Double Wing Attack: A Classic Static Rook Strategy
The Double Wing Attack (相掛かり – Aigakari) is a strategy where both players advance their pawns in front of their rooks. To protect their bishops, both players raise their gold generals to guard them. This opening can lead to various tactical variations.
How to Make the Opening Moves ＆ Why
From the very first move, both players push their rook pawns forward, setting up the Double Wing Attack formation.
The standard progression continues with both players positioning their gold generals to protect their bishops. After the pawns clash on the rook files, the next critical decision is how to reposition the rook.
Two common options are to move the rook back to the 6th rank for a more aggressive stance or to retreat it to the 8th rank, balancing offense and defense.
A key advantage of positioning your rook on the 6th rank (the “floating rook”) is that it controls the horizontal line, making it difficult for your opponent to exchange pawns on that file. This is an important detail to keep in mind.
Next Moves: A Famous Development Example
When the rook is positioned on the 6th rank, a popular follow-up is to jump your knight forward to join the attack. This formation can eventually lead to a powerful bishop fork that catches your opponent off guard!
This tactic is especially effective when your opponent hasn’t properly defended the 5-5 square (the center in shogi). There’s an old saying in shogi: “A high-jumping knight is easy prey for a pawn.” Because of this, your opponent won’t expect you to recklessly leap your knight forward. Even if they do, they can simply defend with their gold or king and harass your knight with a pawn.
At first glance, your knight may appear trapped by the pawn. However, a beautiful combination lies ahead. Exchange knights to deliver a decisive knight fork, then follow up by exchanging bishops and executing another powerful bishop fork. With these rapid exchanges and precise attacks, you will swiftly penetrate your opponent’s defenses.
In this case, a high-jumping knight makes easy prey for a fork!
