Fourth File Rook of ABC

　Shogi is attractive for its depth of strategy and the game play between players. Above all, finding a strategy that suits your style of playing Shogi will make Shogi more enjoyable.

 　Among the many strategies, “Fourth File Rook：Shiken-bisha” is one of the most popular strategies supported by many enthusiasts and professional players.

Fourth File Rook is a strategy in which the Rook is placed in the fourth line (the fourth vertical line counting from the left on the Shogi board) in the early stages of the game.

　I think the greatest feature of this strategy is the “subtlety of uke” in which the opponent's attack is parried while looking for a chance to counterattack.
　In addition, by deploying the Rook to the center or left side, the game often progresses relatively quietly. The slow development of the early stages of the game means that it is possible to safely form an enclosure. We believe that this is an attractive point because it is easy for beginners to set up a battle formation.

　On the other hand, however, it is necessary to select appropriate moves in response to the opponent's moves, and as one's understanding of the game strategy deepens, more sophisticated tactics are required.

　In this book, “How to Start Fourth File Rook”(FFR), I would like to carefully explain the basic stance of FFR, typical tactics, and useful points in actual play for beginners who would like to learn FFR and for those who are aiming for intermediate level.

The appeal of FFR is its flexibility and versatility.

In the early stages of the game, the player advances his pieces cautiously, carefully examining the opponent's moves, and then attacks when the timing is right. The pleasure you feel when you are able to create a tactical game or a development that takes your opponent by surprise is incomparable to anything else.

　Of course, FFR is not an all-purpose strategy in all situations. Depending on what strategy your opponent is using, you may sometimes find yourself on the defensive, or you may need to be flexible enough to switch to a different plan instead of the one you were aiming for. In particular, if your opponent uses "Rapid Attack", it is easy to get confused when you are just starting out and you may feel that FFR is difficult.

　Nevertheless, in order to be able to deal with difficult situations without panicking, we will explain in the following articles and beyond.

　In this article, we will introduce how to begin playing FFR.

　We believe that the greatest advantage of playing FFR is consistency. Since you can aim for the same shape over and over again, and since the piece set-up in the beginning does not change significantly from game to game, it is easy to memorize the standard moves, and you can steadily improve as you gain experience.