Takodori's Entrance to Shogi World

Raw lines - Chidori'Gin no Senpo Zukan 8, Nakabisha strategy(primitive)

This is the raw lines of Kifu used in the diagrams in the following pages of Chidori Gin no Senpo Zukan which is an on-line Encycropedia of shogi opening strategies. The linked page has Kifu-for-Java diagrams which needs a Kifu-for-Java capable browser to replay there.

【戦法図鑑】８　中飛車戦法（原始型） - 8, Nakabisha strategy(primitive)

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1 & #2
  1.R-5h   P-3d     2.P-5f   P-5d     3.S-6h   S-6b     4.S-5g   S-4b      5.S-6f   S4b-5c   6.P-5e   Px5e     7.Sx5e   P*5d     8.Sx5d   Sx5d      9.Rx5d   S*5c    10.R-5h   K-4b    11.P*5d   S-4d    12.S*5c   S4dx5c 13.Px5c+  Sx5c    14.P*5d   S-6b    15.S*5c   Sx5c    16.Px5c+      

It shows Sente's successful case which means Gote's defensive sequence is not the best.   

It's recommendable to replay the line using your own shogi board and pieces. If you do not have them, the following pages might be of help;

• Papercraft shogi, Print & Play shogi

• Aja-ban

Raw lines - Chidori'Gin no Senpo Zukan 7, Bogin strategy in Aigakari

This is the raw lines of Kifu used in the diagrams in the following pages of Chidori Gin no Senpo Zukan which is an on-line Encycropedia of shogi opening strategies. The linked page has Kifu-for-Java diagrams which needs a Kifu-for-Java capable browser to replay there.

【戦法図鑑】７　棒銀戦法（相掛り型） - 7, Bogin strategy in Aigakari

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1 & #2
  1.P-2f   P-8d     2.P-2e   P-8e     3.G-7h   G-3b     4.P-2d   Px2d      5.Rx2d   P*2c     6.R-2h   P-8f     7.Px8f   Rx8f     8.P*8g   R-8b      9.S-3h   S-6b    10.S-2g   G-5b    11.S-3f   K-4a    12.S-2e   P-5d    13.P*2d   Px2d    14.Sx2d   P*2c    15.Sx2c+  Gx2c    16.Rx2c+

It shows Sente's successful case which means Gote's defensive sequence is not the best.    

It's recommendable to replay the line using your own shogi board and pieces. If you do not have them, the following pages might be of help;

• Papercraft shogi, Print & Play shogi

• Aja-ban

Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(4)

< Diagram #11 : The eleventh move of Hamster's P9d-9e >

The diagram above shows Hamster moves his Pawn from 9d-9e, which intends to avoid being captured by my Rook. But my intention is not to take the pawn. What do you think is my nex move which is one of the key moves in this game?

My next move is R7d-7b. The Rook gets promoted with checking Hamster's King horizontally.

< Diagram #12 : The twelveth move of My R7d-7b+ >

The diagram above shows the position at 12th move where my Rook get promoted to 7b. My promoted Rook works both horizontally and vertically well. Please look at the pieces in Hamster's hand. There is a Pawn in his hand. He wants to drop a pawn on 4b in the 13th move but it's prohibited since it's an illegal move of double pawns on a file. So Hamster's King has to move away from my promoted Rook's horizontal line. What do you think is Hamster's next move? The answer is K-4a shown in the diagram below.

< Diagram #13 : The thirteenth move of Hamster's K4b-4a >

The diagram above shows that Hamster moves his King from 3b to 4a to avoid my promoted Rook's horizontal line. My Rook already is promoted. Now it's time for my Bishop to get promoted since the pawn on 3c is isolated since Hamster's King moved down to 4a due to my promoted Rook. What do you think is my next move? The answer is B8hx3c+ taking the pawn on 3c with getting promoted shown in the diagram below.

