From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 12 mar 1999
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #19

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is Problem #19.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)


Problem #19

Now White are aiming at breakthrough of his head of Rook to begin
with S8g+. You will find a witty move if you do not stick to think
of defensive alternatives.

Please learn it is easy to stop your opponent's attack ahead of
his Rook.

   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |                  |
|    | wR |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
| wP |    | wN | wG |    |    |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
|    |    | wP | wP |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
|    | wS | bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
| bP |    |    | bP |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    | bG |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      | BPP              |
| BL | BN |    | bK |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

Answer #19

   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      | P                |
|    |    | bB |    |    |    |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
| wP | wR | wN | wG |    |    |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
|    |    | wP | wP |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
|    | wS | bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
| bP |    |    | bP |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    | bG |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      | P                |
| BL | BN |    | bK |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

The answer is : P*8c, Rx8c, B*7b


Point : Do not be scared to be attacked ahead of your opponent's Rook
        too much.

It is useless for you to be scared the head of your opponent's
Rook too much. It is often true that stopping your opponent's attack
ahead of his Rook is easy. Please change your mind if you are scared
to be attacked ahead of your opponent's Rook.

How about P*8h, P*8g, Px8g, Sx8g+, Gx8g, and Rx8g+?

This sequence is terrible to you. It is very childish to let your
opponent's Rook promote with minimum effort.

Drop your Pawn at the head of Rook on 8c. If he do not capture it
and let his Rook somewhere, you will have something to move. If he
respond it by Rx8c, your fork move of B*7b forms a good move.