Rook vs Pawn Races

Rook versus a running passed pawn looks like overkill — until the pawn is two squares from queening with its king as bodyguard, and suddenly you're calculating for your life.

The golden placement: ROOK BEHIND THE PASSED PAWN. From behind, every advance walks further into your attack, the pawn can never be shielded from you, and your rook loses zero mobility.