Ko shogi

Kō shōgi (廣将棋 or 廣象棋 'broad chess') is a large-board variant of shogi, or Japanese chess. The game dates back to the turn of the 18th century and is based on xiangqi and go as well as shogi. Credit for its invention has been given to Confucian scholar Ogyū Sorai.

Rules of the game

Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after being captured. Promotion rules are complex, and the fates of several pieces are interdependent.

Objective

The objective is to capture the opponent's commanding pieces: The general, plus, if present, the governor; otherwise, the banner or middle army.

Game equipment

Two players, Black and White, play on a go board ruled into a grid of 19 ranks (rows) by 19 files (columns) with a total of 361 intersections.

Each player has a set of 90 pieces of 34 different types. The pieces are round and flattened like go stones. In all, the players must remember 65 different moves. The pieces are generally of the same size, though black pieces may be slightly larger than white pieces.

  • 1 General
  • 1 Clerk
  • 1 Staff officer
  • 2 Aides de camp
  • 2 Sumo wrestlers
  • 2 Aides
  • 2 Staff
  • 2 Chiefs of staff
  • 2 Engineers
  • 1 Taoist Priest
  • 1 Spiritual monk
  • 2 Advance guards
  • 1 Middle troop
  • 1 Drum
  • 1 Banner
  • 2 Sentries
  • 2 Millenaries
  • 2 Quartermasters
  • 2 Centuriae
  • 2 Rear guards
  • 1 European cannon
  • 6 Elephants
  • 4 Long bows
  • 4 Crossbows
  • 4 Cannons
  • 8 Cavalrymen
  • 2 Cavalry
  • 7 Pawns
  • 2 Patrol units
  • 6 Shields
  • 3 Shield units
  • 8 Chariots
  • 2 Chariot units
  • 1 Vanguard

Each piece has its name in the form of one or two Japanese characters marked on its face, in white on black stones and in black on white stones. On the reverse side of most pieces are other characters in red; this side is turned up to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play.

Table of pieces

Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to. *Pieces marked with asterisks are not found at setup, and only appear with promotion. Many of the translations into English are suggestions only.

Piece Kanji rōmaji Promotes to Kanji Rōmaji
General 将 shō —
Clerk 記室 kishitsu *Master at arms 軍師 gunshi
Staff officer 参謀 sambō *Banner and drums 旗鼓 kiko
Aide de camp 親兵 shimpei Quartermaster
Sumo wrestler 力士 rikishi —
Aide 舎人 toneri *Town brigade 千戸 senko
Staff 舎餘 shayo *Village brigade 百戸 hyakko
Chief of staff 軍吏 gunri *Vice commander 副司 fukushi
Engineer 軍匠 gunshō *Poison flame 毒火 dokka
Taoist Priest 高道 takamichi ? *Twelve-mile fog 五里霧 gorimu
Spiritual monk 神僧 shinzō *Immaculate light ? 聖燈 seitō
Advance guard 前衛 zen’ei *Heaven’s vengeance 天網 temmō
Middle troop 中軍 chūgun *Governor 帥 sochi
Drum 鼓 tsuzumi *Thunderclap 霹靂 hekireki
Banner 旗 hata *Roaming assault 招揺 shōyō
Sentry 護兵 gohei Centuria
Millenary 千総 sensō *Dragon ascending 龍驤 ryūjō
Quartermaster 把総 wasō *Tiger wing 虎翼 koyoku
Centuria 百総 hyakusō *War hawk 鷹揚 yōyō
Rear guard 後衛 kōei *Earth’s vengeance ? 地網 chimō
European cannon 佛狼機 butsurōki *Chariot of the Gods ? 神機車 shinkisha
Elephant 象 zō —
Long bow 弓 yumi *Longbow cavalryman 廣弓騎 kōkyūki
Crossbow 弩 ishiyumi *Crossbow cavalryman 弩騎 doki
Cannon 砲 hō *Gun carriage 砲車 hōsha
Cavalryman 馬兵 bahei Cavalry
Cavalry 騎総 kisō *Winged horse 天馬 temba
Pawn 歩兵 fuhyō Patrol unit
Patrol unit 歩総 fusō *Commissar ? 都司 toshi
Shield 牌 hai Shield unit
Shield unit 牌総 haisō *Imperial base ? 天塁 tenrui
Chariot 車 kuruma Chariot unit
Chariot unit 車総 shasō Millenary
Vanguard 先鋒 sempō *Commissar ? 都司 toshi

Setup

Ko Shogi

Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The pieces are placed on the intersecting lines of the board and not in the squares. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same way the opposing player will see their own pieces.

