One surprising attack of Side Pawn Picker (Yokofutori)

Side Pawn Picker (Yokofutori), shown in figure. 1, is said to be difficult tactics for amateur players to master because this is so rapid game and there is a risk you are defeated at once resistlessly if you take an even small mistake.
However, to put it the other way around, it is possible for you to attack so rapid and defeat the opponent.
Here one surprising attack is introduced which you can use when the opponent plays Side Pawn Picker.

figure. 1

I will introduce the strategy of gote, so kifu and board is shown in the view side of gote with inverting the board.
The opening of Yokofutori is, P-3d, P-7f, P-8d, P-2f, P-8e, P-2e, G-3b, G-7h, P-8f, Px8f, Rx8f, P-2d, Px2d, Rx2d, Rx7f (figure. 1). The name "Side Pawn Picker" derives from this final movement taking the side Pawn of Rook.
In the ordinary Joseki, the next movement in figure. 1 is B-3c in order to prevent B-8h+.
However, I will introduce one surprising attack which is categorized in Side Pawn Picker Bishop*45 strategy. At the begging of this, in the figure. 1, Bx2b+, Sx2b, P*8b, Sx8b, B*6e (figure. 2). The name "Bishop*45 strategy" derives from this final movement which is B*4e in actual direction board.

figure.2

After figure. 2, R-8f, Bx4c+ (figure. 3). Bx4c+ is a strong attack.
If the opponent take Gx4c, you can attack by Rx2b (figure. 4).
In other hands, if the opponent will move P*2c in figure. 3, you have an advantage by +Bx3b, Px2d, P*8h.

figure. 3

figure.4

After figure. 4, the Joseki is Rx8i+, +Rx2a, P*4a, N*5e, G-4b, S*4c (figure. 5). You can attack in this way.

figure. 5

However, in fact, it is said that the opponent have an advantage in the position of figure. 5 by good move G4b-5b.
But the move G4b-5b is very difficult to play if he doesn't know and I guess that not so many amateur players know Joseki perfectly, so I think this attack is effective in amateur championship.
If you have a chance, let's try this.

My real game against 2 Dan player is shown below as an example. The opponent couldn't succeeded to defend perfectly, so I won this game by only 36 moves!

Takeda castle ruin (Japanese Machu Picchu)

Takeda castle shown in the below pictures is one of the famous tourist spot in Hyogo prefecture.
This is Japanese castle ruin built on the mountain in 15th century, and called "Japanese Machu Picchu" by the appearance (I guess real Machu Picchu is much more large than Takeda castle, of course).

If the weather condition is satisfied, you can see fantastic scene which castle floats above the clouds.

cited from http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2137953026027659301/2137964105402037103

cited from http://unifairspoland.com/

If you like ruin, I think you would probably like that.

Words of wisdom by professional shogi players

There are many words of wisdom by professional shogi players. Some of them are famous among shogi fans in Japan, but they may not be translated into English. So some words of professional players, especially my favorite ones, are introduced here.

"Recently, some Static rook players have also played Swinging rook, and they play well hastily. But I'm an eel restaurant which specialized for an eel, so I can't be defeated by an eel menu served by family restaurant."(by Takeshi Fujii)
- This words shows his spirit as specialist of 4th-file-Rook by allegories.

"I have no fear as long as I read through."(Yoshiharu Habu)
- His super play is sustained by enormous and accurate read.

"It's not such easy that I can win with making pride a priority. All that counts is the result, not the process."(Akira Watanabe)
- This words shows his rational play style.

"The important thing is to create. We make progress when we get out of mimic and create a new thing."(Kouzou Masuda)

"Ordinary movement is better than clever movement."(Yasuharu Oyama)
- This word shows that eccentric movement is seemed to be fancy but it has poor substance. The unspectacular movement is really good one. I think this thought is very for savvy people.

"The important thing is how you think." (Takeshi Fujii)
- He must have succeeded in making many original tactics by this thought.


Small amounts of words by professional shogi players are shown here. I will write additionally someday.

Today's game

I joined shogi convention today.

