Tigran Petrosian's Terrific Explosions: The Power of a Rook on the Open File
Barev! That says Hello in Armenian. World Champion Tigran Petrosian was from Armenia, and was known as Iron Tigran because he was so hard to beat! He made sure he was completely safe, then destroyed his opponents! In the following games, you will see how Petrosian used his rook on an open file to deliver checkmate. By, Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka Bounding Owl).
World Champion "Iron" Tigran Petrosian
Remember that rooks can't do much in the early part of the game. They like to castle, then wait for an open file. Once there, they can attack, go to the 7th, or create a battery! I love this game where Iron Tigran has black. He found an awesome move that is both clever and subtle...
Because his rook controlled the b file, the white king was trapped! Tigers think trapped kings are hilarious!
In the next puzzle, Petrosian has white. He already has a rook on a semi-open file. His last move was a knight check, and the pawn couldn't take because of the powerful rook pinning it! So the king has just moved over. What's better than a rook alone? A queen and rook battery! Mate in two!
Nice! That was my favourite mate, too. The Swallow's Tail! Next, Petrosian has his rook and queen already working together along the open h file. Black is toast. Can you find a mate in three? Check, check, mate!
Try this one! Petrosian is black. He has two powerful rooks on a semi-open file, but they don't seem to be on the right file!! Where do you think the rook on b5 should go? Black will threaten an unstoppable mate, once his queen and rook are lined up. Find the first two moves.
White's king can't hide! Grigoriev resigned here because mate will follow. The queen and rook are too powerful! Great work, kids! Now it's time for you to look for open files in your games, and place some heavies on them!
Yay, Tigers!
Want more puzzles with powerful rooks? Click here!