The Tarrasch Rule, stated by Siegbert Tarrasch, and highlighted in every endgame textbook, emphasizes the optimal positioning of a rook behind a passed pawn. This guideline underscores two key principles: firstly, when a player’s rook is positioned behind their own passed pawn, it serves as protection during its advancement, and secondly, when the rook is behind an opponent’s passed pawn, the pawn’s progress is impeded unless adequately guarded along its path.
Nevertheless, as with any rule, there are exceptions, and occasionally, it becomes imperative to execute a maneuver known as the rook switch, which involves placing the rook to the side of the pawn instead.