Chess variants

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Contents
Articles
Introduction
Chess variant

Different starting position

1
1
16

Displacement chess

16

Chess960

17

Transcendental chess

29

Different forces

31

Chess handicap

31

Dunsany's chess

46

Different board

48

Minichess

48

Los Alamos chess

53

Grid chess

54

Cylinder chess

56

Circular chess

59

Alice chess

63

Hexagonal chess

70

Three-dimensional chess

77

Cubic chess

81

Flying chess

87

Dragonchess

88

Unusual rules

94

Antichess

94

Atomic chess

96

Three checks chess

99

Extinction chess

100

Crazyhouse

101

Knight relay chess

102

Andernach chess

104

Checkless chess

105

Circe chess

106

Legan chess

108

Madrasi chess

110

Monochromatic chess

111

Patrol chess

113

PlunderChess

114

Incomplete information and elements of chance

115

Kriegspiel

115

Dark chess

118

Penultima

120

Dice chess

121

Knightmare Chess

123

Multimove variants

126

Marseillais chess

126

Progressive chess

127

Avalanche chess

128

Monster chess

129

Kung-fu chess

130

Multiplayer variants

133

Bughouse chess

133

Three-handed chess

141

Four-handed chess

144

Forchess

146

Djambi

148

Bosworth

150

Enochian chess

151

Unusual pieces

153

Fairy chess piece

153

Hippogonal

164

Grasshopper

165

Grasshopper chess

166

Berolina chess

167

Maharajah and the Sepoys

168

Omega Chess

169

Stealth Chess

175

Pocket mutation chess

182

Baroque chess

184

Chess with different armies

192

Duell

197

Gess

198

Variants with bishop+knight and rook+knight compounds

200

Seirawan chess

200

Janus chess

201

Capablanca chess

202

Capablanca random chess

206

Gothic Chess

208

Embassy Chess

209

Modern chess

210

Grand chess

211

Games inspired by chess

214

Arimaa

214

Icehouse pieces

222

Martian chess

224

Historical variants

227

History of chess

227

Cox-Forbes theory

242

Liubo

243

Chaturanga

253

Sessa

257

Chaturaji

258

Shatranj

261

Abu Bakr bin Yahya al-Suli

267

Tamerlane chess

269

Hiashatar

271

Senterej

272

Lewis chessmen

273

Xiangqi and variants

278

Xiangqi

278

Encyclopedia of Chinese Chess Openings

298

Banqi

299

Giog

Shogi and variants

303
306

Shogi

306

Shogi strategy and tactics

320

History of shogi

324

Meijin

330

Ryu-oh

333

Computer shogi

335

Shogi variant

341

Micro shogi

344

Minishogi

346

Kyoto shogi

348

Judkins shogi

350

Whale shogi

357

Tori shogi

364

Yari shogi

370

Heian shogi

377

Sho shogi

382

Cannon shogi

389

Hasami shogi

399

Hand shogi

401

Annan shogi

407

Unashogi

408

Wa shogi

409

Chu shogi

418

Heian dai shogi

434

Akuro

441

Dai shogi

441

Tenjiku shogi

453

Dai dai shogi

478

Maka dai dai shogi

507

Ko shogi

521

Tai shogi

551

Taikyoku shogi

571

Sannin shogi

609

Yonin shogi

621

Edo-era shogi sources

624

Other national variants

625

Janggi

625

Makruk

630

Sittuyin

633

Chess variants software

636

ChessV

636

SMIRF

638

References
Article Sources and Contributors

640

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

646

Article Licenses
License

654

Introduction
Chess variant
A chess variant is a game related to,
derived from or inspired by chess.[1] The
difference from chess might include one or
more of the following:
different board (larger or smaller,
non-square board shape overall or
different intra-board cell shapes such as
triangles or hexagons)
addition, substitution or removal of
pieces in standard chess (non-standard
pieces are known as fairy pieces)
different rules for capture, move order,
game objective, etc.
Regional chess games, some of which are
older than Western chess, such as
Chaturanga, Shatranj, Xiangqi and Shogi,
are typically called chess variants in the
Western world. They have some similarities
to chess and share a common game ancestor.
The number of possible chess variants is
Gliski's hexagonal chess one of many chess variants
virtually unlimited. Confining the number to
published variants, D.B. Pritchard, author of
The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, estimates there are well over 2000.[2] [3]
In the context of chess problems, chess variants are called fantasy chess, heterodox chess or fairy chess. Some chess
variants are used only in problem composition and not in actual play.

Chess-derived games
These chess variants are derived from chess by changing the board, pieces or rules.

Chess with different starting positions

In these variants, the starting position is different, but otherwise the board, pieces and rules are the same. In most of
such variants the pawns are placed on their usual place, but position of other pieces is either randomly determined or
selected by the players. The motivation for these chess variants is to nullify established opening knowledge. The
downside of these variants is that the initial position has usually less harmony and balance than standard chess
position.[4]

Chess variant

1
a

Chess960 one of the 960 possible starting positions

a

1
a

Upside-down chess starting position (White sits at bottom)

Chess960 (or Fischer Random Chess): The placement of the pieces on the first rank is randomized, and the
pieces on the eighth rank mirror it.
Displacement chess: Some pieces in the initial position are exchanged but the rules remain exactly the same.
Some examples of this may be that the king and queen are flipped, or the knight on the b-file is traded with the
bishop on the f-file.
Pre-Chess: Proposed by Pal Benko in 1978.[5] The game starts with white and black pawns set as usual, but the
initial position of other pieces is selected by the players in the following way: First, White places one of his pieces
on his first rank, and then Black does the same. Players continue to alternate in this manner until all pieces have
been placed. (The only restriction being, bishops must be placed on opposite-color squares.) Then the game
proceeds in the usual way. Castling is permitted only if the king and a rook were placed on their usual squares.
Transcendental chess: Similar to Chess960, but the opening white and black positions do not mirror each other.
Upside-down chess: The black and white pieces are switched so that all the pawns are one step away from
getting promoted.[6] The game can start, for example: 1. Nc6 Nf3 2. b8Q g1Q etc.

Chess variant

Chess with different forces

Some chess variants use different number of pieces for White and Black. All pieces in these games are standard
chess pieces, there are no fairy chess pieces.
Dunsany's chess (or Horde chess): One side has standard chess pieces, and the other side has 32 pawns.
Handicap chess (or Chess with odds): Variations to equal chances of players with different strength.
Pawns game: In the starting position White does not have a queen, but has eight additional pawns (see diagram
below). The game was played by such old masters as Labourdonnais, Deschappelles and Kieseritsky.[7]
Peasant's revolt: By R.L. Frey (1947). White has a king and eight pawns (the peasants) against king, pawn and
four knights by Black (the nobles).[8]
Weak!: White has usual pieces, Black has one king, seven knights and sixteen pawns. This game was played at
Columbia University chess club in the 1960s.[9]
a

1
a

Pawns game
a

1
a

Peasant's revolt

Chess variant

1
a

Weak!

Chess with different boards

Raumschach starting position (inverted knights represent unicorns)

In these chess variants the same pieces and rules as in chess are used, but the board is different. It can be smaller or
larger, non-square overall or based upon triangle or hexagon spaces (instead of square spaces). The movement of
pieces in some variants is modified to account for the unusual property of the playing board.
Active Chess: Played on a 98 board, an extra queen is placed with an extra pawn in front. Invented by G.
Kuzmichov in 1989, his students play-tested the game, deciding the best opening array was to place the second
queen on either the eighth or ninth file.[10]
Alice Chess: Played with two boards. A piece moved on one board passes "through the looking glass" onto the
other board.
Circular chess: Played on a circular board consisting of four rings, each of sixteen squares.

