From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 21 may 1999
Subject: Shogi strength drill - #28

Dear Shogi Fans,

Here is Problem #28.

Manabu Terao(on behalf of ISPS)

Problem #28

The vital point of White's Double Gold the ears of the King. Although the
Pawn on 2d is only Black's piece on the board for ofense, it will be enough
to give White' King a brinkmate.

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

Answer #28

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

The answer is : B*2c, K2b, B4a+

Point :  An exquisite brinkmate

G*2c, K4a is awkward.
B*2c, K3b, Bx3d+ is not tactful enough.

It's out of question if Black makes a check by G*2c to let White's
King escape to the safer point of 4a.

B*2c is a good move. Bx3d+ after K2b is full of Aji. But it will take
longer to attack White's King successfully if White responds it by S3b.

B*2c, K2b, B4a+ forms an exquisite brinkmate without any defense at White's
side. Either White captuers the promoted Bishop by Gx4a or the Pawn by
Bx2d, G*2c is checkmate.

It must be exciting if you make an exquisite move like this in a real game.