Shogi

About Shogi

Shogi is a Japanese strategy board game often called Japanese chess. Each piece has its own movement, and captured pieces can return to the board under the capturing player's control.

How to play Shogi

Move pieces according to their rules and try to checkmate the opponent's king. Captured pieces become pieces in hand and can often be dropped back onto empty squares, creating fresh threats.

Who it is for

For players interested in chess-like strategy with an additional source of threats. Captured pieces remain relevant, so it suits people who enjoy considering both the board and pieces held in reserve.

Features

• Pieces with different movement rules.
• Captured pieces become pieces in hand.
• Legal drops return captured pieces to the board.
• Aim to checkmate the opposing king.

Tips for playing Shogi

Pay attention to drops, not only pieces already on the board. Protect your king, develop attacking pieces, and watch for sudden threats created by captured pieces coming back into play.

Important limitations

Game rules and controls are shown on the page. Results are for entertainment and practice; the site does not provide competitive ranking or guaranteed skill assessment.

Related online games

• Two Player Shogi
• 2048

Shogi history and background

Shogi developed in Japan and evolved over centuries into the modern 9×9 game. Its drop rule is one of its most distinctive features and helps make draws much less common than in many chess-like games.

Shogi FAQ

Why is Shogi called Japanese chess?

It is a chess-like strategy game from Japan, but it has different pieces, rules, and the important drop mechanic.

What is a drop in Shogi?

A drop is when a captured piece is placed back onto the board as one of your own pieces.