Lectures on the Latest Strategies, Chapter 3 (original) (raw)

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Lecture 3: White's Fujii System

1. Fujii System Appeared

The basic form of Fujii System is Diag. 1. What if black aims to build Anaguma? There were few such actual games for Fujii, because opponents avoid aiming for it. Let me show you one of the few examples. Ten and several moves led Diag. 1 to Diag. 2.

The most distinctive feature of Fujii System is advancing edge pawn (△P-9e) with sitting king. If black aim for building Anaguma, it starts a fight immediately. it doesn't allow black to build strong castle. White moved his rook back to 6b, and started a fight with △P-6e. In addition, he played △K-4a as if his camp was static rook.

Surprisingly, he moved his rook back to 6b and played △P-6e! Is this ranging rook? In such a case, think about Diag. 1 without white's rook on 4b. Then you find that it's like an opening of Gangi (Snowroof) game. Fujii System crossed over the traditional games between static rook and ranging rook easily.

Originally, Fujii System was born for a countermeasure against Left-hand Mino. It's famous that Fujii researched through even mate for the strategy. Fujii System against static rook Anaguma debut in December 1995.Diag. 3 is the game. The system said "If you aim for static rook Anaguma, I will crush it with even sitting king.".

Moves from Diag. 3 ▲S-5f △P-5e ▲S-4e △R-8d
▲P-3e △Px3e ▲N-2e △B-4d
▲P-6e △P-2d ▲P-6d △P-2e
▲Sx4d △Px4d ▲Bx5e △N*3b
▲P*3c △Kx3c ▲B*4e (Diag. 4)

Fujii System was born as a countermeasure against Left-hand Mino castle which had very big power at that time. At last, the system practically exterminated it. The system as a countermeasure against Anaguma was born in 1995. The system crushed white's camp with sitting king. Thanks to quick knight attacking move and bishop's diagonal line, the attack was accomplished completely. From the position, it proceeded △P*5d ▲B-6f △K-2b ▲Bx8d △Px4e ▲Px6c+ △Resigns. Only 47 moves.

This is the original formation of Fujii System, though it is different from current one. He crushed white's camp with glare by bishop and a rapid attack by knight.

In Autumn 1998, a few years after the game above, Fujii appeared on a title match for the first time. He won the challenger deciding match against Habu 4 titles holder (at that time), and appeared on Ryuou title match against Kouji Tanigawa Ryuou. Although his ability was well received by professional players, he was just promoted to 7-dan. People were saying that Tanigawa had an advantage. Nevertheless, the result was quite different from that, as you know.

What if static rook aim for Anaguma straightway? Let's take a look. An easy example is Diag. 5. The game was settled for a moment.

Moves from Diag. 5 △N-8e ▲B-6f △Nx9g+
▲Lx9g △P-9f ▲Lx9f △Lx9f
▲K-8h △R-9b ▲P*9c △R-7b
▲N*9e △L*8a ▲B-5e △P-7e
▲B-9a+ △P-4e (Diag. 6)

The game showed destructive power of Fujii System. 1999 Edge attack with knight, shift of rook and Bishop's diagonal line. The attack is a textbook example of Fujii System. Professional players were afraid of the awful destructive power, then an age came that static players couldn't build Anaguma easily.

Black had no way to defend from Diag. 6. There was no effective move for black. It was surprising that Anaguma was crushed so easily. The game ended before dinner break even though it was a Ranking Leage game and each player had 6 hours available time. Now every professional players know that static rook cannot build anaguma straightway against Fujii System, but at that time they did and were nervous. If I were to use one word, the policy of Fujii System is that he doesn't move his king until opponent has possibility to build Anaguma, and if opponet really aims to do, he will start a fight.

2. System Embeds Rapid Attack

So, threatening white with ▲P-3f once works good, doesn't it? It's one option. It means, if black plays ▲P-3f in order to show a rapid attack, white will move his king to 6b because sitting king is not good. After that, black has only to build Anaguma.

However, such a tactic is already used in Ryuo title match.

Moves from Diag. 7 △K-6b ▲L-9h △K-7a
▲B-7g △K-8b ▲K-8h △R-3b
▲K-9i △P-3e (Diag. 8)

Black showed a rapid attack with ▲P-3f. Next △K-6b was a mandatory move. Then white couldn't shift his rook to 6b, so maybe it became easier for black to build Anaguma. Static players thought like that. The position already appeared in Ryuo title match in 1998. Fujii System creatively used two tactics. One was a rapid attack against straightway building Anaguma. The other was disposing of pieces against aim for Anaguma with fake of a rapid attack. If black showed a rapid attack with ▲P-3f, then white handled it by 2 actions, (1)Castle king, (2)Counter-attack from 3th file.

White already leads the position even in Diag. 8. From the diagram, it proceeded ▲Px3e △P-4e ▲S-6f △B-4d ▲P-2d △Rx3e ▲P*3g △Px2d ▲Rx2d △P*2b ▲S-8h △R-3d ▲R-2h △G-3b (Diag. 9), which position is good for white because white's rook seems to show good performance.

From the position, △Fujii played △P-1d ~ △N-3c ~ △S-5b ~ △B-3e ~ △B-1c ~ △R-2d, which was like twisting rook. Eventually he won by a mile. White camp was strong against drop of rook.

Fujii plays not only a rapid attack with sitting king, but also castle his king immediately against ▲P-3f and then start a fight changing into third file rook.

