Ranging Rook · Mino castle
Opposing Rook opening
向かい飛車
Black moves the rook to 8h, directly facing White's rook. The idea is to open the 8th file with a pawn push and trade rooks on Black's terms.
In the Opposing Rook, Black moves the rook to 8h, where it faces White's rook on the same file. After castling in a Mino on the right, Black opens the 8th file with a pawn push and aims to trade rooks when White's camp has more gaps for a rook drop. The bishop must go to 7g first to clear the way. It suits players who like open files.
Move 20 of 20: △P-1d
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 bishop to 7g first; only then can the rook reach 8h.
- Castle in a Mino on the right before opening the 8th file.
- A rook trade suits Black when White's castle has more gaps for a rook drop.
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 to 8h. Swing the rook before walking the king.
Better: R-8h.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for S-7h here — find the better move.
Why S-7h is a mistake
The bishop diagonal is open and the silver on 7i was guarding the bishop. After it moves, White takes on 8h. Close the diagonal with 6f.
Better: P-6f.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-3d 3.▲P-6f 4.△P-8d 5.▲B-7g 6.△P-8e 7.▲R-8h 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.▲G6i-5h 18.△P-6d 19.▲P-1f 20.△P-1d
- Variation 1 (instead of move 6): White develops the silver before pushing to 8e. 6.△S-6b 7.▲R-8h 8.△P-8e
- Variation 2 (instead of move 19): Black opens the 8th file at once. 19.▲P-8f 20.△Px8f 21.▲Rx8f 22.△P*8e 23.▲R-8h
- Variation 3 (instead of move 20): White pushes the 7th-file pawn; Black starts the 8th-file fight. 20.△P-7d 21.▲P-8f
FAQ
Why does the bishop go to 7g first?
The rook travels along rank h, and the bishop on 8h stands in its way. Bishop to 7g clears the square and also guards 8f against White's 8th-file push.
When should you trade rooks in the Opposing Rook?
When White's castle has more gaps for a rook drop than yours. Finish your Mino first, then open the 8th file with a pawn push to 8f.
Related
Lessons: Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · The Mino Castle · Piece Values and Trades
Terms:
More openings:
I know forty moves of theory. Move forty-one? Let's not talk about it.
Practise the Opposing Rook in the app
The app's opening library walks you through all 12 openings move by move. Then try the Opposing Rook against eight AI rivals and get every game explained in plain English.
Free on iPhone & Android. Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Privacy