The Rook Tutorial



1.
[{B:64}{L:ROOKS.BMP}{W:RKL_001}This is a Rook.]

2.
[{B:64}{L:ROOKS2.BMP}{W:RKL_001a}Rooks are easily identified in a chess set by the fact that they usually resemble the tower of a castle.]

3.
[{B:32/3R4/24}{L:0}{D:2000}In a chess game, the Rook moves {A:Wh4d4}{A:Wa4d4}{D:2000}horizontally along ranks, or{A:Wd8d4}{A:Wd1d4}{W:RKL_002} vertically along files.]

4.
[{B:24/4R3/32}{D:3000}{N:e1e2e3e4e6e7e8a5b5c5d5f5g5h5}{D:3000}From this position on e5, the Rook can move to any of the highlighted squares. For example, it could move {C}{D:2000}{A:We5e1}{D:500}{S:e5e1}{G:WRe1}{D:1500}to e1, or it could move {O}{P:WRe5}{A:We5c5}{D:500}{S:e5c5}{G:WRc5}{W:RKL_003}to c5.]

5.
[{B:16/2r1n3/8/2b5/24}{D:4000}{N:c7c8c5a6b6d6}{D:14500}{C}Here's another Rook, this time on c6. Note the squares to which it can move. This time its movement is hindered by two of its own pieces, on c4 and e6. A Rook can never jump over one of its own pieces. We'll move this Rook{A:Bc6a6}{D:1000}{R}{S:c6a6}{W:RKL_004} to a6.]

6.
[{B:16/5p2/16/5R2}{D:2000}{N:f2f1a3b3c3d3e3g3h3f4f5f6}Now look at this Rook on f3 and the squares to which it can move. Its movement is hindered by one of its opponent's pieces, on f6. When one of your opponent's pieces lies in the path of your Rook, you may not jump over it, but you can capture it. {D:20000}{C}{D:4000}When your Rook captures a piece, it moves to the square the piece was on. Let's capture the Pawn on f6. {A:Wf3f6}{D:500}{R}{S:f3f6}{W:RKL_005}Rook takes Pawn.]

7.
[{B:r1bqkbnr/1pp3pp/2n5/p7/3pP3/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQ1RK1}{D:4000}{A:Wf1f8}{D:2000}{R}{N:f2f3f4f5f6f7f8e1}{W:RKL_006}The Rook is considered to be a strong piece because of its ability to travel long distances and attack multiple squares simultaneously.]

8.
[{B:r1bqk1nr/p1p3p1/3b4/4n2p/3pP3/2N5/PRPP2/3QKB1R}In a game, the Rook is at its best when there are open files. In this set-up, note how much more space the{D:8000}{N:b1b3b4b5b6b7b8} Rook on b2 controls, compared to{D:3000}{H:h7h6}{W:RKL_007} the Rook on h8.]

9.
[{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{W:RKL_008}Now try moving a Rook and capturing with it in the following exercises.]

10.
[{B:16/1r3b2/8/4p3/8/p7/8 BLACK}
{N:g6c1a6}{V:1. The Rook can legally move to only one of the highlighted squares. Move the Rook to that square.{W:RKQ_001};
b6a6;Correct!{W:cor};
That is not the correct highlighted square. The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001a}}]

11.
[{B:r5k1/1p1qp2p/2p1r2b/3N2N1/1P2p1Q1/n2B4/2RP2PP/2B2RK1 BLACK}
{N:c7d4g3b1b3a4}{V:2. Only one of the Rooks can legally move to a highlighted square. Move the correct Rook to that square.{W:RKQ_002};
a8a4;Correct!{W:cor};
That is not the correct highlighted square. The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001a}}]

12.
[{B:q3n1k1/1prB3p/5b1r/npQ5/1PN1NR2/R3B3/6PP/1K1b4 BLACK}
{N:h3b8g7b2d4e2g1}{V:3. Only one of the Rooks can legally move to a highlighted square. Move the correct Rook to that square.{W:RKQ_002};
h6h3;Correct!{W:cor};
That is not the correct highlighted square. The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001a}}]

13.
[{B:8/4b3/2n5/3R4/5B2/4P3/1P6/8}
{I:4. Click on all of the squares to which this Rook can move, including captures.{W:RKQ_004};
d1d2d3d4d6d7d8a5b5c5e5f5g5h5;Correct!{W:cor} Here, no piece of either color impedes the Rook's movement.{W:RKQ_004a};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b}}]

