Shogi
Play Shogi directly in your browser. Enjoy the classic Japanese strategy board game with no installs and quick access on desktop.
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.
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.
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.