Is Rook and Bishop vs Rook theoretically a draw?

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ichiro_bloodmoon
Or is their a way to win this position? I've tried a few times and ends in a draw each time. 3k4/4r3/3K4/3B4/8/8/8/5R2 b - - 0 1
Martin_Stahl

Not sure about in general but that particular position is a draw, though black only has 1 drawing move.

cedarchest
Is rook vs bishop theoretically a draw?
varelse1

certain positions R+B vs R can be won, if the defending king is trapped up against the edge of the board. And the attacker knows or can find some miraculous moves.

But usually, it is a draw.

varelse1

But yes, being black to move, that is a draw.

varelse1
cedarchest wrote:
Is rook vs bishop theoretically a draw?

Without pawns, absolutely.

Give each side 1 pawn, then often still a draw. But often not. The lines become crazy, in those positions.

ichiro_bloodmoon

cedarchest wrote:

Is rook vs bishop theoretically a draw?

Depends on the color squared Bishop one had and what corner the side with the Bishop is on. If for instance the defending side with the Bishop has a light squared Bishop but is trapped in a light squared corner then no the side with the Rook will and should win with correct play. Now if say the side with the Bishop is in a dark squared corner and has a light squared Bishop then with correct play all around they can force a draw. Same applies vice versa of they have a dark squared Bishop then they need to make sure their king can run to a light squared corner.

HorribleTomato

Why are you asking this? The Carlsen 960 Flag Positiontongue.png?

ichiro_bloodmoon

HorribleTomato wrote:

Why are you asking this? The Carlsen 960 Flag Positiontongue.png?

A few games had me intrigued. Anand vs Shirov is one of them with Anand having the two Rooks. Carlson vs Aronian is another one.

ichiro_bloodmoon

HorribleTomato wrote:

Why are you asking this? The Carlsen 960 Flag Positiontongue.png?

Oops thinking wrong endgame lol. Yeah that is a main reason for this question.

Piscivore

Even after all these years, Reuben Fine's Basic Chess Endings is a great resource.  Corrections here, corrections there (which I have diligently written in my copy), but still a monumental work.  Anyone interested in endgames can profit from it.  I commend it.

TwoMove

There is a chapter in Hawkin's "Amateur to IM" which covers everything there is to be known in R+B v R.  GM Arkell has fifteen wins so far in the endgame.

thegreatchessplayerrzz

This is a theoretical draw, but the side the the bishop and rook had good winning chances in practice because the defense is difficult.

Arisktotle
thegreatchessplayerrzz wrote:

This is a theoretical draw, but the side the the bishop and rook had good winning chances in practice because the defense is difficult.

Which implies there are a lot of winning positions for the R+B side! About 20%.

thegreatchessplayerrzz

As GM Ben Finegold said, ifyou are low rated, rook+bishop often beats rook. If you are a computer or a super grandmaster, it is a draw.