Chess variant
Cubic Chess: A 3D variant similar to Raumschach but played on a 666 board. Each player has six pieces and
12 pawns.
Cylinder chess: Played on a cylinder board with a- and h-files "connected". Thus a player can use them as if the
a-file were next to the h-file (and vice versa).
Chess Attack: Played on a six row, five columns board, Chess Attack follows standard chess rules, and can be
regarded as an endgame variant.
Doublewide chess: Two or four regular chess boards are connected (for a 168 or 1616 play surface) and each
player plays with two complete sets of chess pieces. Because each player has two kings, the first king can be
captured without ending the game.[11]
Flying chess: This is played on a board of 882, giving a total of 128 cells. Only certain pieces can move to and
from the additional level.
Gravity chess: Rules are the same as in regular chess, except that all pieces are gravitationally "attracted" to the
h-file (or a-file, depending on variants). This means that whenever there is free space between a piece and the
h-file, the piece moves as far as it can to the h-file until the free space runs out.
Grid chess: The board is overlaid with a grid of lines. For a move to be legal, it must cross at least one of these
lines.
Hexagonal chess: A family of chess variants played on a hexgrid with three colours and three bishops.
Infinite chess: Has a board shaped like the infinity symbol. It is connected at the center, and all pieces of the
traditional chess are used.[12]
Lord Loss chess: Played on five different boards with two players. One person moves a piece on any board and
his/her opponent can choose to move on a different or the same board. The game is featured in the book Lord
Loss by Darren Shan.
Los Alamos chess (or Anti-Clerical chess): Played on a 66 board without bishops. This was the first chess-like
game played by a computer program.
Millennium chess: Similar to Doublewide chess. Two boards are connected side by side; however, in this variant
the middle files are merged, making a 158 board.
Millennium 3D Chess: An easy-to-learn 3D variant played on a 883 board.
Minichess: A family of chess variants played with regular chess pieces and standard rules, but on a smaller board.
Polgar Superstar Chess: Hexagonal chess variant played on a special, star-shaped board.[13] It was invented by
Lszl Polgr in 2002.[14]
Raumschach: Called "the classic 3D game" (Pritchard); played on a 555 board, including a new piece
(unicorn) to move through cube vertices.
Singularity chess: Played on a board distorted in the center. Due to the distortion, some pieces can make U-turns,
attack the same square multiple ways, and bishops can possibly change square colors (e.g., starting on a black
square and ending on a white square).[15]
Tri-D Chess (or Star Trek chess): The 3D version of chess depicted in the television series Star Trek; rulesets
created by fans.

Chess with unusual rules

Absorption Chess: A capturing piece gains the movement abilities of the piece it is capturing. Therefore if a rook
captured a bishop, the rook would then be able to move like a queen as it can move like the rook and now the
bishop. This rule does not apply to kings and pawns.
Absorption Chess II (or Seizer's Chess): Similar to the original Absorption Chess. A capturing piece gains the
movement abilities of the piece it is capturing. This rule does apply to kings and pawns.
Accelerated Chess: Each player makes two non-capturing moves or one capturing move in each turn.
Andernach chess: A piece making a capture changes colour.

Chess variant

Antichess (or Giveaway chess, Take Me chess, Loser's chess, Suicide chess, Must Kill, Reverse Chess):
Capturing moves are mandatory and the object is to lose all pieces. There is no check the king is captured like
an ordinary piece.
Arimaa: A piece may push or pull opponents weaker piece.
Atomic chess: Any capture on a square results in an "atomic explosion" which kills (i.e. removes from the game)
all pieces in any of the eight surrounding squares, except for pawns.
Benedict chess: Pieces are not allowed to be "captured". If a piece when moved could capture an opposing piece
in its next move, that opposing piece changes sides.[16]
Checkers chess: Normal rules of chess are followed. However, pieces can only move forwards until they have
reached the far rank.[17]
Checkless chess: Players are forbidden from giving check except to checkmate.
Chicken Chess: A combination of Benedict Chess and Suicide Chess. As in Suicide, the object is to lose all of
your pieces and captures are mandatory. As in Benedict, if you threaten a piece it changes to your color.
Circe chess: Captured pieces are reborn on their starting squares.
Crazyhouse: Captured pieces change the colour and can be dropped on any unoccupied location. There are two
variations of this variant, known as Loop chess and Chessgi.
Einstein chess: Pieces transform into more or less powerful pieces when they move.[18]
Extinction chess: A player must capture all of any one type of pieces his/her opponent controls to win (for
example, all the knights an opponent has, or all their pawns, etc.)
Genesis Chess: The game begins with a blank board and opponents take turns placing down or moving pieces.[19]
Guard chess (or Icelandic chess): Allows captures only when a piece is completely unprotected by friendly
pieces. Checkmate occurs when the piece forcing the mate is protected and therefore cannot be captured.[20]
Hierarchical chess: Pieces must be moved in the following order: pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen, king. A
player who has the corresponding piece but cannot move it loses the game.[21]
Jedi Knight chess: Knights may move three spaces diagonally or horizontally or both, depending on the rules
accepted.[22]
Kamikaze chess: When capturing, the capturing piece is removed from the board also. So, a king cannot defend
itself by capturing an attacker. A capture is not allowed if it would expose the king to discovered check.[23]
Knight relay chess: Pieces defended by a friendly knight can move as a knight.
a

1
a

Knightmate starting position

Knightmate (or Mate The Knight): A a game invented by Bruce Zimov in 1972. The goal of the game is to
checkmate the opponents's knight (which is placed on e-file). The kings on b- and g-files can be captured as other

Chess variant

pieces. Pawns can additionally promote to kings but not to knights.[24]

Legan chess: Played as if the board would be rotated 45, initial position and pawn movements are adjusted
accordingly.
Madrasi chess: A piece which is attacked by the same type of piece of the opposite colour is paralysed.
Monochromatic chess: All pieces must stay on the same colour square as they initially begin.
Patrol chess: Captures and checks are only possible if the capturing or checking piece is guarded by a friendly
piece.
PlunderChess: The capturing piece is allowed to temporarily take the moving abilities of the piece taken.
Reincarnation Chess: A captured piece can turn into a zombie, then reincarnate back into the game as a normal
piece if captured again.
Refusal chess (or Outlaw chess, Rejection chess): When a player makes a move the opponent can refuse to
accept it, forcing the first player to change to another move, which must be accepted. The only exception is when
only one legal move is possible.[25]
Replacement chess: Captured pieces are not removed from the board but moved by the capturer anywhere else
on the board.[26]
Rifle chess (or Shooting chess, Sniper chess): When one piece captures another, it remains unmoved in its
original square, instead of occupying the square of the piece it has captured.[27]

Stationary King: Both players' kings are not allowed to move.

Take-all: The first player to capture all opposing pieces wins. The king is allowed to move into check and pawns
can be promoted to kings.
Three-check chess: A player wins if he checks the opponent three times.

Chess with incomplete information or elements of chance

In these chess variants, luck or randomness sometimes plays a role. Still, like in poker or backgammon, good luck
and bad luck even out over the long-term with clever strategy and consideration of probabilities being decisively
important.

