Lectures on the Latest Strategies, Chapter 4
From Shogipedia
Contents |
Lecture 4: Black's Fujii System
1. You can Make Another Move
In the previous lecture, I explained the current situation of Fujii System (for white). It may have made you have an impression that Fujii System is on the verge of getting extinct, but that is not necessarily true. There are still variations to which the conclusion is not yet found. So, further studies will continue to be done. After 2006, Fujii himself is being seen to try to make Fujii System revive.
In this lecture, we'll look into black's Fujii System. We've seen three types of formations in white's Fujii System, but that number decreases when it's used by black. It is because the player needs to make another move from the basic position for white's Fujii System, if he is to see static rook side's strategy. This kind of maneuvering is pretty difficult, but anyway, when using it for black, you can see the opponent's aim only after playing all of ▲S-6g, ▲G6-5h, and ▲P-1e. The three variations for white merges into only one.
Thus, the most frequent formation is Diag. 1. It is the same formation as the position where you made one move of △S-4c from white's Fujii System formation (Please consider it as Diag. 39 in the previous chapter). In this case, there's nothing for black to do but to keep attacking on "just-go-for-it" basis.
Static rook side, on the other hand, make a formation with △G-4c and △G-3b, which can deal with both attacking and defending. And that is hard to break through. In the long history of the fight between static rook and ranging rook, static rook for a long time haven't been able to find a formation that can deal with both rapid attack and slow game. But finally, it is found. Now, one superiority of ranging rook disappeared again. There are many number of actual games within only the ones with the position of Diag. 1.
Incidentally, instead of ▲S-4g at Diag. 1, black has the option of ▲S-5f, too. But white will then start to attack with △P-4e, or, △P-8f ▲Px8f △P-4e, and the winning percentage is nearly 50-50. Now, let's take a close look at ▲S-4g, which is used in many actual games.
How the game goes after Diag. 1? Major line can be classified into five.
|
Moves from Diag. 1 (1)
|  |
△L-1b is a straight forward move that is saying, "I will immediately go for Anaguma." The one that is the most impressive in this variation is Diag. 2. Black surprisingly develops two silvers and commands the center, leaving the sitting king. It is as if it's Rapid Encountered Yagura game. Doesn't it make you wonder, "Is this really a shogi game of ranging rook?" I think this is a famous game where the essense of the power of Fujii, a ranging rook player who has a sense of static rook.
Habu also adopted this △L-1b in Ryu-ou title match against Fujii, but it wasn't so successful as a strategy. After that, a common recognition was born that castling in Anaguma immediately from Diag. 1 is impossible, and △L-1b has disapeared.
|  |
We have seen this option of opposing with the thickness, with pulling back △B-4b and then, in reply to ▲P-4e, playing △K-1b and △S-2b. But with moves up to the good move of ▲S4-4e in Diag. 3, it is believed to be playable for black.
The third means is △P-7d. This move signals counterattacks such as △N-7c, or △B-5a and △B-7c. But it doesn't work as a threat card, because black has already developed ▲S-4c and adopted "nothing but to attack" formation. They will inevitably go into a full-scale battle.
The famous game between Kubo and Segawa was also with this position.
|  |
If I were to summerize what the ranging rook players say, they seem to have the impression that "black might be able to play better." But the actual results is even. I think it is because the difference in the castle stiffness is indeed too big.
The fourth means is △P-4e. It is a move to pick a fight from white side. It often proceeds with ▲S-6f △Px4f ▲Sx4f △P*4d ▲P*4e. It is not so welcome for white if he has to accept this outcome after picking the fight from his side.
The top candidate today is △P-2d. I've already explained it in the previous chapter, too. By using △P-2d as a bait, white is aiming for going into Anaguma. Now that I've mentioned it, let's take a look at this historic game. It's the game between Tanigawa and Watanabe.
|  |
An excellent counter attack hit black. ▲Px8e at Diag. 5 will be met by a cross rook tactic with △P*8f ▲Bx8f △P-5e ▲Sx5e △Rx8e. After winning this game, Watanabe went on his road to Ryu-ou.
Let me present another game where white's counterattack nicely worked. It's a game between Kubo and Gouda. Please carefully see where it branches off from the last one.
|  |
It is a move with the correction based on the idea that the push sacrifice of ▲P-6d is a bit too much. The joining pawn tactics in Diag. 5 happend because of black's excessive pawn sacrifice. In Diag. 6, black nicely gained advantage.