Board layout
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + VA + + + + + + + + +
CU SU CH SP CH SP CH SP CH SU CH SP CH SP CH SP CH SU CU
+ P + P + P + P + PU + P + P + P + PU +
CA + HS + HS + HS + HS + HS + HS + HS + HS + CA
E C SB LB E C SB LB E FW E LB SB C E LB SB C E
R FH + Q + DU + SN D MA B SN + DU + Q + FH R
FD SM EN CS GH SR WR A SC G PL A WR SR GH CS EN TB FD
Legend
A - Aide de Camp B - Banner C - Cannon
CA - Cavalry CH - Chariot CS - Chief of Staff
CU - Chariot Unit D - Drum DU - Millenary
E - Elephant EN - Engineer FD - Advance Guard
FH - Centuria FW - European Cannon G - General
GH - Staff HS - Cavalryman LB - Long Bow
MA - Middle Troop P - Pawn PL - Staff Officer
PU - Patrol Unit Q - Quartermaster R - Rear Guard
SB - Crossbow SC - Clerk SM - Spiritual Monk
SN - Sentry SP - Shield SR - Aide
SU - Shield Unit TB - Taoist Priest VA - Vanguard
WR - Sumo wrestler    

Game play

The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. A move consists of moving a piece on the board and potentially capturing a piece or pieces and promoting a piece or pieces. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is generally captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to an intersection occupied by an opposing piece, the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to an intersection occupied by a friendly piece (that is, a piece controlled by the same player). However, some shooting pieces are unable to capture by displacement, and therefore cannot move to an intersection occupied by an opposing piece.

Each piece in the game moves in a unique manner. Most pieces move in one of eight prime directions, either orthogonally (that is, forward, backward, or to the side, in the direction of one of the arms of a plus sign, +), or diagonally (in the direction of one of the arms of a multiplication sign, ×). At the beginning of the game the horse soldier is an exception in that it does not move in a prime direction. (The banner and drums, dragon ascending, war hawk, winged horse, and several other pieces are similar, but they only appear with promotion.)

Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement usually depending on the direction in which they move. The most common kinds of moves are step, range, shoot, and jump.

Step movers

Some pieces can move only one intersection at a time. (If a friendly piece, and sometimes an enemy piece, occupies an adjacent intersection, the moving piece may not move in that direction. Unlike in Go, 'adjacent' means any of eight intersections.)

The step movers at the beginning of the game are the general, aide de camp, aide, staff, chief of staff, engineer, middle troop, drum, banner, sentry, European cannon, long bow, crossbow, shield, and pawn.

Limited range pieces

Some pieces can move along a limited number of free intersections along a straight line. Other than the limited distance, they move like range pieces (see below).

The limited range pieces at the beginning of the game are the chariot and the vanguard.

Jumping pieces

Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over an intervening piece, whether friend or foe.

At the beginning of the game these are the clerk, staff officer, highway, spiritual monk, and cavalryman.

Range pieces

Many pieces can move any number of free intersections along a straight line, limited by the edge of the board. If an opponent's piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that intersection, and removing it from the board. A range piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece in its way. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece is limited to a distance that stops short of the intervening piece; if the friendly piece is adjacent, it cannot move in that direction at all.

The range pieces at the beginning of the game are the advance guard, millenary, quartermaster, centuria, rear guard, elephant, patrol unit, shield unit, and chariot unit.

Shooting pieces

Some pieces can shoot, that is, they can remove a piece from the board a limited distance from their location. Except for the cannon, they cannot shoot an enemy piece if another piece stands between the shooter and its target. The cannon, however, can shoot over such intervening pieces.

It is not clear if a piece must move in order to shoot.

The shooting pieces are the highway, spiritual monk, European cannon, long bow, crossbow, and cannon.

Burn

Wherever a burning piece arrives at an intersection, all adjacent enemy pieces are removed from the board, as described below.

The only burning piece is the poison flame, which only appears with promotion.

Multiple capture

The sumo wrestler and cavalry have double-move with double-capture abilities, similar to the 'lion move' in chu shogi. Unlike the lion, they are merely double-move pieces and do not have the ability to bypass a friendly piece occupying the first landing point. Unless stated otherwise below, the multiple moves do not need to be in the same direction and need not all be taken. A second or later move may return a piece to its starting location.

Among the promoted pieces, the master at arms, banner and drums, twelve-mile fog, thunderclap, roaming assault, dragon ascending, tiger wing, war hawk, and winged horse have multiple-capture abilities.

The European cannon has a double-kill ability when it shoots.

Movement diagrams

In the diagrams below, the different types of moves are coded by symbol and by color: Blue for step moves, green for multiple capture, red for range moves, and yellow for jumps.

