Queen v. Rook Endgame

So I'm only 1200 rapid, and I don't really know how to play a rook versus queen endgame. I was wondering how to ensure a win with a rook v. queen, and why in some positions it's not (the game is attached below. There are a lot of blunders in the opening, middle game, and end game, but I was able to win).

Study it, then practice it. There's no trick to make it easier than that. There are a few standard positions such as the philidor (yes, he did more than the rook endgame) and the 3rd rank defense.

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Pawnless Q vs R is always a win. When the weaker side has a pawn, then sometimes it's a draw. When it's a win even in spite of the pawn then breaking down the false fortress is another technical endgame you'd study separately.

Although, at a rating of 1200... there are still issues like black's move 19, and white's move 27. I.e. it's still a struggle to see which squares are attacked and which aren't. Learning technical endgames (even if possible) would not help your rating.

@2

"Pawnless Q vs R is always a win."
++ No. Counterexample: Ponziani 1782. Black plays and draws:

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Yes, when the stronger side blunders a stalemate it's a draw. There are other examples too:

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I was aware of this while typing my post, but when explaining things to a beginner you have to make strategic choices for what sort of information to leave out. Including this stuff just confuses the lesson you're trying to communicate.

Hi.

KQ vs KR is almost always won; but it is very difficult against a good defense. Even some grandmasters have botched it. Do not worry if you do not master it now or soon; there are other aspects of the game which you can improve and will get you far more points or half points.

Some 25 to 30 years ago I was able to win it against computers with tablebases. Now I can not, I only draw against computers. But I do not worry. If it appears in one of my games (standard time control, not blitz) against a human opponent around my strength, I think I have great chances to win. I am aware that I will not play it perfectly; but my opponent will also not defend perfectly.

Greetings.

So everyone, thanks for the advice. I'm def not going to study Queen v. Rook Endgames, because it's way too technical. I'm not aiming for any sort of Mastery of endgames, so yeah. Also, there were several positions in the Q v. R endgame that stockfish claims is a draw. For example, from move 110 to 114, it was a draw.

Also, I'm surprised that an actual 2100 commented.

You would be better to look over the Q v R endgame with an endgame tablebase to see how good you played the endgame. The game was a draw via the 50 move rule between moves 100-101 (Black's 101st move loses but your 102nd move made it a draw again with best play) and between moves 102 and 115.

Q v R can be complex, and based on the game provided, your study should go towards other aspects of your game.