From: Manabu Terao JAPAN SUN COM> Date: 2 apr 1999 Subject: Shogi strength drill - #22 Dear Shogi Fans, Here is Problem #22. Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS) Problem #22 In case Rx2c+ is not so effective to be followed by G3b which will force your promoted Rook back from White's camp, a tactful preliminary move will be necessary before Rook promotion. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | wG | wS | wN | wL | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | wB | | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | | | | wP | | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | wP | wP | | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | wP | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | bP | bP | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | bR | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | P | | | | | | | | | bN | bL | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ Answer #22 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | wG | wS | wN | | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | P | | | | | | | | | wB | wL | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | | | |+bR | | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | wP | wP | | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | wP | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | bP | bP | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | P | | | | | | | | | bN | bL | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ The answer is : P*1b, Lx1b, Rx2c+ Point : A tactful pawn sacrifice to let your promoted Rook keep staying in your ememy camp A player who promotes his or her Rook and then have to take it back from your enemy camp is a beginner. Of course sometimes Rook promotion is the best move. However, in case just promoting Rook does not seem too effective, promote your Rook after making a preliminary move so as to activate your promoted Rook after promotion. To fullfill this purpose, after letting White's lance float by sacrificing your Pawn on 1b to be captured, then you should promote your Rook. If White respond it by G3b, then you can capture the Lance on 1b. This is to show the "tesuji" to let your promoted Rook keep staying in your enemy camp rather than letting it back from there. It depends on situations, but material advantage will be better than just promoting your Rook.