From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 26 mar 1999
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #21

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is Problem #21.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)


Problem #21

You can promote your Rook.
But Rx2c+, G3b, +R2f, P*2c would be just promoting your Rook.
There will be more valuable move here.


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


Answer #21

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

The answer is ; P*2d, Px2d, P*2c

Point : Capture a Bishop for almost nothing rather than Rook promotion

The player who promotes his or her Rook should be a beginner.

Promoting a Rook is a certain advantage. But White respond it by G3b,
then you will take back your promoted Rook to 2f and White will drop
a defensive Pawn on 2c which make the situation calm down.

See the pawn drop on 2d. To prevent the Pawn from promoting in the third Rank
by Px2c+ which becomes very powerful, White will have to take the Pawn on 2d by
Px2d. Making a hole ahead of White's bishop on 2c and dropping a pawn there
will bring you a Bishop for almost nothing. Takig a Bishop for almost nothing
is much better than just a Rook promotion.

End