Shogi glossary
Double Wing Attack
Japanese: 相掛かり
In shogi, Double Wing Attack (aigakari) is a Static Rook opening in which both players push their rook pawns straight up the board and trade them early, keeping their bishop diagonals closed.
Both players push their rook pawns and trade them early.
Name and setup
Ai means mutual and kakari refers to attacking, so the name describes both sides advancing on their rook files at once. Black plays pawn to 2f and 2e, White answers with pawn to 8d and 8e, and neither side pushes the 7th-file or 3rd-file pawn at first, so the bishops cannot be exchanged. Black usually lifts the left gold to 7h early to guard the bishop's side.
How the pawn trade plays out
After the push to 2d and the exchange of pawns, Black's rook recaptures on 2d. White commonly drops a pawn on 2c, and the rook should step back rather than grab it, because the gold on 3b protects that pawn. The rook can retreat to 2f, or all the way home to 2h. White then makes the same trade on the 8th file, and Black answers with a pawn drop on 8g to block the rook.
Character
With rooks active from the start, the game is open and fluid. Castles stay flexible, and a central king position, with the king moved only a step or two, is common.
FAQ
How is Double Wing Attack different from Side Pawn Capture?
Both begin with rook-pawn trades. In Double Wing Attack the bishop lines stay closed; in Side Pawn Capture White opens the bishop line and Black's rook goes on to take the pawn on 3d.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: Pawn Techniques: Dangling and Joining Pawns · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook
Openings: Double Wing Attack
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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