Although Shogi is very similar to chess, there are a few differences.Place the board with your pieces on one side and your opponent's on the other side.Capture your opponent's pieces whenever possible by moving your pieces across the board.You can call a draw if you win the game by getting a checkmate.
Step 1: The board should be facing in any direction.
For Shogi, you'll use a 9x9 grid with 81 squares that are the same size and color.It doesn't matter which side you use, the two players will face off from opposite sides of the board.You can arrange your pieces with the characters facing your opponent once your board is in place.
Step 2: The promoted sides of the game pieces are red.
There are two sides to each game piece that feature Japanese characters.The promoted side is red.The black side will be placed at the beginning of the game.It is possible for players to "promote" their pieces to give them new powers.When a piece is promoted, it loses its previous capabilities and can only move according to its new powers.Pieces can't be demoted unless they are captured and removed from the game board.The black side should be facing up at the start of the game.
Step 3: The Lances should be placed at the corners of the board.
As many spaces as are open, this piece can move in a forward direction.It can capture pieces if they belong to your opponent.Lance can only capture 1 piece at a time.There are 2 Lances for each player.Lances who have been promoted can move 1 space in any direction.
Step 4: Next to your Lances are your Knights.
Knights can move quickly through the board and are the only piece that can jump over other pieces.The Knights move 1 space left or right.Western chess Knights can't move backwards, horizontally or vertically.The players have 2 Knights.Knights who have been promoted can move 1 space in any direction.
Step 5: The Silver General should be beside the Knights.
The Silver General can move 1 space in any direction.This piece can be used to attack your opponent.Each player has 2 Silver Generals.Silver Generals can move 1 space in any direction.
Step 6: The Silver Generals should be placed next to the gold generals.
Your 2 Gold Generals will flank your king because of this piece.Gold Generals have moves that are similar to the King.They can move 1 space in any direction.There are 2 Gold Generals for each player.Gold Generals don't have promoted moves.
Step 7: There is an empty square between the 2 Gold Generals.
The piece you are trying to protect is the King.It can move 1 space in any direction.Don't move your King to a space that is at risk of being checked.Each player has a king.The King didn't have promoted moves.
Step 8: The squares in front of your Knights have the Rook and the Bishop in them.
The two pieces that start in the second row are the Rook and the Bishop.The Bishop goes in the second square from the left, while the Rook goes to the right.All open spaces have roys that can travel forward, backward, left or right.The Bishops can move through all the open spaces.Each player has a bishop.The Rook and the Bishop are the same as in Western chess.A promoted Rook can move 1 space in any direction.The bishop can move 1 space in any direction.
Step 9: The 9 Pawns should be in the third row.
There is a row in front of you.Pawns have strength in numbers, even though they are the smallest piece.Pawns can only move 1 square forward.They can be used to block and trap your opponent's pieces.Pawns that have been promoted can move 1 space in any direction.
Step 10: Determine who plays first.
This is a traditional move where a player tosses 5 pawns onto the board.If the pieces show more promoted pawns facing upward, the player will get the second move.If there are more standard pawns facing upward, they will play first.
Step 11: Move a pawn to start the game.
You have to move Pawns out of the way before you can move other pieces.Each player's first move will be a pawn.You can move any piece that isn't blocked by another piece after that.The only pieces that can jump are the Knights.You can't open the game by moving your knight because it will land on one of your pawns.
Step 12: As much as possible, capture your opponent's pieces.
To capture a piece, move one of your pieces onto the space occupied by the piece you want to take.Remove the piece from the board and put it in your right to use later.It is optional to capture pieces, but it will make your opponent weaker and give you pieces to play with.blocking your opponent's moves will protect you from being captured.In Japan, captured pieces are placed on a special platform.
Step 13: When your pieces are in rows 7, 8, or 9 you should promote them.
There are three promotion zones on each side of the board.If you make a standard, non-dropped move that begins or ends in this area, you can promote it by turning the piece over onto its red side.The piece is flipped until it is captured or the game ends.The King and Gold General has a promoted side.In most cases, promotion is optional.You have to promote your pawns and lances in the last row.
Step 14: Dropping is used to revive captured pieces.
One of the major differences between chess and shogi is that captured pieces can be used again by the player who took them.Once captured, pieces become known as "pieces in hand" and can be dropped onto an empty square.In place of a regular move, pieces can only be dropped into open spaces on the board.Even if you drop them into the promoted territory, they will always be turned to the standard side.You can only drop a pawn into a column if you already have an unpromoted pawn.Drop a pawn into a column if you have a promoted pawn.
Step 15: Protect your King from other people.
It's important to guard your King because you will lose the game if you lose.Make sure you don't put your King in danger as you move your pieces.You can move your King out of the way if you watch your opponent's pieces.
Step 16: From all sides, attack your opponent's king.
As you move your pieces, swarm your opponent's King with attacks from different directions.It's harder to keep an eye on every direction than it is to notice 1 or 2 advance pieces.While your opponent is focused on your main attack, you can take their king from the other side.It takes practice to attack your opponent's King.Trying out different moves is the best way to get experience.
Step 17: Put your opponent's King in the check.
One of your pieces is in a position to potentially capture your opponent's King during your next move.If it is possible, you will force your opponent to protect their King.If you want to win the game, put your opponent on constant defense and attack their King.It will keep your opponent from moving toward your King.It is a courtesy to say "check" out loud when you put your opponent in that position.It's not required.You can't call "check" 4 times in a row using the same board position in traditional game play.The game is called if you do.
Step 18: Fight your opponent's King.
When your opponent can't move out of the way of your game pieces, you get a checkmate.You win the game if you capture their King.Dropping captured pieces onto the board will give you a checkmate.Pawns can be dropped into a check ormate position.
Step 19: When neither play believes they can win, call a draw.
If both you and your opponent feel like you have no chance of gaining a checkmate or capturing more pieces, you may decide to call a draw.If the same position has occurred during 4 consecutive moves, you will usually call a draw.The winner will be determined by how many points you have earned by retaining or capturing pieces.Each game piece in Shogi has a point value that you use to break a draw.
Step 20: Determine the point value of your captured pieces.
As point values are assigned to the standard side only, demote each promoted piece.Give yourself 5 points for keeping or capturing any Rooks or Bishops.Give yourself 1 point for every other piece, aside from your King.
Step 21: Determine if the winner is based on point values.
Check to see if either player has less than 24 points.If that is the case, that player loses.The game is considered a draw if both players have at least 24 points.You can give the win to the player with the highest points.This is not how traditional Shogi is played.