What is Philidor Position?

The Philidor position is a fundamental theoretical position in rook and pawn endgames demonstrating the drawing technique for the defending side. The defender places the rook on the third rank to cut off the opponent's king, then retreats to the back rank to deliver checks from behind once the pawn advances. Named after François-André Danican Philidor, who published the analysis in 1777. Together with the Lucena position, it forms the cornerstone of rook endgame theory.