1P-762P-343P-664P-845R-786P-857B-778S-629S-6810K-4211K-4812K-3213K-3814P-1415P-1616P-7417K-2818S-4219S-3820G61-5221S-6722S-7323P-5624S-8425G69-5826P-75The opponent, clashing pawns, has begun to challenge Sente. This clash is what begins the middle-game. The goal of 3rd file rook in the middle-game is to achieve "sabaki"
In the present state, there is a bishop and pawn in front of the rook, and so the rook's" sabaki" is unclear. Moving those pieces will be the first step to achieving the rook's "sabaki."27B-68By removing the bishop that was in front of the rook, the rook's "sabaki" becomes smooth.28Px7628.R-72If Gote decides to move 72R,29.B-46Sente will move 46B.30.Px76Gote will attack the pawn31.Bx91+and Sente can promote with 91B+.32.P-77+77P+ may seem scary, but33.Rx77By taking with the rook...34.Rx77+35.Nx77A rook trade can be completed, and the rook's "sabaki" is achieved.
This sequence has the profit of a lance, and thus this position has a difference of +1500. Rather than thinking that 77P+ is scary, being grateful is a necessary knowledge to play 3rd-file rook effectively.29B-46This is the best position for 3rd-file rook to aim for "sabaki."
The sequence of 68B ~ 46B is an essential sequence for achieving "sabaki" with 3rd-file rook. Some books may suggest to aim for High Mino castle after finishing Mino Castle, but this will block 46B.30S-7331Rx76The pawn in the 7th file becomes a piece-in-hand, and it becomes easy for the rook to achieve "sabaki" if it moves here.32P*7433Rx74This move aims to achieve "sabaki" by exchanging rooks. It's sometimes important to make big decisions to achieve "sabaki."34Sx7435Bx82+With this move, the rook trade is complete and "sabaki" has been achieved for the rook. At the same time, the bishop has been promoted and has reached "sabaki" as well.
According to shogi AI analysis, this position has a difference of +1200.36R*7937R*71Sente aims to take the silver left behind in Gote's camp.38S-75The opponent's "sabaki" is defending to the best of its ability.
At this point, Gote's bishop is stuck in its own camp without achieving "sabaki." This makes it essential for Sente to not allow the bishop to achieve "sabaki."39+B-46If Gote takes+promotes Rx89+, it will allow for Sente's rook to take the silver and achieve "sabaki"39.Rx81+If, for instance, instead of B46 Sente moved Rx81+,40.Sx6641.Sx6642.Bx66Gote can move forward like so. Gote's bishop hasn't promoted, but it's glaring powerfully into Sente's camp and is in an ideal position.
Even if it can't promote, the fact is that it's in a clear position of "sabaki."
At this point, according to shogi AI analysis, this position has an ad [...]43.+Rx9144.S*39If Sente takes this blow, they begin to tumble towards losing. This is one move that must be looked out for.40Rx89+41Rx75+Sente has succeeded in taking the silver and gaining a piece. Collecting left-behind pieces is a great skill to achieve "sabaki."42+Rx9943+R-71To capture in the enemy's camp, it's necessary to place the rook behind enemy lines.44B-13What is the compensation for allowing "sabaki"?
It's good to be able to win without granting your opponent "sabaki," but45+Bx13This move also gives sabaki to the opponent, but Sente gets a bishop in-hand and more and more sets out to capture pieces.46Lx13Sente has traded a silver for a lance and knight, but Sente can take back Gote's lance and knight. Even if for a moment the piece tradeoff is only half, it can be said that it's substantially Sente's gain.