Static Rook · Boat castle or Yagura-style
Bishop Exchange opening
角換わり
Both bishops are traded early. With a bishop in each hand, every gap in the camp becomes a target, so both players build carefully and use the silver actively.
In the Bishop Exchange the two bishops are traded within the first few moves; in the main line White's bishop captures on 7g and Black's silver recaptures. Each player then holds a bishop that can be dropped anywhere, so every loose piece and gap is a target. Black picks a plan for the right silver and keeps the camp compact. It suits players who already know basic tactics such as forks.
Move 20 of 20: △S-5d
Main line and variations
The standard 20-move setup. Tap a move to jump to it.
▲ = Black (moves first, bottom) · △ = White. Notation: piece letter, then the destination square; x = capture, * = drop, + = promote.
Key ideas
- After the exchange, every square where a bishop could fork two pieces is a danger.
- Keep golds and silvers connected; loose pieces invite bishop drops.
- The right silver decides the plan: reclining (4g-5f), rapid (3g-4f) or climbing (2g-2f).
Typical mistakes
Two positions where natural-looking moves go wrong. Play the move you would choose on the board.
Typical mistake 1 of 2
White to move. Many players reach for P-7d here — find the better move.
Why P-7d is a mistake
Before the silver reaches 2b, White's lance on 1a sits on an open diagonal. After 7d, a bishop drop on 5e attacks both the rook and that lance.
Better: S-2b.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
White to move. Many players reach for R-8d here — find the better move.
Why R-8d is a mistake
The rook on 8d and the lance on 1a would both stand on diagonals from 6f, so a bishop drop there forks them. Play silver to 2b first to cover the lance.
Better: S-2b.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-2f 2.△P-8d 3.▲P-7f 4.△G-3b 5.▲G-7h 6.△P-8e 7.▲B-7g 8.△P-3d 9.▲S-8h 10.△Bx7g+ 11.▲Sx7g 12.△S-2b 13.▲S-4h 14.△S-6b 15.▲P-4f 16.△P-6d 17.▲S-4g 18.△S-6c 19.▲S-5f 20.△S-5d
- Variation 1 (instead of move 10): White declines the exchange by closing the diagonal. 10.△P-4d 11.▲P-2e 12.△B-3c
- Variation 2 (instead of move 11): Black recaptures with the knight instead of the silver. 11.▲Nx7g 12.△S-2b 13.▲S-4h
- Variation 3 (instead of move 15): Rapid silver: the silver climbs via 3g to 4f. 15.▲P-3f 16.△P-6d 17.▲S-3g 18.△S-6c 19.▲S-4f
FAQ
Is the Bishop Exchange good for beginners?
It is playable but demanding. With a bishop in each hand, one loose piece can be forked by a bishop drop. Learn forks and piece values first, and keep your golds and silvers connected.
What are the plans for the right silver?
Reclining silver (4g to 5f) for a steady game, rapid silver (3g to 4f) for an early attack, or climbing silver up the 2nd file. The main line here uses the reclining silver.
Related
Lessons: The Fork · Piece Values and Trades · Climbing Silver (Bogin)
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Rin, “Rush”
More openings:
Blink and it's over.
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