What do you move in the position of figure. 1?

figure. 1

Figure. 1 is a branch position which I judged I was in a bad position and avoided.
However, Px5d without Gold escaping is a good move. If the opponent move Lx5h+, I will take Rx5i (figure. 2).
In figure. 2, I think I'm in a little better situation and I should have choose this position.
In real game, I didn't notice the move which Gold didn't escape. Therefore. I avoided the position of figure. 1 and I became in bad position then lost.

figure. 2

In figure. 3, the opponent aims to rush in 8 line. Lx8g+ is severe attack.

What do you move in figure. 3 ?

 

figure. 3

 I moved N*7e (figure. 4).

This move defends by attacking the root piece and is effective in this position.

If the opponent move G-7b, I can attack by S*6a or Bx5b+.

figure. 4

After figure. 4, the game proceeded as Lx8g+, Nx8c+, Kx8c, P*8d, Kx8d, S*7e, K-8c, L*8d, K-9d, Sx8g, +Rx8g, L*8h (figure. 5).

I succeeded in counterattacking.

figure. 5

After figure. 5, P*8f, S*9f, +Rx7f (figure. 6).

Can you find the decisive move in figure. 6?

figure. 6

If Silver at 7e is taken, the opponent can survive.

So I moved B-5h (figure. 7).

figure. 7

After figure. 7, the game proceeded as N*6h, Bx6h, +Rx6h, +Px4b (figure. 8).

In figure. 8, the opponent can't prevent both S*8c and S*8e, it's typical Brinkmate.

figure. 8

Tendo City

Tendo City is called a Shogi's town.
There are some things related to Shogi, such as Shogi museum or event.
Surprisingly, mate problems are displayed on the road, utility pole and so on.

 

 

In fact, more than 90 percent of Shogi pieces are made in Tendo city.

(cited by http://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_06210cc3290032940/photo/?screenId=OUW3701)

Furthermore, you can play shogi for free at Tendo shogi interaction class near Tendo station
.

(cited by http://shogiigo.com/dojo/%E5%A4%A9%E7%AB%A5%E5%B0%86%E6%A3%8B%E4%BA%A4%E6%B5%81%E5%AE%A4)

There are many spring inn and many sightseeing spots in Tendo.
If you have time in Japan, I can recommend you to visit there.

(cited by http://www.jalan.net/kankou/060000/060200/)

 (cited by http://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_06210cd2110077452/?screenId=OUW1701)

Double check

What do you move in figure. 1?

 figure. 1

In fact, you can mate the opponent's King in one move, +R-2d (figure. 2).
This is so-called "Double check." In figure. 2, the opponent's King can't escape anywhere. If the opponent put pieces between King and one of Rook and Horse and stop the influence of it, I can take the King by the other.
Occasionally, Double check is so powerful technique.

figure.2

The below kifu of Central Rook is famous for very short game by double check.



The gote should have defend in 10th move (figure. 3) by such as K-4b instead of P-8e.
However, some players don't notice the mate by Rx3c+ in the position of  figure. 3, so you can try it if you have a chance.

figure. 3

Play chess at Tokyo Bilingual Chess Club

I played chess at Tokyo Bilingual Chess Club the other day.
I enjoyed playing many games in the friendly atmosphere.

I'm a beginner in chess and know nothing about chess tactics or techniques.
However, I could fight well for a beginner owing to my shogi experience. Concretely, I paid attention to use all pieces well and not make ineffective positioned pieces, and could read through easy checkmate.

The impressive position is figure. 1.

figure. 1

I played Nxe6, Qxc4, Qxc4, Nxc4, Nxf8, Kxf8, P-e6 (figure. 2). Though this move may not good, but I felt good because I achieved sacrificing pieces which is difficult for beginner.
 

figure. 2

Figure. 3 is also impressive position.

figure. 3

I moved B-d6 (figure. 4). This aims both Bxa3 and R-e7+ and I think this is severe.
But after that, I running out of time and lost.

figure. 4

If the opportunity arises, I want to join chess championship abroad after studying more.