At that time, professional players including me watched this game and said "Oh, this is not Fujii System. He has a variety of tactics.". No one knew this was also Fujii System. This was not a change of tactics, but one of the variations of widely-structured Fujii System. He systematically structured all fourth file rook variations.

American Football has a technical word below.

Audible

Changing planned strategy after watching opponent defense deployment. Quarter Back (QB) directs it by shouting secret code just before his snap.

Fujii System was just as it. It was totally designed. If opponent selects Anaguma, he attacks at once. If opponent plays ▲P-3f, he doesn't make a rapid attack but castles his king, and then attacks from third file targeting ▲P-3f! He doesn't miss his opponent moves, and then calls calmly a long pass targeting his opponent king directly or a running of his rook with △R-3b. If Fujii played american football, he would be a great QB.

Basically, a tactic is completed being improved by some players through a few fashion years. However, Fujii made such an advanced world by himself. That was incredible, so it was well-worth getting Masuda Kouzou award for him.

From static rook player's view point, if he aimed for Anaguma, he would be crushed from his head. He has to play ▲P-3f for a rapid attack, because (! imagine Diag. 1) his camp is neither left ▲S-5g formation so it has no thickness on fourth file, nor Reclining Silver so he cannot make ▲P-4e rapid attack. But if he played ▲P-3f, then the pawn would be targeted. Thus, static rook was stuck at that time. However, ▲P-3f became an important element in the future.

The Ryuou-sen title match, in which Fujii System appeared, showed a variety of tactics:

Fujii took control of these games. Tanigawa had a chance to win only in 1st game. The winner was clear in preparation stage. A player close to Fujii said later "At that time Tanigawa had no chance to win.".

Static player can neither builds Anaguma, nor starts a rapid attack. Thus, Fujii System spread like wildfire as a singular "Perfect Strategy".

Fujii won four games in a row and got Ryuou title in the Ryuou-sen title match discussed above. Then, next year he responded to a challenge by Daisuke Suzuki 8-dan who was also a ranging rook player. Fujii selected static rook in all games. It remained us that Oyama played against Masuda (! Basically Oyama was a ranging rook player, but he selected static rook against Masuda because Masuda was also a ranging rook player and they didn't like double ranging rook opening.). At that time Fujii knew about opening of fourth file rook VS Anaguma better than any other players. He selected Anaguma against Suzuki's fourth file rook, and won the title match 4-1.

Challenger in 2000 was Yoshiharu Habu 5 titles holder (at that time). Habu didn't select Anaguma at all. He selected rapid attack opening, Left-hand Mino, and other unique strategies. That lead 3-3 even, and finally Habu, who had white, selected Left-hand Mino which wasn't said to be a good strategy. Fujii won the historic big game and defended his title with 4-3.

A year later, Habu 4 title holder (at that time) became the challenger again.Diag. 10 was the 1st game in which Habu played ▲B-5e. This was a technique to switch his bishop to right side, which wasn't new. However, the ▲B-5e appeared later as a different meaning. In the game, Habu played a brilliant move in middle game and he won keeping advantage.

From the position, it proceeded △S-6c ▲P-3f △K-7a ▲P-6f △G4-5b. ▲Habu played ▲B-3g later. 2001

2nd game. Habu aimed to build Anaguma, so Fujii switched his rook to third file and started a rapid attack. Fujii showed a sacrifice drop in Diag. 11 and the subsequent brilliant sequence of moves, and he won.

Beautiful interpose. From the position, it proceeded △Rx4h+ ▲K-1g △G*2e ▲Gx3b △K-1b ▲N*2h △B-4d ▲K-1h △G*3h ▲S*3i! △Gx3i ▲+N-5c, then eventually ▲Fujii won. Two beautiful defensive moves were impressive.

3rd game. Habu selected ▲P-4e rapid attack, and finally he came from behind and won.

4th game. Black's Fujii System. The situation changed time and time again, and finally Habu won.

5th game. Against Habu's ▲P-4e rapid attack, Fujii selected Oyama Style △G-3b. Habu came from behind and won again, thus he got the Ryuou title with 4-1.

I don't want to use such a word as much as possible, but I remark that Habu got the Ryuou title with a "purpose". Fujii lost, but Fujii System didn't. Habu couldn't discover a good countermeasure against it.

Fujii System thinks nothing of Millennium castle (Diag. 12), neither.

From the position, it proceeded ▲B-2f △K-8a ▲S5-6h △P-5d ▲N-3g △S-4d ▲R-4h △S-5c ▲S-5g △B-4d ▲Bx4d △Sx4d, which was good for white. Millennium castle didn't became a good countermeasure against Fujii System. 2000

The achievement of Millennium is that it evolves paradigm of castle, and increases the variations of castles. For example, we found that Yagura can be reformed into Millennium against feinted ranging rook. Others, formerly we often make fun of the move that a knight on 8i jumps to 7g as "He leaves Anaguma's pants off.", but now the move becomes widely accepted, probably thanks to Millennium. However, the castle couldn't be a basic remedy against Fujii System.

3. Use "Threat Card"

After that, the 3rd game of Ryuo title match between Fujii and Tanigawa was reviewed. Or better yet, what if static rook starts a fight from Diag. 7? It means, static rook tries to start a fight with ▲P-3e (Diag. 13) when white moves his king to 6b from Diag. 7.