< Diagram #14 : The fourteenth move of My B8hx3c+ >

Due to the empowered Rook and Bishop, Hamster's King cannot move except to 3a. The 2nd row is dominated by my promoted Rook on 7b and the square of 5a is controlled by my promoted Bishop on 3c. So, Hamster is quite at a loss to make next move but he finally drop his pawn on 3a at the 15th move. Please see the diagram below.

< Diagram #15 : The fifteenth move of Hamster's P*3a >

What's my next move? My Bishop and Rook already got promoted. It's time to mate Hamster's King to activate these powerful pieces together. What is the square where my promoted Bishop's diagonal line to 5a and my promoted Rook's horizontal line cross? They cross at 4b. The square of 4b is in front of Hamster's King and my two pieces cross. What's do you think is my next move to mate Hamster's King. The answer is shown in the diagram below.

< Diagram #16 : The sixteenth move of My +R7b-4b+ >

The answer is +R7b-4b. Moving the Promoted Rook to the crossing square of 4b mates Hamster's King since he cannot take it supported by my promoted Bishop on 3c. You can mate by +B3c-4b instead of +R7b-4b as well. As you see in the above, activating promoted Rook and Bishop together is the key to mate Hamster's King.

Here is the directions again I wrote at first.

1. Open your Bishop's diagonal line as your first move.
2. Taking vanguard position by advancing the Pawn twice on 7th or 1st file.
3. Transfer your Rook to the file where you took vanguard position.
4. Trade your Rook's pawn to let your Rook advance and get promoted then.
5. Make a check with promoted Rook.
6. After that, let your Bishop get promoted.
7. Mate Hamster's King by using two promoted major pieces such as Rook and Bishop.

Please confirm that you can easily break through the defense line of Hamster, let your Rook and Bishop get promoted, and mate Hamster's King following to the directions. The whole line of the game is found below;

Handicap: 10 pieces
Black: Myself
White: Hamster

  1. ...   K-4b     2.P-7f   K-3b     3.P-7e   P-9d     4.R-7h   P-1d   
  5.P-7d   Px7d     6.Rx7d   P-9e     7.R-7b+  K-4a     8.Bx3c+  P*3a   
  9.+R-4b  resigns

And, here is another line to beat Hamster in this handicap by breaking through the 1st file for your reference. Please confirm this line also follows the directions above.

Handicap: 10 pieces
Black: Myself
White: Hamster

  1. ...   K-4b     2.P-7f   K-3b     3.P-1f   P-6d     4.P-1e   P-7d   
  5.R-1h   P-5d     6.P-1d   Px1d     7.Rx1d   P-9d     8.R-1b+  K-4a   
  9.Bx3c+  P*3a    10.+R-4b  resigns

This is the end of Hamster Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap.

• Related articles
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(3)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(2)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(1)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - Naked King

 

Raw lines - Chidori'Gin no Senpo Zukan 2 through 6

This is the raw lines of Kifu used in the diagrams in the following pages of Chidori Gin no Senpo Zukan which is an on-line Encycropedia of shogi opening strategies. The linked pages have Kifu-for-Java diagrams which needs a Kifu-for-Java capable browser to replay there.

【戦法図鑑】２　序盤の形　矢倉 - 2,  Yagura Opening Formation

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-7f   P-8d     2.S-6h   P-3d     3.P-6f      

【戦法図鑑】３　序盤の形　角換わり - 3, Kakugawari Opening Formation

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-7f   P-8d     2.P-2f   G-3b     3.G-7h   P-8e     4.B-7g   P-3d      5.S-8h   Bx7g+    6.Sx7g      

【戦法図鑑】４　序盤の形　横歩取り - 4, Yokofutori Opening Formation

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-7f   P-3d     2.P-2f   P-8d     3.P-2e   P-8e     4.G-7h   G-3b      5.P-2d   Px2d     6.Rx2d      

【戦法図鑑】５　序盤の形　振り飛車 - 5, Furibisha Opening Formation

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-7f   P-3d     2.P-2f   P-4d     3.P-2e   B-3c     4.S-4h   R-4b   

From starting set-up to Dia#2
  1.P-7f   P-3d     2.P-6f   P-8d     3.R-6h   P-8e     4.B-7g      

【戦法図鑑】６　序盤の形　相振り飛車 - 6, Ai-Furibisha Opening Formation

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-7f   P-3d     2.P-6f   P-3e     3.R-6h   R-3b

According to Chidori Gin no Senpo Zukan, these 6 patterns of opening from the starting set-up are the typical shogi starting lines.

