Ki Shogi is played without a board. But for this implementation, it will be played on a 15x15 field.
The game pieces consist of cubes. Each player begins with four cubes called 'Gyoku', 'Hi', 'Kaku' and 'Ki'.
The Gyoku cube has only the value of Gyoku(Jewel).
The Hi cube has six values, Hi(Flying), Cho(Wild Boar), Han(Reverse), Chuu(Go-Between), Ou(Side), and Shu(Vertical).
The Kaku cube has six values, Kaku(Horns), Myou(Cat), Hon(Flee), Ga(Tile), Zou(Miscellaneous), and Ken(Dog).
The Ki cube has six values, Ki(Unicorn), Hou(Phoenix), Ro(Donkey), Ja(Snake), Ba(Horse), and Ryuu(Dragon).
Play begins with an empty field. Starting with Black, each player places their Gyoku cube. Black may place the Gyoku cube at any location on the field, but White must place the Gyoku cube in such a way as to leave one 'space' between the opponent. When moving, the Gyoku cubes must maintain this one 'space' distance throughout the entire game.
Next, each player in turn may either drop or move a cube. The Hi and Kaku cube must be dropped on the 'spaces' adjacent to their respective Gyoku or Ki cube and throughout the game should remain adjacent to either Gyoku or Ki cube. The Ki cube must be dropped either next to their respective Gyoku or Ki cube, or one 'space' away from their Gyoku cube. Throughout the play, the Ki cube should maintain this distant in respect to either Gyoku or Ki cube. Cubes cannot be dropped on 'spaces' adjacent the opponent Gyoku cube, and they may not place the opponent Gyoku cube in immediate jeopardy.
Placement of the cubes and the movement of the Gyoku cube is strictly enforced. The Hi, Kaku and Ki cubes are allowed to move freely upon the field. Each may use the influence of any Gyoku or Ki cube.
If cubes become 'stranded' or seperated from either Gyoku or Ki cube, they are captured by the opponent at the start of the move.
If cubes becomes 'stranded' because of the move or 'stranded'-capture of an opponent Gyoku or Ki cube, the player is allowed to 'recover' any of those cubes with the next move.
When a cube moves without capturing, it is 'flipped' to its opposite face. The faces are paired thus:
Hi and Cho, Han and Chuu, Ou and Shu.
Kaku and Myou, Hon and Ga, Zou and Ken.
Ki and Hou, Ba and Ryuu, Ro and Ja.
When a cube captures, it is promoted to the next most powerful face. Promotions are thus:
Chuu to Cho or Han or Ou, Cho to Ou or Shu, Han to Shu, Ou to Hi.
Myou to Kaku, Hon to Kaku, Ga to Hon or Myou, Zou to Kaku, Ken to Zou or Myou.
Ja to Ki or Hou, Ro to Ki or Hou, Ryuu to Ja or Ro, Ba to Ja or Ro.
Hi becomes Chuu, Kaku becomes either Ga or Ken, Ki and Hou become Ryuu or Ba, these are actually demotions.
The capturing player takes possession of captured cubes, and may play them on subsequent turns.
A player may check the opponent Gyoku cube while still holding cubes.
The game is won by either checkmate of the opponent Gyoku cube, or stalemate. |