I have presented both successful and unsuccessful examples of △P-2d. Now, the opinions of static rook players and ranging rook players are colliding. But it is difficult for the ranging rook side to play it unless the player has done enough study on it, because black has a sitting king while white's generals are close and tight. It is the current reality that white has much better winning percentage.
2. Threat Card and the New System
△P-7d as a "threat card" can work if it is pushed in much earlier stage. In other words, you push △P-7d early, you force black to play ▲K-4h, and you go for Anaguma. Then in time it will be like Diag. 7.
If ▲S-4g here, white can swing the bishop with △B-5a and △B-7c, and can oppose black pretty well. It is because black's king structure is too bad. So in this case, black often advances with ▲S-5f. But in reply to that, △R-7b acts as a move that is unique for white. If ▲B-6f, he can go back with △R-8b, and he has no problem with going for repetition. It is a technique that can only be used by white.
|
Moves from Diag. 7
|  |
This is an example where it went into a full-scale battle. Even if black tries to play safely with ▲S-5f △R-7b ▲K-3i from Diag. 7, white will attack with △P-7e.
Both Diag. 1 and Diag. 7 are very huge issue diagram, and clear conclusion is yet to be reached. The battles between studies will continue.
By the way, if we now take a look at what the originator Fujii is doing in black, he is implementing the same minor change that was used in white. It is Diag. 9. In other words ▲P-1f, ▲P-4f formation. With this idea, he can make an attacking formation one move faster, even if white uses the threat card.
|  |
But still, in a way, it still induces a rapid attack with △P-7d ▲K-4h △B-5e (Diag. 10). In white's Fujii System it was △S-3b formation. But for some reason, even when the silver has advanced (▲S-6g formation), △B-5e rapid attack works. Unlike when he plays white, Fujii seems to be dealing with it with confidence, but it's hard play unless he has a great power. Moreover, from Diag. 10, white also has a strategy of going for a slow game by pulling the bishop with △P-4d and △B-7c. There are very large number of variations in this area.
To summarize the key points, (1) From Diag. 1, △P-2d is formidable; (2) How to react from Diag. 7; (3) How Fujii System's new form deals with △B-5e strategy at Diag. 10. These three are the issues for black.
3. Revival of Right △S-6d Rapid Attack
Let me introduce Right △S-6d Rapid Attack, too, as a countermeasure against black's Fujii System.
Diag. 11 shows the position where white advanced △S-6d. This is a way of opening the battle that we havn't seen for some time. If white pushes △P-1d at the timing when he can go for either Anaguma or rapid attack, black goes for the formation of ▲G6-5h, ▲S-6h, and ▲P-4f. And that formation is welcomed by white.
In other words, since black has advanced ▲S-6g, white can confidently advance with △S-6d. If black had waited with ▲S-7h formation, white's silver wouldn't be able to advance, because black would push ▲P-6e. Also, since black has used a turn to play ▲G6-5h, he surely won't feel like defending with ▲R-7h △P-7e ▲G-6h. The fact that ▲P-4f has been pushed turns out to be good for white; After ▲K-2h △P-7e ▲R-7h △Px7f ▲Sx7f △R-7b ▲P-6e △Bx7g+ ▲Rx7g, white has △S-5e (Diag. 12). If black replies with ▲S-6g, △Rx7g ▲Nx7g △P*7f ▲Sx7f △R*7i. It is a position that is thought to be better for white, as he can aim for △Sx4f when he has a chance to.
Thus, if one strategy becomes popular, things start to be studied and evaluated again and revive, such as, other strategies that accompanies it, other strategies that go opposite to it, and moves and ideas that has been there from the long past. A good example of it is Spearing the Sparrow against Morishita System. And likewise, Right △S-6d Rapid Attack revived thanks to Fujii System.
But black has found many new moves. At Diag. 12, even a move like ▲Sx8e was played. (Black gains one additional pawn if it proceeds △Rx7g ▲Nx7g △P*7f.)
The one that is thought to be reliable now is ▲B*8c at Diag. 12. The player who first played it is 7-dan Noboru Kosaka. Because of that, it is called "Kosaka Style".
|
Moves from Diag. 12
|  |
He quietly makes a horse with ▲B-6a+, and put pressure to white. It seems playable for ranging rook side in this line. Now that it has come to Diag. 13, black's dragon and bishop are bearing down on white's vital point. In this line, ▲P-6d △Px6d is such a deliberate push sacrifice.
4. Diversification of the Strategies
I have explained the current state of black's Fujii System. But right now, its evolution is a little bit getting slow. There are roughly two reasons for that.
