Shogi is a Japanese strategy game with the same lineage as chess, originating with the ancient Indian game of Chaturanga. Shogi is comparable to chess in its turn-based, piece-capturing gameplay, with different units having different movement capabilities. However, both the board and the movement rules are expanded compared to chess, and shogi contains additional dynamics that come into play later in the game. Below are the main ways in which shogi rules differ from those of chess:
- The shogi board is 9x9, as opposed to chess’s 8x8. Whereas chess is set up using the two end rows of each side, shogi uses three on each side, leaving only three rows of unclaimed space in the middle.
- In chess each player has 16 units of 6 different types, each with distinct movement rules, but in shogi each player starts with 20 units of 8 differently moveable types. We say “starts with” because throughout the game, both the number and types of units will change.
- Though chess does have a dynamic allowing for a unit that reaches the far end of the board to be promoted to a queen, shogi has a much more intricate system of promotion. A unit that reaches enemy territory—i.e. the three rows at the opposite end—can become the promoted form of that unit, expanding its movement capabilities. These expanded movement sets differ depending on the type of unit being promoted. The unit’s owner chooses whether or not to promote the unit (unless the unit has no available moves without promotion). Further, a promoted unit that is attacked by an enemy unit is only demoted, rather than captured.
- Finally, although both games progress through the capture and attrition of an opponent’s units, shogi allows captured units to be deployed, or “dropped,” against their former owner.
You can see shogi in action through the upcoming JICC event where two of the best shogi players in the world demonstrate a match and give you, the audience, the opportunity to predict their next moves! For more information on the April 28th event, click here.
Shogi Notation
Shogi notation is a system used to record the movements of each piece of a shogi game by recording each movement in this format; piece initial, type of movement, and the file and rank of where the piece has moved to, e.g. Rx2c which means rook moves to 2c and captures whatever piece is on 2c. In this example “R” is the initial for rook, “x” means capture, “2” is the file, and “c” is the rank.
File refers to the numbered columns that can be seen across the top of the shogi board, numbered 1-9 from right to left. Rank refers to the rows that are labeled from top to bottom to the right of the board going from a-i.
The initials for each piece are “K” for king, “G” for gold, “S” for silver, “N” for kNight, “L” for Lance, “B” for bishop, “R” for rook, and “P” for pawn.
The following are also some common notations that are likely to appear during a shogi match:
- ‘*’ is used to mark “drops”
- ‘+’ is used to indicate “promotions”
- ‘=‘ is used to record when one “does not promote”
- ‘!' is used to indicate a good move
- ‘?' Is used to mark a questionable move