Silver Crown Castle: Steps to Mastering the Defense
| Your Strategy | Ranging Rook |
| Opponent’s Strategy | Static Rook, Ranging Rook |
| Pros | Stronger against attacks from above than the High Mino Castle. |
| Cons | Weaker against attacks from the sides than the High Mino Castle. |
| Move count | 14 |
“銀冠(Gin-Kanmuri) – English: Silver Crown” is a formation that evolves from the basic Mino Castle to High Mino Castle, and then further into this shape. As it evolves, it becomes stronger against attacks from above but gradually weaker against attacks from the side.
Mino Castle systems is one of the most commonly chosen defensive formations in the “Ranging Rook” strategy. Its versatility makes it suitable for use against both Static Rook and Ranging Rook opponents, making it a favorite among players ranging from beginners to professional shogi masters.
How To Build A Silver Crown formation
- Move the rook to a file you like.
- Move the king to the castle’s key position.
- Coordinate the right gold and silver generals to build the castle.
- Move the left gold general up to the second rank to strengthen the position.
- Advance the edge pawn to secure an escape route for the king.
- Move the left gold general and knight to the third rank to strengthen the upper side.
- Cover the king with the Silver Crown to protect its head.
- Move the gold upward to work in coordination with the silver.
Steps 1 to 5 form the basic Mino Castle, and adding Step 6 transforms it into the High Mino Castle. Further adding Steps 7 and 8 completes the Silver Crown. The ability to develop and adapt while in battle is one of the greatest strengths of the Mino Castle system.
While the Silver Crown may become weaker against side attacks, it compensates by strengthening the top. By the time you have established the basic Mino Castle, your opponent will likely target its weak point – the upper area around the King. Recognizing this, you can transition to the Silver Crown, allowing for a more strategic and flexible approach to the game.
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