Raichu Opening Strategy: Five Principles for the First Moves
Both sides develop pieces toward the center in the opening
Raichu has no opening theory. There is no database of memorized sequences to study. What there is: a set of principles that apply in the early game of every match. Learn these and your opening play will be solid regardless of what your opponent does.
Advance your Pichus
Pichus only move diagonally forward. A Pichu that sits still does nothing. Start pushing Pichus toward the opponent's side from the first move. A Pichu that reaches the far rank becomes a Raichu. Every Pichu that stays home is a lost opportunity.
Develop Pikachus into active positions
Pikachus move forward, left, and right. They cannot retreat. Move them forward early to contest territory. A Pikachu stuck behind your own Pichus has no moves until those Pichus clear. Plan your Pichu advances to open lines for Pikachus.
Keep your Raichu safe
Your starting Raichu is your most valuable piece. A Raichu is the only piece that can capture another Raichu. If you lose your Raichu while your opponent keeps theirs, the game becomes very difficult. Avoid moving your Raichu into a position where it can be captured by an opponent Raichu without compensation.
Contest the center
Pieces in the center control more squares than pieces on the edges. A Pikachu on the center file can move to three different squares. A Pikachu on the edge can only move to two. The center of the board is where influence is maximized. Try to occupy or threaten center squares before your opponent does.
Create promotion threats
A Pichu or Pikachu that reaches the far rank promotes to Raichu. A promotion threat forces your opponent to respond. Even if the promotion does not succeed, the distraction can create space elsewhere. Advancing multiple pieces toward promotion simultaneously is a strong strategy because the opponent cannot block all threats at once.
The underlying idea
All five principles point at the same thing: build activity. Pieces doing something are better than pieces doing nothing. A Pichu advancing toward promotion is threatening. A Pikachu in the center is influencing. Your Raichu safe at home is available for the endgame. The player who builds activity fastest usually controls the middle game.