Notation
* Jumps directly to this square and stops, bypassing any intervening piece, but may not capture with this move.
☆ Jumps directly to this square and stops, bypassing any intervening piece, and may capture.
· Steps a limited number of squares along a straight line, but may not capture with this move.
○ Steps a limited number of squares along a straight line, and may capture. Must stop upon capture.
○ Steps a limited number of squares along a straight line, capturing more than once.
● Steps a limited number of squares within an area, changing direction and capturing more than once.
╋ Steps a fixed number of squares within an area, changing direction and capturing more than once; cannot stop until range is exhausted.
☆ Jumps a limited number of times to this square; square may also be reachable with an areal step.
! igui (capture without moving). Counts for two steps.
│ Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares. Must stop upon capture.
─
＼
／
! Shoots the nearest piece in this direction (capture without moving).
!! Shoots twice in this direction (double capture without moving).
* Cannon shot at one of these squares, bypassing any intervening piece (capture without moving).
※ Burns all adjacent enemy pieces wherever it stops.

Individual pieces

Pieces are arranged in this section so that, if they promote, the promoted version is to the right. Piece names with a grey background are present at the start of the game; those with a blue background only appear with promotion. Abbreviations of Kanji names are not official, but for the sake of Layout. Betza's funny notation has been included in brackets for easier reference, with the extension that the letter d indicates doublemove pieces, dh indicates limited doublemove pieces (doublemove pieces that must continue on the same path they started on, moving either forwards or backwards) and dd indicates doublemove pieces that must stop once they capture. dn represents pieces that may move n times per turn, dhn indicates limited n-move pieces, and ddn indicates single-capture n-move pieces. x (for shooting, the equivalent of igui in Western chess variants) denotes igui power without the power to move to the igui squares, and xn denotes the ability to perform igui (shoot) n times per turn. pp indicates cannon-like pieces that can jump an unlimited number of pieces, and pn indicates cannon-like pieces that can only jump n pieces.

General 将 shō The General does not promote.
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
    ○ 将 ○    
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Step: The general can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. (K)
Clerk 記室 kishitsu Master at arms 軍師 gunshi
             
      ☆      
    ○   ○    
  ☆   記   ☆  
    ○   ○    
      ☆      
             
  • Step: The clerk can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions.
  • Jump: It can jump to the second intersection orthogonally. (FD)
This is the move of the kirin in other shogi variants.
        ☆        
      ☆   ☆      
    ☆   !   ☆    
  ☆   !   !   ☆  
☆   !   軍   !   ☆
  ☆   !   !   ☆  
    ☆   !   ☆    
      ☆   ☆      
        ☆        
  • Double move: Upon promotion, the clerk gains the power to move twice per turn. (FDd[FD])
This is like a double kirin move in chu shogi and other shogi variants.
Staff officer 参謀 sambō Banner and drums 旗鼓 kiko
             
  ☆       ☆  
      ○      
    ○ 参 ○    
      ○      
  ☆       ☆  
             
  • Step: The staff officer can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions.
  • Jump: It can jump to the second intersection diagonally. (WA)
This is the move of the phoenix in other shogi variants.
☆       ☆       ☆
    ☆       ☆    
  ☆ ! ☆ ● ☆ ! ☆  
    ☆ ● ! ● ☆    
☆   ● ! 旗 ! ●   ☆
    ☆ ● ! ● ☆    
  ☆ ! ☆ ● ☆ ! ☆  
    ☆       ☆    
☆       ☆       ☆
  • Double move: Upon promotion, the staff officer gains the power to move twice per turn. (WAd[WA])
This is like a double phoenix move in other shogi variants.
Aide de camp 親兵 shimpei Quartermaster 把総 wasō
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
    ○ 親 ○    
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Step: The aide de camp can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except directly backward. (FfrlW)
This is equivalent to the drunk elephant in other shogi variants. However, it does not promote to a prince.
      │      
      │      
    ○ │ ○    
─ ─ ─ 把 ─ ─ ─
    ○ │ ○    
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The quartermaster can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions; or,
  • Step: It can move one intersection in any diagonal direction. (FR)
This is the move of the dragon king in other shogi variants.
Sumo wrestler 力士 rikishi The Sumo wrestler does not promote
             
  ● ● ● ● ●  
  ● ! ! ! ●  
  ● ! 力 ! ●  
  ● ! ! ! ●  
  ● ● ● ● ●  
             
  • Area move with double capture: The sumo wrestler can move in one turn as a general does in two.
    • That is, it steps one intersection in any direction once or twice, potentially capturing two pieces per turn. By changing directions after its first step, it can reach the intersections that a knight jumps to in Western chess.
    • By moving back to its starting intersection, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent intersection without moving. This is called 居喰い igui "stationary feeding".
    • A similar move without capturing leaves the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn. (KdK)
The sumo wrestler cannot jump over an intervening friendly piece as a "lion" can in other shogi variants.
Aide 舎人 toneri Town brigade 千戸 senko
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
    ○ 舎 ○    
      ○      
             
