Opening Theory - Shogi Tips

Bishop Exchange Strategy

Oveview:

The Bishop Exchange Strategy involves exchanging bishops early in the game, allowing you to utilize this powerful piece freely. As one of the classic opening moves, this opening can lead to various tactical variations.

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Reclining Silver

Overview:

Reclining Silver is a development within the Bishop Exchange strategy that arises after opting for a Static Rook formation. Following the exchange of bishops, the player advances a silver piece to the 4th rank on the 5th file. This particular setup is what gives the “Reclining Silver” its name.

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Bishop Exchange Climbing Silver

Overview:

The Bishop Exchange Climbing Silver goes a step further by launching an attack from the edge, sometimes sacrificing the silver. This unexpected, edge-focused assault often catches the opponent off guard, creating new opportunities for a breakthrough.

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Rapid Advancing Silver

Overview:

Rapid Advancing Silver is a development in the Bishop Exchange strategy after choosing a static Rook formation. After exchanging bishops, you aim to exchange the right silver piece quickly.

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Side Pawn Picker

Overview:

The Side Pawn Picker (横歩取り – Yokofudori) is a strategy where both players clash their pawns in front of their rooks while keeping their bishops’ paths open. After the rook captures an opponent’s pawn, instead of retreating, the next move is to move sideways and capture the side pawn. This is a key feature of the Yokofudori opening.

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Double Wing Attack

Overview:

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.

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Cheerful Central Rook

Rook on 5-file

Overview:

The Cheerful Central Rook is an aggressive opening known for its proactive play. The key is to push the pawn on the 5th file all the way to the 5th rank early in the game, aiming to take control of the center and always be ready to attack.

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Fujii System

Rook on 6-file

Overview:

Are you ready to crack the Anaguma? This opening system, developed by professional shogi player Takeshi Fujii, is a revolutionary strategy for breaking through your opponent’s solid Static Rook Anaguma defense. It’s one of the most effective ways to dismantle the ”Bear-in-the-Hole” defense.

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Fourth File Rook

Rook on 6-file

Overview:

Move your rook to the 6th file (the 4th one from the left) and block the bishop exchange. Focus on solid defense while waiting for your opponent’s attack. This strategy centers around passive defense and counterplay, making it one of the more accessible defensive openings for beginners within the Ranging Rook framework.

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Demon Killer

Rook on 7-file

Overview:

The Demon Killer is a highly aggressive opening strategy that combines the rook, bishop, and knight to break through the opponent’s formation. Known as a trap opening, it is a very famous tactical play.

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Ishida Style

Rook on 7-file

Overview:

Move your rook to the 7th file and boldly advance the pawn in front of it. Float the rook and add attacking pieces like the bishop, silver, and knight. The beauty of the Ishida style lies in the dynamic movements of its major pieces.

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Third File Rook

Rook on 7-file

Overview:

Move your rook to the 7th file (the 3rd one from the left) and block the bishop exchange. Focus on solid defense while waiting for your opponent’s attack. This strategy is all about passive defense and counterplay.

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Direct Opposing Rook

Rook on 8-file

Overview:

Start by exchanging bishops early and quickly swing your rook to the 8th file. Don’t fear the bishop exchange – it gives you the advantage.

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Opposing Rook

Rook on 8-file

Overview:

By positioning the rook on the 8th file, it confronts the opponent’s rook directly. This effectively limits the opponent’s attack while also enhancing our own offensive capabilities.

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■Pros: Strong against edge attacks, which are considered a weakness of Anaguma.
■Cons: Takes more moves to complete compared to a regular Anaguma.
■Move count: 20

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■Pros: A solid setup that avoids attacks by keeping the bishop’s diagonals closed.
■Cons: There are no escape squares for the king and few attacking pieces.
■Move count: 16

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■Pros: Not easy to deliver mating threats or checks.
■Cons: Vulnerable to bishop exchanges.
■Move count: 10

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from the sides.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from above.
■Move count: 6

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■Pros: It is a countermeasure against the “Fujii System” strategy and has a sturdiness similar to the Anaguma formation.
■Cons: It’s primarily a counter to the “Fujii System” strategy, but it has a high move count, so it’s not used often.
■Move count: 11

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from the sides.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from above.
■Move count: 11

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from the sides.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from above.
■Move count: 7

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from the sides.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from above.
■Move count: 7

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■Pros: There are no open squares around the king, so it can’t be checked easily.
■Cons: There are no escape squares for the king and few attacking pieces.
■Move count: 15

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■Pros: There are no open squares around the king, so it can’t be checked easily.
■Cons: There are no escape squares for the king and few attacking pieces.
■Move count: 11

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■Pros: Can adapt from the Mino Castle based on the game situation and is strong against attacks from above.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from the sides and the lower ranks.
■Move count: 11

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■Pros: Stronger against attacks from above than the Mino Castle.
■Cons: Weaker against attacks from the sides than the Mino Castle.
■Move count: 7

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■Pros: Stronger against attacks from above than the Takamino Castle.
■Cons: Weaker against attacks from the sides than the Takamino Castle.
■Move count: 14

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■Pros: Stronger against attacks from above than the Mino Castle.
■Cons: Weaker against attacks from the sides than the Mino Castle.
■Move count: 11

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from the sides.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from above.
■Move count: 7

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■Pros: Does not give the opponent openings to strike.
■Cons: Only major pieces are used for offense.Vulnerable if breached.
■Move count: 10

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■Pros: Can adapt to aggressive strategies and change to different defensive formations as needed.
■Cons: If not adapted to a different formation, it is not suitable for prolonged battles.
■Move count: 3

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■Pros: Can adapt to aggressive strategies and makes it difficult for the opponent’s bishop(角) to target the king.
■Cons: Not suitable for prolonged battles.
■Move count: 4

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■Pros: Can handle aggressive strategies.
■Cons: Not suitable for prolonged battles.
■Move count: The setup is created when the king moves to the 5th file, 2nd rank, and various configurations are possible.

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■Pros: Strong against attacks from above.
■Cons: Weak against attacks from the sides and from the 1st file or the 9th file.
■Move count: 7