ChessHeads: Played with cards that change the game rules.[28] [29]
Dark chess: You see only squares of the board that are attacked by your pieces.
Dice chess: The pieces a player is able to move are determined by rolling a pair of dice.
Fantasy Chess: Traditional chess with a layer of wargaming added. Players fight for the square (which can be
co-occupied) using dice. Can be expanded to 4 player game and piece capability can improve each game.[30]
Knightmare Chess: Played with cards that change the game rules.
Kriegspiel: Neither player knows where the opponent's pieces are but can deduce them with information from a
referee.
No Stress Chess: Marketed for teaching beginners, the piece or pieces a player is able to move are determined by
drawing from a deck of cards, with each card providing the rules for how the piece may move.[31] Castling and en
passant are not allowed.
Play It By Trust: Devised by Yoko Ono. Both players' pieces are white, which means after a few moves, players
must learn to trust each other as to whose pieces are whose.
Penultima: An inductive chess variant where the players must deduce hidden rules invented by "Spectators".
Schrdinger's chess: Each player's minor pieces are concealed in such a way that the opponent does not know
what they are until they are revealed. When covered, pieces move in a restricted way.[32]

Synchronous chess: Players try to outguess each other, moving simultaneously after privately recording intended
moves and anticipated results. Incompatible moves, for instance to the same square with no anticipated capture,
are replayed. Alternatively, two pieces moving to the same square are both captured, unless one is the king, in
which case it captures the other. Play ends with capture of king.[33]

Chess variant

Multimove variants
In these variants one or both players can move more than once per turn. The board and the pieces in these variants
are the same as in standard chess.
Avalanche chess: Each move consists of a standard chess move followed by a move of one of the opponent's
pawns.
Doublemove chess:[34] Similar to Marseillais chess, but with no en passant, check or checkmate; the object is to
capture the king.
Kung-Fu chess: A chess variant without turns. Any player can move any of his pieces at any given moment.
Marseillais chess (or Two-move chess): After the first turn of the game by White being a single move, each
player moves twice per turn.
Monster chess (or Super King): White has the king and four pawns against the entire black army but may make
two successive moves per turn.
Progressive chess (or Scottish chess): The White player moves once, the Black player moves twice, the White
player moves three times, etc.
Zonal chess:[35] Board has triangular wings or "zones" on either side of the main 88 board. Queens, bishops and
rooks that start from one of the squares in either zone may change direction and keep going on the same move. A
queen, for example, could zig around an obstruction and attack a piece in the opposite zone. Note that the power
to change direction only applies when a piece's move starts from a zonal area. It is possible (using the queen and
rook) to cross the board from one zone to another, but any piece entering a zone cannot make use of the extended
move.

Multiplayer variants
These variants arose out of the desire to play
chess with more than just one other person.
Bosworth: A four player chess variant played
on 66 board. It uses a special card system
with the pieces for spawning.
Bughouse chess (or Double chess, Exchange
chess, Siamese chess, Swap chess, Tandem
chess, Matrix chess, Transfer Chess,
Advanced Teamwork Chess): Two teams of
two players face each other on two boards.
Allies use opposite colours and give captured
pieces to their partner. The two-player version
of the game, played with only one board, is
Crazyhouse.
Business chess: Played with two teams using
normal chess playing rules but allowing up to
five variations of the game. The team may
discuss and play alternative moves freely.
Djambi: Can be played by four people with a
99 board and four sets of special pieces. The
Bughouse chess, the game in progress
pieces can capture or move the pieces of an
adversary. Captured pieces are not removed from the board, but turned upside down. There are variants for three
players or five players (Pentachiavel).

Chess variant

Enochian chess: A four-player variant with magical symbolism, associated with the Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn.
Forchess: A four-person version using the standard board and two sets of standard pieces.
Four-handed chess (or Chess 4, 4-Way chess): Can be played by four people and uses a special board and four
sets of differently coloured pieces.
Fortress chess: A four-player variant played in Russia in 18th and 19th centuries.
Mad Threeparty Chess: For three players on a 1010 board. Each player has two enemy kings to attack, and two
of his own to defend.
Three player chess: Family of chess variants specially designed for three players.

Single player variants

Queen's Quadrille. All

pieces are placed
randomly.

Hippodrome. All pieces

are placed randomly,
except the knights.

Similar to card solitaires, there are a few chess variants for a single player. In difference to chess puzzles, these
variants have a random starting position. Some of these variants are similar to permutation chess problems, for
example the game Queen's Quadrille, which was invented by Karen Robinson in 1998.[36] All chess pieces (except
pawns) are randomly placed on a 44 board. Then one of the queens is removed and the game is started. Pieces
move as usual, however capturing is not allowed. A player can move white and black pieces in any order, without
regard for color. The goal is to move the queen to one of the corners, or visit all squares on the board only once. The
same idea is found in the game Hippodrome, which was invented by Andy Lewicki in 2003.[37] The initial position
is obtained by placing four knights on the first row and all other pieces from a chess set (except pawns) on the
remaining fields. Then one of the pieces (except knights) is removed and the game is started. The goal is to move all
knights to the opposite rank.

Chess with unusual pieces

Most of the pieces in these chess variants are borrowed from chess. The game goal and rules are also very similar to
those in chess. However, these chess variants include one or more fairy pieces which move differently than chess
pieces.

Chess variant

10

1
a

Anti-king chess. The anti-king is shown as an inverted king.

Anti-King chess: Uses an anti-king. This piece is in check when not attacked. If the player has an anti-king in
check and unable to move it to the position attacked by the opponent, the player loses (checkmate). The anti-king
cannot capture opponent's pieces, but it can capture friendly pieces. The king does not attack the anti-king of the
opponent. The anti-king does not check its own king. All other rules are the same as in standard chess, including
check and checkmate to usual king. The game was invented by Peter Aronson in 2002.[38]
Baroque (or Ultima): Pieces on the first row move like queens, and pieces on the second row move like rooks.
They are named after their unusual capturing methods. For example, Leaper, Immobilizer and Coordinator.
Berolina chess: Which uses the Berolina pawn instead of the normal pawn, all other things being equal.
Bomberman chess: Inspired by the Bomberman video game series. Played on an 108 board with special Bomb
and Defuser pieces. The Bomb piece can be exploded on its turn in vertical and horizontal directions (similar to
the movement of a rook), destroying any pieces in the blast range, and the Defuser piece can capture a bomb
piece.[39]
ButterflyChess: Butterflies are the hybrids of the queen with a grasshopper, rook with RG, and bishop with BG
all with complete movement.[40]
Chess with different armies: Two sides use different sets of fairy pieces. There are several armies of
approximately equal strength to choose from including the standard FIDE chess army.
Dragonchess: Uses three 812 boards atop one another, with new types of chess pieces. From the inventor of
Dungeons & Dragons.
Duell: Dice are used instead of pieces.
Gess: Chess with variable pieces, played on a go-board.
Grasshopper chess: A a chess variant in which the pawns can promote to grasshopper, or in which grasshoppers
are on the board in the opening position.
Maharajah and the Sepoys: Black has a complete army, White only one piece Maharajah (queen+knight).
Omega chess: Played on a 1010 board with four extra squares, one per corner. Also, two fairy chess pieces are
used, the Champion and the Wizard. Both can jump other pieces like the knight.
Pocket mutation chess: Player can put a piece temporarily into the pocket, optionally mutating it into another
piece.
Pole chess: Each player has an uncapturable piece known as a Pole. The Pole, which does not begin play on the
board, may be moved to any empty space on the board as a legal move. Thus, the Pole can be used to block
check, making it much harder to achieve mate. Mentioned in the novel Robot Adept by Piers Anthony.

Chess variant
Shako: Played on a 1010 board. New pieces are the Cannon from Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) and an Elephant
moving as Fers+Alfil of old Shatranj (ancestors of queen and bishop), so diagonally one or two squares with
jumps allowed.[41]
Stealth chess: Played in the fictional Ankh-Morpork Assassins' Guild from the Discworld series of books; played
on an 810 board. The fairy piece is the Assassin.
2000 A.D.: Played on a 1010 board; featuring pieces Empress, Capricorn, Gorgon, Chimaera, Dragon,
Mimotaur, Unicorn, Fury.
Wildebeest Chess: An 1110 variant by R. Wayne Schmittberger, featuring two camels per player, and a
wildebeest (combined camel+knight). Pawns move one, two, or three squares on their first move.
Bishop+knight and rook+knight compounds
There are a numbers of chess variants which use bishop+knight and rook+knight compound pieces. Several different
names have been given to these pieces. Rook and knight compound (R+N) is named chancellor, marshall, empress
etc.[42] Bishop and knight compound piece (B+N) is called archbishop, cardinal, janus, paladin, princess, Prime
Minister etc.[43] To adapt two new pieces the board is usually extended to 108 or 1010 with two additional pawns
added.
Capablanca chess: A chess variant by the former world chess champion, Jos Ral Capablanca. Played on a
108 board with chancellor (R+N) and archbishop (B+N).
Capablanca random chess: By Reinhard Scharnagl (2004). A generalization of all possible variants of
Capablanca chess with random starting positions following a method similar to that used in Chess960.
Embassy Chess: By Kevin Hill (2005). Played on a 108 board with marshall (R+N) and cardinal (B+N). The
starting position is taken from Grand chess.
Gothic chess: A commercial chess variant. Played on a 108 board with chancellor (R+N) and archbishop
(B+N).
Grand chess: nvented by Christian Freeling (1984). Played on a 1010 board with marshall (R+N) and cardinal
(B+N).
Janus chess: By Werner Schndorf (1978). Played on 108 board with two januses (B+N).
Modern chess: Played on a 99 board, with an extra pawn and a Prime Minister (bishop + knight). It was created
by Puerto Rico's Gabriel Vicente Maura in 1968.
Seirawan chess: Invented by grandmaster Yasser Seirawan in 2007. Played on standard 88 board with elephant
(R+N) and hawk (B+N).