             
  • Step: The aide can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
    • One intersection diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities. (WfF)
This is the move of the gold general in other shogi variants.
      │      
      │      
    ○ │ ○    
    ○ 千 ○    
    ○ │ ○    
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The town brigade can move any number of free intersections directly forward or backward.
  • Step: It can step one intersection in any direction. (fbRK)
This is the move of the flying stag in chu shogi.
Staff 舎餘 shayo Village brigade 百戸 hyakko
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
      舎      
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Step: The staff can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions; or,
    • One intersection straight forward, giving it five possibilities. (FfW)
This is the move of the silver general in other shogi variants.
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
─ ─ ─ 百 ─ ─ ─
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Range: The village brigade can move any number of free intersections directly to either side.
  • Step: It can step one intersection in any direction. (rlRK)
Chief of staff 軍吏 gunri Vice commander 副司 fukushi
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
      軍      
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Step: The chief of staff can move one intersection in the four diagonal directions; or,
    • It can move one intersection orthogonally forward or backward. (FfbW)
This is the move of the ferocious leopard in other shogi variants.
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
      副      
    ／   ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The vice commander can move any number of free intersections along one of the four diagonal directions, or directly forward. (BfR)
This is the move of the free silver in other shogi variants.
Engineer 軍匠 gunshō Poison flame 毒火 dokka
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
      軍      
      ○      
             
             
  • Step: The engineer can step one intersection directly forward or backward, or one intersection diagonally forward, giving it four possibilities. (fFfbW)
This is the move of the copper general in other shogi variants.
             
             
    ※ ※ ※    
    ※ 毒 ※    
    ※ ※ ※    
             
             
  • Step: When it promotes, the engineer does not change how it moves, and it remains a step mover. However,
  • Burn: Wherever it lands, all adjacent enemy pieces are 'burned' and removed from the board. (fFfbW, ignoring burning)
It is not clear what happens when two opposing poison flames meet. Nor what happens if any other opposing piece lands next to a poison flame. See the fire demon in tenjiku shogi for some possibilities.
Taoist priest 高道 takamichi ? and Spiritual monk 神僧 shinzō Twelve-mile fog 五里霧 gorimu and Immaculate light 聖燈 seitō
             
  ☆   ☆   ☆  
             
  ☆   高   ☆  
             
  ☆   ☆   ☆  
             

then

             
             
    ! ! !    
    ! 高 !    
    ! ! !    
             
             
  • Jump: The Taoist priest and spiritual monk can jump to the second intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
    • However, they can only capture an enemy priest or monk with such a jump.
  • Shot: They can shoot any one enemy piece on any intersection adjacent to their arrival point. (t[[DA]xK], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
These two pieces move and promote the same, but only the loss of the priest prevents or reverts promotion of the banner and drum.
☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆
                 
☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆
                 
☆   ☆   五   ☆   ☆
                 
☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆
                 
☆   ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆

after each jump

             
             
    ! ! !    
    ! 五 !    
    ! ! !    
             
             
  • Double move: When they promote, the priest and monk gain the power to move twice per turn, including the option of shooting one adjacent piece after each move, and are still restricted from capturing by displacement. (t[d[DA]xK])
  • If a twelve-mile fog and immaculate light ever find themselves within 5 intersections of each other, the fog immediately reverts to a Taoist priest.
The fog cannot be shot from within a distance of five intersections. It can only be shot (by the gatling gun 佛狼機) from a distance of six intersections or more.
Advance guard 前衛 zen'ei Heaven's vengeance (or 'Skyward net') 天網 temmō
      │      
      │      
      │      
      前      
      ○      
             
             
  • Range: The advance guard can move any number of free intersections directly forward.
  • Step: It can step one intersection directly backwards. (fRbW)
This piece promotes if its clerk promotes.
＼           ／
  ＼       ／  
    ＼   ／    
─ ─ ─ 天 ─ ─ ─
      ○      
             
             
  • Range: The heaven's vengeance can move any number of free intersections along either of the forward diagonals, or directly to either side.
  • Step: It can step one intersection directly backward. (rlRfBbW)
Middle troop 中軍 chūgun Governor 帥 sochi
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
    ○ 中 ○    
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Step: The middle troop can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. (K)
             
             
    ○ ○ ○    
    ○ 帥 ○    
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Step: The governor can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. (K)
The governor functions as a second general.
Drum 鼓 tsuzumi Thunderclap 霹靂 hekireki
             
             
    ○   ○    
    ○ 鼓 ○    
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Step: The drum, like the banner, can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions or either orthogonal sideways. That is, anywhere except directly forwards or backwards. (FrlW)
If the drum is killed, the pawns may no longer move forward.
          ○          
        ┏ ╋ ┓        
      ┏ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋      
    ┏ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ┓    
  ┏ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ┓  
○ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ 霹 ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ○
  ┗ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ┛  
    ┗ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ╋ ┛    
      ┗ ╋ ╋ ╋ ┛      
        ┗ ╋ ┛        
          ○          
  • Areal quintuple move: The thunderclap steps five times per turn in an orthogonal direction, with the choice of changing directions after each step, potentially capturing up to five pieces.
    • Unlike other multiple-move pieces, it must take all five steps. (d5W)
If the allied priest 高道 is killed, the thunderclap reverts to a drum.
Banner 旗 hata Roaming assault 招揺 shōyō
             
