From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 19 mar 1999
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #20

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is Problem #20.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)

Problem #20

Your promoted Bishop on 6a is hopeless. If you move +Bx5b, it will
be just an promoted Bishop exchange for a Gold.

There is a more tactful move letting White capture your promoted
Bishop.

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

Answer #20

   9    8    7    6    5    4    3    2    1
+--------------------------------------------+       White in hand:
| wL |    |    | wR |    |    |    |    |    |  a   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |B                 |
|    |    |    |    | wG | wG |    |    |    |  b   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+
|    |    |+bP | wS | wP | wP |    |    |    |  c
+--------------------------------------------|
| wP |    |    | wP |    |    |    |    |    |  d
+--------------------------------------------+
|    | wP |    |    | bP |    |    |    |    |  e
+--------------------------------------------+
| bP |    |    | bP |    |    |    |    |    |  f
+--------------------------------------------+
|    | bP |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  g
+--------------------------------------------+      Black in hand:
|    |    | bG |    |    |    |    |    |    |  h   +------------------+
+--------------------------------------------+      |KPP               |
| bL | bN |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |  i   |                  |
+--------------------------------------------+      +------------------+

The answer is : P*7d, Rx6a, Px7c+

Point : How to give up your Horse more tactfully.

Everyone can think of Bx5b and Gx5b. But this kills "Aji".
If you seek for a better alternative letting White capture
your Horse to earn tempo, you will be able to find the Pawn
drop on 7d.

Indeed you lose your Horse, but your promoted Pawn on 7c is
to be promised to capture White Silver on 6c. You will never
fall into disadvantageous position under the circumstances
that White's Rook has to move to the less important square
on 6a from the better square on 8a and your Horse is to be
at last exchanged for the two pieces of Silver and kNight.
This problem is to show how to give up and let your opponent
capture your major piece.