Chess hybrids
The pieces in these chess variants are borrowed from both chess and another game. The game goal and rules are
either the same or very similar to those in chess. However, these chess variants include one or more fairy pieces
which move differently than chess pieces.
Chessers [44]: By Christopher Schwartz and Sander Beckers. Played on a regular chess board but with the
inclusion of checkers pieces integrated into the mechanics of an otherwise standard chess game.
Proteus: By Steve Jackson Games. Played on a regular chess board using 8+8 dice with a different chess piece on
each side. Each turn a player must rotate one die and move another like the corresponding piece moves. Instead of
a king, the dice have a new piece, Pyramid, which cannot move, capture or be captured. Winner is determined
with a scoring system based on the value of captured pieces. Queens can be captured from both the square they're
occupying and the square directly behind them.
Playing cards on a chess board [45]: The card game allows to play openly on a board with rectangular sectors
when the chances to win are equal for players, just as play a chess or checkers but with application of traditional
rules of playing cards.

11

Chess variant

12

Games inspired by chess

These chess variants are very different from chess and may be classified as abstract board games instead of chess
variants (by restrictive, proper definition).
Arimaa: A game inspired by Garry Kasparov's defeat by chess computer Deep Blue. This game is easy for people
to understand but difficult for computers to play well.
ChessWar: Complex strategy game played with chess pieces and board.[46]
Connect Score [47]: Mixes chess with Dots and Boxes.
DracoKrak Chess: Fully customizable fantasy board game with elements of Chess, miniature wargame,
role-playing game.
Martian chess: Played with Icehouse pieces.
Navia Dratp: A cross between Shogi and miniature wargaming.
Shuuro: A cross between chess and miniature wargaming.

Chess-related historic and regional games

Some of these games have developed independently
while others are ancestors or relatives of modern
chess.[48]
The popularity of these chess variants may be limited
to their respective places of origin (as is largely the
case for Shogi), or worldwide, as is the case for Xiangqi
which is played by overseas Chinese everywhere.
These games have their own institutions and traditions.

Historic chess-related games

Shatranj set, 12th century

Chaturanga: An ancient East Indian game,

presumed to be the common ancestor of chess and other national chess-related games.
Chaturaji: Four-handed version of Chaturanga, played with a die.

Shatranj: An ancient Persian game, derived from Chaturanga.

Tamerlane chess: A significantly expanded variation of Shatranj.
Short assize: Played in England and Paris in the second half of the 12th century.
Courier chess: Played in Europe from 15th to 19th century. Probably was one step in evolving modern chess out
of Shatranj.

Regional chess-related games

Banqi (or Chinese Half chess) (China)

Chandraki (Tibet)
Hiashatar (Mongolia)
Janggi (Korea)
Jungle game (or Animal chess, Children's chess, Dou Shou Qi) (China)
Main Chator (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)
Makruk (Thailand)
Ouk Chatrang (Cambodia)

Rek Chess (Cambodia)

Samantsy (Madagascar)
Senterej (Ethiopia)

Chess variant

Shatar (Mongolia)
Shogi (Japan) see also Shogi variants
Sittuyin (Burma)
Xiangqi (China)

Chess variants software

Some program authors have created stand-alone applications that are capable of playing a few, many or an unlimited
number of variants.
Zillions of Games: Supports an unlimited number (but not types) of chess variants. One can write one's own rule
files to create and play almost all chess variants, as well as almost any abstract strategy board game.
ChessV: Supports around 50 chess variants, including such popular variants as Grand chess, Shatranj, Three
Checks chess, Ultima.
SMIRF: Supports all FRC variants upon the 88 board and all CRC variants upon the 108 board.
Sunsetter [49]: Normal chess, Crazyhouse and Bughouse chess engine (opensource).
Sjeng [50]: Besides Crazyhouse and Bughouse chess, supports other chess variants.
DoubleChessBoard [51]: Supports bughouse, coin, ingols chess variants and various alternative starting positions.
Parmen site [52]: Supports Tri-D chess Standard and Tournament rulesets according to posted sample games; plus
normal chess.

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. p.vii. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
D.B. Pritchard (2000). Popular Chess Variants, p. 8.
"Most published ones (but none described here), are, in truth, forgettable." D.B. Pritchard (2000). Popular Chess Variants, p. 8.
Pritchard (2000), p. 18
Pritchard (2007), p. 77
Upside-down chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffsetup. dir/ upside. html) by Hans Bodlaender
Unbalanced games (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ columns. dir/ vc-2001-spring. html#unbalanced) by John Beasley, Variant Chess,
Volume 5, Issue 37, ISSN 0958-8248.
[8] Pritchard (2007), p. 76
[9] Weak! (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ weak. html) by Hans Bodlaender.
[10] Pritchard (2007), p. 114
[11] "Doublewide chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ doublewide-chess. html). .
[12] "Infinite chess" (http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ game/ 32793). .
[13] Variant Chess, vol 8, Issue 61 (http:/ / www. mayhematics. com/ v/ vol8/ vc61. pdf)
[14] Polgar Superstar Chess Patent (http:/ / polgarstarchess. blogspot. com/ search/ label/ Patent)
[15] michaeljzachary.blogspot.com (http:/ / michaeljzachary. blogspot. com/ 2009/ 08/ ever-want-to-play-chess-in-curved-space. html)
[16] "Benedict chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ difftaking. dir/ benedict. html). .
[17] Pritchard 2007, p. 51.
[18] Einstein chess (http:/ / www. janko. at/ Retros/ Glossary/ Einstein. htm)
[19] "Genesis chess" (http:/ / genesischess. com/ ). .
[20] "Guard chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ difftaking. dir/ guardchess. html). .
[21] Pritchard (2007), p. 48.
[22] Jedi Knight chess (http:/ / gotjustice. wordpress. com/ 2007/ 10/ 19/ jedi-knight-chess-variant/ ).
[23] Pritchard, 2007, p. 44
[24] Knightmate (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffobjective. dir/ knightmate. html) by Hans Bodlaender.
[25] Pritchard (2007), p.61.
[26] "Replacement chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ difftaking. dir/ replacement. html). .
[27] "Rifle chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ difftaking. dir/ rifle. html). .
[28] ChessHeads (http:/ / www. chessmate. com/ ChessHeads. html) chessmate.com
[29] ChessHeads (http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ boardgame/ 12932) BoardGameGeek
[30] Fantasy Chess (http:/ / www. shadowhex. com)
[31] "No Stress Chess" (http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ game/ 19918). .
[32] "Schrdinger's chess" (http:/ / elvis. rowan. edu/ ~kilroy/ other/ ?chess). .

