1.

[The rook is a very powerful piece, worth five pawns. In this position, the rook on E5 can touch any of these squares. The rook can move as far as it wants to, horizontally or vertically, until a piece stands in its way. So, in this position, this rook can move to any of these squares. Now if there were a pawn, say on C6, the rook could only move to these squares, and it would also have the option of capturing the black pawn on C6. Rook on C3 takes C6.

  The rook is an excellent long distance operator. We want him on open lines, because he can't jump over other pieces. On an empty board, the rook controls the same number of squares, whether placed in the center or the side of the board. As we'll see later, this is very unusual. Most chess pieces are much more powerful when centrally placed.

  Let's practice moving the rook around.

{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{D:1000}{B:r6r/48/R6R}{D:3000}{C}{R}{B:24/4R3/32}{D:1000}{H:e5}{D:1500}{H2:a5b5c5d5f5g5h5e1e2e3e4e6e7e8}{D:2500}{C}{D:2200}{H2:a5b5c5d5f5g5h5}{D:800}{H2:h5e1e2e3e4e6e7e8}{D:3000}{C}{R}{D:1000}{B:32/8/2R5/16}{D:2500}{H2:a3b3d3e3f3g3h3c1c2c4c5c6c7c8}{D:2500}{C}{D:2000}{P:BPc6}{D:2500}{H2:a3b3d3e3f3g3h3c1c2c4c5}{D:2500}{A:Cc3c6}{H:c6}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:300}{S:c3c6}{W:j15c01}{C}{B:48/PPP1PPPP/R7}{D:2000}{S:a1d1}{A:Td1d8}{H2:d1d2d3d4d5d6d7d8}{D:4000}{C}{R}{S:d1d5}{B:24/3R4/32}{D:3700}{H2:a5b5c5d5e5f5g5h5d1d2d3d4d6d7d8}{D:1100}{P:WRh2}{H2:a2b2c2d2e2f2g2h1h3h4h5h6h7h8}{H:d2h5}{W:j15c02}{C}{R}{W:j15c03}

]

2.

[In this exercise, move the rook to the B1 square.

{B:8/1R6/48 w}{V:{SAVE}In this exercise, move the rook to the B1 square.

{W:j15c04};

$This is how you do it.

  {B:8/1R6/48 w}{H:b1}{D:500}

  {S:b7b1}{A:Tb7b1}{D:2000}{J}

$b7b1;Correct!{A:Tb7b1}{W:yougotit}{D:1000}{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

The rook moves as many squares horizontally or vertically as it wants, until stopped by another piece, or captures an enemy piece.}

]

3.

[Here take two moves to move the white rook to the G7 square.

{B:48/P7/R7 w}{V:Here take two moves to move the white rook to the G7 square.

{SAVE}{W:j15c05};

$This is how you do it.

  {B:48/P7/R7 w}{H:g7}{D:500}{S:a1g1}{A:Ta1g1}{H2:g1}

                   {S:g1g7}{A:Tg1g7}{D:2000}{J}

$a1g1;Rg1, that's right! Now play the second move that puts your rook on G7.

  {W:thatsright}{M:W}

  {V:{SAVE}Rg1, that's right! Now play the second move that puts your rook on G7.

    {W:sil500}{W:whatsnext};

    $This is how you do it.

      {B:48/P7/R7 w}{H:g7}{D:500}{S:a1g1}{A:Ta1g1}{H2:g1}

                   {S:g1g7}{A:Tg1g7}{D:2000}{J}

    $g1g7;You got it! {W:yougotit}{W:sil1000}{J};

    $c Sorry, that's not correct. This way you'll need more than two moves.

      {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

    The rook moves as many squares horizontally or vertically as it wants,   until stopped by another piece, or captures an enemy piece.

  }; 

$c Sorry, that's not correct. This way you'll need more than two moves.

  {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

The rook moves as many squares horizontally or vertically as it wants, until stopped by another piece, or captures an enemy piece.}

]

4.

[In this position, can the black rook capture a white pawn?