It's recommendable to replay these lines using your own shogi board and pieces. If you do not have them, the following pages might be of help;

• Papercraft shogi, Print & Play shogi

• Aja-ban

Raw lines - Chidori'Gin no Senpo Zukan 1, Aigakari

This is the raw lines of Kifu used in the diagrams in the following page of Chidori Gin no Senpo Zukan which is an on-line Encycropedia of shogi opening strategies.

【戦法図鑑】1 序盤の形 相掛り - 1, Aigakari Opening Formation        

From Starting set-up to Diagram #1
1.P-2f   P-8d     2.P-2e   P-8e     3.G-7h   G-3b     4.P-2d   Px2d   
  5.Rx2d   P*2c   

From Starting set-up to Diagram #2
  1.P-2f   P-8d     2.P-2e   P-8e     3.P-2d   Px2d     4.Rx2d   P-8f   
  5.Px8f   P*8g     6.P*2c   Px8h+    7.Sx8h   B*3e   

Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(3)

< Diagram#4 : The fourth move of my P7g-7e>
The diagram above is the position that I moved my pawn on the 7th file from 7f to 7e. Different from FIDE chess, shogi's pawn can't advance two squares at once when it moves first. So it takes two moves to take vanguard position on a specific file. Taking vanguard position on a specific file means advancing your pawn twice to occupy a square of the e-row on a specific file while the opponent's pawn stay on its original square of the file of g-or-c-row. Please see the 7th file of the Diagram#4, my pawn advanced to 7e while Hamster's pawn still stayed on 7c. It's called I took vanguard position on the 7th file. My aim is to transfer Rook to 7h of the 7th file from 2h which will give it two free squares(7f and 7e) to move forward and trade pawns on 7d by Rook in my following move.

< Diagram #5:The fifth move of Hamster's P9c-9d>

Hamster advanced the left edge pawn in the diagram from 9c to 9d. Its intention is to prevent me from developing Bishop to 9e by way of 7g using two moves. What do you think I made a move next?

< Diagram #6:The sixth move of my R2h-7h >

The answer is R2h-7h, transferring Rook from 2nd file to 7th file. When the Rook was located on 2h, it could move horizontally only since my Pawn on 2g and kNight on 2i disabled it to move vertically. Now, my Rook on 7h can move both horizontally and vertically. It apparently functions better on 7h than on 2h. The aim of the Rook's transfer to the 7th file is to trade the Rook's pawns on 7d to break through Hamster's defensive horizontal line of the pawns on c-row. Please remember Hamster's King cannot come to defend the 7th file since my Bishop's diagonal line has gone through the square of 3c since the 2nd move. My attacking formation is ready now which means the end of the Opening. My next move will be the start of the middlegame.

< Diagram 7 : The seventh move of Hamster's 1c-1d >

Hamster advanced the right edge file in the diagram from 1c to 1d. The intention of this move is not so positive. Actually he has no effective pieces to move in this big handicapped game. Anyway, Hamster keeps the horizontal defensive line of the pawns on c-row. What do you think I made a move next to break though the defensive line? 

< Diagram 8 : The 8th move of my P7e-7d >

The answer is advancing my Pawn from 7e to 7d just in front of Hamster's pawn on 7c. Both pawns faces each other on the 7th file now. My pawn on 7d is to be captured by Hamster's next move of Px7d. Is that ok? Anything wrong with my attack? Don't worry. Right after Hamster takes my Pawn on 7d by Px7d, I can take it back by the Rook such as Rx7d. Please remember, in shogi, the middlegame almost always starts by facing both pawns each other on a file like this. The intention of P7e-7d is to trading the Pawns on the 7th file to advance my Rook to work better. What do you think Hamster did in the next move?

