AI rival · default level 5 (adjustable 1–10)
Mika
“Swing Queen” · Ranging Rook fan
Watch my rook swing — then watch your plan fall apart.
Mika, “Swing Queen”, is a Ranging Rook specialist. Early on she swings her rook across the board and tucks her king away on the opposite wing.
How Mika plays
Mika's AI gives a big opening bonus to rook moves toward the center or the far side. As Black she aims for 5h, 6h or 7h (Central, Fourth-file or Third-file Rook), with a smaller bonus for 8h, the Opposing Rook. Her king heads for the side the rook left, where the Mino castle stands.
Her default level is 5, adjustable 1–10.
How to beat Mika
Keep your rook home and castle on your left, away from it: a Boat castle lets you attack early, an Anaguma suits a slower game. Aim at the Mino's weak points, the edge and the head of her king, and watch the file her rook landed on, since her counterattack starts there.
What she teaches you
How to meet Ranging Rook from the Static Rook side, and how a Mino comes apart.
Tips
- Castle away from your rook; a Boat castle with the king on 7h is quick.
- Push pawns at the head of her king and probe the edge beside her castle.
- Trade a tokin for the silver next to her king to break the Mino.
What Mika says
- “My rook swings left. Can you keep up?”
- “Watch the rook swing!”
- “Ranging Rook forever!”
- “Nice! You handled the swing.”
Opening to study before you play Mika: Fourth-file Rook
FAQ
What is Ranging Rook?
Swinging the rook from its home file to the other side of the board early, usually to the 5th to 8th file, and castling where it left. It is Mika's default style.
What level is Mika?
Default level 5, adjustable 1–10 in the app.
Prepare
Lessons: Static Rook vs Ranging Rook · The Boat Castle and Breaking Castles · The Mino Castle
Openings: Fourth-file Rook · Third-file Rook · Gokigen Central Rook
Terms:
My rook swings left. Can you keep up?
Challenge Mika in the app
Mika waits on the Rival Road at level 5 — or set any level from 1 to 10. Win to earn stars, and get every game against Mika explained in plain English.
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