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Monday, October 6, 2014

Who is winning the Double rook and pawn ending?

In this rook and pawn ending, both sides have their rooks doubled on their opponent's second rank. With White to move, Rf7 check is the obvious move. Who stands better? There is a saying in chess known to every Russian school boy and according to Alex Yermolinsky every Russian school girl! The saying is "every rook and pawn ending is drawn"

In the diagrammed position, it is White who has to fight for the draw despite the fact that his rooks are doubled and he gives check on the move!! I can just hear Lewis McClary exhorting it is a draw you MORON!

In his younger less discreet days, Yermo who had a tremendous amount of contempt for USCF policy and politics once dropped the F-BOMB describing the United States Chess Federation. Now that Alex makes much of his income at the internet chess club, he has toned down his harsh denunciations of the USCF.



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