{B:16/r6P/24/1P6/8 b}{V:{SAVE}In this position, can the black rook capture a white pawn? {W:j15c06};

$This is how you do it.{S:a6h6}{D:2000}{J}

$a6h6;That's right! {W:thatsright};

$c Sorry, that's not correct. This move does not capture any pawns.

  {W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

The rook moves as many squares horizontally or vertically as it wants, until stopped by another piece, or captures an enemy piece.}

]

5.

[As you know, the king is the most important piece in your chess army. Protecting your king from attack is how you keep from losing the game. Because it's so important, there's a special move called "castling," which you can use to put your king in a safe place. Castling is the only time in chess in which you are allowed to move two of your pieces, a king and a rook, in one move. 

  Here's a board set up with only the white king and the two white rooks. You can castle either to the king's side, which is called "castling short," or to the queen's side, which is referred to as "castling long."

{B:56/R3K2R}{W:j15c07}{D:5000}{S:e1g1}{S:h1f1}{D:3000}{B:56/R3K2R}{D:1000}{S:e1c1}{S:a1d1}{D:3000}{B:56/R3K2R}{W:j15c08}

]

6.

[In this exercise, we'll castle kingside. First, move the king two spaces towards the rook, to G1. Then move the rook to the other side of the king on F1.

{B:56/R3K2R}{V:{SAVE}In this exercise, we'll castle kingside. First, move the king two spaces towards the rook, to G1. Then move the rook to the other side of the king on F1.

{D:4000}{H:e1g1}{A:Te1g1}

{D:3000}{C}{R}

{D:1000}{H:h1f1}{A:Th1f1}

{W:j15c09}{C}{R};

${S:e1g1}{S:h1f1}

  {W:sil1000}{J}

$Se1g1Sh1f1;Good work!{C}{R}{W:goodwork}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect! You have to castle kingside.

  {C}{R}

  {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Move the king two spaces to the right...}

]

7.

[In this exercise, we'll castle queenside. Move the king two spaces towards the rook, to C1, and move the rook to the other side of the king, to D1.

{B:56/R3K2R}{V:{SAVE}In this exercise, we'll castle queenside. Move the king two spaces towards the rook, to C1, and move the rook to the other side of the king, to D1.

{D:4000}{H:e1c1}{A:Te1c1}

{D:3000}{C}{R}

{D:1000}{H:a1d1}{A:Ta1d1}

{W:j15c10}{C}{R};

${S:e1c1}{S:a1d1}

  {W:sil1000}{J}

$Se1c1Sa1d1;Excellent work!{C}{R}{W:excellent}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect! You have to castle queenside.

  {C}{R}

  {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Move the king two spaces to the left.}

]

8.

[In a game, castling moves the king away from the center of the board where it's more vulnerable to attack. Note how much safer the two kings are after the castle. Here, white castles queen's side, and black castles king's side. It's usually a good idea to castle early in a game, both to protect the king and give the rook a chance to control the center files.

{B:4k2r/6pp/8/8/8/8/PPP5/R3K3 w}{D:8000}{S:e1c1}{S:a1d1}{D:2000}{S:e8g8}{S:h8f8}{D:4500}{H:c1}{H:g8}{D:1500}{C}{D:500}{H2:d1d2d3d4d5d6d7d8}{H:f1f2f3f4f5f6f7f8}{W:j15c11}{W:sil1000}{C}{R}

]

9.

[There are four important rules that govern castling. 

  Rule number one: The king and rook may not have moved from their starting squares. In this board set up, white cannot castle to either side, because both rooks have moved from their starting positions. Even if one of the rooks moves back, white still cannot castle.

{B:56/R3K2R}{D:7000}{B:24/7R/24/1R2K3}{D:7000}{S:h5h1}{D:1500}{H:e1f1g1h1}{W:j15c12}{C}{R}

]

10.

[Rule number two: All of the spaces between the rook and the king must be unoccupied. In this diagram, white cannot castle king's side, because the knight is in the way; but he can castle queen's side, because all of the spaces between the king and the rook are empty.