< Diagram #9 : The 9th move of Hamster's P7cx7d >

The answer is Hamster's P7cx7d. Hamster had to take my pawn. Otherwise, he would have lost a Pawn by Px7c+ in my next move. Now, I lost a pawn first on the 7th file. What do you think I did in the next move?

< Diagram #10 : The tenth move of my R7hx7d >

The answer is my R7hx7d, taking back the pawn on 7d. It's a natural move to take back a pawn after you lose a pawn. Let's look back at the recent moves. I offered Hamster to take my pawn at the 8th move, and then Hamster took the Pawn by his Pawn at the 9th move, after that, I captured back his Pawn on 7d by my Rook at the 10th move. Both sides have a Pawn in hand during this sequence from the 8th to 10th move. We call the sequence "Hisha ni Yoru Fu no Kokan(Pawn exchange by Rook)." Pawn exchange by Rook is almost always a good trade in the opening and the middlegame. So when it is possible, do not forget to do that. Please watch the diagram #10 carefully to count how many squares my Rook on 7d can go horizontally and vertically and compare them with that at the original position. Now, my Rook can go to 8 squares horizontally and 7 ones vertically. And Hamster has no measure to prevent my Rook from invading his camp. It works better and better through the process of Pawn exchange by Rook.

(to be contined to Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(4))

• Related articles
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(2)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(1)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - Naked King

Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(2)

<Diagram#1 - 1st move:K5a-4b>

The diagram #1 shows the position where Hamster made the 1st move of K5a-4b. Before this move, all his nine Pawns from 1st to 9th file were isolated or not connected by his King. However, by moving his King from 5a to 4b, the 3 Pawns from 3rd to 5th file are now protected by his King.

It is time for me to make the second move. What piece should I move?  Remember my direction #1. It says "Open your Bishop's diagonal line as your first move." So I am to move the Pawn on 7g to advance to 7f.

<Diagram #2 - 2nd move : P7g-7f>

The diagram #2 shows the position after I made the second move of P7g-7f to open my Bishop's diagonal line. The pawn advancement to 7f enabled my Bishop to move to the five squares such as 3c, 4d, 5e, 6f and 7g in my next turn. Unless Hamster's pawn on 3c is protected by his King, then I can promote your Bishop with taking it by Bx3c+ in your next move. But if I do that, the promoted Bishop will be immediately captured by his King since it protects the 3 pawns from the 3rd to 5th files now. So it will be a bad move to take the Pawn on 3c in my next turn.

< Diagram #3 - 3rd move : K4b-3b>

After the second move, Hamster slid his King from 4b to 3b horizontally. The diagram #3 shows the position of 3. K4b-3b. Since my Bishop's diagonal line is towards the square of 3c, Hamster's King must keep protecting that square. For example, if his King moves to 5b instead of 3b, then I can take the Pawn on 3c by my Bishop with promotion since the Pawn on 3c becomes isolated. In other words, the second move of my P-7f succeeded in restricting the movable spaces of Hamster's King effectively. Now, what next move should I make? My Bishop works well at this position, while my Rook does not so much. My Rook can move only horizontally now. It is time for me to think about how to use your Rook vertically. My next move should be the preparation for that. The answer is P7f-7e, taking vanguard position on the 7th file.

• Related Articles
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(1)
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - Naked King

Hamshogi Walkthrough - 10 piece handicap(1)

This is a strategy guiding content when you fight against a Hamster in Hamshogi

When you are a 10 piece handicap taker, the initial setup is like below;

Please look at the board above carefully. Comparing with Naked-King handicap, nine pawns are added to Hamster's side. What does it mean? It means Hamstar's defensive capability is slightly empowered. You can still beat Hamster with moving only three kinds of pieces such as Rook, Bishop and Pawn. You do not have to move the other pieces such as King, Gold, Silver, kNight and Lance. Here are the directions about how to beat Hamster when you are a 10 piece handicap taker.