             
    ○   ○    
    ○ 旗 ○    
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Step: The banner, like the drum, can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions or either orthogonal sideways. That is, anywhere except directly forwards or backwards. (FrlW)
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 招 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
  • Limited-range quintuple move: The roaming assault can step up to five times per turn in any one orthogonal direction, potentially capturing up to five pieces.
    • It cannot change direction while moving. (WdhWdh3Wdh4Wdh5W)
If the allied priest 高道 is killed, the roaming assault reverts to a banner.
Sentry 護兵 gohei Centuria 百総 hyakusō
             
             
    ○   ○    
    ○ 護 ○    
    ○ ○ ○    
             
             
  • Step: The sentry can step one intersection in any direction except orthogonally forward. (FrlbW)
This is the move of the blind tiger in other shogi variants.
＼           ／
  ＼       ／  
    ＼ ○ ／    
    ○ 百 ○    
    ／ ○ ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The centuria can move any number of free intersections along any of the four diagonal directions; or,
  • Step: It can move one intersection in any orthogonal direction. (WB)
This is the move of the dragon horse in other shogi variants.
Millenary 千総 sensō Dragon ascending 龍驤 ryūjō
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
─ ─ ─ 千 ─ ─ ─
    ／ │ ＼    
  ／   │   ＼  
／     │     ＼
  • Range: The millenary can move any number of free intersections along any one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions. (Q)
This is the move of the free king in other shogi variants.
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
─ ─ ─ 龍 ─ ─ ─
    ／ │ ＼    
  ／   │   ＼  
／     │     ＼

or

             
  ● ● ● ● ●  
  ● ! ! ! ●  
  ● ! 龍 ! ●  
  ● ! ! ! ●  
  ● ● ● ● ●  
             

The dragon arising adds the moves of the sumo wrestler 力士 to those of the millenary.

  • Range: It can move any number of free intersections along any of the eight directions.
  • Double move: As the sumo wrestler, above. (QdK)
Quartermaster 把総 wasō Tiger wing 虎翼 koyoku
      │      
      │      
    ○ │ ○    
─ ─ ─ 把 ─ ─ ─
    ○ │ ○    
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The quartermaster can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions; or,
  • Step: It can move one intersection in any diagonal direction. (FR)
This is the move of the dragon king in other shogi variants.
             
  ●   ●   ●  
    !   !    
  ●   虎   ●  
    !   !    
  ●   ●   ●  
             
  • Double move: The tiger wing moves like a shield (one step diagonally) once or twice per turn. (FdF)
Centuria 百総 hyakusō War hawk 鷹揚 yōyō
＼           ／
  ＼       ／  
    ＼ ○ ／    
    ○ 百 ○    
    ／ ○ ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The centuria can move any number of free intersections along any of the four diagonal directions; or,
  • Step: It can move one intersection in any orthogonal direction. (WB)
This is the move of the dragon horse in other shogi variants.
＼           ／
  ＼   ●   ／  
    ● ! ●    
  ● ! 鷹 ! ●  
    ● ! ●    
  ／   ●   ＼  
／           ＼
  • Double move: The war hawk can step one or two intersections in any orthogonal direction, potentially capturing a piece with each step. Or,
  • Range: It can move any number of free intersections along any of the four diagonal directions. (BdW)
Rear guard 後衛 kōei Earth's vengeance (or 'Earthward net') 地網 chimō
             
             
      ○      
      後      
      │      
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The rear guard can move any number of free intersections directly backward; or,
  • Step: It can step one intersection directly forwards. (fWbR)
This piece promotes if its clerk promotes.
             
             
      ○      
─ ─ ─ 地 ─ ─ ─
    ／   ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The earth's vengeance can move any number of free intersections along either of the rear diagonals, or directly to either side; or,
  • Step: It can step one intersection directly forward. (rlRbBfW)
European cannon 佛狼機 butsurōki Chariot of the gods 神機車 shinkisha
             
