drawing easily. If Black shuffles (...Rc2–Ra2–Rc2), White can do the same (Ra3–Rh3–Ra3). With 3...e3, Black threatens to advance with Kf3, and if he is unopposed, checkmate with the rook or advance the pawn. (A passive defense does not work.) 4. Rb8 Since now Black's king cannot move to e3, it is safe to move the rook away to the far end of the board (the defender's seventh or eighth rank). Note that 4.Rb4+ loses immediately to 4...Kf3 when Black will checkmate or force the exchange of rooks followed by ...Kf2 and promotion of the pawn. 4... Kf3 5. Rf8+ Ke4 6. Re8+ The black king cannot hide from the checks without giving up the pawn; nor can he approach the rook: 6... Kf4 7. Rf8+ Ke5 7...Kg5 is also answered by 8.Re8. 8. Re8+ Black is forced to play ...Kd4 or ...Kf4, making no progress. The defender's rook must be on his seventh or eighth rank to employ the Philidor defense. (Positions can be drawn with the rook in other positions, using different defenses.) To sum up the defense: the defender should keep his king in front of the opposing pawn and keep his rook on the third rank until the pawn advances to that rank, then go to the far end of the board (the seventh or eighth rank) and check the king from behind. If the attacker tries to get his king to his sixth rank by moving his rook to that rank first to block the checks, the defender simply exchanges rooks and has a drawn king and pawn versus king endgame. Philidor actually studied a position that leads to the type of position above. In the diagrammed position, if it is Black's turn to move, he moves 1... Rb4 and then his rook will reach his third rank, and the position is basically the same as the diagram above, with colors reversed, e.g. 2. Ke6 Rb6+ 3. Kf5 Rc6 establishes the standard defensive setup. If White is to move, he wins with accurate play by 1. Ke6 Kf8 2.Ra8# was threatened. Moving the king to the "short side" of the pawn is relatively better than to the other side. 2. Ra8+ Kg7 3. Kd6 Rd4+ 4. Ke7 Rb4 5. e6 etc., and wins. Note that Black reaches a draw after 1.Kd6 Re4!, for example 2.Ke6 Kf8 3.Ra8+ Kg7 4.Kd6 Kf7 and White cannot break through. Philidor's