Shogi glossary
Check and rook fork
Japanese: 王手飛車
In shogi, oute-bisha (check and rook) is a fork that gives check while also attacking the opponent's rook. The king must be saved first, so the rook is lost. Bishop drops, golds and knights are the usual pieces that deliver it.
A fork that gives check and attacks the rook at the same time.
Typical patterns
The classic version is a bishop drop. With White's king on 5a and rook on 1a, a bishop dropped on 3c checks the king through 4b and eyes the rook through 2b; once the king steps away, the bishop takes the rook. A protected gold drop can do the same at close range.
With a knight, decline promotion when you jump in to give check: a promoted knight moves like a gold and would attack neither target.
Why it is so damaging
The rook is the most valuable unpromoted piece, about 10 on the usual scale, and it goes straight into the opponent's hand, ready to be dropped deep in your camp and promoted to a dragon on its next move. Still, if the side that lost the rook has the faster attack, the race can go either way.
How to avoid it
Keep king and rook off shared diagonals, especially once bishops are traded and both sides hold one in hand. Castling the king far from the rook, as standard castles do, also makes a single move that hits both much harder to find.
Try it · from “The Fork”
Drop the bishop to check the king and attack the rook.
FAQ
What does oute-bisha mean?
It is Japanese for check plus rook: oute means check and hisha means rook. The name describes the fork itself, whichever piece delivers it.
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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