If △Px3e, then ▲S-4f △P-3f ▲R-2f △R-3b ▲S-3e △P-4e ▲Bx3c+ △Rx3c ▲B*5g, which was good for black. Many players played △R-3b in the position.

The attack was used in 2000 for the first time, and since then there are a lot of actual games used the tactics including Meijin title match. Fujii accepted the tactics on June 2003 for the first time.

The attack doesn't work out in a normal situation. If static rook aims to start a fight with right silver, right silver has to move to 4f first (▲S4-5g rapid attack has no support in 3rd file unkike ▲S6-5g rapid attack which right silver is on 4h), it means that ▲S-4f △R-3b ▲P-3e is a standard. If so, though, white can afford to block the attack with ▲G-4b, and the edge vanguard pawn in 9th file becomes more effective for white in the case.

Moves from Diag. 13 △R-3b ▲P-4f ! △Px3e
▲P-4e △G4-5b ▲Px4d △S-3d
▲R-4h △R-4b ▲S-4f (Diag. 14)
△K-7a ▲S-4e △Sx4e
▲Rx4e △S*3d ▲R-4h △P*4e
▲P*3b (Diag. 15)

Black disturbed white's camp from 3rd file, and attacked from 4th file. If white's king was on 8b, the black's attack wouldn't work out. However, in the position (white's king was on 6b), it was highly possible that the attack worked out. I will introduce a new move from the position later. A dangle on vital point. There were two actual games from the position, (1)△Bx4d ▲Bx4d △Rx4d ▲P-3a+, (2)△R-4a ▲P-2d △Px2d ▲P-3a+ △Rx3a ▲N-3g △P-2e ▲Nx4e △B-1e ▲S*4c. Blacks won both games. 2003

The tactic was discovered by Yosinori Sato 8-dan, and developed by Masataka Gouda 9-dan. It start a fight sacrificing a pawn in 3rd file, then attacking only by pawn in 4th file. The sequence of moves is odd, and so doesn't work out in a normal situation. However, white camp is also odd, which means his king is not on 8b, but 6b. Two moves is used for edge pawn instead of △K-7a ~ △K-8b, so his king is on a dangerous place. Therefore the ▲P-3e ~ ▲P-4f ~ ▲P-4e attack has been said to be effective so far. Note that I use "so far" because there has some difficult variations (and some significant new moves have been appeared day by day).

Fujii wasn't satisfied with the fight against ▲P-3e ~ ▲P-4f ~ ▲P-4e tactic. Since the game, he sealed off △P-9e & △S-4c formation which he himself said as "farmed-out".

There was another problem for Fujii System. The new tactic was created by Takayuki Yamazaki 7-dan. Black plays ▲B-7g instead of ▲P-3f on Diag. 7. Then, after △P-7d or △P-6d, he plays P-3f Diag. 16. It means he delays the timing. From Diag. 16, if △K-6b, then black aims to build Anaguma (Rapid attack by white with △R-3b ~ △P-3e doesn't make it on time due to one move delay of △K-6b). If white doesn't move his king, then black starts a fight with ▲P-3e. That is an amazing Audible fight. Let's take a look at an actual game.

Moves from Diag. 16 △P-6d ▲P-3e △Px3e
▲S-4f △S-3d ▲R-3h △P-7e
▲Sx3e △Sx3e ▲Rx3e △Px7f
▲B-6f △P*3d ▲Rx3d △S-6c
▲S-8h △G-3b ▲P*7g △Px7g+
▲Sx7g (Diag. 17)

Black played ▲B-7g, from which position he could still select either a rapid attack or Anaguma. △P-7d had an aim for Sleeve Rook with △S-7c ~ △S-6d ~ △R-7b. 2003 White couldn't fight hard in 3rd and 4th file due to his wrong king's position (5a). White attacked to the head of black's bishop, but it didn't work out. However, white has a chance to find out a new good move from Diag. 16 in the future, so Diag. 16 is an unclear position so far.

Black leads the position clearly on Diag. 17.

Diag. 18 is a Ryuo title match between ▲Toshiyuki Moriuchi and △Habu. Now they plays ▲B-7g △P-6d.

▲B-7g △P-6d (Diag. 18) ▲P-3f △K-6b ▲K-8h. "Audible" fight continued. After that, the actual game proceeded △P-7d ▲P-6f △N-7c ▲K-6g △K-7a ▲L-9h △K-8b ▲K-9i △G-6c ▲S-8h. Anaguma was completed. 2003

During these moves, they were talking at heart like below.

▲B-7g "I will build Anaguma."
△P-6d "I will select Fujii System rapid attack."
▲P-3f "I will start a rapid attack."
△K-6b "It's dangerous. I will castle my king in preparation for his rapid attack."
▲K-8h "Oh, he moved his king. So, I will build Anaguma again."

In the game, Moriuchi built Anaguma safely and won easily.

Contract bridge, one of the game using a playing card, has a word "Threat Card". Players make threats their opponent by intending to use a certain card so that their opponent may be disturbed.

▲P-3f is just a threat card. Black intends to attack with ▲P-3e in order to disturb his opponent. Due to the threat card, Fujii System had to be a formation which can afford to match against both rapid attack and Anaguma.

4. System Seeking Solutions

Therefore ranging rook players tried to change Fujii System formation a little. They changed edge pawn from 9e to 9d or left silver from 4c to 3b, and move 6th file pawn to 6d instead. They took a lot of trial and error. These combinations seems to be complicated, so let me organize them.

