Do You Even Rook Lift, Bro?

If you like watching chess videos on YouTube, you couldn't possibly miss the catchy phrase, "Do you even rook lift, bro?"

I don't know who came up with this meme, but no doubt a huge credit goes to IM Eric Rosen, who made it popular. Of course, the original expression "Do you even lift, bro?" came from the bodybuilding community, where it is a humorous or mocking way to question someone's strength or dedication to weightlifting and fitness.

I couldn't help but smile when this exact meme popped up in my mind while I was watching the following recent game:

The move 13.Rd3! initiates a classical rook lift to g3 or h3, where it will directly attack the black king. In this particular game, the rook used both squares! This rook lift is very effective and well-known. After 13.Rd3! an engine gives White a significant advantage of over +1.  As I mentioned, I smiled when I saw this rook lift because it brought many sweet memories since it is one of my favorite attacking ideas. Here is an example:

The idea of the rook lift is so popular and well-known that there are many twins there. First, look at the following video depicting this classical attacking idea:

Notice the beautiful finish of GM Saleh Salem's combination: first, a piece sac on g6, and then a quiet move with his queen attacking the g6-pawn with an unstoppable checkmate. Here is an earlier predecessor:

You might be wondering: if this idea is so well known, then why do strong players allow their opponents to execute it? To be honest, I have no answer to this question. Here is a good example:

The idea that a very experienced GM Anatoly Lein didn't know this rook lift is preposterous. But even if you assumed for a second that he indeed was not aware of it, how would you explain the game we played two years later where he allowed me to execute the exact same idea with exact same deadly consequences?

But honestly, does it even matter why our opponents allow us to start a very dangerous attack against their kings? Our duty is to execute such an attack perfectly and not guess why they allowed it.

So, the real question is: Do you rook lift, bro?