{B:56/R3K2R}{D:2000}{H:b1c1d1}{H:f1g1}{D:3800}{B:56/R3K1NR}{D:1200}{H:e1f1g1h1}{D:1000}{N:g1}{D:1500}{C}{R}{D:500}{H:a1b1c1d1e1}{D:2300}{H2:b1c1d1}{D:700}{H2:b1c1d1}{D:2500}{C}{R}{S:e1c1}{S:a1d1}{W:j15c13}

]

11.

[Rule number three: The king cannot be in check. In this position, it would appear that white can castle king's side, because neither the king nor the rook has moved from its starting square, and the spaces between the king and the rook are empty. However, the white king is currently in check from the black pawn on D2, so he cannot castle.

{B:48/3p4/4K2R}{D:4500}{D:1000}{H:e1}{D:1000}{H:h1}{D:2500}{H2:f1g1}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:1500}{A:Cd2e1}{H:e1}{W:j15c14}{C}{R}

]

12.

[Rule number four: The squares that the king passes over cannot be under attack; and since you can never move your king into check, the square to which it is moving cannot be under attack either. In this position, the spaces between the king and the rook on the queen's side are open; however, the D1 square is guarded by the black rook on D8, so the white king cannot pass over it. Castling is illegal. In this position, the C1 square is guarded by the black rook on C8, so the king can't land on it. Castling is illegal here as well.

{B:8/8/8/8/8/8/8/R3K2R}{D:2000}{A:Te1c1}{A:Te1g1}{D:500}{H:d1f1}{D:4500}{H:c1g1}{D:2500}{B:3r4/8/8/8/8/8/8/R3K3}{D:1200}{H2:b1c1d1}{D:2000}{C}{D:1800}{H:d1}{A:Dd8d1}{D:3500}{A:Te1c1}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:1000}{B:2r5/8/8/8/8/8/8/R3K3}{D:2000}{H:c1}{A:Dc8c1}{D:3500}{S:e1c1}{S:a1d1}{W:j15c15}{C}{R}{B:2r5/8/8/8/8/8/8/R3K3}{W:sil1000}

]

13.

[Now that you know how the rook moves, let's take a look at a few check mates. In this position, white can actually check mate the black king in one move. Do you see it?

{B:4k3/8/4K3/32/R7}{V:{SAVE}Now that you know how the rook moves, let's take a look at a few check mates. In this position, white can actually check mate the black king in one move. Do you see it?

{W:j15c16};

${D:1500}{S:a1a8}{W:j15c17}

  {D:3500}{H:d7}{A:Te6d7}{D:500}{H:e7}{A:Te6e7}{D:500}{H:f7}{A:Te6f7}

  {D:2000}{A:Ca8e8}{H:d8e8f8}

  {W:j15c18}

$a1a8;Yep that's it! The black king is trapped on the back rank, the white king guards the D7, E7, F7 squares, and the white rook mates the king. This is called a "back rank mate".

  {W:yepthatsit}{W:sil1000}

  {D:3500}{H:d7}{A:Te6d7}{D:500}{H:e7}{A:Te6e7}{D:500}{H:f7}{A:Te6f7}

  {D:2000}{A:Ca8e8}{H:d8e8f8}

  {W:j15c18}; 

$cThat's not the best move.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY}; 

Try to attack all the squares that the black king can go to, in one move.

}

]

14.

[Here's another variation of the back rank mate. White to move. Do you see it?

{B:6k1/5ppp/40/R5K1}{V:{SAVE}Here's another variation of the back rank mate. White to move. Do you see it? {W:j15c19};

$Rook A8, once again, is check mate. And here the white king doesn't need to help out, because the pawns on F7, G7, and H7 are trapping the black king. Notice how our own pieces can hurt us. This is, once again, called a back rank mate.