13

Chess variant
[33] Pritchard (2007), p.100
[34] "Doublemove chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ multimove. dir/ doublemove. html). .
[35] By Larry Smith. (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shape. dir/ zonal/ zonal. html)
[36] Queen's Quadrille (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ solitaire. dir/ quadrille. html)
[37] Hippodrome (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ solitaire. dir/ hippodrome. html)
[38] Anti-King chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffobjective. dir/ anti-king-chess. html) by Peter Aronson. Two setups were suggested by
the inventor initially, but only the second one (Anti-King II), which is very close to standard chess gained popularity.
[39] Bomberman chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ large. dir/ contest/ bomberman. html)
[40] [www.cubiccheckers.com]
[41] Shako (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ shako. html) by Hans Bodlaender.
[42] The Piececlopedia: The Rook-Knight Compound (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ piececlopedia. dir/ rook-knight. html) by Fergus Duniho
and David Howe.
[43] The Piececlopedia: Bishop-Knight Compound (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ piececlopedia. dir/ bishop-knight. html) by Fergus Duniho
and David Howe.
[44] http:/ / schwartztronica. wordpress. com/ 2010/ 05/ 09/ checkmate-by-checkers/
[45] http:/ / www. cardgameopen. 64g. ru/ en. htm
[46] "ChessWar" (http:/ / rpr. kapsi. fi/ games/ misc/ chesswar. html). .
[47] http:/ / connectcapture. blogspot. com
[48] Murray, H.J.R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN0-936-317-01-9.
[49] http:/ / sunsetter. sourceforge. net
[50] http:/ / sjeng. org/ indexold. html
[51] http:/ / bughousechess. wz. cz/ DoubleChessBoard/ index. htm
[52] http:/ / www. parmen. com

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1.
Pritchard, D. B. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Batsford Chess Books. ISBN0-7134-8578-7.

External links
General

The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org)

The Chess Variants wiki (http://chessvariants.wikidot.com/)
British Chess Variant Society (http://www.bcvs.ukf.net/index.htm)
Variety and history of Chess in ancient world (http://history.chess.free.fr/)
The Chess Family - History and Useful Information (http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Chess.htm)
Variant chess database (http://wildchess.org) - contains games for atomic chess, suicide chess, losers chess and
"wild" variants.
Chess Variant Applets that can play each variant (http://www.pathguy.com/chess/ChessVar.htm)
Applet that can play wild chess variants with 4 levels of difficulty (http://bremboce.cisana.com/
play-chess-online-against-computer.php)

14

Chess variant

Collections
In addition to individual chess variants with popularity, collections (generally acknowledged to be of respectable
quality) have been created by several inventors:

Zillions Chess Variants Karl Scherer (http://karl.kiwi.gen.nz/swindex3.html)

Games Gallery Fergus Duniho (http://www.duniho.com/fergus/games/)
Board Game Page Peter Aronson (http://home.att.net/~pbaronson/)
Chess Variants Joo Pedro Neto (http://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~jpn/cv/index.htm)
Chess Variants (Zillions) M. Winther (http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/chessvar.htm)
Chess Variants Jean-Louis Cazaux (http://history.chess.free.fr/cvindex.htm)

15

16

Different starting position

Displacement chess
a

1
a

Displacement chess. One of several variations.

Displacement chess is a family of chess variants, in which a few pieces are transposed in the initial standard chess
position. The main goal of these variants is to negate players' knowledge of standard chess openings.

Variations
The following variations were tried in master or grandmaster tournaments:[1]
White's king and queen are transposed. This arrangement was tried in a correspondence tournament in 1935 with
the participation of Keres, a chess grandmaster.
Queen's knight is transposed with king's bishop, so that both bishops are on the queen side and both knights are on
the king's side, as shown in the diagram at right. This variant is sometimes called Mongredien chess, after
Augustus Mongredien the sponsor of a tournament held in London during 1868 under the auspices of the British
Chess Association, in which several strong British chess players took part, including Blackburne.[2] According to
Pritchard, this is one of the most popular forms of displacement chess.
The knights and bishops are transposed.
The rooks and bishops are transposed. This array was suggested by Capablanca after his match with Lasker, but
did not become popular. This variant is also called Fianchetto chess.[3]
PP Random Chess: king remains on e1(e8) one of the rooks must remain on a or h file, the bishops are placed on
opposite-colored squares. Proposed in computer chess playing client Chess4Net by Pavel Perminov.

Displacement chess

17

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
[2] Lowenthal, J. The Transactions of the British Chess Association 1868 and 1869 . 1869
[3] Fianchetto chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffsetup. dir/ fianchetto. html)

External links
D-chess.com (http://www.d-chess.com/) D-chess (Displacement Chess)
Blackburne - Potter (http://www.chesscentral.com/game-chess/fischer-random.htm) displacement chess
game (knights and bishops are transposed) with comments by Wilhelm Steinitz.

Chess960
a

1
a

One of 960 possible starting positions

Chess960 (or Fischer Random Chess) is a chess variant invented and advocated by former World Chess Champion
Bobby Fischer, originally announced on June 19, 1996 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It employs the same board and
pieces as standard chess, but the starting position of the pieces is randomized along the players' home ranks. The
random setup forces players to resort to talent and creativity rather than the possibility of obtaining an advantage
through the memorization of opening moves.
Randomizing the main pieces has long been known as Shuffle Chess, but Chess960 introduces new rules so that full
castling options are retained in all starting positions, resulting in 960 possible (non-mirrored) positions. To maintain
the character of standard chess, a player's bishops must start on opposite-color squares, and the king must start on a
square between the rooks.

Chess960

18

Rules
Before the game, a starting position is randomly determined and set up, subject to certain requirements. After setup,
the game is played in the same way as standard chess (except that castling can occur from the different possible
starting positions for king and rooks). In particular, pieces and pawns have their normal moves, and the objective is
to checkmate the opposing king.

Starting position requirements

White pawns are placed on the second rank as in standard chess. All remaining white pieces are placed randomly on
the first rank, with the following restrictions:
the king must be placed somewhere between the rooks
the bishops must be placed on opposite-color squares
Black's pieces are placed equal-and-opposite to White's pieces. (For example, if the white king is placed on f1, then
the black king is placed on f8. Note that the king never starts on the a- or h-files, since this would leave no room for
a rook.)
The starting position can be generated before the game by computer program, or chosen by the players by a variety
of methods using dice, coin, cards, etc.

Determining a starting position

a

1
a

Chess960 starting position generated by die rolls:

3 (bishop on e1)
5 (skip)
1 (bishop on b1)
4 (queen on f1)
6 (skip)
2 (knight on c1)
1 (knight on a1)

There are many procedures for creating a starting position. A common one is that proposed by Ingo Althoefer in
1998, which requires only one six-sided die:
1. Roll the die, and place a white bishop on the black square indicated by the die, counting from the left. Thus, 1
indicates the first black square from the left (a1 in algebraic notation), 2 indicates the second black square from

Chess960

2.
3.

4.
5.

19

the left (c1), 3 indicates the third (e1), and 4 indicates the fourth (g1). Since there are no fifth or sixth positions,
re-roll a 5 or 6 until another number shows.
Roll the die, and place a white bishop on the white square indicated (1 indicates b1, 2 indicates d1, and so on).
Re-roll a 5 or 6.
Roll the die, and place the queen on the first empty position indicated (always skipping filled positions). Thus, a 1
places the queen on the first (leftmost) empty position, while a 6 places the queen on the sixth (rightmost) empty
position.
Roll the die, and place a knight on the empty position indicated. Re-roll a 6.
Roll the die, and place a knight on the empty position indicated. Re-roll a 5 or 6.

