The rook endgame is a phase in chess where only a few pieces remain on the board, primarily involving rooks and pawns. In this stage, players aim to promote their pawns while using their rooks to control key squares and limit the opponent's movement. Proper coordination between the rook and pawns is essential for achieving victory. In a rook endgame, the player with the extra pawn often has a significant advantage. Key strategies include using the rook to cut off the opponent's king and supporting pawn advancement. Understanding basic rook endgame techniques can greatly improve a player's chances of winning in this critical phase of the game.