Tutorial Video

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The Basics

Yoshihiro T-spins involve using a T-spin mini to create a cavity for a T-spin double:

Diagram Set 2-1
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Starting field.

A T-spin mini shapes the field into a T-spin double.

This method is best used when there are 2 consecutive Ts. I sometimes give up this method if there are few Ts, as blocking out a hole with a donation can be dangerous. While waiting for a second T piece, you might have no way to defend yourself against attacks.

Yoshihiro’s first T-spin mini is highly inefficient. Even though it starts and sustains a back-to-back bonus, its long soft-drop duration reduces its efficiency. I often give it up and upstack it to a Tetris instead.

Common Mid-Game Chances

These are the 2 most common ways to construct Yoshihiros mid-game:

1. 9-0 Stacking Situations

First, familiarize yourself with Yoshihiros by spotting their opportunities during 9-0 stacking:

Diagram Set 2-2
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Spot this common pattern during 9-0 stacking.

Make a T-spin mini. This creates a T-spin double.

This is Yoshihiro’s most common mid-game opportunity.

2. Mid-Lane Situations

When you have familiarized yourself with the method, transition to spotting it when the central garbage hole is in the mid-lane:

Diagram Set 2-3
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Spot this L-shaped mid-game pattern during the mid-lane.

Make a T-spin mini. You get a T-spin double ready.

Continuations and Follow-Ups

You can stack in a way that maximizes continuations or follow-ups after the Yoshihiro T-spin double.

1. ST Stacking or Hamburger

First, create the Yoshihiro. You now have 2 options to follow up on the former. The first is the Hamburger stacking continuation, which leads to a barrage of T-spin doubles and Tetrises:

Diagram Set 2-4
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Make a T-spin mini.

Forecast the lavender overhangs. This leads to 2 follow-up options.

3

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Option 1: After the first T-spin double line clear, you place S horizontally for a Hamburger stacking continuation. This creates a series of T-spin singles and Tetrises.

The next is standard ST stacking, leading to a string of T-spin doubles and Tetrises:

Diagram Set 2-5
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Option 2: After the first T-spin double line clear, you place Z vertically for an ST stacking continuation. This continues from diagram set 2-4’s step 2.

2. Trinity

If you are bold enough, you can follow up Yoshihiro with a Trinity:

Diagram Set 2-6
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Make a T-spin mini.

Memorize this L placement. Stack into a Trinity follow-up.

This can be dangerous because of the heavy upstacking required, making you vulnerable to spikes.

3. LST Stacking

Below is a suggestion on converting Yoshihiro to mid-game LST stacking. This happens often:

Diagram Set 2-7
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This is a Yoshihiro mid-game opportunity.

The player does a T-spin mini, creating a T-like cavity.

3

The player creates an LST stacking continuation with a Fractal over step 2’s pattern.

LST stacking is among the game’s most efficient methods. Transitioning to this can vastly boost your efficiency. I cover LST stacking more deeply in Book 2.

Advanced Techniques

Yoshihiro can be performed in many advanced ways. However, some of them are not practical.

1. Air Yoshihiro

Diagram Set 2-8

Air Yoshihiro involves making a suspended T-spin double through a ‘floating’ T-spin mini, as shown above.

It is a hazardous method that I do not recommend. However, it can sometimes fill a niche situation.

Here is how to create and use it:

Diagram Set 2-9
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3

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The player floats a horizontal L and uses a regular Yoshihiro with a T-spin mini line clear. This makes a floating T-spin double.

Here is another scenario:

Diagram Set 2-10
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3

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Same, but with an I piece as its base.

I do not recommend this setup. It is a method that I have completely abandoned, as it is far safer to stack fast than to make a suspended T-spin like this. Usual non-Air-Yoshihiro T-spin doubles are always better.

Air Yoshihiros are sometimes useful as the surplus T pieces can be used for a T-spin double, and Yoshihiro creates more T-spin options with strong follow-ups like ST-stacking for T-spin doubles and Tetrises if stacked low.

However, the first T-spin mini is weak and risky unless the second T arrives quickly. It also blocks the Tetris or garbage hole.

In a Nutshell

Yoshihiros, like Kaidans, are among the easiest and most common mid-game methods to master. Learning this alone significantly boosts your mid-game T-spin prowess. However, its initial T-spin mini is weak.

Pros and Cons
Pros	Potentially turns a T-flood into a golden opportunity for 2 T-spins (the mini and double) instead of having to waste some Ts in the stack. Handy for stacking T-spins to burst down an opponent. Can transition to LST, Hamburger, and ST stacking. Resolves unevenly-balanced stacks over a garbage hole to squeeze out a T-spin.
Cons	It breaks T-spin chaining sometimes and has poorer follow-ups than purely LST or ST stacking. The first T-spin mini is weak.