Ranging Rook · Mino castle
Fourth-file Rook opening
四間飛車
Black swings the rook to 6h, closes the bishop line with 6f and castles in a Mino on 2h. The plan is to wait and counterattack where White attacks.
The Fourth-file Rook is a Ranging Rook opening. Black closes the bishop's diagonal with 6f, swings the rook to 6h and walks the king to 2h for a Mino castle. Then Black waits and counterattacks wherever White attacks. The plan is the same almost every game and the castle is solid, which makes it a natural first opening for beginners.
Move 20 of 20: △P-6d
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
- Move the rook to 6h before the king walks right.
- When White pushes to 8e, answer with bishop to 7g.
- Finish the Mino (king 2h, silver 3h, golds 4i and 5h) and wait for White's attack.
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 K-4h here — find the better move.
Why K-4h is a mistake
The king on 4h blocks the rook's path along rank h, so the rook can no longer reach 6h. Swing the rook first.
Better: R-6h.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for K-4h here — find the better move.
Why K-4h is a mistake
This lets White push to 8f and trade pawns on the 8th file. White's rook becomes active and you must spend a move dropping a pawn on 8g.
Better: B-7g.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-8d 3.▲P-6f 4.△P-3d 5.▲R-6h 6.△P-8e 7.▲B-7g 8.△S-6b 9.▲K-4h 10.△K-4b 11.▲K-3h 12.△K-3b 13.▲K-2h 14.△P-5d 15.▲S-3h 16.△G6a-5b 17.▲P-1f 18.△P-1d 19.▲G6i-5h 20.△P-6d
- Variation 1 (instead of move 6): White develops the silver first; Black keeps castling. 6.△S-6b 7.▲K-4h 8.△K-4b
- Variation 2 (instead of move 17): Black builds a High Mino. 17.▲P-4f 18.△P-1d 19.▲G6i-5h 20.△P-6d 21.▲G-4g
- Variation 3 (instead of move 20): White prepares a rapid attack with the silver on 7c. 20.△P-7d 21.▲P-9f 22.△S-7c
FAQ
Is the Fourth-file Rook good for beginners?
Yes. The two rules to remember are to swing the rook before walking the king, and to answer White's pawn on 8e with bishop to 7g so that 8f stays guarded.
What castle do you build in the Fourth-file Rook?
The Mino castle: king on 2h, silver on 3h, golds on 4i and 5h. A High Mino, with the gold lifted to 4g after pushing the 4th-file pawn, is a common upgrade.
Related
Lessons: The Fourth-file Rook · The Mino Castle · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Hana, “The Spark” · Mika, “Swing Queen” · Taro, “Book Worm”
More openings:
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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