From: Manabu Terao JAPAN SUN COM> Date: 26 feb 1999 Subject: Shogi strength drill - #17 Dear Shogi Fans, Here is Problem #17. Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS) Problem #17 You can capture whether White's Gold or Silver by using your two Pawns in hand. This is one of the tactics of using Pawns. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | | | wN | wL | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | wB | WG | WK | | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | wP | wG | wS | wP | wP | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | wP | | | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | bP | bP | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | bP | bS | | | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | bP | bG | bN | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | bR | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | PP | | | | | | | | | | bL | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ Answer #17 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | | | wN | wL | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ |P | | | | | | | wB | wG | wK | | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | wP | wG | | wP | wP | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | wP | wS | | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | bP | bP | bP | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | bP | bS | | | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | bP | bG | bN | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | bR | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | | bL | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ The answer is P*3d, Sx3d, P*3e Point : A tactics pointing out the weak point of Gold and Silver How about P4e instead? It is not so bad intending to let Black's Silver and kNight participate in the attack. However, it will fail to play a vital move. Please keep in mind that the square ahead of a Silver with a Gold attached in line horizontally is a vital point. A vital point means a weak point. That's why P*3d is a witty move. Whether White respond it by Gx3d or Sx3d, you can capture either the Gold or the Silver by dropping your Pawn on 3e. In case White form a Yagura castle, a Pawn on 3d on the board will be essential. White's Yagura castle without the Pawn on 3d is something like a bald head. White must have it covered with a cap. This is why P3d on the board needed for White's defense.