Techniques for Breaking the Mino Castle (3) Attacking in Double Ranging Rook Games
In double ranging rook games, breaking the Mino Castle requires precise techniques. This article introduces effective attacking patterns, including Climbing Silver combined with bishop drops and edge attacks.
Basic Attack: Climbing Silver + Bishop Drop
The Mino Castle is the most commonly used defense by ranging rook players. In this article, we’ll explore effective techniques to break it in double ranging rook games.
Let’s start with a fundamental attacking method inspired by Climbing Silver. The key point here is that you should have a bishop in hand after an exchange. Since attacking with only a silver and a rook is insufficient, play ▲B-56 (Bishop to 5-6) right away. This move increases control over the 8-3 square.
The plan is straightforward: ▲P-84 (Pawn to 8-4), △P-84 (Pawn takes), ▲S-84 (Silver to 8-4). Even though the opponent is aware of this plan, defending against it is difficult.
The only reasonable defense is △B-92 (Bishop to 9-2), but placing a bishop in such a passive position is undesirable. Now, continue with ▲P-95 (Pawn to 9-5), targeting the bishop with an edge attack.
Attacking Without a Bishop Exchange
If the bishops haven’t been exchanged yet, you can apply a different approach using Climbing Silver. Here, the key factors are a bishop placed on 6-6 and having two pawns in hand.
Start with ▲P-84 (Pawn to 8-4), △P-84 (Pawn takes), then strike with ▲P-83 (Pawn to 8-3). This technique, known as Striking Pawn, ensures that your silver can continue attacking after advancing to 8-4.
After △S-83 (Silver to 8-3), follow up with ▲S-84 (Silver to 8-4) to initiate a silver exchange. However, before capturing the silver with your rook, insert another pawn drop with ▲P-83 (Pawn to 8-3).
By sacrificing these pawns in advance, you prevent the opponent from blocking your rook’s path when it advances. Once you capture the silver with ▲R-84 (Rook takes 8-4), you can leverage the extra material to gradually gain an advantage.
👉 [ Pawn Tactics and Techniques Overview]
Edge Attack: Exploiting Mino Castle’s Weakness
Next, let’s look at a fundamental edge attack, which is one of the Mino Castle’s biggest weaknesses.
Whether an edge attack is effective depends on factors such as the number of pawns in hand, whether edge pawns have been pushed, and the placement of knights. Here, we’ll consider a scenario where the edge pawns have been exchanged and a bishop is positioned on 6-6.
Start by sacrificing your edge pawn with ▲P-95 (Pawn to 9-5). If the opponent ignores this, advance with ▲L-94 (Lance to 9-4). Even if they respond with △N-94 (Knight to 9-4), you can still push forward with ▲L-94 (Lance to 9-4).
This maneuver pressures the opponent’s lance, which has no retreat squares. Once you capture it, the edge becomes significantly weaker. From here, moves like ▲R-92 (Rook to 9-2) or ▲B-84 (Bishop to 8-4) add further attacking power.
Combining Climbing Silver with Edge Attacks
Next, let’s combine Climbing Silver with an edge attack—another frequently occurring tactic.
The key point is to first sacrifice your edge pawn. This will become clear as the attack progresses.
Now, shift focus to the 8-file and attack in a Climbing Silver style. The opponent may defend with △P-83 (Pawn to 8-3), but then you can retreat with ▲S-95 (Silver to 9-5) to maintain pressure.
Although this results in a silver-lance exchange, removing the opponent’s lance significantly weakens their edge defense. Follow up with ▲L-99 (Lance to 9-9) and continue pressuring the opponent along the edge.
A Common Technique: Capturing the Lance
Finally, let’s look at a common tactical pattern for capturing the lance. While this won’t immediately collapse the Mino Castle, it weakens its defense while gaining material.
Start with the usual edge attack by pushing the pawn forward. After ▲P-95 (Pawn to 9-5) and ▲P-93 (Pawn to 9-3), if the opponent responds with △L-93 (Lance to 9-3), continue with ▲P-94 (Pawn to 9-4).
This sequence forces the lance to move forward, making it vulnerable to capture by your silver. Although the Mino Castle won’t collapse right away, removing this key defensive piece and gaining material will give you a long-term advantage.
👉[Climbing Silver Strategy Overview]
