The Rook Lift: chess middlegame concept

Bringing the rook up and across into the attack

Rook to the third rank, then swing it across to join the attack. The workaround when the centre's locked.

• Rook to the third rank, then swing across.
• Works when locked pawns shut down the direct break.
• Usually a kingside rook running to the open wing file.
• Don't weaken your own king on the way.