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Play Shogi Online — Free Japanese Chess in Your Browser

Shogi (Japanese chess) is a two-player game on a 9×9 board: each side has 20 pieces and wins by checkmating the enemy king. Captured pieces switch sides and can be dropped back into play, and most pieces promote in the last three ranks. Play free against the AI, a friend by link or a random opponent.

Rules on this page: Standard — drops, promotion, sennichite and the 24-point impasse rule

Leaderboard

Shogi at a glance

Players
2
Board
9×9 squares (81); pieces stand inside the squares
Pieces
20 per side: king, rook, bishop, 2 golds, 2 silvers, 2 knights, 2 lances, 9 pawns
First move
Sente (black, ▲) moves first, then Gote (white, △)
Goal
Checkmate the enemy king
Captures
Captured pieces go to your hand; on a later turn you may drop one onto an empty square instead of moving
Promotion
Rook, bishop, silver, knight, lance and pawn may promote in the last three ranks; king and gold never do
End
Checkmate or resignation; also time, sennichite (4-fold repetition, draw) and the 24-point impasse rule

How to play shogi

Sente and Gote take turns. On your turn you move one piece, or drop a piece you captured earlier onto an empty square. A piece that enters, moves inside or leaves the three ranks nearest the opponent may promote. You may not leave your king in check, put two unpromoted pawns on one file, or drop a pawn that checkmates at once. Checkmate the enemy king to win.

Full rules and FAQ How drops work When pieces promote Shogi vs janggi, xiangqi and chess

Frequently asked questions