making the most of your rook pawns

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1042147 One of my favorite rook pawn games is this one. The finish is not as good as the side variation if Black plays 16...Rxa2 then 17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Qxg7+ Kxg7 19.Nf5 double check Kf8 20.Rh8+ Ng8 21.Bg7 checkmate.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...Carlsen_Magnus Magnus weighs in on using the rook pawns. The pawn a4 supports the monster bishop on b3 for a while enroute to c4 and then the kingside. The pawn h4 causes White to react weakening the kingside.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...miev_Vladislav Another rook pawn demonstration by Magnus (lovely, just lovely) and the queen plays a leading role.

[Hans Jung]

and further to that, two games later, all the rook pawns playing a role. In fact, all pawns being used; an endgame enthusiasts dream. https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...miev_Vladislav

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...apport_Richard Richard Rapport uses one rook pawn to make his other kingside pawns connected and the other rook pawn wins the game.

[Hans Jung]

I almost forgot this game, how could I forget? https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1012007 It starts with the advance of the rook pawn and finishes in a blaze of glory. The imagination of Alekhine, what a wonderful thing.

[Neil Frarey]

Helpful to have an accommodating opponent tho, ha!

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...wiercz_Dariusz The H-pawn provides support for the amazing knight maneuver by white in to g7 and out.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...soodloo_Parham Notice the intricate timing of the rook pawn push and the delightful final in promoting the pawn. Why resign? Because if Rxb1, Ra8+ , Kb2, Qe2+ , Kc1 Bg5+

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...omariov_Ruslan When the rook pawns are blocked you use them as support for outposts.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...-Kuzubov_Yuriy Strategy and elegance in execution (and rook pawns doing their thing, of course)

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...o_Fy_Antenaina Different stages of the H-pawn advance. Nice illustrative attack.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...odorou_Nikolas The H-pawn transposes itself into a G-pawn and is still the main point of play on the kingside.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...Carlsen_Magnus Magnus Carlsen playing the rook pawns. The A pawn push all the way to a3 and the H pawn initially one square for king safety and then another square to give the knight a retreat square. Ironically the H pawn at the end of the game was a key passed pawn and could have won the game. (however the game will be known for Nepo's blunder trapping the bishop)

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021...nd_Viswanathan A quick h4, h5 works, especially if it throws your opponent off. (Nh8 ouch)