             
    •   •    
      佛      
    •   •    
             
             

then

!!             !!             !!
  !!           !!           !!  
    !!         !!         !!    
      !!       !!       !!      
        !!     !!     !!        
          !!   !!   !!          
            !! !! !!            
!! !! !! !! !! !! !! 佛 !! !! !! !! !! !! !!
            !! !! !!            
          !!   !!   !!          
        !!     !!     !!        
      !!       !!       !!      
    !!         !!         !!    
  !!           !!           !!  
!!             !!             !!
  • Step: The European cannon can move one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. It cannot capture by making such a move.
  • Double shot: It can shoot two enemy pieces up to 7 free intersections from its landing point in any of the eight prime directions.
    • It may shoot in different directions, or it may shoot one piece, and then shoot a second piece that had been blocked by the first.
    • It cannot shoot a shield unit 牌総 or an imperial base 天塁. It can only shoot at a twelve-mile fog 五里霧 that is at least six intersections away. (t[[mF][cx2Q7]], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
• • • • • 神 • • • • •
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          

then

!!             !!             !!
  !!           !!           !!  
    !!         !!         !!    
      !!       !!       !!      
        !!     !!     !!        
          !!   !!   !!          
            !! !! !!            
!! !! !! !! !! !! !! 神 !! !! !! !! !! !! !!
            !! !! !!            
          !!   !!   !!          
        !!     !!     !!        
      !!       !!       !!      
    !!         !!         !!    
  !!           !!           !!  
!!             !!             !!
  • Limited range: The chariot of the gods can move up to five free intersections along one of the four orthogonal directions.
    • However, it cannot capture this way (that is, by displacement).
  • Double shot: It retains the attack of the gatling gun: two pieces up to seven intersections away. (t[[mR5][cx2Q7]])
Elephant 象 zō The Elephant does not promote
＼           ／
  ＼       ／  
    ＼   ／    
      象      
    ／   ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The elephant can move any number of free intersections along any of the four diagonal directions. (B)
This is the move of the bishop in other shogi variants.
Long bow 弓 yumi Longbow cavalryman 廣弓騎 kōkyūki
             
             
    •   •    
      弓      
    •   •    
             
             

then

!     !     !
  !   !   !  
    ! ! !    
! ! ! 弓 ! ! !
    ! ! !    
  !   !   !  
!     !     !
  • Step: The long bow can move one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. It cannot capture by making such a move.
  • Shot: It can shoot one enemy piece up to three free intersections from its landing point, in any of the eight prime directions. (t[[mF][cxQ3]], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
It cannot shoot an imperial base 天塁, shield 牌, shield unit 牌総, chariot 車, chariot unit 車総, gun carriage 砲車, or twelve-mile fog 五里霧.
             
    *   *    
  *       *  
      廣      
  *       *  
    *   *    
             

then

!     !     !
  !   !   !  
    ! ! !    
! ! ! 廣 ! ! !
    ! ! !    
  !   !   !  
!     !     !

The long bow cavalryman combines the move of the cavalryman with the attack of the long bow.

  • Jump: It can jump as a cavalryman to any of its eight destinations.
    • However, it cannot capture a piece this way.
  • Shot: It can shoot one enemy piece up to three free intersections away from its landing point in any prime direction. (t[[mN][cxQ3]])
Crossbow 弩 yumi Crossbow cavalryman 弩騎 kōkyūki
             
             
    •   •    
      弩      
    •   •    
             
             

then

!         !         !
  !       !       !  
    !     !     !    
      !   !   !      
        ! ! !        
! ! ! ! ! 弩 ! ! ! ! !
        ! ! !        
      !   !   !      
    !     !     !    
  !       !       !  
!         !         !
  • The crossbow is identical to the long bow, except that it can shoot up to five free intersections away. (t[[mF][cxQ5]], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
             
    *   *    
  *       *  
      弩      
  *       *  
    *   *    
             

then

!         !         !
  !       !       !  
    !     !     !    
      !   !   !      
        ! ! !        
! ! ! ! ! 弩 ! ! ! ! !
        ! ! !        
      !   !   !      
    !     !     !    
  !       !       !  
!         !         !

The crossbow cavalryman combines the move of the cavalryman with the attack of the crossbow.

  • Jump: It can jump as a cavalryman to any of its eight destinations.
    • However, it cannot capture a piece this way.
  • Shot: It can shoot one enemy piece up to five free intersections away from its landing point in any prime direction. (t[[mN][cxQ5]])
Cannon 砲 hō Gun carriage 砲車 hōsha
             
             
    •   •    
      砲      
    •   •    
             
             

then

*         *         *
  *       *       *  
    *     *     *    
      *   *   *      
        * * *        
* * * * * 砲 * * * * *
        * * *        
      *   *   *      
    *     *     *    
  *       *       *  
*         *         *
  • Step: The cannon can move one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. It cannot capture by making such a move.
  • Shot: It can shoot one enemy piece up to five free or occupied intersections away from its landing point in any of the eight prime directions. (t[[mF][cxQ5ppQ5]], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
    • It cannot shoot an imperial base 天塁, shield unit 牌総, or twelve-mile fog 五里霧.
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
• • • • • 砲 • • • • •
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          
          •          

then

*         *         *
  *       *       *  
    *     *     *    
      *   *   *      
        * * *        
* * * * * 砲 * * * * *
        * * *        
      *   *   *      
    *     *     *    
  *       *       *  
*         *         *
  • Limited range: The gun carriage can move up to five free intersections along one of the four orthogonal directions;
    • however, it cannot capture by displacement. Also,
  • Shot: It can shoot as a cannon: One enemy piece up to five intersections away from its arrival point in any of the eight prime directions.
    • Like a cannon, it can shoot over intervening pieces.
  • The gun carriage cannot shoot an imperial base.
  • It cannot be shot by a long bow or crossbow. (t[[mR5][cxQ5ppQ5]], ignoring restrictions on what it can capture)
Cavalryman 馬兵 bahei Cavalry 騎総 kisō
             
