Well, there are downsides as well. I assure you, Praetorian, we have not coordinated elsewhere. This just turned out the way it did, which is a hazard of three player games. However, the risk to Ric and myself is present as well. In chess, you would simply be down more pieces than we would. But in shogi, opponents who gang up actually run the risk of giving the other more material than they get. For instance, at this point in the game, Ric and I are both attacking you, but I now have better material in my hand. Thus, if we continue to attack you, Ric will find that I will have an insurmountable advantage. It is wise not to gang up on opponents too long, else one find himself at the short end of the stick anyway.