Yagura or Fortress (矢倉 yagura) is both a Static Rook opening (矢倉戦法 yagura senpō) and a castle in shogi.
Contents
- Double Yagura
- Blocking bishop with pawn
- New Yagura 24 Move Set
- Blocking bishop with silver
- Old Yagura 24 Move Set
- References
It is usually played in a Double Static Rook (相居飛車 aiibisha) opening, which is often a Double Yagura (相矢倉 aiyagura) opening. However, it may also occur in different Double Static Rook openings such as Yagura vs Right Fourth File Rook.
The Yagura castle (矢倉囲い yagura gakoi), which is the defining characteristic of Yagura games, is considered by many to be one of the strongest defensive positions in Double Static Rook games.
The term yagura is the Japanese word for a tower-like structure in traditional Japanese castles.
Double Yagura
Double Yagura (相矢倉 aiyagura) games have both players using Yagura formations.
Blocking bishop with pawn
At move 6, White has also has an option to play Climbing Silver by advancing their rook pawn to the e rank. (See: White Climbing Silver.)
New Yagura 24-Move Set
New Yagura 24-Move Set (新矢倉24手組 shin yagura nijū-tegumi)
Blocking bishop with silver
Blocking White's bishop with a silver (and also defending the eighth file from a possible attack) is an older Yagura joseki, which typically also includes advancing Black's rook pawn.
The more recent joseki advances Black's pawn on the sixth file instead. (See above.)
Old Yagura 24-Move Set
(Old) Yagura 24-Move Set (矢倉24手組 yagura nijū-tegumi)
Compared to the New Yagura 24-Move Set, note that the Old Yagura 24-Move Set is (a) symmetrical where both sides have the same formation and (b) that only Black's formation differs (White's formation is the same in both the old and new josekis.)
Right Gold to 6g variant
Right Gold To 6g (6七金右 roku-nana kin migi)
Spearing the Sparrow
Spearing the Sparrow (雀刺し suzume-zashi)