Shogi glossary
Castle
Japanese: 囲い
In shogi, a castle (kakoi) is a formation of golds and silvers built around the king to protect it during the opening. Unlike castling in chess, it is not one special move but a structure assembled piece by piece.
A formation of golds and silvers protecting the king.
Why castles matter
A king left on its starting square stands where the pieces collide, and drops let attacks arrive from anywhere. A king tucked toward a corner behind golds and silvers takes many more moves to mate, so its owner can keep attacking in the endgame race while the other side defends.
The main castle families
The rule of thumb is to castle on the side away from your own rook. Ranging Rook players castle on the right in a Mino (king 2h). Static Rook players castle on the left: a Yagura (king 8h) when both rooks stay home, or a quick Boat castle (king 7h) or deep Anaguma (king 9i) against Ranging Rook. Castles can be reinforced later, as when a Mino grows into a High Mino.
Weak points
Most castles have the same soft spots: the edge file beside the king and the square directly in front of it, the king's head. Pawn attacks on the head, edge attacks with pawns and lances, and trading cheap pieces for the defending golds and silvers are the standard ways in.
FAQ
Is a shogi castle like castling in chess?
Only in purpose. Chess castling is a single special move with fixed squares. A shogi castle uses ordinary moves to walk the king and arrange golds and silvers, and there are many shapes to choose from.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: The Mino Castle · The Yagura Castle · The Boat Castle and Breaking Castles
Openings: Mino and Boat Castles · Yagura · Static Rook Anaguma
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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