Rook vs knight

by Karsten Müller
2/13/2024 – In endgames, knights are often surprisingly helpless against a rook. In the diagram position, White is an exchange down, but seems to be close to a draw because only two black pawns remain on the board. However, Black has a way to win - what should he do?
Let endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller show and explain the finesses of the world champions. Although they had different styles each and every one of them played the endgame exceptionally well, so take the opportunity to enjoy and learn from some of the best endgames in the history of chess.
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nf3 g6 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.g3 Bg7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.Nh4 Bc8 8.0-0 Nc6 9.d5 Ne5 10.b3 c6 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Bb2 Rb8 13.Qd2 Bb7 14.Nf3 Nxf3+ 15.exf3 d5 16.Rfd1 dxc4 17.Qe2 Qa5 18.f4 cxb3 19.axb3 Qb4 20.Na4 Nd5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Qc4 a5 23.Nc5 Bc8 24.Bxd5 cxd5 25.Qxd5 Kg8 26.Ra4 Qb5 27.Nd7 Qxd5 28.Rxd5 Rxb3 29.Nxf8 Rb1+ 30.Kg2 Bb7 31.Raxa5 Rd1 32.Nd7 Bxd5+ 33.f3 Rd2+ 34.Kg1 Bxf3 35.Ne5 Bd5 36.Ra7 f6 37.Ng4 Re2 38.Rxe7 Rxe7 39.Nxf6+ Kf7 40.Nxd5 Re2 41.Nb4 Ke6 42.Nd3 Kd5 43.Nf2 Kd4 44.Ng4 Ke4 45.Kf1 Ra2 46.Kg1 Rc2 47.Nf2+ Kf3 48.Nd3 Rg2+ 49.Kh1 Rd2 50.Ne5+ Ke4 51.h4 Ra2 52.Kg1 Ke3 53.Kf1 Ke4 54.Kg1 h6 55.Kf1 Rd2 56.Kg1 Ra2 57.Kf1 Rc2 58.Kg1 Rook vs knight In endgames, knights are often surprisingly helpless against a rook. In the diagram position, White is an exchange down, but seems to be close to a draw because only two black pawns remain on the board. However, Black has a way to win - what should he do?
Black to move and win
Show Solution
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Makarian,R2530Mamedov,R26510–12023E62FIDE World Rapid-ch Open 202310.4

Karsten Mueller in ChessBase Magazine

Do you like these lessons? There are plenty more by internationally renowned endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller in ChessBase Magazine, where you will also find openings articles and surveys, tactics, and of course annotations by the world's top grandmasters.

 Order now in the ChessBase Shop  – Single issue € 21.90!

ChessBase Magazine trial subscription with 33% savings advantage and thank you bonus!*

Try out ChessBase Magazine now! Order the ChessBase Magazine taster package!
Read ChessBase Magazine for 6 months (= 3 issues) for the special price of only € 44.90 € (instead of € 65,70 for buying them individually). As a thank you, you will also receive 3 months ChessBase Premium Membership free of charge. 

*Bonus for new subscribers only, i.e. there was no CBM subscription for 12 months!

ChessBase Magazine one year subscription - plus original ChessBase USB stick with 128 GB *

Save twice with ChessBase Magazine: For the annual subscription to ChessBase Magazine you’ll pay only € 109.90 per year (compared to € 131.40 for the 6 individual issues).

* Bonus only for new subscribers, i.e. there was no CBM subscription for 12 months! As a new subscriber you will receive the original ChessBase USB stick with 128 GB

Apart from his regular columns and video lectures in ChessBase Magazine there is a whole series of training DVDs by Karsten Mueller, which are bestsellers in the ChessBase Shop.

Karsten Mueller

Karsten Mueller regularly presents endgame lessons in the ChessBase Video Portal

Links

Karsten Müller is considered to be one of the greatest endgame experts in the world. His books on the endgame - among them "Fundamentals of Chess Endings", co-authored with Frank Lamprecht, that helped to improve Magnus Carlsen's endgame knowledge - and his endgame columns for the ChessCafe website and the ChessBase Magazine helped to establish and to confirm this reputation. Karsten's Fritztrainer DVDs on the endgame are bestsellers. The mathematician with a PhD lives in Hamburg, and for more than 25 years he has been scoring points for the Hamburger Schachklub (HSK) in the Bundesliga.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.