Yokofutori : Ai Yokofutori part 1.

Shogi Opening traps : Yokofutori : Ai Yokofutori part 1.

(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 P-8f
7.Px8f Rx8f
8.Rx3d
(diagram 1)






The diagram 1 is a beginning of Yokofutori game . In Ai Yokofutori game , Gote captures the 7f-Pawn after the Bishop exchange like following line ; 8...Bx8h+ , 9.Sx8h Rx7f .

You may think "Why Gote player doesn't capture the 7f-Pawn without Bishop exchange with 8...Rx7f ?" . Because following moves gives Sente a nearly win advantage .

(diagram 2)

8...Rx7f
9.Bx2b+!
(diagram 2)

Replying Gote's 8...Rx7f , Sente simply exchanges the Bishops with 9.Bx2b+ . When Gote captures the 2b-promoted Bishop with 3b-Gold or 3a-Silver , the other piece will become unprotected .

(1)
9...Gx2b
10.Rx3a+

(2)
9...Sx2b
10.Rx3b+

Even if Gote drops a Pawn with 9...P*3c blocking the 3d-Rook's power , Gote will lose a Gold and a Silver and will have a bad position .
(3)
9...P*3c
10.+Bx3b Px3d
11.+Bx3a

Shogi Opening traps : classcial Kakukawari opening : part 3.

Shogi Opening traps : classcial Kakukawari opening : part 3.

(diagram 1)

1.P-7f P-8d
2.P-2f P-8e
3.P-2e G-3b
4.B-7g P-3d
5.S-8h Bx7g+
6.Sx7g S-2b
7.S-3h S-7b
(diagram 1)


The diagram 1 is one of the common lines of classical Kakukawari opening . In the diagram 1 , You may think Sente can exchange the 2nd file Pawns . With 8.P-2d , how the game will advance ?

(diagram 2)

8.P-2d Px2d
9.Rx2d B*3c
(diagram 2)

Sente exchanged the 2nd file Pawns by his Rook . Gote drops a Bishop with 9...B*3c attacking the 2d-Rook .

Afte the diagram 2 , Sente's Rook will escape from the 2d Bishop with 10.R-2h or 10.Rx3d . But in both lines , Gote will get a better position with material advantage .

(1)
10.R-2h P-8f!
11.Px8f P*8h!

(2)
10.Rx3d P*2h

In both lines , Gote will get a Knight .

classcial Kakukawari opening : part 2.

Shogi Opening traps : classcial Kakukawari opening : part 2.

(diagram 1)

1.P-7f P-8d
2.P-2f P-8e
3.P-2e G-3b
4.B-7g P-3d
5.S-8h Bx7g+
6.Sx7g S-2b
(diagram 1)

The moves shown above is the beginning of classical Kakukawari opening . In diagram 1 , you may think Sente can exchange the 2nd file Pawns with 7.P-2d . But this is a bad move . Why ?

(diagram 2)

7.P-2d Px2d
8.Rx2d B*3e
(diagram 2)


Sente exchanges the 2nd file Pawns by the Rook . Replying it , Gote drops a Bishop with 8...B*3e forking the 2d-Rook and the 5g-Pawn .


After the diagram 2 , Sente will play his Rook to escape from the 3e-Bishop's attack , and 2 major lines exist ; (1)9.R-2h and (2) 9.Rx3d .

Even if Sente selects any move , Gote will get an advantage by following moves .

(1)
9.R-2h Bx5g+

(2)
9.Rx3d Bx5g+
** Attention ! 3b-Gold is protected by 8b-Rook . **

classcial Kakukawari opening : part 1.

Shogi Opening traps : classcial Kakukawari opening : part 1.

(diagram 1)

1.P-7f P-8d
2.P-2f P-8e
3.P-2e
(diagram 1)


The diagram 1 is one of the standard beginning of classical Kakukawari opening .

You may think Gote can exchange the 8th file Pawns . If Gote exchanges the Pawns , how the game will advance ?

