Static Rook

Static Rook (居飛車 ibisha) is one of two main opening strategies (the other being Ranging Rook). As part of a Static Rook strategy, the rook is kept on the right side of the board (its relative position remains "static") and the king is typically castled to the left. Static Rook openings were originally the main way to play shogi, and they have been studied quite extensively, leading to many well-known and sharp lines. A game where both players use a Static Rook strategy is known as a "Double Static Rook" (相居飛車 ai ibisha) game, and a game where one player uses a Static Rook strategy while the other plays a Ranging Rook strategy is known as an "Opposition" (対抗型 taikoukei) game, sometimes simply referred to as "Static vs Ranging Rook". Both kinds of games can contain Rapid Attacks (急戦 kyuusen) or become Slow Games (持久戦 jikyuusen, literally "war of attrition").

Rook Position

Each of the below openings is considered a Static Rook strategy, typically named after the file that the Rook attacks from. Use the links to find more detailed information on each one.

1st-File Rook

Static Rook (opening)

Sleeve Rook (Right 3rd-File)

Right 4th-File Rook

Double Static Rook

Double Static Rook games are among the most challenging, as their lines have been thoroughly studied and play tends to be very aggressive, with the rooks aimed directly at the kings. These games can be divided into four main categories, with two others becoming popular in recent years. They are:

Yagura

Yagura (Strategy) (矢倉 yagura)

Bishop Exchange

Bishop Exchange (角換わり kakugawari)

Gote's Tempo Loss Bishop Exchange

Gote's Tempo Loss Bishop Exchange (後手番一手損角換わり goteban itte zon kakugawari, literally "Gote One-turn-loss Bishop Exchange")

Double Wing Attack

Double Wing Attack (相掛かり aigakari)

Side Pawn Picker

Side Pawn Picker (横歩取り yoko fudori), also called "Side Pawn Taker"

Gangi

Gangi (Strategy) (雁木 gangi)

Castles

As the main attack will be coming directly at the king's head, Double Static Rook Castles typically focus on defending attacks from the front. Castles considered advantageous for a Double Static Rook game are:

Crab

Crab Castle (カニ囲い kani gakoi)

Yagura

Yagura Castle (矢倉囲い yagura gakoi)

Gangi

Gangi Castle (雁木囲い gangi gakoi), also called "Snow Roof"

Opposition

Opposition games often contain a sort of preliminary fight, where both sides attempt to break through the weaker side, promote their rooks, and then come at the king from the side. The games take shape depending on the strategy employed by the Ranging Rook player.

Castles

As it is often dangerous to expose your king, and both kings are likely to be castled on the same side of the board, the endgame almost always begins with an attack from the side. Thus, both players tend to build castles which can resist attacks from the side. This includes:

Boat　

Boat Castle (舟囲い funagakoi)

elmo　

elmo Castle (elmo囲い gakoi)

Left Mino　

Left Mino Castle (左美濃囲い hidari mino gakoi)

Bonanza　

Bonanza Castle (ボナンザ囲い bonanza gakoi)