Lesson 11 of 20 · Castles · 6 min

The Mino Castle

A king left in the center is the most common way beginners lose, and the Mino castle is a quick, sturdy fix.

  • Build the Mino castle: king 2h, silver 3h, golds 4i and 5h.
  • Turn it into a High Mino by lifting the gold to 4g.
  • Name the Mino's weak points: the edge and the king's head.

A castle is a compact group of golds and silvers around your king. Build one before the fighting starts: a king left in the center is the most common way beginners lose.

The Mino castle is the classic Ranging Rook castle: king on 2h, silver on 3h, golds on 4i and 5h. It is quick to build and strong against attacks from the side.

🔒 3 more cards and 3 more practice positions continue in the app — this lesson is free there.

Try the first practice

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Youno pieces in hand

Practice 1 of 1

Your rook has moved and your king is on 3h. Continue the Mino castle.

Remember: Castle before you fight. The Mino puts the king on 2h with silver 3h and golds 4i and 5h. Move the rook first, then the king. Watch the edge and the king's head.

Related

Openings that use it: Fourth-file Rook · Third-file Rook · Gokigen Central Rook · Opposing Rook · Mino and Boat Castles

Terms:

KingGold generalCastleMino castleHigh MinoRanging RookFourth-file RookThird-file RookCentral RookGokigen Central RookOpposing RookEdge attackAttack on the king's headKing in the center

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Finish “The Mino Castle” in the app

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

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