Static Rook attack · Boat castle
Right Fourth-file Rook opening
右四間飛車
A 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.
The Right Fourth-file Rook meets a Fourth-file Rook head-on. Black castles quickly in a Boat castle, moves the rook to 4h and stacks rook, silver and pawn on the 4th file, the same file as White's rook. The break is the pawn push to 4e, with the silver recapturing. It suits players who like an early, direct attack and can count attackers and defenders.
Move 20 of 20: △S-3b
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
- Stack rook, silver and pawn on the 4th file: count attackers before breaking.
- The pawn goes first (4e); the silver recaptures.
- Castle quickly in a Boat castle (king 7h) before the fight starts.
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 S-4e here — find the better move.
Why S-4e is a mistake
The silver steps onto 4e where White's pawn on 4d can take it. Trading a silver for a pawn slows the attack. Push the pawn to 4e first.
Better: P-4e.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for Bx4d here — find the better move.
Why Bx4d is a mistake
The pawn on 4d is protected by White's bishop on 3c. Bishop takes pawn, bishop takes bishop: you lose the bishop for a pawn.
Better: K-6h.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-3d 3.▲P-2f 4.△P-4d 5.▲P-2e 6.△B-3c 7.▲K-6h 8.△R-4b 9.▲K-7h 10.△K-6b 11.▲P-4f 12.△K-7b 13.▲R-4h 14.△K-8b 15.▲S-3h 16.△S-7b 17.▲S-4g 18.△G4a-5b 19.▲S-5f 20.△S-3b
- Variation 1 (instead of move 8): White moves the gold before swinging the rook. 8.△G-3b 9.▲K-7h 10.△R-4b
- Variation 2 (instead of move 11): Black moves the rook to 4h before pushing the pawn. 11.▲R-4h 12.△K-7b 13.▲P-4f
- Variation 3 (instead of move 20): Black breaks with 4e and recaptures with the silver. 20.△P-9d 21.▲P-4e 22.△Px4e 23.▲Sx4e
FAQ
What castle do you build with the Right Fourth-file Rook?
The Boat castle: king on 7h, golds on 6i and 5h. It takes only a few moves, so you can start the attack early.
Why push the pawn to 4e before the silver?
A silver that steps onto 4e can be taken by White's pawn on 4d, trading a silver for a pawn. Push the pawn first, then recapture on 4e with the silver.
Related
Lessons: Counting Attackers and Defenders · The Boat Castle and Breaking Castles · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Kenji, “The Wall” · Kuma, “The Bear” · Rin, “Rush”
More openings:
Knock all you want. The door stays shut.
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