One is that Double Ranging Rook became popular. Tanigawa, for example, once adopted Double Ranging Rook in 4 games in a row against Fujii. Also, in one year, Yasumitsu Satou adopted Double Ranging Rook in [[A-Class] against the tree; Fujii, Kubo, and Suzuki. Double Ranging Rook is no longer rare even in title matches. Now, even static rook players participate in Double Ranging Rook games. And that can inevitably considered as also one of indirect countermeasures against black's Fujii System.
This is an aside, but in A-Class in 2005, Double Ranging Rook was adopted in as many as 9 games, and it became the third most popular strategy next to 4th-file Rook, replacing the position of One-turn Loss Bishop Exchange. Double Ranging Rook was supposed to be an opening that appears only when two pure ranging rook players oppose. If so, it should have appeared only in 3 games in A-Class. There is a big change going. I'll make another chapter later to discuss this matter.
Another reason is that free-style ranging rook is becoming popular, such as, black's Gokigen Central Rook that starts from ▲P-5f, and the resurrection of Quick Ishida Atack that starts from ▲P-7f △P-3d ▲P-7e. In such kinds of free-style rapid attack, players' own studies fully affect the outcome in the opening, and it goes into a very close endgame as the kings' structures are not hard. If you understand it properly, you can enjoy watching it twice as much. It inevitably becomes difficult for static rook side to castle in Anaguma, so this can also be considered as one of indirect countermeasures against Anaguma.
Speaking of rough trend, it is no longer only Fujii System, as the strategies are diversified.
5. Destruction before the Creation
Here, let me show you some tough numbers for Fujii System. If we compare the winnin percentage in the games with Anaguma, it is about 60% for Static Rook Anaguma in average in professional games. But on the other hand, ranging rook Anaguma has only 44%. When a title holder castles in Static Rook Anaguma, even more extraordinary things happen.
Winning percentage in black is:
- Habu: 38 wins, 5 losses (88.4%)
- Satou: 39 wins, 9 losses (81.3%)
- Moriuchi: 21 wins, 5 losses (80.8%)
- Watanabe: 15 wins, 6 losses (71.4%)
Winning percentage in white is:
- Habu: 19 wins, 1 loss (95.0%)
- Moriuchi: 16 wins, 4 losses (80.0%)
- Wanatabe: 14 wins, 5 losses (73.7%)
- Satou: 10 wins, 7 losses (58.8%)
These numbers are so tough for ranging rook players. Especially the total win counts (black plus white) of the games where Habu castled in Static Rook Anaguma is 57 wins and 6 losses, that is 94%. What kind of number is that! Incidentally, Habu's only loss in white happened in the game against Fujii, which was the challenger deciding match of Ryu-ou title in 1998. This is another drama that was hiding here. (Author's note: The data above are as of spring in 2006, but no essential change have been made after that.)
Although it's just data, I can't help being surprised at this too extraordinary number. The data say that if you have Habu castle in Static Rook Anaguma against you, you're most unlikely to be able to win. It also says that if you have a title holder castles in Static Rook Anaguma, the ranging rook side could win in only 20%. I believe here lies one of the reasons why Fujii sticks to his system.
Now, in one time, Fujii was trying a ranging rook in which he starts to attack in many ways. Let me introduce some of them.
Diag. 14
Look at Diag. 14. Surprisingly, he suddenly opened the battle with △P-1e. Everyone was surprised. From Diag. 14, ▲Px1e △Lx1e ▲Lx1e △Bx1e ▲R-1h △B-3c ▲P-2e △P*1d! His aim here is to, after this preparation, attack the edge following △R-1b. All professional players who were watching this game goggled in astonishment, saying like, "Is he playing as handicap giver side in lance handicap?" But this invention of Fujii didn't turn out to be successful due to Kimura's skillful playing.
Around that time, it started to be rumored that "Fujii these days do anything in white."
How do you think about △R-7b in Diag. 15 then? It is a "forbidden" Sleeve Rook, which even made them say, "Did it slipped off from his finger by mistake?" Diag. 16 shows the position 20 moves after that. His idea was a two-stage strategy of, first preventing Anaguma with his rook dropping in temporarily on the way, and then swinging it againt to 4th-file Rook. But at last, he made mistake with the way he let his king escape, and lost with sudden death blunder. His inventions didn't give him a win very easily.
|  |
He showed a new idea in Double Ranging Rook, too. It is Diag. 17. He starts the piece formation after quickly making only the outer shape of Silver Crown first. He applied the technique of doing piece formation with leaving the king's move later, which he showed us in Fujii System. It was nearly the time when Fujii showed his new Fujii System in white.
|  |
Diag. 18 is a game where Fujii adopted Tateishi Style after a long time. The device of it was that he has pushed △P-1d. One of the aims is △P-1e ~ △Bx7g+ ~ △R-4d. (▲B*6f is defendable with △R-1d.) In the actual game, black blocked the bishop's diagonal with ▲P-6f, but white won by attacking aggressively after forming a floating rook.
