Claim the Open file : Why is it important to control the open file?

Once you control the open file -> to enter the 7th rank -> to start attacking backward and isolated pawns -> then you create passed pawns.

We know that Rooks love open files. But the real question is -> How to get an open file for your Rook.

“An Open file can be claimed only and only if Opponent’s Rook cannot challenge it” – ProChess Coach Sarthak

Look at the above picture-> If it is white to move, White can play Rc1 and claim the open file. Black rook cannot challenge it because if black tries Kd7 in order to play Rc8 in the next move, White can play Rc5!

1)….   Kd7

2) Rc5! Rc8?

3) Rxd5+

In this example, Should white play cxd5 first or Rc1?

To answer this million dollar question, Remember the Above quote by your Chess Coach.

“An Open file can be claimed only and only if Opponent’s Rook cannot challenge it”

If you start with Rc1 then Black’s Rook can come to Rc8 and Challenge the c file. The correct way to claim the c file is to first start with cxd5.

1. cxd5 exd5
2. Rc1! 

White to play. Should you play Rc1 first or Bh3 first?

Black to play. How will you challenge the c file which is currently claimed by White.

If you have found the answer (and I know you have), congratulations you have finally understood the concept.

Points to remember for Rooks on Open files : 

1. In the middlegame- Rooks love Open Files.
2. In the endgame – Rooks love 7th rank from white and 2nd rank from black.
3. In an open file , there are two things to focus on: 
   1. Entry point – square on the 7th rank 
   2. Challenge square – 8th rank square 
4. If the entry point is far away from the opponent’s king, that file is easy to control.
5. In the endgame, if a passed pawn is created on the far side of the board, it is usually winning.
6. If the challenge has already come on the open file, use your minor pieces ( if possible ) to remove the challenge.
7. In some cases, if the challenge can come on the open file and you also don’t have any minor piece, then try to form Alekhine Gun to control the file.

A file can become open if pawns are exchanged. If the challenge is already there on the file, before exchanging the pawns, make sure that you form a battery on the file and then open the file by exchanging pawns.

Assignment- Rooks love Open Files

1. Black to play : https://lichess.org/editor/1k2r2r/1pp3pp/pbnp1p2/8/8/1PNP2PP/P1P1RPB1/1K2R3_b_-_-_6_18?color=black
2. Black to play : https://lichess.org/editor/3r3r/ppk5/2p5/3p1p2/3PpPpp/4P1P1/PPP4P/2K1R2R_b_-_-_0_1?color=black
3. White to play : https://lichess.org/editor/r4rk1/p2n1pp1/1p2p2p/3p4/2PP4/1P5P/P3BPP1/R4RK1_w_-_-_0_1?color=white
4. White to play : https://lichess.org/editor/1k5r/pp3ppp/8/3p4/3P4/8/PP3PPP/1K1R4_w_-_-_0_1?color=white
5. White to play : https://lichess.org/editor/1r1r1qk1/6p1/1p2p2p/p2pPp2/3P1Q2/P6P/1P2RPP1/2R3K1_w_-_-_0_1?color=white