|
Japanese form of
Chess, the history of which is also obscure (nebulous). Traditionally it is thought to have originated in India and to have been transmitted to Japan via China
and Korea. Shogi like traditional Chess is played on a squared board with
pieces of varying powers, and the object is checkmate (++CM) of the
opposisng King. It is played on a square board of 9 x 9 or, 81 cells with
pieces of differing powers. Two distinctive features, however, differentiate Shogi from European
Chess:
01 Captured
pieces are not dead but may be pointed in the opposite direction and replayed as part of your own or your opponent’s forces.
02 The minor pieces (JPs - Japanese Pawns)
capture one cell straight ahead. Both players have twenty pieces each at
the beginning of the game (ISP).
Each player has 20
pieces, which oppose each other on a board composed of 9 horizontal and 9 vertical rows. There are 9
minor pieces (Fu), a RO (Hisha), a BS (Kaku), one King (Osho), 2 Gold Generals (JGs, Kinsho), 2 Silver Generals JSs (Ginsho), 2 JKs (Keima), and 2 Lance (Kyosha, JL).
Shogi board
The pieces vary in power of movement, roughly (and I mean very roughly) corresponding to those of western
Chess.
Bishop and Rook oppose each other diagonally. The traditional Japanese
pieces are flat, blunt, and taper slightly toward the front. Each bear Japanese identifying characters. All
pieces except the King and Gold Generals (JGs) may be promoted on entering the last three ranks of enemy territory.
|
Japanese (Shogi)
Monogram and name |
|
9 |
JP Samuri Fu |
|
1 |
RO Rook Hisha |
|
1 |
BS Bishop Kaku |
|
1 |
KI King Osho |
|
2 |
JG Gold Generals Kinsho |
|
2 |
JS Silver Generals Ginsho |
|
2 |
JK Knight's Keima |
|
2 |
JL Lance/Spearmen Kyosha |
|
Total of 20
pieces per side. |
The promoted rank of each
major piece is marked on the reverse, most become Gold Generals (JGs). Captured
pieces are held at reserve bases until they are needed on the field again. They retain their original rank and may be reentered on any unoccupied cell. If entered within your opponent’s territory, they qualify for promotion on making their first move.
|