14.
[{B:8/4p3/3B1p2/2PR4/2q3p1/16/4b3}
{I:5. Click on all of the squares to which this Rook can move, including captures.{W:RKQ_004};
d1d2d3d4e5f5g5h5;Correct!{W:cor} Here, its movement is impeded by its own pieces on c5 and d6, but none of its opponent's pieces can be captured.{W:RKQ_005a};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} Here, its movement is impeded by its own pieces on c5 and d6, but none of its opponent's pieces can be captured.{W:RKQ_005a}}]

15.
[{B:8/p1pp4/1r1B4/2P2b2/p5p1/4b3/1Q6/8}
{I:6. Click on all of the squares to which this Rook can move, including captures.{W:RKQ_004};
a6b7b8c6d6b2b3b4b5;Correct!{W:cor} Here, the Rook can capture its opponent's pieces on d6 and b2, so those squares should be included in the squares to which the Rook can move.{W:RKQ_006a};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} Here, the Rook can capture its opponent's pieces on d6 and b2, so those squares should be included in the squares to which the Rook can move.{W:RKQ_006a}}]

16.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1p2n1/5b2/2Pp1p1P/Q2NB1b1/3p1p1q/2KR4}
{V:7. In this exercise, you will use the White Rook to capture all of the Black Pawns on the board. The Black Pawns will not move. Plan ahead. The Rook must capture a Pawn on every move.{W:RKQ_007};
d1d2;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

17.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1p2n1/5b2/2Pp1p1P/Q2NB1b1/3R1p1q/2K5}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
d2f2;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

18.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1p2n1/5b2/2Pp1p1P/Q2NB1b1/5R1q/2K5}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
f2f4;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

19.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1p2n1/5b2/2Pp1R1P/Q2NB1b1/7q/2K5}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
f4d4;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

20.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1p2n1/5b2/2PR3P/Q2NB1b1/7q/2K5}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
d4d6;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

21.
[{B:1r3nk1/2PP4/Pp1R2n1/5b2/2P4P/Q2NB1b1/7q/2K5}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
d6b6;Good. You got them all.{W:RKQ_007c};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

22.
[{B:1b2bk2/r6P/1P3Pn1/p1nP4/2N1BP1P/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:8. In this exercise, you will use the Black Rook to capture all of the White Pawns on the board. The White Pawns will not move. Plan ahead. The Rook must capture a Pawn on every move.{W:RKQ_008};
a7h7;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

23.
[{B:1b2bk2/7r/1P3Pn1/p1nP4/2N1BP1P/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
h7h4;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

24.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/1P3Pn1/p1nP4/2N1BP1r/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
h4f4;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

25.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/1P3Pn1/p1nP4/2N1Br2/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
f4f6;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

26.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/1P3rn1/p1nP4/2N1B3/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
f6b6;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

27.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/1r4n1/p1nP4/2N1B3/pP1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
b6b3;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

28.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/6n1/p1nP4/2N1B3/pr1P4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
b3d3;{J};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

29.
[{B:1b2bk2/8/6n1/p1nP4/2N1B3/p2r4/3Q3q/1N1K3R BLACK}
{V:Good. Keep going.{W:RKQ_007a};
d3d5;Good. You got them all.{W:RKQ_007c};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b} In this exercise, the Rook must capture a Pawn on every move, so you must capture the Pawns in a specific sequence.{W:RKQ_007b}}]

30.
[{B:b3bk1p/2p1pp2/r5n1/p1n1PP1P/1RN1B1R1/p2r4/2P1Q1Pq/1NK4B}
{V:9. Only one of the Rooks on the board can capture an opponent's piece. Capture that piece with the correct Rook.{W:RKQ_009};
g4g6;Correct!{W:cor};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b}}]

31.
[{B:r1bk2n1/2r1p2p/p1nNq1pB/1R6/2B2p2/PP1PN1P1/2PQKP2/b6R}
{V:10. Only one of the Rooks on the board can capture an opponent's piece. Capture that piece with the correct Rook.{W:RKQ_009};
h1a1;Correct!{W:cor};
The Rook moves only horizontally along ranks and vertically along files.{W:RKQ_001b}}]