Lesson 13 of 20 · Castles · 7 min

The Anaguma (Bear-in-the-Hole)

The Anaguma is one of the hardest castles to reach with checks; this lesson shows how to build it and what it costs.

Dig the hole: lance to 9h, then king to 8h and 9i.
Close the lid with silver to 8h and gold to 7i.
Weigh its strength against its weakness: no escape once it breaks.

Anaguma means 'bear in the hole'. The king hides in the corner on 9i, behind the lance, with silver and golds packed around it. It is one of the hardest castles to reach with checks.

Build it like this: bishop out of 8h, lance up to 9h, king to 8h and then 9i, silver to 8h, gold to 7i. It takes many moves, so it suits calm positions.

🔒 2 more cards and 3 more practice positions continue in the app.

Try the first practice

Opponentno pieces in hand

Youno pieces in hand

Practice 1 of 1

Start digging the hole: make room for the king in the corner.

Remember: The Anaguma buries the king on 9i behind the lance, with silver 8h and gold 7i. Very hard to check, but slow to build and hard to escape from once broken.