Why should I learn it?
Although a Queen is an overwhelming advantage over a Rook, winning against the weaker piece may not always be a walk in the park. The principles behind this not-so-common endgame are simple to grasp, and if you are at an advanced endgame level, you may afford to spend some time learning this particular ending.
When do I use it?
When you are a up a Queen and your opponent has that nagging Rook to keep defending with. Then you must know how to drive his Rook away from the King (divide and conquer), and eventually to win it and proceed to a clean checkmate.
Link to Practice Problems
Step-by-Step Guide on Queen vs Rook
White to move. If it were Black to move, this would be a win for White. In that case, use your queen by giving checks in a triangular motion to return to this position, but with Black to move.
- Qe4+
The queen would continue checking the enemy king until it gets back to e8.
- …Kg8
…Kh8 is also the same.
(1. …Kh6 2. Qh4#)
- Qa8+
Only one more move to reach e8.
- …Kh7
This move is forced.
- Qe8
White has now finally reached the initial position with Black to move.
- …Ra7
Bringing the rook into an opposite-colored square as its king and as far away as possible.
- Qh5+
White’s goal now is to force the enemy king into a square where the queen could check it from the a7-g1 diagonal.
- …Kg8
The only move.
- Qd5+
White plans to force the Black king into the h-file since the edge would limit its choices.
- …Kh7
The Black king is now forced back into the h-file.
(5. …Kh8 6. Qh1+ Kg8 (6. …Rh7? 7. Qa8#) 7. Qg1+)
(5. …Kf8 6. Qd8#)
- Qh1+
White is feeling it… Are you feeling it?
- …Kg8
Again, forced.
- Qg1+
White would now snatch the rook on the next move.
- …Kh7
Any other move would be just as bad.
(7. …Rg7 8. Qxg7#)
- Qxa7+
By constantly giving proper checks, the queen has succeeded in eliminating Black’s last major piece.