The key of Fujii System is "How to wait for static rook's action with sitting king". Moves to attack Anaguma are △P-6d, △P-7d, and △N-7c. However, these moves aren't needed, rather go even worse to prepare for static rook's rapid attack. Therefore safety moves are said to be △P-9d ~ △P-9e, △S-4c, and △G4-5b.

Safety moves to prepare for static rook's rapid attack:

4 moves total

Mandatory moves to attack Anaguma:

3 moves total

The key is how to arrange these moves.

Diag. 19 is the one, △S-3b formation. He selected △S-3b ~ △G-5b instead of △S-3b ~ △S-4c as two moves waiting for black's tactic how to build his camp. What happens if black aim to castle Anaguma simply?

Moves from Diag. 19 △P-4e ▲K-9i △P-6e
▲Px6e △Bx7g+ ▲Nx7g △P-7e
▲G-6g △Px7f ▲Gx7f △B*9d
▲B*5h △Bx7f ▲Bx7f △P-9f
▲Px9f △G*7e ▲B-5h △P*7f (Diag. 20)

Which was better, △S-3b ~ △S-4c or △S-3b ~ △G4-5b? Each has advantages and disadvantages. Static rook players would attack the disadvantages. From the position, it proceeded ▲B*6d △Px7g+ ▲Bx7e △Nx6e ▲S-6f △P*9g ▲Lx9g △+Px8g ▲S-7h △P*9h ▲K-9i △N*7g. White won by a mile.

The attack was accomplished. Since the game, there was a growing recognition that ▲G-6g before ▲K-9i was a mandatory move for castling Anaguma.

Diag. 21 is a diagram proceeded ▲P-3f △K-6b from △S-3b formation.

A fight between △S-3b formation and ▲P-3f formation. If ▲P-3e from the position, then △Px3e ▲S-4f △P-4e ▲Bx3c+ △Nx3c ▲Sx3e △P*3d ▲S-2f △P-4f, which was good for white.

If ▲P-3e from this position, then △Px3e ▲S-4f △P-4e. like this, the merit of △S-3b formation is
(1) Only 1 move is needed to enlarge rook vertical line.
(2) Easy to match against ▲P-3e rapid attack.
On the other hand, the demerit is that rook cannot move to 6b.

Thus, black remains undecided about his tactic (whether rapid attack or Anaguma) with ▲B-7g. If △K-7a, then he aims Anaguma. If △P-6d or △P-7d to warn against Anaguma, then start a fight.

An significant actual game is ▲Fukaura VS △Habu.

Moves from Diag. 21 ▲B-7g △P-6d ▲K-8h △P-7d
▲P-6f △N-7c ▲G-6g △P-4e
▲L-9h △N-8e ▲B-8f △P-6e
▲K-7h (Diag. 22)

Aiming to build Anaguma, inviting white's attack and then moving king back was a new idea. The key in Diag. 22 was the bad position of white's king (6b). Thus, black had an option to counter-attack white's king directly with ▲R-6h!

As soon as white plays △P-6e, black moves his king back to 7h. This was Fukaura's countermeasure against △S-3b formation. The aim is to escape from bishop's line and fight on around central file in return for giving up castling Anaguma. The black's tactic also can be said to hit white's sensitive point (sitting king). From Diag. 22, it proceeded △P-4f ▲Px4f △Px6f ▲Gx6f △Bx6f ▲Sx6f △Rx4f ▲B*5e △R-4i+ ▲G-5i △+R-3i ▲Bx9a+ △K-5a (preparing for ▲Bx9e) ▲+B-3g (Diag. 23), and eventually black won by a big margin.

White has no point to attack due to the strength of black's major pieces. 1997

Which is the better, △S-4c formation or △S-3b formation? It is difficult to answer the question. In deed, Fujii were using a lot of variations at that time. Or he was very conscious of Oyama Style who used many kind of ranging rook tactics alongside. During using both formations, we received greater recognition that △S-3b + △G4-5b formation was not good according to the game ▲Fukaura VS △Habu discussed above. Fujii also used the same formation as Diag. 22, but it worked out at one time, and didn't at other time... Anyway, at that time all Fujii System players have to do is "We must defeat rapid attack."

Sorry but this lecture is becoming too difficult. I added Appendix which introduces major Joseki of Fujii System for your reference.

5. New System was Completed

At last △P-6d + △P9d formation was created. This formation was shown for the first time on the game between ▲Segawa and △Fujii. Fujii faced the challenge of amateur Segawa (at that time), who beat Kubo 8-dan before the game. He selected the formation in the must-win game. He didn't move 9th edge pawn to 9e, but played △G4-5b or △P-6d instead. Left silver was on 3b, so he could afford to block black's rapid attack. His king could move to 7a earlier thanks to reduction of edge pawn. So this formation is safer than △K-6b + △P-9e formation.

In case of △S-3b formation, attacking point is not 9th edge, but 6th file (Please refer to Diag. 22). Therefore △P-9e is put a low priority. Instead, castling king earlier is put a high priority. He changed a point of view. Fujii System progressed through thinking "Hold the move which can be held".

This game proceeded from Diag. 24 to ▲B-7g △P-7d ▲P-6f △N-7c ▲G-6g △P-4e ▲P-3f △K-6b ▲K-8h △K-7a ▲G-7h △P-9e (Diag. 25) . After that, Segawa gave up building Anaguma, and eventually Fujii won by a big margin.

