Chess lessons › Chess strategy
The rook lift
A rook behind its own pawns climbs to the third rank and swings across to attack the king.
The idea
A blocked rook climbs to the third rank and swings to the king.
- The pawn on f5 blocks the rook on f1.
- Rf3 lifts it to the third rank, in front of its own pawns.
- From g3 it joins the queen and the bishop against the king.
In a game: When a rook’s file is shut and the third rank is clear, lift it towards the king.
How the lesson begins
A rook needs open lines. When a pawn blocks its file, it can climb to the third rank and then swing sideways. This is called a rook lift.
This is Paul Morphy against Adolf Anderssen, from their match in Paris, 1858. White’s queen and bishop already point at Black’s kingside. The rook on f1 cannot help yet: the black pawn on f5 blocks its file.
Find the move
White to move. Bring the rook into the attack.
A hint
The f-file is blocked at f5. Climb to the third rank first.
Show the answer
22. Rf3
Rf3 lifts the rook to the third rank. From there it can swing to g3 or h3, towards Black’s king. It is the engine’s first choice.