Ranging Rook · Mino castle
Third-file Rook opening
三間飛車
Black puts the rook on 7h, behind the 7th-file pawn. It supports a pawn push on the 7th file and keeps a flexible Mino castle.
The Third-file Rook puts Black's rook on 7h, right behind the 7th-file pawn, so it can support a later push to 7e and a fight on that file. The king castles in a Mino on the right, exactly as in the Fourth-file Rook, and the bishop goes to 7g when White pushes to 8e. It makes a good second Ranging Rook once the Mino plan is familiar.
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
- The rook on 7h backs up the 7th-file pawn for a later 7e push.
- Protect 8f with the bishop on 7g when White pushes to 8e.
- Castle in a Mino on the right, just like the Fourth-file 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 K-4h here — find the better move.
Why K-4h is a mistake
The king on 4h would stand in the rook's way along rank h. Swing the rook to 7h before walking the king.
Better: R-7h.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for P-1f here — find the better move.
Why P-1f is a mistake
Ignoring the 8e pawn lets White trade on the 8th file with an active rook. Bishop to 7g keeps 8f guarded.
Better: B-7g.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-8d 3.▲P-6f 4.△S-6b 5.▲R-7h 6.△P-5d 7.▲K-4h 8.△K-4b 9.▲K-3h 10.△K-3b 11.▲K-2h 12.△G6a-5b 13.▲S-3h 14.△P-8e 15.▲B-7g 16.△P-3d 17.▲G6i-5h 18.△P-6d 19.▲P-1f 20.△P-1d
- Variation 1 (instead of move 3): Black pushes to 7e at once (the aggressive Ishida style). 3.▲P-7e 4.△P-3d 5.▲R-7h
- Variation 2 (instead of move 14): White closes the bishop line with 4d. 14.△P-4d 15.▲B-7g 16.△P-8e
- Variation 3 (instead of move 19): Black builds a High Mino. 19.▲P-4f 20.△P-1d 21.▲G-4g
FAQ
How is the Third-file Rook different from the Fourth-file Rook?
The rook stands on 7h instead of 6h, behind the 7th-file pawn, ready to support 7e. The Mino castle and the reply to White's 8e push are the same.
Can Black push to 7e straight away?
Yes. One aggressive line pushes the pawn to 7e on Black's second move, before the rook swings to 7h. The main line here plays the calmer 6f instead.
Related
Lessons: The Mino Castle · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · The Fourth-file Rook
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Mika, “Swing Queen”
More openings:
Watch my rook swing — then watch your plan fall apart.
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