played at the Nashville Chess Center in a Monday Night G25 tournament. 

 

 

 

 

Now in this game, we learned a very important idea in double rook endgames: Do not leave your king stranded on the edge of the board. Rooks are heavy pieces and heavy pieces are the strongest attackers. In nearly all heavy piece endgames, king safety is the most important factor.

Now let's look at an example from one of my own games. In this game, I played very poorly in the opening and middle game. I was able to swindle a half point away from my opponent in the endgame thanks to some resourceful play. 

 

 

 

Now in this example, my opponent was able to trap my king up against the wall. It was extremely important for me to create the same counterplay against my opponent's king with the early move ...Rf2! So we can say that if your opponent DOES trap your king in an unfortunate spot, look for your own chances to do the same to his king. 

Also remember the principles of single rook endgames apply also to double rook endings. Things such as "rooks go behind passed pawns" should not be forgotten.

Additionally, when you are on the inferior side, look to keep both rooks on the board to create counter chances. This idea is true in most positions where you are down material.

Finally, in this game my opponent remembered the rule about needing a third teammate to checkmate with those two rooks on the 7th rank. This explains why he tried to bring his king in to help at the very end. However, Black's rooks used the g6 pawn as a teammate and were able to create their own threats to keep the white king out. Alright, to conlude here are the main points:

 

 

• Do not leave your king stranded on the edge of the board
• Try to strand your opponent's king on the edge of the board
• Avoid trading either of your rooks when you are on the weaker side of the position - keeping both rooks will create the complications that you need
• Do not forget basic rook endgame principles that could apply to double rook endgames - examples: "Rooks belong behind passed pawns." "Rooks to the 7th." 
• Two rooks on the 7th typically need a third teammate to checkmate