Fujii stop advancing edge pawn to 9e! He held the move which can be held, and was studying a formation which can afford to deal with both white's rapid attack and Anaguma. Black built an intermediate strong castle, whereas white held the move which can be held. White could select △P-9e or △S-4c depending on black's camp. The system had a possibility to be a perfect tactic, but...

There was a game in which black aimed for building Anaguma from Diag. 25. Let's take a look at the game.

Moves from Diag. 25 ▲L-9h △N-8e ▲B-6h △P-6e
▲P-2d △Px2d ▲P-3e △P-4f
▲P-3d △B-2b ▲P-4f △P-6f
▲Sx6f △P*6e ▲S-7g △Nx7g+
▲Bx7g △S*6f (Diag. 26)

White led the position. 2003. After the game, ▲Shima and △Fujii fought the same position as Diag. 25. Shima succeeded in building Anaguma, and won. Players who use Fujii System must have high technique.

At last Fujii won the game, and he felt the formation was good. He stopped 9th edge vanguard pawn, which was a symbol of Fujii System, but played △K-7a preparing for black's rapid attack. This formation was similar to the early formation against Left-hand Mino.

However, a new enemy appeared against the formation. Actually, the enemy was already introduced before and didn't worked out, but it was just effective for against new Fujii System.

6. ▲B-5e Rapid Attack Appeared

That was ▲B-5e formation. I introduced the formation as a strategy which moved the bishop to 4f or 3g, in other words, a strategy in order to shift the bishop from left to right side before (Take a look at Diag. 10). However, here it is not what it was. From Diag. 24, it proceeded ▲P-3f △K-6b ▲B-5e (Diag. 27). The aim of black was a rapid attack after disturbing white's camp.

Threat card (▲P-3f) made white △K-6b, then aimed to get a pawn on 6d with ▲B-5e. If white lost this pawn, he couldn't attack hard to Anaguma. Was Fujii System able to block against a rapid attack with disturbing white camp?

Now, take a look at the date held two games used new Fujii System.

Habu got interested in new Fujii System, and then he used it in a title match immediately. In the game, a countermeasure which provided a major turning point for Fujii System was born.

Old Fujii System was △P-9e formation, instead of △P-6d. Then, New Fujii System put △P-6d ~ △P-7d ~ △N-7c higher priorities than △P-9e.

▲Tanigawa found a weak point in it, and hit it with ▲B-5e. In order to avoid ▲B-6d (getting a pawn), white has to play △S-6c, △G-6c or △P-6e. However, if △S-6c or △G-6c, then black starts a attack with ▲P-3e △Px3e ▲S-4f. White doesn't feel good, does he? ▲B-5e Rapid Attack gave new Fujii System a hard time.

Moves from Diag. 27 △S-6c ▲P-3e △Px3e
▲S-4f △P-4e ▲Bx3c+ △Nx3c
▲Sx3e △P*3d (Diag. 28)
▲P-2d △Px2d ▲Sx2d △P-4f
▲Sx3c+ △Sx3c ▲Px4f △Rx4f
▲R-2a+ △B*4d ▲N*5e (Diag. 29)

If △S-6c from Diag. 27, then black started an attack with ▲P-3e △Px3e S-4d. From Diag. 28, black had two options, one was ▲P-2d △Px2d ▲Sx2d, the other was △P-2d ▲Px2d △Sx3d. ▲N*5e was just a good move, so ▲B-5e rapid attack worked out in this game. However, △Habu came from behind and eventually won. August 2004

Diag. 29 was good for black. ▲B-5e Rapid Attack worked out. But in actual fight, △Habu came from behind and won with his specialty euphemistic defense.

Thus, Habu used many kind of openings, raised issues, found an answers, won (in many cases) and went away. From here, he became a main character.

After 3 months, Habu fought against △P-6d formation of Fujii System, in which he selected ▲B-5e rapid attack. The opponent was Toshiaki Kubo 8-dan.

Moves from Diag. 27 △P-6e ▲K-8h △K-7a
▲L-9h △P-4e ▲K-9i △P-9e
▲S-8h △Bx5e ▲Px5e △S-3c
▲G-7i (Diag. 30)

If △S-6c or △G-6c, then black started an attack with ▲P-3e. If △P-6e, then black aimed for building Anaguma. November 2004

White moved 6th file pawn which was almost taken, then black built Anaguma. White couldn't block it. Both players said the same remark, that is, "I didn't have dissatisfaction because I could build Anaguma." (Habu), and "I don't have satisfaction because opponent built Anaguma even though I used Fujii System." (Kubo) Habu won the 2nd game.

At last, head-to-head match between Habu and Fujii was held. According to Fujii, this game had an important key.

Moves from Diag. 28 ▲P-2d △Px2d ▲Sx2d △P-4f
▲Px4f △Rx4f ▲Sx3c+ △P*2g
▲Rx2g △P*2f ▲R-2h △Sx3c
▲B*5e △R-4i+ ▲Bx3c+ △B*3f (Diag. 31)

If white played as usual, black led the position by 2nd file attack and ▲N*5e later. Fujii was expected to show innovative move... There were a lot of difficult variations to understand. Apparently, white seemed to lead the position because of △B*3f which was effective for both defense and offense, but... It proceeded ▲N*4d △S*5g ▲Nx5b+ △Sx5b ▲G*5i △+R-3i ▲Rx2f △Bx5h+ ▲G5x5h △Sx5h+ ▲Gx5h △G*6i (Diag. 31).

