Rook vs pawns

This is a rare endgame with rooks vs 3 pawns. At the time of playing I wished I knew the theory behind it.This is a chance to familiarize with it. Strong comments are much welcome

I don't think your opponents pawns where fair enough advanced to have much chance. Two connected pawns on sixth can draw against rook, so suppose must be far enough to achieve this.

If I'm not mistaken, three connected passed pawns can win against a rook; but as is often the case with such endings, it matters how far advanced the pawns are.

I just looked up the position in Fine's "Basic Chess Endings" and he says, "Three pawns on the fifth [rank] or beyond win against the rook in the absence of kings...without the aid of the king, three pawns that are not all on the fifth lose."

Here's a few guidelines ...

If the Kings are distant and the pawns connected, and the Rook is not already attacking one of the pawns, then the pawns will win by making a Queen if:

2 pawns can reach the 6th rank

3 pawns win if the the pawns "AVERAGE" reaching the 5th rank. This means for instance, all on the 5th rank. Or for eg pawns on a4,b5,c6. Or any combination putting one of the pawns a square closer than that to Queening of course.

Having one or both Kings involved changes things of course. And is going to depend largely on how they are positioned and able to participate.

A pawn on the 5th rank or beyond, if escorted by its King, and other King is distant, will draw by Queening to force the Rook to sac for it.

As an Impression, not an analysis ...

In the type of position given, I believe that the Rook side should normally win when the pawns are no more advanced than that, if the other King were ready to come in contact with the pawns. However I am not sure here;in consideration of the King distance, and the fact that the Rook is so close that it will lose tempo from being subject to attack itself, and that ...f5 can restrict the Rook scope awhile. Must say it is not a position I've ever had come up in a game~! I think BL likely still loses here. But playing those pieces, believe I would go with ...f5 followed by ...Kf6 or perhaps ...e5 . 

At this glance, I don't see BL being able to keep the other King out long enough to try to get one pawn to the 5th and promote it for a draw (or win, if he has other pawns left). But I'd look at it hard. If not, I'd keep em connected.

But hey, I was an Openings specialist. Looking forward to hearing from an endgame whiz~!

Regards, CCM C.A.Collister

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