Lesson 19 of 20 · Endgame · 7 min

Closing In: Wrap the King

Chasing a king with checks often lets it escape; wrapping it from the sides and behind is what turns a strong attack into mate.

  • Wrap the king from the sides and behind instead of chasing it.
  • Drop the rook from a distance where the king cannot take it.
  • Solve mates in three and a silver brinkmate from behind.

'Wrap the king, don't chase it.' Chasing the king with checks just drives it out into open space. Cover its escape squares from the sides and from behind so the king has nowhere to go.

Drop the rook from a distance. A rook dropped far away on the king's rank cannot be captured by the king, and it covers the whole rank.

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

Try the first practice

Opponentno pieces in hand
987654321abcdefghiKPPPPK
You

Practice 1 of 1

Mate in three moves (you, White, you). Drop the rook from a distance.

Remember: Wrap the king: drop the rook from a distance, keep the king on its low ranks, and bring enough pieces before you start checking.

Related

Terms:

CheckmateBrinkmateMate problemClosing in

All 20 lessons · How to play shogi (all rules on one page)

The game begins when the pieces start falling, child.

Finish “Closing In: Wrap the King” in the app

4 cards and 3 practice positions, with hints after every wrong try. Then put it to work against Gen and get the game explained in plain English.

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Free on iPhone & Android. Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Privacy