What is Philidor position in chess?
The key drawing defense in rook-and-pawn vs rook endgames.
The defending rook holds the sixth rank until the pawn advances there, then switches to the back rank to harass the attacking king with checks. Knowing this position is the antidote to the Lucena and saves half-points in drawn rook endgames.
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- Key squaresSpecific squares that, once reached by the attacking king, guarantee a pawn promotes.
- TriangulationA king maneuver that loses a tempo to reach the same position with the opponent to move.
- Square of the pawnA visual shortcut to check whether the defending king can catch a passed pawn before it promotes.
- Wrong bishopA bishop that cannot control the pawn's promotion square, turning a winning position into a draw.
- Book drawAn endgame that is known to be a draw with correct play, as established in opening or endgame theory.
- GambitSacrificing material, usually a pawn, for faster development or attack.