  {S:a1a8}

  {D:5000}{H:f7}{D:600}{H:g7}{D:400}{H:h7}

  {D:1500}{A:Ca8g8}{H:f8g8h8}

  {W:j15c20}{C}{R}

$a1a8;Yep, that's it! Rook A8, once again, is check mate. And here the white king doesn't need to help out, because the pawns on F7, G7, and H7 are trapping the black king. Notice how our own pieces can hurt us. This is, once again, called a back rank mate.

  {W:yepthatsit}{W:sil1000}

  {D:5000}{H:f7}{D:600}{H:g7}{D:400}{H:h7}

  {D:1500}{A:Ca8g8}{H:f8g8h8}

  {W:j15c20}{C}{R}; 

$c That's not the best move.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY}; 

Try to attack all the squares that the black king can go to, in one move.

}

]

15.

[In this position, there are a lot of pieces on the board; but if we're familiar with the back rank mate, we should be able to spot it here. Black to move. What do you see?

{B:r3r3/1R3pk1/2Np2p1/2nPb1qp/1R1N4/1B2P2Q/2P2PPP/6K1 b}{V:{SAVE}In this position, there are a lot of pieces on the board, but if we're familiar with the back rank mate, we should be able to spot it here. Black to move. What do you see?  {W:j15c21};

${D:1000}{S:a8a1}{A:Ca1g1}{H:f1g1h1}{W:j15c22}{C}{R}

$a8a1; Good job! The correct move is rook A1, check mate, a back rank mate. It's important to learn the patterns on an empty board, so we can have the tools to navigate the complexities of chess.

  {W:gg}{W:sil1000}

  {D:1500}{A:Ca1g1}{H:f1g1h1}{W:j15c22}{C}{R}; 

$cThat's not checkmate.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY}; 

Try to attack all the squares that the white king can go to, with one move.

}

]

16.

[I call this exercise Monster Rook. Here, calculate how the black rook can take all the white pieces in sequence without any breaks.

{B:3K4/Rp5p/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1p4p1/n6r w}{V:{SAVE}I call this exercise Monster Rook. Here, calculate how the white rook can take all the black pieces in sequence without any breaks.

{W:j15c23};

${S:a7a1}{J}

$a7a1;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

17.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/1p5p/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1p4p1/R6r w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:a1h1}{J}

$a1h1;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

18.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/1p5p/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1p4p1/7R w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:h1h7}{J}

$h1h7;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

19.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/1p5R/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1p4p1/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:h7b7}{J}

$h7b7;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

20.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/1R6/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1p4p1/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:b7b2}{J}

$b7b2;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

21.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/1R4p1/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:b2g2}{J}

$b2g2;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

22.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/2p3b1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/6R1/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:g2g6}{J}

$g2g6;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

23.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/2p3R1/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:g6c6}{J}

$g6c6;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

24.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/2R5/3b1r2/3qk3/2p2n2/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:c6c3}{J}

$c6c3;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

25.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/8/3b1r2/3qk3/2R2n2/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:c3f3}{J}

$c3f3;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

26.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/8/3b1r2/3qk3/5R2/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:f3f5}{J}

$f3f5;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

27.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/8/3b1R2/3qk3/8/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:f5d5}{J}

$f5d5;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

28.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/8/3R4/3qk3/8/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:d5d4}{J}

$d5d4;{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

29.

[Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move.

{B:3K4/8/8/8/3Rk3/8/8/8 w}{V:{SAVE}Move your Rook to capture all the black pieces in sequence, capturing one piece with each move;

${S:d4e4}{J}

$d4e4;No problem! {W:noproblem}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Sorry, that's not correct.{W:j15c24}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all pieces in sequence.

}

]

30.

[White to move. Mate in one.

{B:8/8/7R/k7/2K5/8/7R/8 w - - 0 1}{V:{SAVE}White to move. Mate in one.

{W:j15c25};

${D:1000}{H:a6b6c6d6e6f6g6h6}{A:Th6a6}

  {D:2000}{H:b4}{A:Tc4b4}{D:500}{H:b5}{A:Tc4b5}

  {D:2000}{S:h2a2}

  {D:1000}{H:a4a5}{A:Ca2a5}

  {W:j15c26}

$h2a2;Good job! Your rook on H6 covers the 6th rank, while your king covers the B4 and B5 squares. By moving your rook to A2, you've check mated the black king.

