Right Hand King Strategy in Shogi – A Complete Guide
The “Right Hand King” (Migi-gyoku) strategy in shogi involves placing the king on the right side of the board while using the Static Rook opening. This approach differs from traditional setups by positioning the king on the right, while maintaining a strong, defensive structure with the Static Rook.
Setting Up the Right Hand King
In the Right Hand King strategy, the king is placed on the right side of the board. Typically, in shogi, the king is positioned on the opposite side of the rook, as the rook is the main attacking piece and battles tend to occur on that side. Placing the king on the same side as the rook could make it vulnerable to attacks, which is why the king is usually placed on the opposite side in both Static and Ranging Rook setups.
Why Use the Right Hand King?
This strategy is commonly seen in Static Rook vs. Static Rook matches, where both players position their kings on opposite sides of the board. The main advantage of this setup is that it keeps the king away from the opponent’s attacking side, offering greater safety and a more strategic position.
How to Defend with the Right Hand King
The king is typically surrounded by gold and silver pieces, as shown in the diagram. While there’s no rigid setup, adapting your defense based on your opponent’s moves is crucial. One advantage of this strategy is that the gold and silver pieces are arranged in a balanced way, allowing for flexibility and ease of movement for the king. In some cases, the king may even shift to the left side of the board during the game.
The flexibility to adjust the king’s defense as the game progresses is a hallmark of the Right Hand King strategy.
How to Attack with the Right Hand King
The Right Hand King strategy often involves using the bishop’s diagonal for an aggressive attack. By positioning the left silver to control the center and advancing the pawn to 4-5, you can use the bishop’s diagonal to launch a powerful offensive. While the rook may appear inactive in this setup, it actually serves an important defensive role. It influences the bottom rank and prevents the opponent from making key piece drops on the 2nd file (such as △2-7 Gold or △2-8 Bishop), acting as a critical defensive piece.
In some cases, the attack along the bishop’s diagonal can lead to a decisive victory without the need for large piece exchanges, making this a strategy worth experimenting with.