This rapid attack is too difficult to understand, so it's OK just to see the flow. △Fujii blocked black's rook move, and aim to approach black's king. The game proceeded to Diag. 32. What compelling and impressive offense and defense. Fujii played △G*6i which was his specialty "Gaji-Gaji Style", then he thought "I win". But...

Moves from Diag. 32 ▲S-6h △N*6e ▲S*5i △Gx6h
▲Gx6h! △+Rx5i ▲G*6i (Diag. 33)

△Fujii attacked by his specialty "Gaji-Gaji Style". He thought "I win." in the position, but... ▲Habu showed a brilliant defense sacrificing his silver. from the position, it proceeded △+R-3i ▲S*5h △S*4h ▲P*4i, then he shut out white's attack completely. December 2004

What a brilliant defense! Habu sacrificed his silver on 5i and fully blocked white attack.

This was a very tricky defence, so few professional players did as well. Fujii, though, said "Considering after the game, I realized that I had no chance to win during the game (Black always lead the postion). Only Habu can play so completely, but I won't use the tactic after I watched such a brilliant countermeasure first.". Habu won the 3rd game again.

Next game was also big match, the challenger deciding match of Kiou-sen. △Moriuchi used a new countermeasure, △G-5d (Diag. 34), but it wasn't said to work out.

Moves from Diag. 34 ▲B-8h △G-4e ▲P-2d △Px2d
▲Sx4e △Px4e ▲G*2b! △K-7c
▲Gx3b △Rx3b ▲Bx3c+ △Rx3c
▲B*5e △G*3d ▲Bx3c+ △Nx3c
▲R*4a (Diag. 35)

Moriuchi selected △G-6c against ▲B-5e. I thought he studied the tactic deeply for the challenger deciding match of Kiou-sen. From the position, it proceeded △P-3f ▲R-4c+ △B*1b. white didn't lead the position because he lost his bishop in hand. △G-6c ~ △G-5d didn't become a real countermeasure against ▲B-5e rapid attack, either. January 2005

Habu eventually won. He became a challenger, and then he used new Fujii System (△S-3b + △P-6d) in Kiou title match.

Moves from Diag. 28 ▲P-2d △Px2d ▲Sx3d △P-4f
▲Px4f △Rx4f ▲Rx2d △R-4i+
▲R-2b+ △P*2a ▲Rx3b △B*1d
▲Sx3c+ △Bx5h+ ▲Gx5h △+Rx5h
▲K-7g △G*5g ▲P-9f (Diag. 36)

The theme position of ▲B-5e rapid attack appeared again. The specialists of Fujii System were at a loss because other players also used it and studied it completely. If △Gx6g, then ▲K-8f. If △+Rx6g, then ▲K-8h. Black's king could escape. Black could make threat mate for white's king. The position was an example that showed a feature of ▲B-5e rapid attack.

The game proceeded to Diag. 37. Everyone thought ▲Tanigawa seemed to have one turn advantage and he would win at last, but...

Moves from Diag. 37 △P*4d ▲Bx4d △K-6c (Diag. 38)

From the position, △P*4d ▲Bx4d △K-6e were a brilliant sequence of defensive moves. If △K-7b ▲Bx5d △N*6c instead of △K-6c, then ▲Bx6c+ △Kx6c ▲N*7e, then white's king was mated. From the position, it proceeded ▲G*5c △K-7b ▲Bx5d △K-8b ▲+Bx5b △Gx5b ▲Sx7a △K-9c ▲Gx5b △+Rx7i ▲Sx7i △R*9i, and △Habu won. February 2005

Apparently white wanted to play △K-7b in order to escape to far side, but △K-6c was better, and then to our surprise, white's king was able to escape from black's approach. The reason is: Black's king on Diag. 37 is in threat mate (△P-9g+ ▲Nx9g △N*8f ▲Px8f △Nx8f ▲K-8g △G*9f), but if white used his piece in hand as a blocking piece, the threat mate would be disappeared. So, defenses which have to use his piece in hand such as △P*4d ▲Bx4d △K-7b ▲Bx5d △G*6c doesn't work, for example then ▲G*7a △K-8b ▲Gx6a (Black would win). The key is how to defense without disappearing threat mate of black's king, and △Habu solved the problem so easily.

Habue won 2 matches with new Fujii System, and won 3 games with Static rook side. He won all games of the opening with both sides. From Joseki's point of view, even for now ▲B-5e Rapid Attack is said to be a good tactic against new Fujii System.

7. A Way to Build Anaguma

Furthermore, A new countermeasure against even basic diagram of fundamental Fujii System appeared. Do you remember Diag. 39? Ouza-sen title match in 1997, ▲Shima VS △Habu. In fact, this was the first game for Fujii System which appeared on title match. Now we get used to see the △S-6c formation, but at that time we saw it as a very odd one. The silver was not a piece for Mino castle, but an attacking piece.

This game proceeded from Diag. 39 to ▲L-9h △N-8e ▲B-8f △P-6e ▲P-5e △Bx5e ▲P-2d △Px2d ▲Rx2d △P-7e ▲P*5d △Sx5d ▲Bx7e △G-4c ▲R-2h △R-6b (Diag. 40), then Habu eventually won the puzzling game.

It was the 2nd match of Ouza-sen title match in 1997 when Fujii System appeared in title match for the first time. The player was Habu. He used the tactic immediately which he was interested in. Habu fought with sitting king instead of Mino castle. From the position, An difficult fight continued as ▲G-5f △B-3c ▲P*5e △P*7d.

