In shogi, virtually no strategy starts with pure attacking moves right from the beginning. It is standard practice to play several defensive moves before launching any attack.
Building a castle in the opening is just something players do — but should you really never go all-in on attack from the start?
The reasoning behind this is rarely explained clearly. There is actually a very good reason for it!
Formation-Building Comes First in the Opening
The main goals of the opening are to build a castle with your Gold and Silver generals — creating a durable camp and protecting your King — and to prepare your attacking formation. Launching a full-scale attack right away does not pay off. Early attacks are structurally prone to failure.
Why Do Early Attacks Tend to Fail?
At the start of the game, all pieces are deep in your own camp, and there are no pieces in hand. In this state, trying to attack seriously creates the following problems for the attacker:
- The attack is too slow: It takes many moves just to bring pieces to the front lines, giving the opponent time to prepare
- Too few attacking pieces: The available attacking force is limited and lacks power
The defender, on the other hand, has many pieces close by — essentially everyone is defending together — making it easy to repel any early attack.
In the opening, a genuine all-out attack is simply not possible. About the most you can do is mildly disrupt your opponent's formation.
The Opening Is "An Investment in the Future"
For these reasons, the standard approach is: don't rush — take care of your defense first, then launch a serious attack from the middlegame onward. Build your castle solidly in the opening, then fight for real.
In the opening, both players are developing their formations — it feels like making an "investment for the future." It is a phase of quietly accumulating small advantages move by move, with the mindset of "if I set this piece here, my attack will be easier later" or "my King's durability has improved."
Opportunities to Aim for in the Opening
That said, there are moments in the opening where you can act more aggressively.
- Punish mistakes for a concrete gain: Even in the opening, if your opponent makes an error, you may be able to win material or successfully promote a piece. A guaranteed gain this early in the game carries enormous long-term value
- Disrupt your opponent's preparation: It is effective to start a fight when your opponent's formation is only half-built. A player caught in an unfinished formation will struggle for the rest of the game
Summary
In the opening, the main priority is "building the formation you need to fight strongly from the middlegame onward." The basic principle is: don't rush the attack — get fully prepared, then strike.
Note
This article is an excerpt and adaptation from the author's book Shogi Beyond the Rules. That book covers practical thinking tips like the ones in this article, all the way to techniques for winning real games — packed with immediately useful content.
📚 Available free for Kindle Unlimited members!
Shogi Beyond the Rules — Think Better, Play Better, Win More
Available on Kindle Unlimited. A practical thinking guide for players who know the rules but still can't win.
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