(diagram 2)

3...P-8f ?
4.Px8f Rx8f
5.P-2d Px2d
6.P*2c
(diagram 2)


Gote exchanges the 8th file Pawns . But by the exchange not only Gote but also Sente has a Pawn in hand .

Sente also pushes his Rook Pawn with 5.P-2d . Gote captured it and this capture makes a space on 2c . Sente drops a Pawn with 6.P*2c and kills the 2b-Bishop .

Then Sente gets an advantage in the diagram 2 .

By this reason , Gote will move 3...G-3b or 3...P-3d .

Yokofutori : NAITOU ryu San-San Kaku senpou : part 1.

Shogi Opening traps : Yokofutori : NAITOU ryu San-San Kaku senpou : part 1.

(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 P-8f
7.Px8f Rx8f
8.Rx3d B-3c
(diagram 1)







The diagram 1 is a typical starting of NAITOU ryu San-San Kaku senpou . In diagram 1 , you may think Sente can get material advantage by following moves ; 9.Rx3c+ Nx3c , 10.B*7g . After Gote's Rook escapes (for example 10...R-8b) , Sente will move 11.Bx3c+ Gx3c , 12 Bx3c+ (diagram 1') . Whether Sente can get an advantage or not ?

(diagram 1')

(diagram 2)

After diagram 1
9.Rx3c+ Nx3c
10.B*7g Rx8h+
11.Sx8h R*2g
(diagram 2)


Gote doesn't escape his Rook , but exchanges it with Sente's 8h Bishop . And after the exchange , Gote can drop his Rook before Sente and gets a slight advantage .


Then in many cases , Sente players move 9.R-3f .

Haya ISHIDA part 2.

Shogi opening trap : Haya ISHIDA , part 2.

(diagram 1 )

1.P-7f P-3d
2.P-7e P-5d
(diagram 1)






Gote pushes the 5th file Pawn with 2...P-5d just after Sente shows the attitude he wants Haya ISHIDA . The P-5d has a mean to disturb Sente's Haya ISHIDA . If Sente still seletcts Haya ISHIDA , how Gote plays ?

(diagram 2)

after diagram 1
3.R-7h Bx8h+
4.Sx8h B*4e
5.B*8e
(diagram 2)




Sente slides his Rook to 7h as his first plan . But this move makes weak points in Sente's camp . Gote exchanged the Bishops and dropped one with 4...B*4e . Sente seems to protect it by dropping a Bishop . How Gote play ?

(diagram 3)

after diagram 2
5...P-8d
6.Bx6c+ G6a-5b
7.+B-6d R-6b
8.+B-4f Bx6g+
9.P*6h +B-6f
(diagram 3)



Sente pushes the 8th file Pawn and forces Sente to promote his Bishop . And the game has developped very rough one .

In many cases , Sente players dislike such a rough game . Then 3.P-6f is the most common move in diagram 1 .

Niteme San-Ni Hi senpou , part 3.

Shogi Opening traps : Niteme San-Ni Hi senpou , part 3.

(diagram 1)

1.P-7f R-3b
2.P-9f
(diagram 1)

In this line , Sente pushed 9th file Pawn such an early stage of the game . Against this move , 2...P-9d seems very natural move . But this move lead an rough game .

(diagram 2)

after diagram 1
2...P-9d
3.P-2f K-6b
4.P-2e P-3d
5.Bx2b+ Sx2b
6.B*6e B*7d
(diagram 2)


Against 2...P-9d , Sente advanced the game with same moves as without 2.P-9f P-9d .
Gote also drops his Bishop . How do the 9th Pawns give influence in a game ?

Here shows a line of Bishop promotion . Sente can select Bishop exchange line .

(diagram 3)

after diagram 2
7.Bx4c+ Bx4g+
8.P-9e Px9e
9.P*9b Lx9b
10.+Bx3b Gx3b
11.R*9a
(diagram 3)


9th file Pawns causes Sente's attack in 9th file .

This is very rough game ! So if you don't like such a game , you should play 2...K-6b instead of 2...P-9d .