Shogi glossary
Bishop Exchange
Japanese: 角換わり
In shogi, Bishop Exchange (kakugawari) is a Static Rook opening in which both bishops are traded very early, so each player enters the middlegame with a bishop in hand that can be dropped on any empty square.
An opening where both bishops are traded early.
Name and how the exchange happens
Kaku is the bishop and kawari means exchange. Once Black has pushed the 7th-file pawn and White the 3rd-file pawn, the two bishops face each other on the long diagonal. In a common order Black's bishop steps to 7g and the left silver to 8h; White's bishop then captures on 7g, promoting, and the silver recaptures. White may decline by closing the diagonal with pawn to 4d.
Why the bishop in hand changes everything
Any two loose pieces on a shared diagonal can be forked by a bishop drop, and any gap near the king becomes a landing square. Both sides therefore keep golds and silvers connected and avoid loose pieces. Before White's silver reaches 2b, for instance, the lance on 1a can serve as the second target of a bishop drop.
Typical plans
The right silver usually decides Black's plan: it can recline on 5f via 4g, advance quickly to 4f via 3g, or climb the 2nd file as a Climbing Silver. Castles are built to leave as few drop squares as possible.
FAQ
Who benefits from the bishop exchange?
Neither side automatically. Both players hold a bishop, so the game turns on who leaves fewer weak squares and who uses the drop at the right moment.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: The Fork · Climbing Silver (Bogin) · Piece Values and Trades
Openings: Bishop Exchange
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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