Direct Opposing Rook Guide: Don’t Fear Exchanging Bishops!
Start by exchanging bishops right from the opening and quickly swing your rook to the 8th file. Both players having a bishop leads to an aggressive game. Even if your opponent drops a bishop and promotes it to a horse (馬), the strategy still gives you the advantage.
How to Make the Opening Moves ＆ Why
This is a type of Ranging Rook strategy(Furibisha), which is a specialty of Grandmaster Yasumitsu Sato. The game tends to become a sharp battle when both sides keep their bishops.
“Direct” is used because, normally, after exchanging bishops, the rook moves temporarily to the 6th file before swinging to the 8th file. This is to prevent the opponent from creating a promoted bishop.
Even if the opponent does promote a bishop, the strategy still works.
When building a defense on the right side of the board, the Mino Castle system (a traditional and reliable defensive formation in Shogi) is recommended.
Next Moves: A Famous Development Example
The main line is when your opponent drops the bishop to 4-5.
As the Shogi proverb goes, “Counter a bishop with a bishop,”
If you’re attacked by a bishop, defend with your own. The opponent will likely promote their bishop to a horse, but don’t worry—you can checkmate the promoted piece with your gold general. There are other variations, but by repeatedly exchanging bishops, you can maintain an advantageous position.
This diagram is just one example, but the goal is to use your bishop dynamically to disrupt your opponent’s position and set up for the endgame! In other variations, once your king is safe, exchanging rooks can also be a good option. What’s your next move?