  {W:j15c26a}

  {D:1000}{H:a6b6c6d6e6f6g6h6}{A:Th6a6}

  {D:2000}{H:b4}{A:Tc4b4}{D:500}{H:b5}{A:Tc4b5}

  {D:3000}{H:a4a5}{A:Ca2a5}

  {W:j15c26};

$c Incorrect. The goal is to mate in one move. Try to think of a way to defend all of the squares that the black king can move to. {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Look for a way to cover all of the squares the black king can move to.}

]

31.

[White to move - Mate in one!

{B:R7/8/8/7R/r3k3/8/4K3/5r2 w}{V:{SAVE}White to move - Mate in one!{W:j15c25};

${D:500}{S:a8a4}

  {D:1000}{H:d3e3f3d4e4f4d5e5f5}

  {A:Th5d5}{A:Ca4e4}{A:Te2e3}{A:Te2d3}{A:Te2f3}

  {W:j15c25a}{W:sil1000}{W:sil1000}{J}

$a8a4;That's right! 

  {D:1500}{H:d3e3f3d4e4f4d5e5f5}

  {A:Th5d5}{A:Ca4e4}{A:Te2e3}{A:Te2d3}{A:Te2f3}

  {W:thatsright}{W:j15c25a}{W:sil1000}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. Remember that we looking for the best possible move for white.

  {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Try to look for a capture move that places the black king in check.}

]

32.

[Here it's white to move and mate in one. What's the best move?

{B:R7/8/5K1k/3r4/8/8/8/R7 w - - 0 1}{V:{SAVE}Here it's white to move and mate in one. What's the best move? {W:j15c27};

${D:800}{S:a8h8}

  {D:1000}{H:h5h6h7g5g6g7}{A:Tf6g5}{A:Tf6g6}{A:Tf6g7}{A:Ch8h6}

  {W:j15c29}

$a8h8;By moving your rook to H8, you've check mated the black king, and there's no way to block.

  {W:j15c29a}

  {D:1800}{H:h5h6h7g5g6g7}{A:Tf6g5}{A:Tf6g6}{A:Tf6g7}{A:Ch8h6}

  {W:j15c29};

$c Incorrect. We are looking for mate in one.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

a1h1:$c No, that's not quite it. Rook H1 is the right idea, black can block with rook H5. Try again.

  {D:1000}{A:Ch1h6}{D:3000}{S:d5h5}{R}{D:1500}{S:h5d5}

  {W:j15c28}{RETRY};

Look for all the ways you can check the black king and see if he can defend using another piece.

}

]

33.

[In this position, it's mate in two moves. What is black's first move?

{B:8/4k3/8/7r/8/r7/4K3/8 b}{V:{SAVE}In this position, it's mate in two moves. What is black's first move?

{W:j15c30};

$

  {S:h5h2}{J}

$h5h2;Good job.

  {W:j15c31a}{J};

$c Incorrect. The goal here is to mate in two moves. Plan carefully and try to think of two moves that will checkmate the white king. {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Try to think of a way to threaten the white king while still covering the 3rd rank...}

]

34.

[Now it's mate in one move.

{B:8/4k3/8/8/8/r7/4K2r/8 b - - 0 1}{S:e2e1}{V:{SAVE}Now it's mate in one move.

  {W:j15c31};

${S:a3a1}{D:5000}{H:d1d2e1e2f1f2}{A:Th2d2}{A:Ca1e1}{W:j15c32}

$a3a1;You got it! By using both of your rooks in this manner, you're forcing the white king into smaller and smaller an area, until finally he's trapped and can't escape.

  {W:j15c32a}{D:5000}{H:d1d2e1e2f1f2}{A:Th2d2}{A:Ca1e1}

  {W:j15c32};

$c That's not quite right, try again.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY}

}

]

35.

