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- COM
- This lesson shows the Double Fortress, which is the principal opening
- in the Static Rook versus Static Rook category. Professionals consider
- this to be the most difficult of all openings, but the basic pattern is
- easy to learn.
-
- Adapted from `Shogi for Beginners,' by John Fairbairn, Chapter 11.
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- White: Human
- Black: Human
- Handicap: Even
- Level 1
- B 1 P7g-7f
- W 1 P8c-8d
- COM
- P-8d signals a Static Rook by White.
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- B 2 S7i-6h
- COM
- While the Bishop's diagonal is still closed, Black takes the opportunity
- to push his Silver up.
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- W 2 P3c-3d
- B 3 S6h-7g
- COM
- This manoeuvre of the Silver is the hallmark of the Fortress opening.
- The Silver can also get to 7g via 7h.
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- W 3 S7a-6b
- COM
- Silvers before Golds is especially important in the Double Fortress.
- This will be White's attacking Silver, and it is moved early to put
- pressure on the opponent.
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- B 4 P2g-2f
- COM
- With his Silver on 7g Black is committed to a Static Rook. One usually
- does not push this Pawn unless one intends to keep the Rook on this
- file.
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- W 4 S3a-4b
- COM
- S-4b is needed to answer Black P-2e with S-3c. Otherwise, Black can force
- the exchange of his Rook Pawn, which is always an advantage.
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- B 5 S3i-4h
- COM
- Black brings out his attacking Silver.
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- W 5 G4a-3b
- COM
- This is a key move in the Double Fortress: it protects the head of the
- Bishop but still allows the Bishop to get out. Also, the Gold is now
- the foundation stone of White's castle.
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- B 6 G6i-7h
- W 6 P5c-5d
- B 7 P5g-5f
- COM
- The exchange of 5-Pawn pushes is typical of the fast modern style of
- shogi. It allows the Bishop to attack the enemy camp in one move; for
- example B-7i, attacking 1c.
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- W 7 K5a-4a
- B 8 K5i-6i
- COM
- The Kings castle along the back rank in order to avoid blocking
- the Bishop.
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- W 8 G6a-5b
- B 9 G4i-5h
- COM
- The castle with the Golds moved crabwise to a position where they are
- the King's claws is called the Crab. It can evolve into the Fortress,
- but is often used on its own in handicap games.
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- W 9 S4b-3c
- B 10 B8h-7i
- COM
- This `Retreating Bishop' is a key manoeuvre in the Double Fortress.
- The Bishop is the star of this opening, and the handling of the Bishop
- is usually the decisive factor in getting the strategic lead.
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- W 10 B2b-3a
- B 11 P6g-6f
- COM
- P-6f makes room for the Gold.
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- W 11 P4c-4d
- B 12 P1g-1f
- COM
- It is now time to decide on a specific attack, and this is a common choice.
- It aims at attack at attacking the edge along with B-7i. Edge attacks are
- common in the Double Fortress.
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- W 12 P1c-1d
- COM
- This is a common response, but is not necessary.
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- B 13 P3g-3f
- COM
- P-3f makes room for the Knight or the Silver.
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- W 13 P7c-7d
- COM
- P-7d prepares a niche for the Bishop. This is a safe way to play.
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- B 14 P2f-2e
- COM
- The situation is tricky, but Black is aiming at S-3g-2f (called a `Climbing
- Silver') followed by P-1e, Px1e; Sx1e, which is a standard sacrifice to
- put pressure on the edge file.
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- W 14 P8d-8e
- B 15 S4h-3g
- W 15 B3a-6d
- COM
- This common tactic is used to restrain the Climbing Silver.
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- B 16 G5h-6g
- COM
- Black's attack is being held up, so he resumes castling.
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- W 16 B6d-7c
- COM
- Leaving the Bishop at 6d would leave it too exposed in the coming fight.
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- B 17 L1i-1g
- W 17 K4a-3a
- B 18 R2h-1h
- COM
- Moving the Lance up with the Rook behind it like this is called `Spearing
- the Sparrow.' Black now threatens P-1e, Px1e; Lx1e and Black can break
- into 1c by brute force.
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- W 18 K3a-2b
- COM
- White has to defend 1c with one more piece. Alternately, G-2b is bad shape,
- and S-2b would allow Black to get a Pawn in hand with P-2d.
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- B 19 B7i-5g
- W 19 S6b-5c
- COM
- A quiet developing move. Usually, the further forward the Silver are,
- the better.
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- B 20 K6i-7i
- W 20 G5b-4c
- COM
- White's Fortress is now complete. This castle is very strong in defense as
- the Silver on 5c can go to 4b.
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- B 21 K7i-8h
- COM
- If you make a castle, you should put your King in it.
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- W 21 P9c-9d
- B 22 P9g-9f
- COM
- The opening stage is over. Black is aiming at exchanging on the 1-file.
- White plans to advance to advance on the 6-file.
- ENDCOM
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