From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 4 dec 1998
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #6

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is the problem #6.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)


Problem #6

A typical approach to mate by collapsing Imconplete Mino castle.
Black may drop Pawn or Bishop. But where? And what is the aim?


   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL | wN |    | wG |    | bR |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |                  |
| wP | wK | wS |    |    |    |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
|    | wP | wP | wP |    |    |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
| bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |BP                |
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

Answer #6

   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL | wN | wG |    |    | bR |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |                  |
| wP | wK | wS | bP |    |    |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
|    | wP | wP | wP | bB |    |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
| bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |                  |
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

The correct answer is P*6b, G7a, B*5c.

Point : Good Bishop drop at 5c.

Black may easily find attacking G6a as it is repeatedly recommended.

B*4c is a way to attack it. But not effective.

If White's next move is G7a P*5c is also one way. aiming at next P5b+,
intending Rx7a+, Kx7a, G6b, K8b and finally mate by B7a. But is is a
slack way.

Black should drop P*6b which strikes at the head of Gold. If White response
is Gx6b, B*7a would be mate. Accordingly, White may answer G7a, when Black can
take a sharp move by dropping simply B*5c.

Next Rx7a+, Kx7a, P6a+, aiming at mate as follows;
one way Kx6a, G*6b, the alternative is K8b, B7a+.