From: "Manabu Terao - Nihon Sun Order Admi. Dept." JAPAN SUN COM> Date: 8 jun 1996 Subject: Re: 2-piece handicap Dear Shogi Fans, Here is my supplementary comment regarding how to omprove the situation after the Shitate lost his Rook in the move 22. > 1. --, S6b > 2. P7f, P5d > 3. P4f, S5c > 4. P4e, G3b > 5. P3f, P6d > 6. P3e, S2b > 7. S4h, K6b > 8. S4g, P7d > 9. P5f, K6c > 10. S6h, G6b > 11. S5g, G7c > 12. S5-4f, P8d > 13. R5h, P9d > 14. K4h, N9c > 15. P8f, P9e > 16. P5e, Px5e > 17. Rx5e, P*5d > 18. Rx9e, G-8c > 19. K-3h, K-7c > 20. G6-5h, K-8b > 21. K-2h, N-8e > 22. Px8e?, Lx9e > 23. N*3f, R*6i ----> G3h would be much better than N*3f > 24. Px8d, Gx8d Suppose the Shitate moved G3h in the move 23 instead of N*3f. If I were the Shitate Player, my thinking at this moment would be like this; It is painful to have lost my Rook. But Calm down. The past is the past. There must be a chance to win if I keep doing good moves since 2 piece handicap is really a big handicap. Let's evaluate the overall position for that. First, Compare the both Kings. Mine is in the castle consist of 2 Golds and 2 Silvers. It must not be broken easily. On the other hand, the Uwate's King is lonely. The Gold and the silver in the right flank doesn't work for defending the Uwate's King and are almost idle now. The Gold and the silver nearer to The Uwate's King are the loose pieces. The Uwate's King is much more vulnerable than mine which is my advantage. Second, consider what pieces are in hand. Mine are a kNight and 3 Pawns while the Uwate's are only a Pawn. Is there an instant and effective drop of the Uwate's Pawn in hand? It semms not as he can drop it only in the 8 and 9 files which are the farest from my King. Then, I can concentrate on counter-attacking. Third, what pieces of mine will act as the main charactors on a counter attacking stage? My pieces in Hand are slightly poor but the 3 Pawns will be useful as I can drop one in 8th file and 5th file now. Then I have to consider to activate some pieces on the Board, not in hand first. Which ones to be activated for counter-attacking? They must be the Bishop in the 7g position and the Silver in the 4f popsition. How? What is the minimum investment and/or expense to do so? Isn't N*3f good investment? Indeed the N*3f is a tesuji called "kNight drop towards the rear" and generally a good move, but in this case too expensive in my opinion. There must be a better investment or economical expense. Then I consider another tesuji. How about P*5b called "tangling Pawn"? The Uwate will most likely to have to prevent the Pawn promotion in the 5a position. The options for him to take to do so in this moment will be only two, S5c-6b or S5c-4b. The following sequence is the Shitate's desire or dream. 25. P*5b S5c-6b 26. P4d Px4d 27. Bx4d K7b 28. P*8e Gx8e This is another tesuji called "Striking Pawn" 29. N8i-7g G8d 30. P*8e G8c 31. P5a+ Sx5a This is another tesuji called "Pawn Sacrifice Promotion" 32. B5c+ S6b 33. +Bx5d K8b 34. Bx3b Of course this sequence has Uwate's bad moves. It is just for clearly showing the aim of the P*5b as a tangling Pawn and the Uwate would surely variate this sequence on the way. Salvaggione-san, how do you break the Shitate's dream as above? Regards Manabu Terao(4-dan, Ama) manabu Japan Sun COM