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Step 1
Open the rook up for movement as early as possible without damaging the development of your other power pieces. Moving pawns 2 spaces at the opening help facilitate an early rook development advantage on the chess board.
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Step 2
Move the rook conservatively in the early portions of the match. An overly aggressive use of rooks in the opening can leave your flanks exposed.
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Step 3
Castle with the King when possible. This is not only a superb protective move for your King, but it also places the rook in an outside position so that it can slide into a file threatening to your opponent.
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Step 4
Work your rooks in pairs across the chess board. The rook is particularly effective at trapping the opponent's King in his back ranks and it can complicate his or her endgame.
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Step 5
Work your rooks in tandem with your bishops. This combined development enhances your coverage of not only horizontal and vertical attacks but diagonals as well.
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Step 6
Keep your rook in mind as your most important piece if you have lost your Queen. The rook can help move a pawn across the chess board in an effort to recapture your lost Queen.
