Having a rook positioned on the seventh rank, which is also the second rank of the opponent’s side, is commonly acknowledged as a potent tactical advantage. This is because such a rook poses a serious threat to the unadvanced pawns of the opponent, and also restricts the movements of their king. Consequently, in numerous instances, possessing a rook on the seventh rank is deemed to be a reasonable trade-off for losing a pawn.
Rook domination
When a rook is placed on the seventh rank, which is the second rank of the opponent’s side, it becomes a formidable piece that can put pressure on the opponent’s pawns and restrict the opponent’s king. This strategic placement of a rook is so valuable that it is sometimes regarded as a fair trade for a pawn.
Blind swine mate
The pattern known as the “blind swine mate” has been given its name due to its association with the chess master Dawid Janowski of Polish origin. Janowski used the term “swine” to describe doubled rooks placed on the 7th rank of a player’s side, and this phrase has now become commonly used in chess circles to refer to this particular configuration.