This leaves three empty squares. Place the king on the middle empty square, and the rooks on the remaining two
squares. Place all white and black pawns on their usual squares, and place Black's pieces to exactly mirror White's
(so, Black should have on a8 exactly the same type of piece White has on a1, except that bishops would be on
opposite-color squares).
This procedure generates any of the 960 possible initial positions with equal chance. This particular procedure uses
an average of 6.7 die rolls. Note that one of these initial positions (rolled by 2-3-3-2-3 or 2-3-3-4-2) is the standard
chess position, at which point a standard chess game ensues.
It is also possible to use this procedure to understand why there are exactly 960 possible initial positions. Each
bishop can take one of four positions, the queen one of six, and the two knights can assume five or four possible
positions, respectively. This leaves three open squares which the king and rooks must occupy according to setup
stipulations, without choice. This means there are 44654 = 1920 possible starting positions if the two knights
were different in some way. However, the two knights are indistinguishable during play (if swapped, there would be
no difference). So the number of distinguishable possible positions is half of 1920, or 1920/2 = 960. (Half of the 960
are left-right mirror images of the other half, however Chess960 castling rules preserve left-right asymmetry in play.)

Rules for castling

a

1
a

An initial position of kings and rooks

Chess960

20

1
a

Black has castled h-side (0-0) and White has castled a-side (0-0-0)
Chess960 allows each player to castle once per game, moving both the king and a rook in a single move. However, a
few reinterpretations of standard chess rules are needed for castling, because the standard rules presume initial
locations of the rook and king that often do not apply in Chess960 games.
After castling, the rook and king's final positions are exactly the same as they would be in standard chess. Thus, after
a-side castling (also called sometimes c-castling), the king is on the c-file (c1 for White and c8 for Black) and the
a-side rook is on the d-file (d1 for White and d8 for Black). This move is notated as 0-0-0 and is known as queenside
castling in orthodox chess. After h-side castling (also called sometimes g-castling), the king is on the g-file and the
h-side rook is on the f-file. This move is notated as 0-0 and is known as kingside castling in orthodox chess. It is
recommended that a player state "I am about to castle" before castling, to eliminate potential misunderstanding.
However, castling may only occur under the following conditions. The first two are identical to the standard chess
castling rules. The third is an extension of the standard chess rule, which requires only that the squares between the
king and castling rook must be vacant.
1. Unmoved: The king and the castling rook must not have moved before in the game, including castling.
2. Unattacked: No square between the king's initial and final squares (including the initial and final squares) may
be under attack by any opposing piece.
3. Unimpeded: All the squares between the king's initial and final squares (including the final square), and all of
the squares between the rook's initial and final squares (including the final square), must be vacant except for the
king and castling rook. An equivalent way of stating this is that the smallest back rank interval containing the
king, the castling rook, and their destination squares contains no pieces other than the king and castling rook.
If the initial position happens to be the standard chess initial position, these castling rules have exactly the same
effect as the standard chess castling rules. In some starting positions, some squares can stay filled during castling that
would have to be vacant in standard chess. For example, after a-side castling (0-0-0), it's possible to have a, b, and/or
e still filled, and after h-side castling (0-0), it's possible to have e and/or h filled. In some starting positions, the king
or rook (but not both) do not move during castling.

Chess960

21

How to castle
When castling on a physical board with a human player, it is recommended that the king be moved outside the
playing surface next to his final position, the rook then be moved from its starting to ending position, and then the
king be placed on his final square. This is always unambiguous, and is a simple rule to follow.
Eric van Reem suggests other ways to castle:
If only the rook needs to move (jumping over the king), only the rook needs to be moved.
If only the king needs to move (jumping over the castling rook), only the king needs to be moved.
One can pick up both the king and rook (in either order), then place them on their final squares (this is called
"transpositioni" castling).
One can move the king to its final square and move the rook to its final square as two separate moves in either
order (this is called "double-move" castling). Obviously, if the rook is on the square the king will occupy, the
player needs to move the rook first, and if the king is on the square the rook will occupy, the player needs to move
the king first.
In the meantime there has been an adjustment setting of the WNCA that when performing a castling move it is
irrelevant in which sequence involved pieces were touched. All pieces involved in a move may be touched
arbitrarily. When castling those pieces are the king and rook, and in capturing moves they are the capturing and the
captured piece. Especially with players new to Chess960 it might make sense also to announce a castling to avoid
misunderstandings. When a chess clock will be used, pressing the button could be taken as a sign that a castling
move has been completed.
When castling using a computer interface, programs should have separate a-side (0-0-0) and h-side (0-0) castling
actions (e.g., as a button or menu item). Ideally, programs should also be able to detect a king or rook move that
cannot be anything other than a castling move and consider that a castling move. Recommended gestures are: the
king is moving to his at least two steps distant castling target square or else upon the involved rook, to avoid by this
a possible confusion with normal king's moves.
When using an electronic board, to castle one should remove the king, remove the castling rook, place the castling
rook on its new position, and then place the king on its new position. This will create an unambiguous move for
electronic boards, which often only have sensors that can detect the presence or absence of an object on each square
(and cannot tell what object is on the square). Ideally, electronic boards should detect a king or rook move that can
only be a castling move as well, but users should not count on this.

Gameplay
a

1
a

Chess960
In this start position, the a- and b-pawns are unguarded and subject to immediate attack if either side's f- or g-pawns
are moved.
The study of openings in Chess960 is in its infancy, but fundamental opening principles still apply, including: protect
the king, control the central squares (directly or indirectly), and develop rapidly starting with the less valuable
pieces. Some starting positions have unprotected pawns that may need to be dealt with quickly.
It has been argued that two games should be played from each starting position, with players alternating as White
and Black, since some initial positions may offer White a bigger advantage than in standard chess. For example, in
some Chess960 starting positions White can attack an unprotected black pawn after the first move, whereas in
standard chess it takes two turns for White to attack and there are no unprotected pawns. (See first-move advantage
in chess.)

Recording games and positions

Since the initial position is usually not the orthodox chess initial position, recorded games must also record the initial
position. Games recorded using the Portable Game Notation (PGN) can record the initial position using
ForsythEdwards Notation (FEN), as the value of the "FEN" tag. Castling is marked as O-O or O-O-O as in
standard chess (except PGN requires letter O not number 0). Note that not all chess programs can handle castling
correctly in Chess960 games (except if the initial position is the standard chess initial position). To correctly record a
Chess960 game in PGN, an additional "Variant" tag must be used to identify the rules; the rule named
"Fischerandom" is accepted by many chess programs as identifying Chess960, though "Chess960" should be
accepted as well. Be careful to use "Variant" and not "Variation", which has a different meaning. This means that in
a PGN-recorded game, one of the PGN tags (after the initial seven tags) would look like this: [Variant
"Fischerandom"].
FEN is capable of expressing all possible starting positions of Chess960. However, unmodified FEN cannot express
all possible positions of a Chess960 game. In a game, a rook may move into the back row on the same side of the
king as the other rook, or pawn(s) may be underpromoted into rook(s) and moved into the back row. If a rook is
unmoved and can still castle, yet there is more than one rook on that side, FEN notation as traditionally interpreted is
ambiguous. This is because FEN records that castling is possible on that side, but not which rook is still allowed to
castle.
A modification of FEN, X-FEN, has been devised by Reinhard Scharnagl to remove this ambiguity. In X-FEN, the
castling markings "KQkq" have their expected meanings: "Q" and "q" mean a-side castling is still legal (for White
and Black respectively), and "K" and "k" mean h-side castling is still legal (for White and Black respectively).
However, if there is more than one rook on the baseline on the same side of the king, and the rook that can castle is
not the outermost rook on that side, then the file letter (uppercase for White) of the rook that can castle is used
instead of "K", "k", "Q", or "q"; in X-FEN notation, castling potentials belong to the outermost rooks by default. The
maximum length of the castling value is still four characters. X-FEN is upwardly compatible with FEN, that is, a
program supporting X-FEN will automatically use the normal FEN codes for a traditional chess starting position
without requiring any special programming. As a benefit all 18 pseudo FRC positions (positions with traditional
placements of rooks and king) still remain uniquely encoded.
The solution implemented by chess engines like Shredder and Fritz is to use the letters of the columns on which the
rooks began the game. This scheme is sometimes called Shredder-FEN. For the traditional setup, Shredder-FEN
would use HAha instead of KQkq.

