Side Pawn Capture

In shogi, Side Pawn Capture (横歩取り yokofudori, also Side Pawn Picker or simply Side Pawn) is a Double Static Rook opening.

The side pawns referred to are the pawns (歩) that are advanced in order to open both players' bishop diagonal (角道 kaku michi). In this opening, this pawn is captured by an opponent's rook in a gambit move. (This is one of the few gambits in shogi.)

Usually Black (先手) captures the side pawn while White (後手) may or may not also capture Black's side pawn depending upon the variation. It is also possible that Black may reject the side pawn gambit allowing the White the possibility to take Black's side pawn resulting in a Reverse Side Pawn Capture (逆横歩取り gyaku yokofudori or 後手横歩取り gote yokofudori) opening.

The term Side Pawn (横歩取り) can also refer to an older joseki for a Static Rook position played against Central Rook. (See: Central Rook vs Side Pawn.)

1. P-7g. Black opens their bishop diagonal. This is the most flexible first move.

This pawn that was put forward is Black's so-called side pawn (横の歩 yoko no fu). It is termed side since White's rook may capture this pawn from the eighth file (when positioned on the 8f square) by moving sideways to the seventh file (that is, R8fx7f).

1. ... P-3d. White responds by opening their bishop diagonal as well.

This is White's side pawn.

The Side Pawn opening is typically started with both players attacking each other's bishop (although transpositions with later moves are possible).

2. P-2d P-8d. Both players give an early indication of choosing a Static Rook opening by advancing their rook pawns. Thus, the game will likely be a Double Static Rook opening.

3. P-2e P-8e. Both continue their rook pawn advances to the middle e rank. Thus, the likelihood of a Double Static Rook game increases.

Furthermore, this board configuration gives a strong indication of the Side Pawn opening.

4. G-7h. Black moves their left gold to the seventh file protecting the 8h square from a later possible bishop attack and protecting the 8g square in preparation for White pawn exchange on that file.

4. ... G-3b. White mirrors Black's move for the same reasons.

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