Shogi glossary
Climbing Silver (bogin)
Japanese: 棒銀
In shogi, Climbing Silver (bogin) is a Static Rook attack in which the right silver climbs straight up the rook's file, from 3i via 3h, 2g and 2f, to break through at 2d with the rook backing it from 2h.
An attack sending the silver straight up the rook's file.
What bogin means
Bo means stick or pole: the silver rises in a straight line like a pole, ahead of the rook on the same file. It is one of the first attacking plans players learn because every piece has a clear job. The pawn on 2e leads, the silver steps to 1e or 3e, and the rook supports from behind.
How the breakthrough works
Black pushes the pawn to 2d. If White captures, the silver recaptures on 2d, and now silver and rook together hit 2c, where a promotion is close. Two attackers is the minimum; if White piles up defenders, Black must bring more, such as a pawn drop or the bishop's diagonal.
The order is important: the pawn goes before the silver. A silver that steps onto 2d first is simply taken by the pawn on 2c, a silver lost for a pawn.
Where it is played
Climbing Silver appears against both Static Rook and Ranging Rook setups, and it is one of the right-silver plans in the Bishop Exchange. The king often stays in a simple formation because the attack comes quickly.
Try it · from “Climbing Silver (Bogin)”
Begin the Climbing Silver.
FAQ
Does Climbing Silver work against Ranging Rook?
Yes, it can be used against both styles. Against a Ranging Rook the silver usually climbs toward the opponent's bishop side, since their rook has moved away from it.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: Climbing Silver (Bogin) · Counting Attackers and Defenders
Openings: Climbing Silver
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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