How to Break the Fourth File Rook(四間飛車) and the Basics of Fourth File Rook Theory: The Key Lies in the Bishop’s Position

 Characteristics and Strategy(Opening,Joseki,定跡) of the Fourth File Rook

Summary

  • If you can displace the bishop, you can crush the Fourth File Rook.
  • Therefore, the battle becomes one of how to shift the bishop’s position.

Introduction

The Fourth File Rook is a “counter-focused” strategy that waits for the opponent to make mistakes rather than attacking proactively.

If you attack recklessly, you will suffer a counterattack that takes advantage of the solidity of the Mino castle.


The weakness of the Fourth File Rook is the bishop!!

The most important point in breaking this strategy is to drive the bishop away.

This is because the bishop in the Fourth File Rook firmly defends the pawn in front of the rook (the square 2d).

  • While the bishop remains: you cannot break through the rook’s file.
  • After the bishop is displaced: you can promote from 2d and reach a winning position for Static Rook.

Many joseki against the Fourth File Rook (such as Climbing Silver or rapid attack variations) are essentially battles over how to target the bishop.

Once you break through the rook’s file and create a promoted rook, it becomes a winning setup for Static Rook.

That is the goal.

In joseki as well, early P-4e attacks＝4五歩早仕掛け, “Pon-pon Knight＝ポンポン桂,” Climbing Silver＝棒銀, and the Yamada System＝山田定石 all focus on the bishop and aim for victory.


Summary

  • The weakness of the Fourth File Rook is the bishop
  • Joseki against the Fourth File Rook revolve around how to change the bishop’s position
  • Specific ways to displace the bishop will be covered next time

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ahiru9920
I am a 4-dan shogi player. My achievements include 3rd place in a prefectural high school tournament and a top-16 finish in a Tokyo amateur adult tournament. I currently work as an online shogi instructor. If you are interested, please contact me on Discord under the same name. The first trial lesson is free.

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