Shogi glossary
Interpose (aigoma)
Japanese: 合駒
In shogi, to interpose (aigoma) is to block a check from a long-range piece, such as a rook, bishop or lance, by moving a piece onto a square between it and the king or by dropping one there from your hand.
Blocking a long-range check by placing or dropping a piece in between.
Drops make blocking flexible
In chess a block must come from a piece already on the board. In shogi any piece in hand can be dropped on any empty square along the checking line, so an interposition is usually available. The catch is that whatever you drop can be captured, and a captured piece joins the opponent's hand, ready to be used against you.
Choosing where and what to interpose
Interpose close to the king, where your own pieces protect the blocker, or use a pawn, which costs little if it is lost. A piece dropped far from the king is often taken for free, sometimes with a new check. Pawn interpositions still obey the two-pawn rule: no drop on a file that already holds one of your unpromoted pawns.
Think about what you hand over, too. Interposing with a gold that is then captured may give the attacker exactly the piece needed for mate.
Try it · from “Defense Basics: Interposing and Running Early”
You are in check from the rook. Interpose correctly.
FAQ
Can you interpose against a knight check?
No. A knight jumps, so there is no square between it and the king. Against a knight check you must capture the knight or move the king.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: Defense Basics: Interposing and Running Early · Check, Checkmate and Illegal Moves
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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