Now, how about Diag. 19?
|
Moves from Diag. 19
|  |
Surprisingly, it was △L-9c. An incredible floating of the lance. If ▲B-9a+, his aims for apprehending the horse with △S-7c ~ △S-8b ~ △B-7c. But how can he come up with a move like that?
It is indeed a series of trial and error. No one could read his real intention behind his repeating so much the "experiments on the board" of how's this and how's that.
To begin with, Tateishi Style and offensive-type Opposing Rook are like the origins of mobile attacking ranging rook, which were played from earlier than the appearance of Fujii System. For Fujii, the series of adopting those strategy might have been his journey of re-evaluating his Fujii System, in which he recurred to the origin and looked back again at mobile attacking ranging rook - the starting point of Fujii System. It reminds me of this word, "destruction before the creation".
6. Still on its Way
Let's hear the story from the originator.
- Let me ask you about the beginning of Fujii System. It is amazing that you invented by yourself alone both the attack that destroys Anaguma and the attack from △R-3b. Was there any hint to it?
Fujii: Fujii System got many of its hint from Habu's shogi. △S-6c (Diag. 39 in the previous chapter) is one of them. I had experienced the same position earlier and thought about △S-4c and △G-6c, but never could come up with △S-6c. I was impressed with Habu's △S-6c. That's why I applied it to black as well.
The way of destroying Anaguma also got its hint from a game between Sanada and Habu (Diag. 21). It was △K-7a formation...
|
Moves from Diag. 21
|  |
△N-9c (Diag. 23) was also one of them. I was aware of the possibility of △N-9c, but didn't think of it so deeply as I thought such a line was not going to work out. But after seeing Habu play it in a title match, I studied it seriously myself, too. I got the hint of the idea from this game, that suddenly just jumping △N-8e might work out. Watching Habu's games inspires me and makes me come up with new ideas.
- Habu is good at playing Fujii System. Isn't he the second best next to you?
Fujii: Yes, he's good. Second best. (laughing) And its suitable for only some portion of the players.
- What is the important things in Fujii System?
Fujii: One might tend to think it is important how to destroy Anaguma, but it's not. What is important is how to defend against a rapid attack with △K-6b formation, because the system itself would turn out to be a failure if it can be smashed with it.
Actually, one year after its debut game, there was this Ryu-ou title match between Habu ans Tanigawa. It was the series when Tanigawa took back Ryu-ou title. And the last game of it was with Fujii System. In the game Habu moved △K-6b before seeing ▲P-3f push. I thought that Habu might have had an opinion that playing △K-6b after being attacked is dangerous. Then after that, although Habu moved the king even with △K-7a, Tanigawa started the attack with ▲P-3e. I remember I was thinking that the way they think is different from my idea.
And after that, when I could stably win against ▲P-3e rapid attack by Izumi, I got the real confidence. It was in 1997, in B2-Class.
- That led you to your taking Ryu-ou title in the next year.
Fujii: Yes. It was a big advantage for me that the system was established before Ryu-ou title match. It means I was beyond Habu and Tanigawa in the studies.
- By the way, how about the basic position of black's Fujii System?
Fujii: That opening is pretty tough. Since you're black, you have to move both your silver and gold. Then the rook becomes hard to utilize in both vertical and horizontal way. A strange thing is happening; Although you would think you are supposed to gain something by being black, you actually have more difficulties on the contrary.
When you lose in that opening, it looks awful having the silver on 6g and the rook 6h remaining there. The rook becomes a piece that is only to be captured.
So, it has many structural deficits. For example, after you jumped your knight, you have to be always cautious about △B*3g threat. There are often variations where you may have the piece you dropped on 5g snatched with △B*3g. Also, the two silver horns are hard to utilize. Ideally, one of the silvers is supposed to be keeping back. But since it's black, it doesn't go that way.
It is also scary in the way that it often gets smashed by a single blow. A good example is the game between Kubo and Segawa. Since it's sitting king, you inevitablly be like to give your opponent a table turning win. You can't recover from it one you have made a mistake.
- So that's why you're using the system where you don't push ▲P-1e?
