Ponpon Knight Explained

Ponpon Knight (ポンポン桂 or ぽんぽん桂 ponpon kei) is a surprise Static Rook attack position used against a Ranging Rook opponent.

The ponpon in the name is an onomatopoeia (mimetic) sound effect of the Static Rook player's right knight jumping twice to start an early attack.

The position was originally used against a Fourth File Rook opponent. However, a more recent variation was developed to counter a Cheerful Central Rook opponent.

The strategy is not used by professional shogi players but can be found in amateur shogi.

Original Normal Fourth File Rook variation

Development

The Ponpon Knight formation is a development from the standard Left S-57 Rapid Attack position opposing a Fourth File Rook–Mino castle position. (See Left Silver-57 Rapid Attack for the development of this preceding position.)

Counter-Cheerful Central Rook variation

See also

Bibliography

External links