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The Endgame Tactician: Frontal Defense

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Submitted by likesforests on Mon, 10/15/2007 at 2:03am.

The Frontal Defense was invented by Tarrasch. It's a method that a defender can use to draw a R+P vs R ending when his king is cut-off from the pawn. This technique is only effective if the pawn hasn't crossed the middle of the board. 

 

Below is the original analysis from Tarrasch on how to defend three different attacks. Remember to click on "Move List" so you can also see what doesn't work and why.


The first plan demonstrated the main drawing idea. But a strong opponent is likely to come up with something a bit more crafty! Let's look at a couple more ideas.

 

 


If you followed all the above, you should now have a good understanding of this position and a basic idea how the Frontal Defense works. Smile

 


» posted in likesforests, the Endgame Strategist
| 1070 reads | 4 comments
 

Comments:

by likesforests - 12 months ago
United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 3182

The defending side should try to check from the place that gives the longest checking distance. -- ghostofmaroczy

 

 Sage advice!

 

If the pawn is not far advanced then the frontal defence is good. 

 

If the pawn has not crossed the midline and the defending king is cut-off by one or more files then the frontal defense is good. If the defending king is not cut-off then Philidor is best... Philidor is difficult to goof up. Smile

 

If the king is not in the way then checking from the long side is good.

 

If the defending king's on the short side, checking from the long side's good. In some cases with central pawns you can draw checking from the short side. This defense is hard to maintain so use simpler ones if possible.

 

If the pawn is far advanced then checking from behind is good.

 

Aim for Philidor and check from behind. If that's not possible and it's a rook- or knight-pawn, aim for a back-rank defense. If it's a central- or a bishop-pawn a back-rank defense will fail so aim for a short-and-long defense.

 

Of course, words are only approximations. 


by MinTaylor - 12 months ago
Irvington, NJ United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 7
Very good example.  Works well in that kind of end game situation that can even up the odds.
by ghostofmaroczy - 12 months ago
United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 113
I have noticed something that might be a rule of thumb in rook and pawn v rook endings.  The defending side should try to check from the place that gives the longest checking distance.  If the pawn is not far advanced then the frontal defence is good.  If the king is not in the way then checking from the long side is good.  If the pawn is far advanced then checking from behind is good.  Am I wrong about this?
by FM paolodm - 12 months ago
Virginia United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 106
Very nice!
 
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