    ☆   ☆    
  ☆       ☆  
      馬      
  ☆       ☆  
    ☆   ☆    
             
  • Jump: The cavalryman jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one intersection orthogonally plus one intersection diagonally, in a single motion, ignoring any intervening piece. That is, it has a choice of eight destinations. (N)
This is the move of the knight in Western chess.
The cavalryman promotes if it captures a European cannon.
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
                 
☆     !   !     ☆
    !       !    
☆       騎       ☆
    !       !    
☆     !   !     ☆
                 
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
  • Double jump with double capture: The cavalry jumps once or twice as a cavalryman in a single turn, potentially capturing two pieces.
    • If it jumps twice, both jumps must be in the same orthogonal direction (both forwards, backwards, to the left, or to the right). That is, after the cavalry makes its first jump, it is restricted to only two landing squares for its second jump, similar to the restriction of a knight in other shogi variants. Or,
    • For its second jump, it may return to its starting point. This gives the cavalry a power of igui and passing a turn similar to that of the sumo wrestler. (NdhN)
Cavalry 騎総 kisō Winged horse 天馬 temba
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
                 
☆     !   !     ☆
    !       !    
☆       騎       ☆
    !       !    
☆     !   !     ☆
                 
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
  • Double jump with double capture: The cavalry jumps once or twice as a cavalryman in a single turn, potentially capturing two pieces.
    • If it jumps twice, both jumps must be in the same orthogonal direction (both forwards, backwards, to the left, or to the right). That is, after the cavalry makes its first jump, it is restricted to only two landing squares for its second jump, similar to the restriction of a knight in other shogi variants. Or,
    • For its second jump, it may return to its starting point. This gives the cavalry a power of igui and passing a turn similar to that of the sumo wrestler. (NdhN)
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
  ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆  
☆     ! ☆ !     ☆
  ☆ ! ☆   ☆ ! ☆  
☆   ☆   天   ☆   ☆
  ☆ ! ☆   ☆ ! ☆  
☆     ! ☆ !     ☆
  ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆  
    ☆   ☆   ☆    
  • Double move: The winged horse moves as a cavalry, but without any restriction on the direction of the second jump. That is, it moves twice like a knight in Western chess. (NdN)
Pawn 歩兵 fuhyō Patrol unit 歩総 fusō
             
             
      ○      
    ○ 歩 ○    
      ○      
             
             
  • Step: The pawn can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions. (W)
This is the move of the angry boar in other shogi variants.
If the drum is captured, the pawns can no longer move in the forward direction. (rlbW)
      │      
      │      
      │      
    ○ 歩 ○    
      │      
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The patrol unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward; or,
  • Step: It can step one intersection orthogonally sideways. (fbRW)
This is the move of the vertical mover in other shogi variants.
Patrol unit 歩総 fusō Commissar 都司 toshi
      │      
      │      
      │      
    ○ 歩 ○    
      │      
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The patrol unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward; or,
  • Step: It can step one intersection orthogonally sideways. (fbRW)
This is the move of the vertical mover in other shogi variants.
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
      都      
    ／ │ ＼    
  ／   │   ＼  
／     │     ＼
  • Range: The commissar can move any number of free intersections along one of the four diagonals; or,
    • It can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward. (BfbR)
This is the move of the flying ox in chu shogi.
Shield 牌 hai Shield unit 牌総 haisō
             
             
    ○   ○    
      牌      
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Step: The shield can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. (F)
The shield is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩).
This is the move of the cat sword in dai shogi.
             
