bring the rooks to the center if possible, especially the opposite side. if there is only one open file try to double them on that file
Back Row Rooks
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I'm struggling with the same problem, is there any principle for a closed position? I try to put my rooks behind the pawns I wat to push for opening a file to give them extra support, be it in the center or the neighbouring c and f files. Does that makes sense for a guideline?
One other point I've been 'forced' to keep in mind - as Black - is that if White has that old Q behind B looking down the a2-g8 diagonal with the Kingside white Knight lurking nearby then...
Moving the f (0-0) Rook to the center, or even the open C file can be good as far as providing an escape route for your Black King. If, for example, you move your Rook on the a file to your open c file, then your King could get trapped with no escape if the 0-0 Rook on the f file is still at home. Not that you'd fall for any traps down there but....just sayin'.
and Roman has tips in his today's video - 8/15/2013 - Re: which back rank white Rook to centralize in a KIA game.
http://www.chess.com/video/player/member-analysis-wrong-rook
Assuming in the opening moves that your opponent has let you develop all your bishops, knights and queen to their "best" positions - does anyone have any advice on where to best position the Rooks on the back rank?
Yes, open files are a good choice but not always easy to figger out which Rook (left or right) goes on the open file.
Also if there are no open files then x-raying a queen might be good but what if there is no queen to x-ray and there's no open files.
I'm never quite sure where to place rooks and which rook goes where.
Does this signify the beginning of the middle game with *shudder* a plan?
Thx.