From: Manabu Terao JAPAN SUN COM> Date: 15 may 1999 Subject: Shogi strength drill - #27 Dear Shogi Fans, Here is Problem #27. Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS) Problem #27 There is a hole in front of White's King in Yagura castle. It will allow you to break it tactfully. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | bR | | wN | wL | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | wG | wK | | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | | wG | wS | | wP | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | wP | wP | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | bB | | | | | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | bP | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | bN | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | P | | | | | | | | | | | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ Answer #27 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 +--------------------------------------------+ White in hand: | | | | | | | | wN | wL | a +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | RG | | | | | | | | |+bP | wK | b | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ | | | | | | wG | | | wP | c +--------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | wP | wP | | d +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | bB | | | | | e +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | bP | f +--------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | bN | | | g +--------------------------------------------+ Black in hand: | | | | | | | | | | h +------------------+ +--------------------------------------------+ | S | | | | | | | | | | | i | | +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------+ The answer is : P*2c, K1b, Rx4c+, Gx4c, G*2b, Sx2b, Px2b+ Point : A move that a Pawn is worth a thousand Golds. Either P*4b or N4e is a novice move. P*4b will be responded by White's G4b to threat to capture your Rook. N*4e will be followed by the sequence of P*4d, Nx3c, Gx4c-3c which makes White's King safer. The location of your Rook and Bishop in the problem diagram is extremely good for approaching White's King. First, drop a Pawn on 2c. It is a light move. If White responds it by Gx2c, you'll be able to take the Gold on 4c for alomost nothing by Rx4c+. If White captures the Pawn by Kx2c, it will be no problem to threat the back of White's King by Rx2a+. If White respond it by K1b, Rx4c+ will close the game followed by the sequence of Gx4c, Gx2b,,,. A solid Gold Yagura will be ruined by only a Pawn drop on 2c. This is the typical case that a Pawn is worth a thousand Golds.