Answers.Body: <p>Generally when you read/hear something like "to put the rook on a semi-open file" it means a file where the opponent's pawn is on. The reasoning behind this is just <em>piece activity</em>, i.e. to maximize the available squares for the rook and also to attack something (the opponent's pawn on that file).</p>
  
  <p>The only time where it makes sense (on general principles) to put a rook on a semi-open file where your own pawn is on, is if you want to support a passed pawn, typically with the rook from behind the pawn. However this situation would not be referred to as "putting the rook on a semi-open file".</p>
  
  <p>PS: Of course there are situations (like the latter example above), where it could make sense to put the rook on a semi open file where your own pawn is located. However I understood your question as asking about the <strong>general principle</strong> that <em>rooks are supposed to be good on semi-open files</em>. In that  case it would always be the semi-open file with your opponent's pawn.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2018-03-21T10:11:12.043Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-03-21T10:11:12.043Z
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Body: <p>What kind of semi-open file is better for your rook?</p>
  
  <p>One where your pawn is on it, or one where the opponents pawn is on?</p>
  
Tags: <rooks>
Title: What kind of semi-open file is better for your rook?
ThreadText: # What kind of semi-open file is better for your rook?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-21)
  
  What kind of semi-open file is better for your rook?
  
  One where your pawn is on it, or one where the opponents pawn is on?
  
  **Tags:** rooks
  
  
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  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-21. Score: 8 | Accepted answer
  
  Generally when you read/hear something like "to put the rook on a semi-open file" it means a file where the opponent's pawn is on. The reasoning behind this is just *piece activity*, i.e. to maximize the available squares for the rook and also to attack something (the opponent's pawn on that file).
  
  The only time where it makes sense (on general principles) to put a rook on a semi-open file where your own pawn is on, is if you want to support a passed pawn, typically with the rook from behind the pawn. However this situation would not be referred to as "putting the rook on a semi-open file".
  
  PS: Of course there are situations (like the latter example above), where it could make sense to put the rook on a semi open file where your own pawn is located. However I understood your question as asking about the **general principle** that *rooks are supposed to be good on semi-open files*. In that case it would always be the semi-open file with your opponent's pawn.
  
  
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