1. Open your Bishop's diagonal line as your first move.
2. Taking vanguard position by advancing the Pawn twice on 7th or 1st file.
3. Transfer your Rook to the file where you took vanguard position.
4. Trade your Rook's pawn to let your Rook advance and get promoted then.
5. Make a check with promoted Rook.
6. After that, let your Bishop get promoted.
7. Mate Hamster's King by using two promoted major pieces such as Rook and Bishop.

Let's play a 10 piece handicap game against Hamster in accordance with the directions above. I will write an commentary using my games with Hamster with lots af diagrams tomorrow or on a later day.

• Related Article
• Hamshogi Walkthrough - Naked King

Hamshogi Walkthrough - Naked King

I would like to write some strategy guiding contents about how to beat a Hamster when it gives you some handicap. Hamster means the character of Hamshogi. You can read the instruction in English how to use it here.

In order to fight with Hamster in Naked King Condition, please click the left red button in the bottom on the board. The example can be found above(The colour of the button changed on clicking). Then you can have the starting setup as below.

Before making your first move, please compare your forces with Hamster's carefully. You have full forces with 8 kinds such as King, Gold, Silver, kNight, Lance, Rook, Bishop and Pawn. On the other hand, Hamster has only a King. He has almost no defensive and offensive power. So basically you should be able to beat it easily. The practical strategy I recommend you to take is to use only three kinds of pieces, such as Pawn, Rook and Bishop. You do not need to move the other 5 kinds of pieces in this big handicap. More concretely, you will be able to beat Hamster according to the following seven directions;

1. Move only Pawn, Rook, and Bishop.
2. Make minimum Pawn moves so that the most powerful Bishop and Rook can move more easily.
3. Open Bishop's diagonal line and let Bishop get promoted first.
4. Then advancing Rook's pawn twice and let Rook float just behind the Pawn.
5. Slide the Rook horizontally to intent to get promoted.
6. After both Bishop and Rook promotion, Keep their connection and approach Hamster's King.
7. After Bishop and Rook promotion, you do not have to use Pawn while it was nesessary before their promotion.

Here is an example of a game between Hamster and myself;

On diagram above, Hamster made his first move like K-4b. What should you move? See the seven direction above. You should open your Bishop's diagonal line like P-7f. You can replay the game by clicking the arows under the board with reading these sentences for better understanding. At the 3rd move, Hamster moved his King to 3b. What's your next move? Yes, you can let your Bishop get promoted without being captured. You should move your Bishop to 1a with promotion like B-1a+. Please take care. If you move your Bishop to 2b or 3c with promotion, your promoted bishop will be captured by Hamster's King immediately by Kx2b or Kx3c.

After your Bishop promotion, Hamster moved his King to 4a as the 5th move. What's your next move? I recommend you to pulling back the promoted Bishop to 4d. Now you find your promoted bishop can move toward four long diagonal directions from 4d while it could go toward only one long diagonal direction from 1a. Which means Promoted bishop on 4d works better than on 1a. In general, promoted bishop on one of the central 9 squares often works better than on a square of other area on the board.

Now, you placed your promoted Bishop on a good square. What's next is to make your Rook become able to work well. Please advance your Rook Pawn twice such as P-2f and P-2e using your next two turns. Then you should let your Rook float bihind the moved Pawn like R-2f. Now your Rook can slide to the 1st through 6th file. After that, please move your Rook on 3f and then let it get promoted by R-3c+.

Now, your Bishop and Rook must already got promoted. These two powerful pieces will be enough to mate Hamster's King. Please take care so that they can supports each other without isolation. Move both pieces to approach Hamster's King. Good luck!! Here is another example between Hamster and myself to replay.

I will come back to this series in the near future. Next one is about 10 piece handicap.

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