english

Gold Excelsior castle

Kanji
金無双囲い

Hiragana
きんむそうがこい

Romaji
Kin Muso gakoi

Meaning
Gold Excelsior castle

Usage
Ranging rook

Pros
Good vertical defence

Cons
–

Notes
Kinmuso is a castle functionally similar to the Mino family. More suitable for frontal than lateral defence. Row 9 seems more useful as an escape route from attacks from columns 1 and 2. Useful against Ranging Rook attacks and also ‘Central Rook’. The King integrated into the defence as support for the first line of Pawns seems to reduce potential frontal resistance. P-37 is protected by N-29, S-28 and G-48 but immediately behind it is K-38 threatened by a well-coordinated attack. Unprofitable exchanges of pieces for the defender may follow.

P-16 leaves an escape route open for the king under side attack but, important note, S-28 obstructs access to column 1. In case of strong side pressure one must have the foresight to remove it beforehand.