VM-2b
Chu Shogi evert823 - dax00

I've seen how I lost. No-brainers actually. However, looking at a screen and in between breakfast and work, it is more difficult to see, than when I setup the board and the pieces, and take some time. I've seen your maneuvre DH 4c - 2e - 1e more often, this time my Lion was pinned on my Queen.

It all becomes much more manageable when you learn how to properly defend your go-betweens. That is much easier said than done. It wouldn't be exaggeration to say my chu shogi career is built around taking the other guy's go-betweens.

That second game was lost the moment you took my pawn. Even if the capture wouldn't have lost you the game, it's bad positionally and by principle.
When faced with potential pawn capture (lions on the board, up to mid-middlegame):
- Does this pawn pose a serious threat to me positionally? If yes, capture. If no, go to the next question.
- Am I about to enter a fully defensive position? If yes, capture as many pawns as possible. If no, continue.
- Is there a very good reason to capture this pawn (not for the sake of just taking it)? If yes, capture. If no, continue to the next question.
- Would capturing the pawn allow my opponent better mobility, especially if it opens up a key file or diagonal? If yes, do not capture. If no, continue.
- Do I have to take this pawn in order to maintain good position? If position is imminently lost, do not capture. If yes, capture. If no, continue.
- Can I allow this pawn to advance just short of promotion without allowing my opponent a breakthrough? If yes, do not capture. If no, capture at the last possible moment.
With lions off the board, or in the late game:
- Capture, if there is nothing better to do, and the capture does not allow your opponent too many extra options. If many ranged pieces remain, refrain from taking pawns from adjacent files if safe to do so.
This is all simplified but still a pretty good way to decide. How to deal with pawns is one of the things players both weak and strong have the most trouble with. They read some blithering nonsense online and take it to be true.
S - 9k