AI rival · default level 2 (adjustable 1–10)

Hana

Hana

“The Spark” · Attacks from move one

I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!

Hana, “The Spark”, is the first rival on the Rival Road and the most attack-minded of the eight. She throws pieces at your king from the opening and barely protects her own.

How Hana plays

Hana's AI favors moves and drops that bring a new piece within two squares of your king, so expect early checks and pieces landing beside your castle while her own king stays thinly guarded.

Her default level is 2, adjustable 1–10. At that level she also makes plenty of ordinary mistakes, which is why new players can beat her.

How to beat Hana

Castle first: a king left on its starting square is exactly her target, and even a quick Mino blunts most of her attack. When her pieces arrive, count attackers and defenders before capturing. Every piece she loses goes into your hand, ready to drop near her king.

What she teaches you

Calm defense: castle before you fight, answer checks by capturing, blocking or moving the king, and turn captured pieces into a counterattack.

Tips

  • Walk your king into a castle before you start your own attack.
  • When she drops a piece next to your king, count before you capture it.
  • Once her attack stalls, look for a gold drop on her king's head.
Attack
Defense
Endgame

What Hana says

  • “Ready? I attack from move one!”
  • “Charge! No time to defend!”
  • “Boom! Attack always wins!”
  • “Whoa, you held me off. Rematch?”

Opening to study before you play Hana: Fourth-file Rook

Whiteno pieces in hand
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Blackno pieces in hand

The Fourth-file Rook, explained →

FAQ

Is Hana good for beginners?

Yes. She is the first rival, her default level is 2, and you can play her free in the browser at /play/. In the app her level goes from 1 to 10.

Why does Hana leave her king so open?

It is her style: her AI values attack far above defense, so she is dangerous early but easy to punish once stopped.

Prepare

Lessons: The Mino Castle · Defense Basics: Interposing and Running Early · Counting Attackers and Defenders

Openings: Fourth-file Rook · Climbing Silver

Terms:

CastleMino castleKing in the centerDefenseInterposeGold on the head

Other rivals: Kenji · Mika · Sato · Kuma · Rin · Taro · Gen

Play Hana now — free in your browser

Ready? I attack from move one!

Challenge Hana in the app

Hana waits on the Rival Road at level 2 — or set any level from 1 to 10. Win to earn stars, and get every game against Hana explained in plain English.

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