             
    ○   ○    
─ ─ ─ 牌 ─ ─ ─
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Range: The shield unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally to either side.
  • Step: It can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. (rlRF)
The shield unit is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩) or the guns (砲,佛狼機).
Shield unit 牌総 haisō Imperial base 天塁 tenrui
             
             
    ○   ○    
─ ─ ─ 牌 ─ ─ ─
    ○   ○    
             
             
  • Range: The shield unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally to either side.
  • Step: It can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions. (fbRF)
The shield unit is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩) or the guns (砲,佛狼機).
＼           ／
  ＼       ／  
    ＼   ／    
─ ─ ─ 天 ─ ─ ─
    ／   ＼    
  ／       ＼  
／           ＼
  • Range: The imperial base can move any number of free intersections in the four diagonal directions, or directly to either side. (fbRB, ignoring restrictions on what can capture it)
This is the move of the free boar in chu shogi.
The imperial base cannot be shot by the long bow 弓, crossbow 弩, cannon 砲, gun carriage 砲車, European cannon 佛狼機, or chariot of the gods 神機車, nor can it be killed by the chariot 車 or chariot unit 車総.
Chariot 車 kuruma Chariot unit 車総 shasō
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 車 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
  • Limited range: The chariot can move one to five free intersections in one of the four orthogonal directions. (R5, ignoring restrictions on what it can capture and what can capture it)
It cannot capture the imperial base 天塁.
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩).
      │      
      │      
      │      
─ ─ ─ 車 ─ ─ ─
      │      
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The chariot unit can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions. (R)
This is the move of the rook in other chess variants.
It cannot capture the imperial base 天塁.
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩).
Chariot unit 車総 shasō Millenary 千総 sensō
      │      
      │      
      │      
─ ─ ─ 車 ─ ─ ─
      │      
      │      
      │      
  • Range: The chariot unit can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions. (R)
This is the move of the rook in other shogi variants.
It cannot capture the imperial base 天塁.
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (弓,弩).
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
─ ─ ─ 千 ─ ─ ─
    ／ │ ＼    
  ／   │   ＼  
／     │     ＼
  • Range: The millenary can move any number of free intersections along any one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions. (Q)
This is the move of the free king in other shogi variants..
Vanguard 先鋒 sempō Commissar 都司 toshi
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          ○          
          先          
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
  • Limited range: The vanguard can move one to five free intersections directly forward. (fR5)
＼     │     ／
  ＼   │   ／  
    ＼ │ ／    
      都      
    ／ │ ＼    
  ／   │   ＼  
／     │     ＼
  • Range: The commissar can move any number of free intersections along one of the four diagonals; or,
    • It can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward. (fbRB)
This is the move of the flying ox in chu shogi.

Promotion

Ko shogi has the most complex promotion rules of any shogi variant.

A player's promotion zone is the enemy camp, consisting of the six farthest ranks that comprise the opponent's territory at setup (the original line of the opponent's chariots and beyond). If a piece moves within this promotion zone, including moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, then that player may promote the piece at the end of the turn. (The general, sumo wrestler, and elephant do not promote, nor do pieces which have already promoted.) Promotion has the effect of changing how a piece moves. See the table above for what each piece promotes to. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over, revealing the name of its promoted rank.

However, there are other ways of promoting than entering the enemy camp:

There are other circumstances that may prevent or revert promotion:

Many pieces only appear as a result of promotion. They are marked with a blue background in the movement diagrams above.

Check and mate

Unlike Western chess, a player need not move out of check, and indeed may even move into check. Although obviously not often a good idea, a player with more than one commanding piece (general or governor) may occasionally sacrifice one of these pieces as part of a gambit.

A player is not allowed to give perpetual check to the sole objective piece.

Game end

A player who captures the opponent's general 将 and either the middle troop 中軍 or the banner 旗 wins the game. However, if the opponent's middle army has promoted to governor 帥, and the player captures the general and banner, then the governor takes command in place of the general and the game continues until it too is captured. That is, a player can continue the game with either the general, or the governor, or with both the middle troop and the banner together.

In practice the final capture rarely happens, as a player will resign when checkmated, as otherwise when loss is inevitable.

A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)

Another possible, if rather uncommon, way for a game to end is repetition (sennichite). If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play, then the game is no contest. Recall, however, the prohibition against perpetual check.

Game notation

The method used in English-language texts to express shogi moves was established by George Hodges in 1976. It is derived from the algebraic notation used for chess, but differs in several respects. Modifications have been made for kō shogi.

A typical example is P-8h. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. (e.g., +MA for a governor (promoted middle troop). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move or x for a capture. Next is the designation for the intersection on which the piece lands. This consists of a number representing the file and a lowercase letter representing the rank, with 1a being the top right corner (as seen from Black's point of view) and 19s being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating intersections is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the intersection 2c is denoted by 2三 in Japanese.)

If a piece captures by 'igui’ (possibilities are the sumo wrestler, dragon ascending, tiger wing, cavalry, winged horse, twelve-mile fog, immaculate light, banner and drums, or master at arms), the intersection of the piece being captured is used instead of the destination intersection, and it is preceded by the symbol '!'. If a second or later capture is made, then it is added after the preceding capture.

If a move entitles the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken, or an = to indicate that it was declined. For example, MAx7c= indicates a middle troop capturing on 7c without promoting.

In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous as to which piece is meant, the designation of the starting intersection is added after the designation for the piece.

Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

See also

External links