Endgame Endgame Rating 1500-2000

Philidor Defence (Rook Endgame)

The Philidor is the key drawing method when you're defending a rook endgame a pawn down. You hold your rook on your third row until the enemy pawn advances, then swing it behind the king to check endlessly. Learn it and you'll save many 'lost' rook endings.

Practise Philidor Defence (Rook Endgame) ▸Study this concept Get a training plan

Source for further study: Dvoretsky, Endgame Manual, ch. 7.

Builds toward

Vancura Position