Static Rook · Flexible (often a central king, nakazumai)
Double Wing Attack opening
相掛かり
Both players push their rook pawns and trade them early, keeping the bishop lines closed. The rooks become active fast, so every move counts.
In the Double Wing Attack both players push their rook pawns straight away and trade them early, while the bishop lines stay closed. The rooks become active within a few moves, so the opening is fast and every move counts. Castles stay light, often just a king near the center. It suits players who enjoy direct play and already know the basic pawn and rook tactics.
Move 20 of 20: △P-7d
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
- Guard your bishop's side with the gold on 7h before trading pawns.
- After your rook takes on 2d, do not grab the pawn dropped on 2c if a gold protects it.
- When White trades on the 8th file, recapture and drop a pawn on 8g to block the rook.
Typical mistakes
Two positions where natural-looking moves go wrong. Play the move you would choose on the board.
Typical mistake 1 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for Rx2c+ here — find the better move.
Why Rx2c+ is a mistake
The pawn on 2c is protected by the gold on 3b. If the rook takes it, the gold captures your rook. Retreat the rook instead.
Better: R-2f.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for S-3h here — find the better move.
Why S-3h is a mistake
Ignoring the pawn on 8f lets it capture on 8g and promote, attacking your bishop and gold. Take the pawn first.
Better: Px8f.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-2f 2.△P-8d 3.▲P-2e 4.△P-8e 5.▲G-7h 6.△G-3b 7.▲P-2d 8.△Px2d 9.▲Rx2d 10.△P*2c 11.▲R-2f 12.△P-8f 13.▲Px8f 14.△Rx8f 15.▲P*8g 16.△R-8d 17.▲S-3h 18.△S-7b 19.▲K-6h 20.△P-7d
- Variation 1 (instead of move 11): Black retreats the rook all the way to 2h. 11.▲R-2h 12.△P-8f 13.▲Px8f 14.△Rx8f 15.▲P*8g
- Variation 2 (instead of move 12): White opens the bishop line before trading. 12.△P-3d 13.▲P-7f 14.△P-8f 15.▲Px8f 16.△Rx8f
- Variation 3 (instead of move 16): White retreats the rook to its home square. 16.△R-8b 17.▲S-3h 18.△S-7b
FAQ
Where does the king go in the Double Wing Attack?
Usually it stays near the center (nakazumai) instead of entering a full castle; in the main line it steps only to 6h. Guard the bishop's side with the gold on 7h before the pawn trades.
Should your rook take the pawn White drops on 2c?
Not when the gold on 3b protects it, because the gold would capture your rook. Retreat the rook to 2f instead.
Related
Lessons: Pawn Techniques: Dangling and Joining Pawns · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · Piece Values and Trades
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Sato, “The Purist”
More openings:
The rook stays home. Classic is classic.
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