Shogi openings

12 shogi openings

Every shogi game begins with one choice: keep the rook at home (Static Rook) or swing it across the board (Ranging Rook). These 12 openings cover both, plus the classic attacks and castles that go with them.

Each page replays the standard first 20 moves on a real board, explains the three ideas that matter, and lets you find the better move in two positions where beginners usually go wrong. New to the game? Start with how to play shogi, then come back here.

Static Rook openings

Both players keep their rooks on the right. Sharp, theory-heavy games.

Static Rook · 矢倉YaguraBoth sides keep their rooks home.Static Rook · 角換わりBishop ExchangeBoth bishops are traded early.Static Rook · 相掛かりDouble Wing AttackBoth players push their rook pawns and trade them early, keeping the bishop lines closed.Static Rook · 横歩取りSide Pawn CaptureAfter the rook-pawn trade, Black's rook takes White's side pawn on 3d.

Ranging Rook openings

The rook moves to the left side and the king hides in a Mino castle. Clear plans, popular with beginners.

Ranging Rook · 四間飛車Fourth-file RookBlack swings the rook to 6h, closes the bishop line with 6f and castles in a Mino on 2h.Ranging Rook · 三間飛車Third-file RookBlack puts the rook on 7h, behind the 7th-file pawn.Ranging Rook · ゴキゲン中飛車Gokigen Central RookWhite plays a Central Rook while keeping the bishop line open, pushing the 5th-file pawn to 5e.Ranging Rook · 向かい飛車Opposing RookBlack moves the rook to 8h, directly facing White's rook.

Attacks and castles

Ways to attack a castle — and the castles you build to survive.

Static Rook attack · 棒銀Climbing SilverA direct Static Rook attack: the right silver climbs the 2nd file (3h-2g-2f-1e) and, together with the rook, breaks through at 2d..Static Rook attack · 右四間飛車Right Fourth-file RookA Static Rook attack against a Fourth-file Rook: Black's rook moves to 4h and the pieces pile up on the 4th file, where White's rook stands..Static Rook castle · 居飛車穴熊Static Rook AnagumaAgainst a Ranging Rook, Black digs the king into the 9i corner behind the lance and closes it with silver 8h and gold 7i.Castles · 美濃囲い・舟囲いMino and Boat CastlesThe standard opposite-side battle: Black plays Static Rook with a quick Boat castle (king 7h), White plays Fourth-file Rook with a Mino (king 8b).

I know forty moves of theory. Move forty-one? Let's not talk about it.

Every opening, in your pocket

The app has an opening library with all 12 openings, and Taro, “Book Worm”, knows them all. Learn a line, then test it against him.

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