In order to be better at playing Mini Shogi, I think solving mating positions from actual games are very effective. I would like to post such problems from time to time in this thread by linking to the particular positions. You can follow the solution by clicking the mark of > move by move. And I will add some tips and variations if necessary. Unlike chess problems, the winning side needs to continue checks to the end. That's a basic rule of mating problems in shogi and mini shogi.

“Here is #001”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1230148&nmove=26

The tactic to solve this is to drop a Rook apart to leave a room to promote the Bishop in check. There are some other mate lines, so it is also okay to mate the King without following my choice.

“Here is #002”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1230154&nmove=16

You can often deliver a mate with two metal pieces(Gold or Silver) in hand when the opponent's King is bared (I mean, the King's guards are removed.) in the b-row. Dropping a Silver first is the key. In case of 18.K2b-1c, you can checkmate it with 19.G2d. The shogi proverb that “Save a Gold for last” is true for this case.

“Here is #003”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1490286&nmove=16 It is a mate in one.

A Gold ahead of the King is one of the basic shapes to deliver a mate in shogi and minishogi that is called “Atamakin”.

“Here is #004”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1490286&nmove=14

What is a good way of dropping a Gold ahead of the King?

“#005”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1230154&nmove=18

This is a Gold ahead of the King again.

“006”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1230156&nmove=16

This is a Silver drop ahead of the King supported by the Gold.

“007”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1230156&nmove=14

There are other mates but this Rook move to check leads you to the shortest line. If the King runs to 4b, then you can trap it such as 16.S4d-5c 17.K4b-5a 18.S5b(mate)

[game;id:1230148;move:26;title:The tactic to solve this is to drop a Rook apart to leave a room to promote the Bishop in check. There are some other mate lines, so it is also okay to mate the King without following my choice.]

[game;id:1230154;move:16;title:You can often deliver a mate with two metal pieces(Gold or Silver) in hand when the opponent’s King is bared (I mean, the King’s guards are removed.) in the b-row. Dropping a Silver first is the key. In case of 18.K2b-1c, you can checkmate it with 19.G2d. The shogi proverb that “Save a Gold for last” is true for this case.]

[game;id:1490286;move:16;title:It is a mate in one.

A Gold ahead of the King is one of the basic shapes to deliver a mate in shogi and minishogi that is called “Atamakin”.]

[game;id:1490286;move:14;title:What is a good way of dropping a Gold ahead of the King?]

[game;id:1230154;move:18;title:This is a Gold ahead of the King again.]

[game;id:1230156;move:16;title:This is a Silver drop ahead of the King supported by the Gold.]

[game;id:1230156;move:14;title:There are other mates but this Rook move to check leads you to the shortest line. If the King runs to 4b, then you can trap it such as 16.S4d-5c 17.K4b-5a 18.S5b(mate)]

[game;id:1475618;move:13;title:I have got a GG message after I took a pawn with a rook, I havent see it at that point but it turned out to be a mate in 6 from this position. Or is it?]

[game;id:1475618;move:20;title:I think Tommah would avoid it at this point if he would play 21.K3d-4c instead of 21.K3d-2d.]

[game;id:1475618;move:21;title:At least it is a mate in 2 from this position]

“My selection #008”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1238864&nmove=20
This is a mate in one.

“My selection #009”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1238860&nmove=60
This is mate in three.

“My selection #010”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1238860&nmove=58
This is mate in five.

“My selection #011”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1238864&nmove=18
This is mate in three.

“My selection #012”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1238867&nmove=20
This is mate in three.

“My selection #013”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1245655&nmove=10

“My selection #014”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1247302&nmove=30
This is mate in one.

“My selection #015”:http://www.littlegolem.net/jsp/game/game.jsp?gid=1247302&nmove=28