Central Rook

Name and setup

Naka means middle. It is the only Ranging Rook that sits exactly on the center line, the 5th file from either player's side. The rook lines up behind the 5th-file pawn, which advances to 5f and then 5e (5d and 5e for White). The king moves to the side away from the rook and usually castles in a Mino.

Character

A rook in the middle can later swing to either wing, and the advanced center pawn claims space that the opponent's pieces must respect. Chess players will recognize the value of central control, though in shogi the center pawn is supported by a rook on the same file rather than by minor pieces.

Central Rook comes in slower forms, where the bishop's diagonal is closed with a pawn, and quicker forms that leave it open. The best-known open version, played by White, is Gokigen Central Rook, in which the 5e pawn is guarded by the rook on 5b so the opposing bishop cannot simply take it.