Lesson 17 of 20 · Openings · 7 min

The Fourth-file Rook

The Fourth-file Rook is the most popular Ranging Rook for beginners: a clear plan, a solid Mino and a ready counterattack.

  • Set up the Fourth-file Rook with the rook on 6h.
  • Guard 8f with the bishop on 7g when White pushes to 8e.
  • Finish the Mino, then counterattack where White attacks.

The Fourth-file Rook (shikenbisha) puts the rook on 6h, closes the bishop line with 6f, and castles in a Mino. It is the most popular Ranging Rook for beginners.

The plan is to wait. Let the Static Rook player attack, then counterattack where the attack comes: the rook on the 6th file and the bishop on 7g are ready to strike back.

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

Try the first practice

Opponentno pieces in hand
987654321abcdefghiLNSGKGSNLRBPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPBRLNSGKGSNL
Youno pieces in hand

Practice 1 of 1

Set up the Fourth-file Rook.

Remember: Fourth-file Rook: pawn to 6f, rook to 6h, bishop to 7g when the 8th file is threatened, king to 2h in a Mino. Then wait and counterattack.

Related

Openings that use it: Fourth-file Rook · Third-file Rook

Terms:

Mino castleRanging RookFourth-file RookRapid attackSlow gameOpening lineBishop's diagonal

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Finish “The Fourth-file Rook” in the app

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

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