Checkmate with King + Rook vs King + Bishop

Checkmate with King + Rook vs King + Bishop

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D
Unicorn Equestrain

New York

Joined
23 Sep 04
Moves
19145
28 Apr 05

Is it possible to checkmate using king and rook against king and bishop?

a
Enola Straight

mouse mouse mouse

Joined
16 Jan 05
Moves
12804
28 Apr 05
3 edits

Only if the the lesser side's king is trapped in a corner of the same color as his bishop. Here's an example.



White will play Rb3, forcing the bishop to move. It has to move so it can block at a6. Otherwise, Ra3 will be mate.

1. Rb3 Bc4 2. Ra3+ Ba6 3. Ra2 (anywhere) Zugswang! Ka8 4. Rxa6#

A

Joined
20 Aug 03
Moves
12823
28 Apr 05

My endgame book (Fundamental Chess Endings by Muller and Lamprecht) has this to say:

A lone rook normally cannot win against a bishop, especially if the defending king is in a corner opposite to the bishop's colour.

As an example of a win, they give the following position (black to move):



This is won for white no matter where black's bishop is (as long as it's a dark square).

Finally, I found this, which may be useful:

http://www.anadune.com/chess/endgames/kr_kb.html