Shogi came to Japan in the 8th century via Korea, evolving into the modern game with "drops" around 1550. The option to drop captured pieces back into play makes Shogi one of the most exciting forms of chess.
Origin and evolution of Shogi can be found here.

 

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Shogi is taken very seriously in Japan with weekly television broadcasts and a newspaper devoted to the game. Many daily newspapers sponsor major professional tournaments and publish the games for twenty million Japanese Shogi players. Many of the top professionals are millionaires and well over a hundred other Shogi players make a good living from the game.

Handicaps are common in Shogi, the higher ranked player removes the handicap pieces and makes the first move. The pieces removed take no further part in the game. If with a given handicap on player obtains three consecutive wins or a four game lead in a series, then the handicap should be changed by one level.
Here are the recommended handicaps for amateur players.

Officially recommended by the Shogi Renmei

Old handicap system for amateur players

Grade
Difference
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Handicap
________
Left Lance
Bishop
Rook
Rook & Left Lance
Rook & Bishop
Rook, Bishop & both Lances
Rook, Bishop, both Lances and both Knights

Grade
Difference
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
Handicap
________
Left Lance
Bishop
Rook
Rook & Left Lance
Rook & Bishop
Rook, Bishop & left Lance
Rook, Bishop & both Lances
Rook, Bishop, both Lances
and left Knight
Rook, Bishop, both Lances
and both Knights

British Shogi Federation

Up to date information tournaments etc.

Shogi.Net

 Portal to the wonderful world of Shogi

Chess Variant Shogi

Chess Variant Pages Good info and links.

Computer Shogi

CSA (in English) Computer Shogi Association

International Club

The Shogi Dojo

View online

 Games, tsume etc.

Shogi Etiquette
Shogi is a gentlemanly affair with high ranked professional players in Japan.
Shogi etiquette has it that both players kneel exactly fifteen inches from the board.

Ito order
[8]9]10]11]12]13]14]15]16]
[  ][19][  ][  ][  ][  ][  ][20][  ]
[17][6][4][2][1][3][5][7][18]

The senior (higher ranked or older) player takes the kamiza position, that is the inner seat facing towards the door and empties the pieces onto the board. Both players then set up their own pieces according to one of the traditional orders.

Ohashi order
[19]17]15]13][12]14]16]18][20]
[ ]-[10]-[  ]-[ ]-[  ]-[  ]-[ ]-[11]-[ ]
[8]-[6]-[4]-[2]-[1]-[3]-[5]-[7]-[9]

Computer Shogi

Hiroshi's Computer Shogi

Eric's Shogi Page

Good articles etc.

Royston Shogi

English Club

European Shogi

Munich 2004 etc.

IS Shogi

Strong computer program


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