22

Chess960

History
Fischer Random Chess is a variant of Shuffle chess defined by former World Champion Bobby Fischer and
introduced formally to the chess public on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Shuffle Chess had been
played for quite some time before this, as early as 1842.[1] Fischer's goal was to eliminate what he considered the
complete dominance of openings preparation in chess today, and to replace it with creativity and talent. His belief
about Russians fixing all international games also provided motivation. In a situation where the starting position was
random it would be impossible to fix every move of the game. Since the opening book for each possible opening
position would be too difficult to devote to memory (960 "book opening" systems), each player must create every
move originally. From the first move, both players have to come up with original strategies and cannot use
well-known thinking patterns. Fischer believed that eliminating memorized book moves would level the playing
field.
The first Fischer Random Chess tournament was held in Yugoslavia in the spring of 1996, and was won by
Grandmaster Pter Lk.
In 2001, Lk became the first Fischer Random Chess world champion, defeating GM Michael Adams in an eight
game match played as part of the Mainz Chess Classic. There were no qualifying matches (also true of the first
orthodox world chess champion titleholders), but both players were in the top five in the January 2001 world
rankings for orthodox chess. Lk was chosen because of the many novelties he has introduced to known chess
theories, as well as his previous tournament win; in addition, Lk has supposedly played Fischer Random Chess
games with Fischer himself. Adams was chosen because he was the world number one in blitz (rapid) chess and is
regarded as an extremely strong player in unfamiliar positions. The match was won by a narrow margin, 4 to 3.[2]
In 2002 at Mainz, an open tournament was held which attracted 131 players. Peter Svidler won the event. Other
interesting events happened in 2002. The website ChessVariants.org selected Fischer Random chess as its
"Recognized Variant of the Month" for April 2002. Yugoslavian Grandmaster Svetozar Gligori published in 2002
the book Shall We Play Fischerandom Chess?, popularizing this variant further.
At the 2003 Mainz Chess Classic, Svidler beat Lk in an eight game match for the World Championship title by a
score of 4.5 - 3.5. The Chess960 open tournament attracted 179 players, including 50 GMs. It was won by Levon
Aronian, the 2002 World Junior Champion. Svidler is the official first World New Chess Association (WNCA)
world champion inaugurated on August 14, 2003 with Jens Beutel, Mayor of Mainz as the President and
Hans-Walter Schmitt, Chess Classic organiser as Secretary.[3] [4] The WNCA maintains an own dedicated Chess960
rating list.[5]
Aronian played Svidler for the title at the 2004 Mainz Chess Classic, losing 4.53.5. At the same tournament in
2004, Aronian played two Chess960 games against the Dutch computer chess program The Baron, developed by
Richard Pijl. Both games ended in a draw. It was the first ever man against machine match in Chess960. Zoltn
Almsi won the Chess960 open tournament in 2004.
In 2005, The Baron played two Chess960 games against Chess960 World Champion Peter Svidler; Svidler won
1.50.5. The chess program Shredder, developed by Stefan Meyer-Kahlen from Dsseldorf, Germany, played two
games against Zoltn Almsi from Hungary; Shredder won 20. Almsi and Svidler played an eight-game match at
the 2005 Mainz Chess Classic. Once again, Svidler defended his title, winning 53. Levon Aronian won the
Chess960 open tournament in 2005. During the Chess Classic 2005 in Mainz, initiated by Mark Vogelgesang and
Eric van Reem, the first-ever Chess960 computer chess world championship was played.[6] Nineteen programs,
including the powerful Shredder, played in this tournament. As a result of this tournament, Spike became the first
Chess960 computer world champion.
The 2006 Mainz Chess Classic saw Svidler defending his championship in a rematch against Levon Aronian. This
time, Aronian won the match 53 to become the third ever Fischer Random Chess World Champion. tienne Bacrot
won the Chess960 open tournament, earning him a title match against Aronian in 2007. In 2006 Shredder won the

23

Chess960

24

computer championship, making it Chess960 computer

matches were held, in the women, junior and senior
became the first Chess960 Women World Champion
Chess960 World Champion was Vlastimil Hort, and
Harikrishna.

world champion. Three new Chess960 world championship

categories. In the women category, Alexandra Kosteniuk
by beating Elisabeth Paehtz 5.5 to 2.5. The 2006 Senior
the 2006 Junior Chess960 World Champion was Pentala

In 2007 Mainz Chess Classic Aronian successfully defended his title of Chess960 World Champion over
Viswanathan Anand, while Victor Bologan won the Chess960 open tournament. Rybka won the 2007 computer
championship.
In 2010 the US Chess Federation sponsored its first Chess960 tournament, at the Jerry Hanken Memorial US Open
tournament in Irvine, California. This one-day event, directed by Damian Nash, saw a first place tie between GM
Larry Kaufmann and FM Mark Duckworth.[7]

Summary table
Year

World Chess960 Championship

Mainz Open

World Chess960 Women's

Championship

Computer
Championship

2001

Pter Lk (4.53.5 vs Michael Adams)

2002

Peter Svidler

2003

Peter Svidler (4.53.5 vs Pter Lk)

Levon Aronian

2004

Peter Svidler (4.53.5 vs Levon Aronian)

Zoltn Almsi

2005

Peter Svidler (53 vs Zoltn Almsi)

Levon Aronian

Spike

2006

Levon Aronian (53 vs Peter Svidler)

tienne Bacrot

Alexandra Kosteniuk (5.52.5 vs Elisabeth

Phtz)

Shredder

2007

Levon Aronian (22, 1.50.5 vs Viswanathan Victor Bologan

Anand)

Rybka

2008

2009

Hikaru Nakamura (3.50.5 vs Levon Aronian) Alexander

Grischuk

Hikaru Nakamura Alexandra Kosteniuk (2.51.5 vs Kateryna

Lahno)
-

Rybka

Rybka

Chess960

25

Naming
This chess variant has held a number of different names. It was initially
known as "Fischerandom Chess" after Fischer formalized his variation
of Shuffle Chess. Later name forms included "Fischer Random Chess",
"FR Chess", and "FRC".
Hans-Walter Schmitt, chairman of the Frankfurt Chess Tigers e.V. and
an advocate of this variant, started a brainstorming process for
selecting a new name, which had to meet requirements of leading
grandmasters; specifically, the new name and its parts:
1. should not contain part of the name of any Grandmaster
2. should not include negatively biased or "spongy" elements (such as
"random" or "freestyle")
3. should be universally understood
The effort culminated in the name choice Chess960 derived from the
number of different possible starting positions.

Hans-Walter Schmitt, Frankfurt 2011

R. Scharnagl, another proponent of the variant, advocated the term "FullChess" instead. But today he uses FullChess
to refer to variants which consistently embed traditional chess (e.g. Chess960, and some new variants based on the
extended 108 piece set in Capablanca chess). He currently recommends the name Chess960 in preference to Fischer
Random Chess for the variant.
Bobby Fischer never publicly stated his feeling about the name 'Chess960'.

Similar chess variants

Non-random setups
The initial setup need not necessarily be random. The players or a tournament setting may decide on a specific
position in advance, for example. Tournament Directors prefer that all boards in a single round play the same
random position, as to maintain order and abbreviate the setup time for each round.
Edward Northam suggests the following approach for allowing players to jointly create a position without
randomizing tools: First, the back ranks are cleared of pieces, and the white bishops, knights, and queen are gathered
together. Starting with Black, the players, in turn, place one of these pieces on White's back rank, where it must stay.
The only restriction is that the bishops must go on opposite colored squares. There will be a vacant square of the
required color for the second bishop, no matter where the previous pieces have been placed. Some variety could be
introduced into this process by allowing each player to exercise a one time option of moving a piece already on the
board instead of putting a new piece on the board. After all five pieces have been put on the board, the king must be
placed on the middle of the three vacant back rank squares that remain. Rooks go on the other two.
This approach to the opening setup has much in common with Pre-Chess, the variant in which White and Black,
alternately and independently, fill in their respective back ranks. Pre-Chess could be played with the additional
requirement of ending up with a legal Chess960 opening position. A chess clock could even be used during this
phase as well as during normal play.
Without some limitation on which pieces go on the board first, it is possible to reach impasse positions, which cannot
be completed to legal Chess960 starting positions. Example: Q.RB.N.N If the players want to work with all eight
pieces, they must have a prior agreement about how to correct illegal opening positions that may arise. If the bishops
end up on same color squares, a simple action, such as moving the a-side bishop one square toward the h-file, might

Chess960

26

be agreeable, since there is no question of preserving randomness. Once the bishops are on opposite colored squares,
if the king is not between the rooks, it should trade places with the nearest rook.

