Castles · 矢倉囲い
Yagura.
The classic fortress of the static rook: king on 8h behind a wall of a silver and two golds.
How it goes together
The rook stays home on the right, so the king goes left. Silver to 7g and gold to 6g make the front wall, the second gold on 7h stands next to the king on 8h, and the bishop, which started on 8h, has moved out of the way. It takes about ten moves, and in games where both sides keep their rooks home it is the most played castle there is.
What it is good against
Solid from the front and against diagonal attacks, which is where a static rook opponent comes from. The 6g gold and 7g silver protect each other, and the king has the 9i corner behind him if he needs it.
Where it breaks
Time. Ten moves is a long while, and a half-built Yagura is a weak one; the whole art of the opening is building it without falling behind. Once built, the head of the 7g silver and the edge file are the usual points of attack.
When to build it
When both players keep their rooks on the right. Against a ranging rook it is the wrong shape; choose a Mino on the left, or a castle in the corner.
Build it at the board.
The app names the castle you are building as you play, and its lesson walks the king into a Mino one step at a time.