What Is the Philidor Position? The Third-Rank Defense in Rook and Pawn vs Rook

The Philidor position is the most important drawing method in rook and pawn vs rook: the side a pawn down draws as long as the king stands in front of the pawn and the rook is on the right rank. It goes hand in hand with the Lucena position: one shows you how to win, the other how to hold. To practice rook endings, play chess online against the computer and trade down.

The key position

The rook's position is what matters most. The white king would like to go to d6 or e6 to help the pawn forward, but the black rook controls the 6th rank, so the king can't get there.

How to draw

Step 1: keep the rook on the 6th rank and wait

The black rook just shuffles along the 6th rank. When the white rook checks, the black king steps between d7 and d8 and stays in front of the pawn.

If White does nothing, Black just keeps waiting. The only way for White to make progress is to push the pawn to d6.

Step 2: once the pawn advances, the rook goes behind

The white pawn reaches d6. The 6th rank can't be held anymore, but the white king has lost its shelter too (the pawn is on d6). The black rook drops to the first rank at once, ready to check from behind.

Step 3: check from behind, again and again

As soon as the white king steps onto the 6th rank, the black rook checks from behind. If the king goes forward there is nothing to block with; if it goes back it leaves the pawn. Tablebase: draw.

The idea is simple: with the pawn on d6, nothing can stand between the white king and the black rook, so the rook just keeps checking from a distance.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is to put the rook back on your own back rank to "guard the promotion square". That is passive defense:

The black rook retreats to a8 and the white rook checks on h8. As soon as the black king steps away, the white rook takes the rook on a8. Even without this trick, the white king could now walk to the 6th rank. Tablebase: Black loses.

Another mistake is to leave the rook on the 6th rank after the pawn reaches d6, or to let the king leave the square in front of the pawn. Remember the order: pawn hasn't moved, rook guards the 6th rank; pawn moves, rook goes behind and checks.

Practice puzzles

Black to move. The white pawn has just reached d6. Where should the black rook go?

Show answer

1... Rb1 For example Rb1: the rook goes to the back, ready to check from behind. The tablebase says Rb2, Rb3 and Rb4 also hold. The point is to leave the 6th rank and get behind the white king.

Black to move. The white king has just reached e6, threatening Rh8 mate. How do you defend?

Show answer

1... Re1+ Re1+, checking from behind. It is the only move that holds; every other move loses according to the tablebase.

FAQ

Why is it called the Philidor position?

The 18th-century French player François-André Danican Philidor analyzed this defense in his book (the 1777 edition), so it carries his name. He was a well-known composer, too.

What does "third-rank defense" mean?

Seen from the attacker's side, the defender's rook stands on the 3rd rank (the defender's own 6th rank). That's why it is also called the third-rank defense.

Can you still hold if your king isn't in front of the pawn?

It is much harder. The Philidor position assumes the defending king is in front of the pawn. When the king is cut off, the attacker can often reach the Lucena position, and that's a win.

When should I use the Philidor and when other defenses?

When your king is in front of the pawn and the pawn hasn't reached the 6th rank yet, the Philidor position is the safest. Other defenses (such as checking from the side) are more complicated, so learn this one first.

Try it yourself

Once you know how to defend, go back to chess endgames and look at the attacker's Lucena position. They are easiest to remember together. Or play free chess against the computer and practice rook endings: when you are a pawn down, try to set up this defense.

Practise in a game