From: Doug Dysart <dysartdj <at> EMAIL <dot> UC <dot> EDU>
Date: 18 nov 1998
Subject: Re: Ranging Rook and Bishop Exchange

Hi there,

>Read in book that Ranging Rook should avoid exchanging rooks
>early -- why. Asked one of my dan friends he did not know. Thought
>perhaps some you may know ...

In Ranging Rook it is definitely bad to trade Bishops, but Rooks is a
little less clear.  I'm not a strong dan-player or anything, but I think
it's got to be for much the same reason as with the Bishops.  Ranging Rook
is a slower opening which takes more careful play than static rook.
Trading pieces, especially Rooks or Bishops, allows the opponent to exploit
holes in one's positions not associated with static rook.  Another reason
is probably the fact that Ranging Rook involves an early movement of the
Rook which is wasted if it is traded.  That Rook move could also have been
used to better protect the King.

Just using my intuition.  Probably wrong. :-)

Doug Dysart
Ohio Shogi Club
http://members.theglobe.com/ohioshogi