The same position as Diag. 39 appeared in 2004, ▲Morishita VS △Habu. How did black devise?

Moves from Diag. 39 ▲P-8f △P-8d ▲L-9h △P-8e
▲K-9i △Px8f ▲S-8h (Diag. 41)

It took 8 years since Fujii System had appeared in title match for the first time. A basic formation appeared. Moves from the position was just modern. From the position, it proceeded △P-6e ▲Bx8f △P-4f ▲Px4f △P*4e ▲Px4e △Px6f ▲Sx6f △Rx4e ▲P*4h △S-5d ▲P*8g. Black built Anaguma in a hurry first, then repaired a spot (8g) in front of his king.

▲P-8f was an odd move we wanted to say "What the hell does it mean?", but we were able to understand it when we reached Diag. 41. Black let white play 2 moves △P-8d ~ △P-8e, while he played ▲K-9i ~ ▲S-8h. Regarding pawn move in 8th file, black played only one move ▲P-8f, so essentially black got one turn profit. Anyway, it is modern shogi (!Building solider castle is put higher priority) that ▲S-8h leaving △P-8e ~ △P-8f. Habu was completely defeated remarkably.

This tactic which played ▲P-8f then building Anaguma was studied and developed by young players. In particular, Takanori Hashimoto 7-dan used it in actual game for the first time. A notable episode was that Akira Watanabe Ryuou (5-dan at that time) used it in a game against Tanigawa and won, then he advanced along the road to Ryuou title.

8. See Young Players

I summarize the lecture. Fujii System has some kind of formations, but the basic policy is the same.
(1) If opponent aims to build Anaguma, he has to crush it early.
(2) If opponent plays ▲P-3f to show an intent of rapid attack, he has to block the attack moving his king from initial position to 8b.

Fujii System has to be a tactic which can care the both policy. However, currently it has been had a tough time though it has been modified many times.

From Fujii's point of view, Habu studied by himself, tried by himself, came to a conclusion by himself, and got good result by himself, which was so unsatisfied for him.

To tell the truth, the reason Fujii System has a tough time is that Moriuchi, Habu and Sato are the enemy of the system. (In the future, Watanabe, Yamazaki and some young players will be enemies, too.) These strong players attack fourth file rook all at a time, and if a weak point is found, they strike it hard. In other word, a certain tactic becomes a major trend if many players use it, but it doesn't if many players are enemies. You can't use the tactic easily after enemy shows a good countermeasure.

I succeeded in interviewing Habu the end of 2005.

---
How do you think about white's Fujii System?

Habu It has a tough time. Next year will be harder than this year. Fewer players use it... It sometimes loses by more than a move. I had a game in which I lost by almost 5 moves against Morishita.

I was surprised at the answer. I thought he would say about the new Fujii System, that was VS Tanigawa, VS Kubo and VS Fujii as I introduced above. However, he said about the game before them first. The game Habu mentioned is Diag. 41. Maybe he feels frustrated very much by the game.

I asked him next question. These days some young players allow opponent to build Anaguma and fight against it. How do you think about it?

Habu answered "Now, only craftsman can use fourth file rook". In other word, he may mean all-around players like him cannot use it, but "specialists" can.

Below is the reason why I asked him the second question. Sakio Chiba 5-dan, for example. He used Fujii System, but now he stops it, and allows opponents to build Anaguma. As a result, he was promoted in ranking league and took second place in Shinjin-ou Tournament. Let me introduce an example.

Moves from Diag. 42 △P-9f ▲Px9f △P*9g
▲Lx9g △N-8e ▲P-4b+ △S-4d
▲+P-4c △Sx4e ▲+Px5c △Gx5c
▲B*3a △R-5b ▲P*4d △P*9e
▲Px9e △Nx9g+ ▲Nx9g △P*9f (Diag. 43)

Black were looking for the way how to start a fight, whereas white waited and saw with Silver Crown. After that, white took advantage of the technique developed through studying Fujii System. Just before the position, black couldn't play ▲Sx9g after △Nx9c+ because Anaguma would be weaker than ▲Nx9g. In actual game, It proceeded from the position to ▲P-4c+ △Px9g+ ▲Sx9g △N*8e ▲S-8f △Gx4c ▲Bx6d+ △N*7c ▲K-8h △L*6a ▲+B-3g △P*4d, which was good for white.

It was a brilliant edge attack. Like this, techniques developed by Fujii System are used in case of basic ranging rook tactics.

Ryosuke Nakamura 4-dan also uses basic fourth file rook and wins over .700.

Thanks to Fujii's success, ranging rook players study the importance of attack from ranging rook, and develop technique of edge attack. They study a thing that they don't be afraid of Anaguma even though it is a big enemy. Because "Now Fujii System has many disadvantageous variations against ▲P-3f rapid attack" (a young player), Fujii System is a farmed-out tactic. However, new 4-dan professional players who are ranging rook players debut in recent years. There is a possibility that they open new avenues.

9. Murooka's New Move Became a Smash Hit

A new big change of Fujii System is that Diag. 44 was shown in many title matches and the Joseki was developed. △P*4g in the diagram was a new move by Murooka 7-dan. △P*4g appeared in December 2003 for the first time. Since then, the move was sometimes used, and eventually done in some big games repeatedly, so it got a lot of attention.

