Joining pawn (tsugifu)

A typical sequence

Suppose Black pushes a pawn from 2e to 2d and White's 2c pawn captures it. Instead of recapturing, Black drops a pawn on 2e, touching White's pawn again. If White takes once more, its pawn is pulled to 2e, leaving 2c and 2d empty for Black's rook or a later drop. If White declines, Black captures on 2d and threatens to promote on 2c.

Why it works

Pawns never move backward, so a pawn pulled forward can never return to guard its home squares. Each joining pawn costs only one point, and the pawn the opponent gains is a modest weapon. The technique pairs naturally with a dangling pawn: once the enemy pawn has been drawn out, a pawn dropped into the space it left threatens to promote.

What it costs

You need one pawn in hand for every drop, and each drop must respect nifu. Spend them only when the opened line leads somewhere, such as an enemy castle or a promotion square.