The Philidor Position
Overview
The Philidor position is the defender's counterpart to Lucena: with a rook against rook and pawn, the draw is held by a precise defensive scheme known since the 18th century. If you know Philidor, half of the rook endings you reach become unwinnable for the opponent.
The third-rank defense
The defender waits with his rook on his own third rank — the very rank the pawn must cross. While the pawn is still behind that rank, the rook simply patrols it: the attacking king cannot step forward into the open. Only when the pawn finally advances to the sixth rank does the rook drop back to its last rank and start checking from behind.
Checks from behind
From the last rank the checks never stop: the attacking king cannot hide behind its own pawn, and every step toward the defending rook abandons the pawn. The stronger side makes no progress — the game is drawn.
The picture of the draw: the pawn is on the sixth, but the rook on a7 checks from behind forever — White's king has no shelter.
Practice positions
Play each position out against the engine from the exact spot on the board — unrated, you take the strong side.
Defend as White: your rook holds the third rank (rank 3 here). When the pawn advances, drop to the first rank and check from behind — hold the draw against the engine.
♞ Play vs engineChecks from behind: the pawn is on the sixth and your rook already patrols the last rank. Give check after check — the attacker's own pawn blocks his king's shelter.
♞ Play vs engine