△P*4g from Diag. 14. This was a new move by Murooka. If ▲R*4g, then white aim for disposing of pieces (white had a chance to play △B*3h later). If ▲Gx4g, then white didn't attack. The key of the idea was the shift of gear. It appeared in 2003 for the first time.

The timing when player plays △P*4g is vital. If ▲Rx4g, then △B*3h would be a good move after exchanging bishop. What if ▲Gx4g? Then white would play calmly like △L-1b ~ △K-7a. The key is that the straight line of black's rook are blocked by 3 pieces (▲G-4g, ▲S-4e, and ▲P-4d). Playing calmly by white was a blind spot because disposing of pieces with △Bx4d was apparently a good move.

I interviewed the founder, Murooka.

---
Could you tell me how and why you found it out?

Murooka I was studying Fujii System when it had a tough time against ▲P-3f rapid attack. In case of Yagura, Bishop Exchange, and other major openings, some players are studying and finding out a new countermeasure. However, few players used Fujii System at that time, so no one found it out. Therefore I had to do it by myself. I was studying ▲P-3f rapid attack from starting a fight, then I found out △P*4g at the timing (Diag. 44).

---
Did you have the idea that white would play calmly if ▲Gx4g, at the time?

Murooka Yes. If ▲Gx4g, I thought I would play △K-7a first, but it didn't work. Instead, I thought what happened if I played △L-1b first, and △K-7b second. As I studied it, I thought it was almost even although it was difficult to come to conclusion. Therefore I used it in an actual game.

---
It was shown in some title matches. How did you think about it?

Murooka I was proud of it, but top players studied the position, analyzed it, and fought against ranging rook players including me, so it was in a dilemma.

After the answer, Murooka told me an episode derived from a chess grandmaster. Below is the summary replaced by shogi.

Joseki of Yagura opening is established until 70 moves, but One of Side Pawn Picker opening only until 20 moves. There is a real fight from that. Each Move from that has great value respectively. Bishop Exchange with Reclining Silver opening reached to conclusion as Sennichite (draw by repetition of moves) more than 30 years ago, and since then no one used the opening. However, brilliant ideas which were holding rook pawn ~ Right-hand 4th-file Rook ~ ▲B*2h revived the opening, and now top players love it. Therefore, it has possibility that someone will find out a new move and revive Fujii System and the other sleeping strategies 50 years later or so. I wish I could find it now.

As Murooka expected, the study became deeper and deeper because of appearance in title matches.

Let's take a look at a Meijin title match in 2006.

Moves from Diag. 44 ▲Rx4g △Bx4d ▲Bx4d △Rx4d
▲B*2b △R-7d ▲R-4h △B*3c
▲Bx3c+ △Nx3c ▲B*6e △B*8d (Diag. 45)

Meijin title match, 2006 This was an important theme diagram of Murooka's new move. It was an unclear position, and appeared a couple of times in title match. It proceeded ▲Bx7d △Px7d ▲S-5g △N-4e ▲S-6f in the first game, and then ▲S-5g △N-4e ▲S-6f simply (without ▲Bx7d △Px7d) in the second.

From Diag. 45, it proceeded ▲Bx7d △Px7d ▲S-5g △N-4e, which was an unclear position.

2 months after the game, △P*4g appeared again in Oui title match. The game proceeded to Diag. 45, too.

Moves from Diag. 45 ▲S-5g △N-4e ▲S-6f △R-6d
▲B-3b+ △Rx6f ▲Px6f △Bx6f
▲R-4g △S*5g ▲R*3a △Sx5h=
▲Gx5h △G*5g ▲G-6g (Diag. 46)

▲G-6g was a brilliant defensive move. If black had a bishop in hand, ▲B*8b would be a threat mate. In actual game, it proceeded △B-9c ▲R-2g △Gx6g ▲Rx6g. White seemed to lead the position, but...

Black showed brilliant defensive moves, so black lead the position. Black attacked white's major pieces which had few available position to move. Whereas white made a hard attack sacrificing his rook, but it didn't work good. Thus, Murooka's new move △P*4g was maybe not a good move so far.

By the way, from Diag. 46, △Habu demonstrated his excellent skills. Let me show you the highlight.

Moves from Diag. 47 △B*4c ▲+Rx4c △Gx4c
▲P*6h △R*3i ▲B*1h △P-7d (Diag. 48)

This was a position a dozen moves after Diag. 46. Habu showed a brilliant sequence of moves from the position. White didn't play attacking move, but pooled his power (△P-7d) to play △N-7c next. From the position, it proceeded ▲S-4f △R-4i+ ▲Sx5g △Bx5g+ ▲G*6g △+B-4f ▲G*3g △N-7c ▲R-6f △S*6e. Eventually white attacked with two rooks and won.

Apparently △B*5d looked better than △B*4c, but actually △B*4c was better. If △B*5d, then ▲Rx3e △Bx3b ▲Rx3b+, so black's rook would be still in white's camp. In actual game, white made one turn loss, but his camp became safe (because black's rook was on 4e instead of 3b). In addition, △P-7d was a good move which was difficult to be found. The aim was △N-7c to catch black's rook. Black was at a loss. Eventually, Habu got two rooks and won the game.

After the game, new moves were also found around the position of Diag. 45, and so far white has a tough time.

In recent years, white's Fujii System has had short period leading the position. Therefore Fujii System players has got tired. They have to try harder to improve the tactic now.

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