From: Larry Kaufman <lkaufman <at> WIZARD <dot> NET>
Date: 18 nov 1998
Subject: Re: Ranging Rook and Bishop Exchange

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

George :)

George Jost
Ottawa Shogi Club
Mondays 7 pm Cafe Wim

     I'm sure you mean bishops.  The side with the safer king wants to
exchange rooks usually, which means Ranging Rook except in case of Static
Rook Anaguma.
     Ranging Rook generally fears the exchange of bishops because the bishop
is the piece that keeps the Static Rook from breaking thru and promoting.
If the bishops are exchanged Ranging Rook may have to resort to contortions
to keep the Static Rook out.  Also, in Static vs. Ranging Rook the closeness
of king and bishop for Static side is a liability, which the exchange of
bishops eliminates.
     One exception to the above; if Ranging Rook splits his generals two and
two, rather than the more common three near the king and one near the
bishop, then he need not fear (and may even seek) the exchange of bishops,
as his generals are already positioned to keep out the Static Rook.  This is
most often the case with Central Rook.

     Regards, Larry Kaufman (5 Dan)