From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 4 jun 1999
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #30

Dear Shogi Fans,

This is the final Problem of Shogi strength drill in "Shogi wo Hajimeru
Hito no Tameni" written by Harada(Retired Pro, 9dan).

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)


Problem #30

White's N4e threatens to capture the Silvers either on 5g or 3g.
"Don't run from a fork." If you let one of the two Silvers escape,
you will lose the other for a kNight. What an effective move would
you make during losing a Silver?

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


Answer #30

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


The answer is : P*4c, Sx4c, P5c+

Point : Don't let either of the pieces in a fork escape.

A person who lets either of the Silvers in a fork escape is
novice. White's N4e threatens to capture either of the Silvers.
If you let escape the right Silver, you will lose the left
Silver and the reverse is also true.

Even if you lose either of the Silvers, it will be just an exchange
for a kNight and you will be able to activate your promoted Bishop
to take the kNight back responding naturally to White's move.

You do not have to be flurried. Drop a Pawn on 4c, then you will
be able to either promote your Pawn by P5c+ if White responds it
by Sx4c or promote your Rook by Rx2c+ if White responds it by Gx4c.
Either will be good to you.

It is an interesting proverb that "Don't run from a fork." But sometimes
escape from a fork is better. It will be desirable for you to make a
suitable move depending on the situations.