AI rival · default level 7 (adjustable 1–10)
Taro
“Book Worm” · Great openings, shaky endings
I know forty moves of theory. Move forty-one? Let's not talk about it.
Taro, the “Book Worm”, is at his best in the opening and at his shakiest at the end. He starts carefully, then grows unreliable once pieces pile up in hand and the game runs long.
How Taro plays
Taro's AI slides between two settings. Early on he reads one move deeper than his level allows, picks moves more precisely and slips far less. In the endgame he reads one move less, chooses more loosely and overlooks threats and captures about twice as often. The slide follows the pieces in hand and, after about move 20 each, the move count.
His default level is 7, adjustable 1–10.
How to beat Taro
Don't try to outplay him early. Play a solid setup you know, castle, and leave the opening level or only slightly behind. Then steer toward the endgame: safe exchanges put pieces in hand and bring on his weaker phase sooner. There, keep setting problems with mate threats.
What he teaches you
That a good opening is only a start. Taro rewards players who keep their nerve and know how to close in on a king.
Tips
- Avoid sharp opening fights, where his careful early play counts most.
- Make safe trades; pieces in hand move the game toward his weak phase.
- In the endgame, prefer quiet mate threats; he is more likely to overlook them.
What Taro says
- “I know every opening. Endgames... we'll see.”
- “Straight from the book.”
- “The opening decided it.”
- “My endgame let me down again...”
Opening to study before you play Taro: Fourth-file Rook
FAQ
What level is Taro?
Default level 7, adjustable 1–10 in the app.
Why does Taro collapse in the endgame?
By design. His AI is precise early and looser late, so the longer the game and the more pieces in hand, the likelier he is to go wrong.
Prepare
Lessons: Mate Threats and Brinkmate · Closing In: Wrap the King · Piece Values and Trades
Openings: Fourth-file Rook · Yagura
Terms:
I know every opening. Endgames... we'll see.
Challenge Taro in the app
Taro waits on the Rival Road at level 7 — or set any level from 1 to 10. Win to earn stars, and get every game against Taro explained in plain English.
Free on iPhone & Android. Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Privacy