From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 27 nov 1998
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #5

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is Problem #5.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)


Problem #5

Without White's G6a, mate would be easily done by B*7a or S*7a.
The crucial point to collaps Mino castle is to attack G6a. But how?

   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL | wN |    | wG |    | bR |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      | (Nothing)        |
| wP | wK | wS |    |    |    |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
|    | wP | wP | wP |    |    |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
| bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |BS                |
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

Answer #5


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

The right answer is S*6b.

Point : Attack the Gold at 6a to collaps Mino Castle

Mino castle supported by G6a. Without that Gold, mate would be
easily done. B*4c or S*5b might be a way of attacking G6a, but not so
effective. If White has Gx6b against S*6b, mate by B*7a. In case of
no reaction by White against S*6b, mate will be done as follows; B*7a
Gx7a, Rx7a+.

Please keep in mind this silver drop is a crucial point to collaps Mino
castle. Aiming at S*6b, Black should drop Rook on 1st rank, then
edge attack, finally drop Silver at the head of the Gold as a decisive
move.