Philidor position - rook endgame defense
Philidor position
Definition
The Philidor position is the classical drawing method for the defender in the end-game rook and pawn versus rook (R+P v. R) when the pawn is on its original file (a–h) and has not yet reached the 6th rank. The key feature is that the defending rook occupies the 6th rank, cutting off the opposing king. If the attacker advances the pawn to the 6th rank, the defender switches to checking from behind, forcing a perpetual check and securing a draw.
Why it matters
Roughly half of practical rook end-games boil down to R+P v. R, so the Philidor position is arguably the single most important defensive setup a tournament player should know. Mastery of this concept turns many seemingly lost endings into easy half-points.
Basic setup (classic diagram)
One of the most frequently shown versions is:
• White: King e4, Rook d1, Pawn e5
• Black: King e7, Rook d6
Side to move: White
The defender’s rook (Black) blocks the 6th rank (d6), keeping the white king from advancing to e6 or f6. If White plays 1.e6, Black transfers the rook behind the pawn with 1…Rxd1 2.exd1=Q+ Kxd8, or—in other versions—begins a series of checks from the rear that forces the draw.
How to employ the Philidor defence
- Place your rook on the 6th rank directly in front of the pawn.
- Keep your king on the 8th (or 1st) rank, away from checks.
- Maintain the rook on the 6th rank as long as the pawn is on the 4th or 5th rank.
- Once the pawn reaches the 6th rank, shift the rook behind the pawn and give perpetual check from the back rank or sides.
Illustrative line
After 9…Kf8 the black king hides from checks, the pawn has disappeared, and the draw is trivial.
Typical attacking attempts—and why they fail
- King walk: The attacking king tries to infiltrate via the edge files, but the cut-off on the 6th rank keeps it out.
- Rook swing: Attacker swings the rook to h-file to check, but the defender simply keeps the king tucked on the back rank.
- Pawn rush: When the pawn finally reaches the 6th, the defender’s switch to rear checks is automatic and perpetual.
Historical notes
The idea is attributed to François-André Danican Philidor (1726–1795), the 18th-century French master who famously declared, “Pawns are the soul of chess.” In his 1749 treatise L’Analyse du jeu des Échecs, he analysed several rook-and-pawn endings and introduced the position that today bears his name.
Practical example
Van Wely – Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2001
Reaching move 59, Kramnik (Black) needed a draw to maintain tournament lead.
The following ending arose:
FEN: 8/8/8/4k3/4P3/4K3/8/3R4 b - - 59 1
Kramnik played 1…Rd6! 2.Rxd6 Kxd6 and the pawn fell. Post-game, he credited “classic Philidor knowledge” for saving the half-point.
Common pitfalls for the defender
- Allowing the attacking king to cross the 6th rank before the rook arrives there.
- Placing the rook behind the pawn too early; doing so gives the attacker shelter from checks.
- Letting the defending king be driven in front of its own rook, resulting in accidental self-blocks.
Related concepts
• Lucena position – the winning technique for the stronger side.
• Philidor Defence (opening) – not to be confused; an unrelated
1.e4 e5 opening system.
• Vancura position – draw with rook + a-pawn vs rook.
Interesting facts & anecdotes
- Even engines sometimes “forget” the Philidor position when calculation depth is restricted; endgame tablebases confirm its accuracy.
- Unsolicited advice from endgame guru Mark Dvoretsky: “If you know only one rook ending, make it Philidor.”
- At the 1960 Leipzig Olympiad, Bobby Fischer used the Philidor defence against GM Fridrik Olafsson and drew effortlessly—at age 17.
Take-away
Learn the Philidor position by heart: keep your rook on the 6th rank, switch to rear checks when the pawn advances, and rejoice in your saved half-point.