[This one's tricky. Take your time. Remember everything you've learned so far and try to find white's best move. You may see that you can take one of black's rooks with rook takes H5, but that would be a huge mistake. Why? What is black's best move now?

{B:R7/8/5k2/1R5r/4p3/8/4rPPP/6K1 b}{D:7500}{S:b5h5}{W:j15c33}{V:{SAVE} This one's tricky. Take your time. Remember everything you've learned so far and try to find white's best move. You may see that you can take one of black's rooks with rook takes H5, but that would be a huge mistake. Why? What is black's best move now? {W:j15g19};

e2e1; That's right! If you take on H5, black has rook E1 back rank mate. The tables are turned. 

  {W:thatsright}{W:sil1000}

  {D:1600}{H:f1g1h1}{A:Ce1g1}

  {W:j15c34}{J};

$c That's not it ... If you take on H5, black has rook E1 back rank mate. The tables are turned.

  {W:notquiteit}{W:sil1000}

  {B:R7/8/5k2/1R5r/4p3/8/4rPPP/6K1 b} 

  {D:500}{S:b5h5}

  {D:1100}{S:e2e1}{H:f1g1h1}{A:Ce1g1}

  {W:j15c34}

  {W:sil1000}{J};

Black has mate in 1 move.

}

]

36.

[So now let's go back to the original position. What should white do? Find the strongest sequence of moves.

{B:R7/8/5k2/7R/4p3/8/5PPP/4r1K1 w}{S:e1e2}{S:h5b5}{P:BRh5}{W:j15c35}{V:{SAVE}So now let's go back to the original position. What should white do? Find the strongest sequence of moves. {B:R7/8/5k2/1R5r/4p3/8/4rPPP/6K1 w};

${S:a8a6}{J}

$a8a6;Good job!

  {D:1000}{W:j15c39}{J};

$c That's not quite it... Take some time. Think about the last example. White to play, and mate in three moves.

  {W:notquiteit}{W:j15c38}{RETRY};

b5b1:$c Okay, good. You found a way to stop black from check mating you, but find better.

  {W:j15c36}{RETRY};

b5b6:$c That's a check, but it's not your best check.

  {W:j15c37}{W:j15c38}{RETRY};

Try to think of a way to threaten the black king while still covering the 5th rank...}

]

37.

[Now it's mate in two moves. What's next?

{B:8/8/R4k2/1R5r/4p3/8/4rPPP/6K1 w}{V:Now it's mate in two moves. What's next?

{S:f6e7}{SAVE}{D:1000}{W:j15c40};

${S:b5b7}{J}

$b5b7;You got it!

  {W:j15c41}{J};

$cSorry, that's not correct.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Try to think of a way to threaten the black king while still covering the 6th rank.}

]

38.

[Now it's mate in one move. What's the last one?

{B:8/1R2k3/R7/7r/4p3/8/4r3/6K1 w}{V:Now it's mate in one move. What's the last one?

{S:e7d8}{SAVE}{W:j15c42};

${S:a6a8}{J}

$a6a8;

Excellent work. You found mate in three. Congratulations!

  {D:1500}{H:c7c8d7d8e7e8}

  {A:Tb7e7}{A:Ca8d8}

  {W:j15c43}{W:sil1000}{J};

Sorry, that's not correct.{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

Try to think of a way to threaten the black king while still covering the 7th rank.}

]

39.

[In this position, it's white to move and mate in two. This problem combines pawn and rook moves, using the number of patterns you've already seen. White to play. What do you see?

{B:8/7p/2R5/7k/5K2/7P/r4PP1/8 w}{V:{SAVE}In this position, it's white to move and mate in two. This problem combines pawn and rook moves, using the number of patterns you've already seen. White to play. What do you see?