Fujii: Yes. I'm using ▲P-4f/▲P-1f formation. But from the viewpoint of static rook side, he can push back the edge pawn whenever he wants to. So it is not so comfortable for black in the sense that you give the oppoenent more options. However, if the opponent goes for Anaguma, your attack is one turn faster. But it would induce △B-5e rapid attack. So it has good points and bad points. I think △B-5e rapid attack will keep increasing from now.
- How do you think about the tendency of young players that they don't use the system?
Fujii: I think it's good. The system is not a strategy for making progress, but for winning. It is all right for professional players whose skill is well established and for amateur players who play for fun to use it. But it's not a strategy that young professional players should use, who has a lot of progress to make in the future.
In some cases you have to read all the way to the mate. So if you lose in it, it makes you so weary. Also, you can't train your own skill if you put too much priority in studies. You should play normal ranging rook, and win against Anaguma through hardships. I think that's how you should train your skill.
- For some time, you were absent from Fujii System.
Fujii: I was trying many ranging rook strategies that mobily starts the attack from its side. Normal ranging rook doesn't make my heart flutter and dance. I must be so fond of starting the attack from my side. That's more fun to play. Of course I use them in actual games after doing the studies myself. But it doesn't go same as the study.
- And you came back to Fujii System.
Fujii: Yes. I think most of the variations are still difficult to be solved. It is too early to quit. Although it is down in the farm team, no one can tell when I'll let it pitch the ball in the first team. There may be many variations that people have forgot, as I myself am forgetting. Sometimes I recall it after studying the variation again and reaching the conclusion. I believe I love Fujii System.
- Is it hard for you when the opponent is Habu, Satou, or Moriuchi?
Fujii: It makes me weary. If I lose, it is not only painful, but also might be more than that. I even regret in the post-game discussion of a game I've won, saying, "I should have played this way"...
- Can you tell me about your favorite games? Personally, the game where you destroyed Fukaura's Anaguma with two silvers (Diag. 2) was impressive.
Fujii: From recent games, I would say the game against Gouda. ▲S-6f (Diag. 24) was just an impromptu idea, but it worked out well.
|
Moves from Diag. 24
|  |
7. Options have Increased
Just as what Fujii predicted, ▲P-1f/▲P-4f formation became popular in black's Fujii System, and △B-5e rapid attack increased. It is more than 10 games only in 2006.
If I were to give you one example, from Diag. 10, ▲G-4g △P-7e ▲Px7e △S-6d ▲R-7h △Sx7e ▲B-5i △B-6d ▲P-6e △B-4b ▲K-3i. No matter it's in black or white, when dealing with rapid attack with Fujii System, the timing for pulling ▲K-3i is always the issue.
Both sides are continuing to study and look for ideas in this opening, and a decisive conclusion is yet to be found out.
Adoption of black's Fujii System in actual games have decreased due to the popularity of Double Ranging Rook. Habu, Satou, and Tanigawa, they all try to lead to Double Ranging Rook in high probability after seeing the opening of ▲P-7f △P-3d ▲P-6f. Their options have increased. It is a phenomenon that symbolizes the borderless-ification of the strategies, and it, too, can be considered as an indirect countermeasure against Fujii System.
Game Data
- Diag. 2: Fujii vs Fukaura (Nov. 1998, Ou-i league)
- Diag. 3: Chiba vs Matsumoto (Nov. 2003, C2-Class of Ranking League)
- Diag. 4: Kubo vs Segawa (Jul. 2004, Ginga Tournament)
- Diag. 5: Tanigawa vs Watanabe (Jul. 2004, Ryu-ou tournament)
- Diag. 6: Kubo vs Gouda (Nov. 2005, Kiou tournament)
- Diag. 8: Sugimoto vs Shuuji Satou (Dec. 2004, C1-Class of Ranking League)
- Diag. 13: Fujii vs Maruyama (Oct. 2005, Japan Series)
- Diag. 14: Kimura vs Fujii (Jan. 2004, Ouza tournament)
- Diag. 15, 16: Namekata vs Fujii (Jul. 2004, Oushou tournament)
- Diag. 17: Kubo vs Fujii (Jul. 2004, A-Class of Ranking League)
- Diag. 18: Miura vs Fujii (Oct. 2004, A-Class of Ranking League)
- Diag. 19, 20: Maruyama vs Fujii (Feb. 2005, A-Class of Ranking League)
- Diag. 21, 22: Sanada vs Habu (Oct. 1995, All Japan Professional Shogi Tournament)
- Diag. 23: Yasumitsu Satou vs Habu (Nov. 1995, the 3rd game of Ryu-ou title match)
- Diag. 24, 25: Fujii vs Gouda (Dec. 2005, the finals of Japan Series)
