Static Rook · Central king (nakazumai)
Side Pawn Capture opening
横歩取り
After the rook-pawn trade, Black's rook takes White's side pawn on 3d. White gets fast development in return, so the game turns sharp early.
In the Side Pawn Capture both players open their bishop lines, push their rook pawns and trade them. Then Black's rook moves sideways to take White's pawn on 3d. Black is a pawn up, White gets fast development in return, and the game turns sharp almost at once. Exact move order matters for both sides, so it is better studied after the calmer Static Rook openings.
Move 20 of 20: △S-2b
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
- Taking the side pawn wins a pawn but costs time; develop quickly afterwards.
- After White's bishop goes to 3c, retreat the rook to 3f and then to 2f.
- Drop a pawn on 8g in time: White's rook on the 8th file aims at your bishop.
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-6h here — find the better move.
Why S-6h is a mistake
With both bishop lines open, the silver on 7i is the only guard of your bishop. Moving it lets White take on 8h and promote.
Better: P-2f.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for R-2d here — find the better move.
Why R-2d is a mistake
The rook on 2d stands on the diagonal of White's bishop on 3c and is simply captured. Retreat to 3f.
Better: R-3f.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-3d 3.▲P-2f 4.△P-8d 5.▲P-2e 6.△P-8e 7.▲G-7h 8.△G-3b 9.▲P-2d 10.△Px2d 11.▲Rx2d 12.△P-8f 13.▲Px8f 14.△Rx8f 15.▲Rx3d 16.△B-3c 17.▲R-3f 18.△R-8d 19.▲R-2f 20.△S-2b
- Variation 1 (instead of move 15): Black blocks the 8th file first and keeps the rook on the 2nd file. 15.▲P*8g 16.△R-8d 17.▲R-2f 18.△K-5b
- Variation 2 (instead of move 18): White moves the king to 5b before retreating the rook. 18.△K-5b 19.▲P*8g 20.△R-8d
- Variation 3 (instead of move 20): White puts the king on 5b first, then the silver on 2b. 20.△K-5b 21.▲P*8g 22.△S-2b
FAQ
Is the Side Pawn Capture good for beginners?
It is not the easiest start. Black wins a pawn but falls behind in development, and with both bishop lines open a single misplaced piece can cost the bishop.
What does White get for the pawn?
Time. White's rook becomes active on the 8th file and the bishop comes to 3c, so Black's rook retreats to 3f and then 2f, and Black must drop a pawn on 8g in time to shield the bishop.
Related
Lessons: Pawn Techniques: Dangling and Joining Pawns · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · Piece Values and Trades
Terms:
More openings:
I know forty moves of theory. Move forty-one? Let's not talk about it.
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