{W:j15c44};

${S:g2g4}{A:Cg4h5}{H:h5}

  {D:2000}{H2:d6e6f6g6h6}{A:Tf4g5}{H:g5}

  {D:2000}

  {D:200}{S:h5h4}

  {W:j15c45}{C}{R}{J}

$g2g4;Good job! ... checking the black king. Your rook is cutting me off from going backwards. So, after king H4…

  {W:goodjob}{W:sil1000}

  {A:Cg4h5}{H:h5}

  {D:2000}{H2:d6e6f6g6h6}{A:Tf4g5}{H:g5}

  {D:2000}

  {D:200}{S:h5h4}

  {W:j15c45}{C}{R}{J};

$c Incorrect. Remember, this problem combines pawn and rook moves. Try to find a pawn move that checks the black king.{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

This exercise combines pawn and rook moves, using a number of the patterns already seen. Look for two moves using only a pawn and a rook.

}

]

40.

[What's mate in one here?

{B:8/7p/2R5/8/5KPk/7P/r4P2/8 w}{V:{SAVE}What's mate in one here?

{W:j15c46};

${S:c6h6}{W:j15c47}{D:300}

  {A:Ch6h4}{A:Tf4g5}{A:Tf4g3}{A:Gf4g4}

  {H:h3h4h5g3g4g5}{W:j15c49}{W:sil1000}{J}

$c6h6;Rook H6. Excellent work! A back rank mate on the side of the board.

  {W:j15c47}{W:j15c48}{D:300}

  {A:Ch6h4}{A:Tf4g5}{A:Tf4g3}{A:Gf4g4}

  {H:h3h4h5g3g4g5}

  {W:j15c49}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Remember, this problem combines pawn and rook moves. Try to find a rook move that mates the black king.

}

]

41.

[Take a look at this position. What's white's best move?

{B:3r4/16/3k4/8/R5p1/8/5K2 w}{V:{SAVE}Take a look at this position. What's white's best move?

{W:J15c50};

$Here we can use the tactical device called a "skewer" to win the black rook. Rook D3 check skewers the black king to the rook. After king E4, rook takes D8, and white has won a rook. So rook takes G3 was possible, winning a pawn, but the best move was rook D3.

  A skewer is when you have two enemy pieces lined up on the same diagonal, rank, or file. You attack the stronger piece. It has to move out of the way, and that opens up an x-ray attack onto the weaker piece. Excellent long distance operators like the rook, bishop, or queen are very good for these types of operations.{D:4000}{S:a3d3}{A:Cd3d5}{H:d5}{D:2300}{C}{A:Dd5d8}{H:d8} {D:1200}{C}{R}{A:Cd3d8}{S:d5e4}{D:1000}{C}{R}{S:d3d8}{D:3000}{B:3r4/16/3k4/8/R5p1/8/5K2 w}{D:500}{A:Ca3g3}{D:3000}{R}{D:200}{S:a3d3}{W:J15c51}{W:sil1000}{W:J15c52}

$a3d3;That's right! Here we can use the tactical device called a "skewer" to win the black rook. Rook D3 check skewers the black king to the rook. After king E4, rook takes D8, and white has won a rook. So rook takes G3 was possible, winning a pawn, but the best move was rook D3.

  A skewer is when you have two enemy pieces lined up on the same diagonal, rank, or file. You attack the stronger piece. It has to move out of the way, and that opens up an x-ray attack onto the weaker piece. Excellent long distance operators like the rook, bishop, or queen are very good for these types of operations.

{W:thatsright}{W:sil1000}{D:4000}{D:500}{A:Cd3d5}{H:d5}{D:1800}{C}{A:Dd5d8}{H:d8}{D:1200}{C}{R}{A:Cd3d8}{S:d5e4}{D:1000}{C}{R}{S:d3d8}{D:3000}{B:3r4/16/3k4/8/R5p1/8/5K2 w}{D:500}{A:Ca3g3}{D:3000}{R}{D:200}{S:a3d3}{W:J15c51}{W:sil1000}{W:J15c52};

Incorrect.We are looking for the best possible move.{W:notbest}{RETRY};

a3g3:$cIncorrect.We are looking for the best possible move. {W:theresmore}{RETRY};

Look for a way to threaten both the king and the rook at the same time ...

}

]

