12 Apr 09
Originally posted by GoshenA Rook on e1 that goes to e3, for example intending to go to g3, but also to allow doubling Rooks on the e-file if the other one from a1 goes to e1. The Rook just steps a few ranks up to operate in front of its own pawns instead of behind them. That is what is called a "Rook lift". Some practical example that was obtained after one minute of Googling:
hi guys. i'm quite new to chess' unique terminology. could sum1 be so kind as to explain what exactly a rook lift is? i searched google but couldnt find it described well enough. thanks pple.
Question: what does White play?
White to move
12 Apr 09
1 edit
A rook lift is when you bring your rook off the back rank. Here is a game where I used a rook lift (move 30) to win a game I should have lost:
Game 5619303
13 Apr 09
okay now i get it. i thought it was some really complex procedure. thats what i saw on google and i was like that cant be all there is to it. I first came across it in the annotated game of kasparov vs. the world and was wondering what the heck it was. Thanks Heinzkat and Eladar. I guess white moves the rook on f1 to f3.
13 Apr 09
Originally posted by heinzkatRf3, threatening Qxg6?
A Rook on e1 that goes to e3, for example intending to go to g3, but also to allow doubling Rooks on the e-file if the other one from a1 goes to e1. The Rook just steps a few ranks up to operate in front of its own pawns instead of behind them. That is what is called a "Rook lift". Some practical example that was obtained after one minute of Googling:
Qu ...[text shortened]... oes White play?
[fen]r3r2k/p1q3pp/2p3n1/1p2Pp2/5P2/1BP3Q1/P5PP/R4R1K[/fen]
White to move
13 Apr 09
This actually reminds me of a position I just analyzed in the Scotch game for a bit:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qf3!? Qxf3 7. gxf3 bxc6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Ne7 10. Nc3 d6 11. Rg1 0-0 12. f4 f5 13. Bc4+ Kh8 14. e5! dxe5 15. 0-0-0 Ng6 16. Rd3 exf4?
Of course 16...exf4 is a blunder, but the position is surprisingly difficult anyway. For instance:
15...exf4?! 16. exf4 is very difficult for Black. Just try to develop any of his pieces without making any type of serious concession. It's quite difficult, for example 16...Ng8 17. Rge1 Rb8 18. a3! h6 19. Re5 Kh7 20. Ne2, when White is much better still, but Black hasn't lost yet. Or 16....g6 17. Rge1! Ng8 18. Bxg8! Rxg8 19. Re7+/-
On 16...e4 17. Rd2 still leaves Black with serious development problems. It's amazing that just opening the d-file can leave Black with enormous problems. Anyway, I veered a little off topic, but the rook lift example still stands! See below for the obvious (hopefully) answer.
White wins with 17. Rxg6! hxg6 18. exf4 when 18. Rh3# is looming. Black can try 17...fxe3 18. Rxc6 f4 19. Rxc7 Bf5 20. Rd4 f3 21. Rf4 e2 22. Kd2 Bxc2 23. Rxf8+ Rxf8 24. Nxe2 fxe2 25. Bxe2 Be4 26. Rxa7, but White is still winning here as well.
13 Apr 09
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexYeah definitely. If it was less obvious I probably wouldn't have been reminded of it. It's not as good of an example, since Black can complicate the game with ...fxe3 and force White to give the piece back. 🙁
It is very obvious, when displayed next to the other game.