From: George Fernandez <fernandz <at> EROLS <dot> COM>
Date: 21 may 1996
Subject: Re: Oh the Pain!

At 07:47 AM 5/21/96 -0400, you wrote:
>This past weekend I got slaughtered in a Yagura game.  That's fine - it
>happens quite a bit.  Only problem is I've seen this type of attack before -
>even used it, but couldn't defend it.  And I know it is defencible...
>After a Yagura opening...
>P-1e, Px1e; Sx1e, Lx1e; Lx1e, P*1c - and with the bishop hitting 1c also.
>My position caved in.  I never did drop the lance back at 1a.
>I wish I could give more of the game score - it was a late night game and
>my memory is terrible then.  So I guess my question is if the above
>exchange is joseki for both sente and gote, and what the plans are for both
>sides?
>Thanks.
>Tony Salvaggione

        Dear Tony,
        In the hands of a good player there is nothing "primitive" about the
Primitive Climbling Silver! I've had many a bad game against it myself over
the years. There are two quick suggestions I can offer without getting into
opening analisis. First, avoid playing P-1d(if you are White[gote]) while
your opponent still has the option of going into this variation as it only
helps to speed the attack along. If the edge pawn cannot be exchanged,
Black[sente] will usually play S-1e anyway. Second, keep the King back at
3a, so that after S-1e you can answer with S-2b(from 3c). This seems like a
very defensive posture, but if you can continue with YOUR attack this idle
Silver at 1e will be a big problem for Black later in the game.
        When playing White[gote] in the Double Fortress[aiyagura] opening
it's usually better to position your Bishop along the 9a-1i diagonal,
instead of at 4b. This will usually help in limiting the scope and speed of
Black's attack.
        Ciao for now,
                George