Static Rook · Gold Yagura
Yagura opening
矢倉
Both sides keep their rooks home. Black closes the bishop line with 6f and builds the Yagura castle around 7g-7h-6g before starting a fight.
Yagura is a Static Rook opening for games where both players keep their rooks at home. Black closes the bishop's diagonal with 6f and spends many moves on a castle that is strong from the front, and only then starts the fight. It suits patient players who like a clear structure. Beginners can play it, but the long build and the careful move order around the bishop take some practice.
Move 20 of 20: △B-3a
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 moment the left silver leaves 7i, the bishop on 8h has no defender: close the diagonal with 6f at once.
- Build silver 7g, golds 7h and 6g, then move the bishop and bring the king to 8h.
- Answer White's 8th-file pawn push with the silver on 7g.
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 P-2f here — find the better move.
Why P-2f is a mistake
The silver has left 7i, so nothing guards the bishop on 8h, and the diagonal is open. White takes the bishop and promotes. Close the diagonal with 6f first.
Better: P-6f.
Typical mistake 2 of 2
Black to move. Many players reach for P-6e here — find the better move.
Why P-6e is a mistake
Pushing the 6th-file pawn again reopens the bishop's diagonal while the bishop has no defender. White captures on 8h.
Better: P-5f.
The moves
Main line: 1.▲P-7f 2.△P-8d 3.▲S-6h 4.△P-3d 5.▲P-6f 6.△S-6b 7.▲P-5f 8.△P-5d 9.▲S-4h 10.△S-4b 11.▲G4i-5h 12.△G-3b 13.▲G-7h 14.△K-4a 15.▲K-6i 16.△G-5b 17.▲G5h-6g 18.△S-3c 19.▲S-7g 20.△B-3a
- Variation 1 (instead of move 2): White opens the bishop line first; Black closes it with 6f. 2.△P-3d 3.▲P-6f 4.△P-8d 5.▲S-6h
- Variation 2 (instead of move 4): White pushes to 8e early; the silver on 7g guards 8f. 4.△P-8e 5.▲S-7g 6.△P-3d 7.▲P-6f
- Variation 3 (instead of move 8): White prepares a rapid attack with the 6th-file silver. 8.△P-6d 9.▲S-4h 10.△S-6c 11.▲G4i-5h
- Variation 4 (instead of move 19): Black moves the bishop to 7i first; the order of castle moves is flexible. 19.▲B-7i 20.△B-3a 21.▲S-7g
FAQ
What castle do you build in Yagura?
The Gold Yagura: silver on 7g, golds on 7h and 6g, then the bishop steps aside and the king moves to 8h, with pawns on 8g, 7f and 6f in front.
What is the most common mistake in Yagura?
Moving the left silver off 7i while the bishop's diagonal is open. The bishop on 8h is then unguarded and White can take it and promote, so close the diagonal with 6f at once.
Related
Lessons: The Yagura Castle · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · Piece Values and Trades
Terms:
Rivals who play it: Sato, “The Purist” · Taro, “Book Worm” · Gen, “Old Master”
More openings:
The rook stays home. Classic is classic.
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