Chess480
Castling in Chess480
a

1
a

Chess480 castling rule. In Chess960 the king ends up on either g1 (h-side castling) or c1 (a-side castling). In
Chess480, the king ends up on h1 (h-side castling) or d1 (a-side castling), while the rook ends up on g1 or e1,
respectively.
John Kipling Lewis's "Castling in Chess960: An appeal for simplicity"[8] proposes the same rules for the initial
position as Chess960, but proposes an alternative set of castling rules. In this variation, the preconditions for castling
are the same, but when castling "the king is transferred from its original square two squares towards (or over) the
rook, then that rook is transferred to the square the king has just crossed (if it is not already there). If the king and
rook are adjacent in a corner and the king cannot move two spaces over the rook, then the king and rook exchange
squares." Note that these rules are different from the Chess960 rules, since the final position after castling will
usually not be the same as the final position of a castling move in traditional chess. Lewis argues that this alternative
better conforms to how the castling move was historically developed. Lewis has named this chess variation
"Chess480"; this variation follows the rules of Chess960 with the exception of the castling rules which Lewis has
named "Orthodoxed Castling".
Note also that although the game can start with any of 960 starting positions, half of these are actually mirror
positions that theoretically don't change the games' tactics.
Naturally, the right to castle is lost:
if the king has already moved, or
with a rook that has already moved.
And castling is prevented temporarily:
if the square on which the king stands, or the square which it must cross, or the square which it is to occupy, is
attacked by one or more of the opponent's pieces.
if there is any piece between the king and the rook with which castling is to be effected, or on the final square the
king is going to occupy.
Note: There are other claims to the nomenclature 'Chess480'. Reinhard Scharnagl defines it as the white queen is
always to the left of the white king. Another way of defining Chess480 is that the white king must always be located

Chess960
on a dark square. The definition could also be that the white king must always be on a light square. The point is that
half the positions are mirror image reversals of the other half. It is really up to the individual to decide how to filter
the 480 positions.
David O'Shaughnessy argues in "Castling in Chess480: An appeal for sanity"[9] that the Chess480 rules are often not
useful from a gameplay perspective. In about 66% of starting positions, players have the options of castling deeper
into the wing the king started on, or castling into the center of the board (when the king starts on the b-, c-, f-, or
g-files). To quote from the wiki Chess page "Castling is an important goal in the early part of a game, because it
serves two valuable purposes: it moves the king into a safer position away from the center of the board, and it moves
the rook to a more active position in the center of the board". An example of poor castling options is a position where
the kings start on g1 and g8 respectively. There will be no possibility of "opposite-side castling" where each player's
pawns are free to be used as attacking weapons (as in many Sicilian variations), as the kings scope for movement is
very restricted (it can only move to the h- or e-file). These "problem positions" play well with Chess960 castling
rules.

Other related chess variants

There are other chess variants with rules similar to Chess960. These include:
Chess256 (or Random pawns chess): Only the pawns are randomized, on the 2nd and 3rd rank. Black's position
mirrors White's.
Corner chess: Like Chess960, the placement of the pieces on the 1st and 8th row are randomized, but with the
king in the right hand corner. Black's starting position is obtained by rotating White's position 180 degrees around
the board's center.
Double Fischer Random Chess: Similar to Chess960, but the opening White and Black positions do not mirror
each other.
Transcendental chess: Like above, but there is no castling and concept of auction (offering extra moves for the
right of picking the side) is added.
Moab Random Chess: A variant of shuffle chess, using the same initial positions as Transcendental Chess and
Double Fischer Random, except that the set-up phase is part of the game. Players take turns placing back-rank
pieces on their side or their opponent's. Complex castling rules are replaced with the simple "evacuation" of the
king to any empty first-rank square.
Shuffle chess: The parent variant of Chess960. No additional rules on the back rank shuffles, castling only
possible when king and rook are on their traditional starting squares.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

http:/ / www. xs4all. nl/ ~timkr/ chess2/ diary_7. htm Tim Krabbe's Diary 123
Peter Leko Biography (http:/ / www. bobby-fischer. net/ Peter-Leko-Biography. htm)
http:/ / www. tssonnet. com/ tss2636/ stories/ 20030906005106900. htm
http:/ / www. chessbase. com/ newsdetail. asp?newsid=1130
http:/ / ratings. schach-chroniken. net/ ips/ wnca/ topranking. html
http:/ / www. chesstigers. de/ ccm5_index. php?lang=1
http:/ / www. alchess. com/ chess/ 10/ usopen/ ?page=STANDINGS& xsection=fischer
Lewis, John K. "Castling in Chess960: An appeal for simplicity" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffsetup. dir/ castling_960. html),
2005-09-18.
[9] O'Shaughnessy, David. "Castling in Chess480: An appeal for sanity" (http:/ / chess960. net/ castling-in-chess480. html), 2008-11-22.

27

Chess960

External links
Descriptions and commentary
The Birth of Fischer Random Chess (http://www.chessvariants.com/diffsetup.dir/fischerh.html)
Chess960.net (http://www.chess960.net/) - Chess960 information: What, where, why and how.
Audio clip of Bobby Fischer (http://www.bobby-fischer.net/bobby_fischer_sound_12.htm) describing his
Fischer Random Chess
Fischer Random Chess Description (http://www.chessvariants.org/diffsetup.dir/fischer.html) at
ChessVariants.org
"Leko, the first ever kingpin of Fischer Random Chess" (http://web.archive.org/web/20080314230420/http://
www.geocities.com/MIGHTORS1/Leko/Fischerandom6.html)
Shall We Play Fischerandom Chess? (http://www.chessville.com/reviews/reviews_Fischerandom.htm) book by Svetozar Gligori
Play Stronger Chess by Examining Chess960 (http://www.castlelong.com/book/pscbyec960/welcome.shtml)
- book by Gene Milener
Reinhard Scharnagl's (English/German) book Fischer-Random-Schach (FRC/Chess960) ISBN 3-8334-1322-0
(German server)
CCRL (http://www.computerchess.org.uk/ccrl/404FRC/) Computer Chess Engines FRC Ratings List

Chess960, servers tools and software

Lichess (http://lichess.org/) - Play Chess960 with a friend or an AI. No registration, no download, no flash.
Integrated chat and analyse mode. Opensource website. To castle, drag and drop the king on the destination
square unless there is ambiguity with a normal one-square king-move, in which case drop the king on to the rook
you want to castle with.
Chess Hotel (http://www.chesshotel.com/play-random-chess.php) - Play Chess960 free in real-time, no
registration required, browser-based.
www.mychess.de - Internet Chess Server (http://www.mychess.de/) - Play Chess960 free in correspondence
time, registration required, browser based or with mobile device.
Free Internet Chess Server (http://www.freechess.org/) - Play Chess960 free, not browser based, with software
download interface.
The Email/Correspondence Chess Club (http://frcec.chess960.info/) for Chess960
Arena interface (http://www.playwitharena.com/) play against an engine or against other people over the
Internet
Fischer random chess generator (http://www.chessgames.com/perl/fischerandom) - online tool to create a
random Chess960 position.
Free web based PGN Player (http://www.playchess960.com/chess960player/pgn.html) capable of reviewing
Chess and Chess960 games. (Broken? Nov 21-10)
Free web-based player (http://www.chessfordollars.com) capable of large-scale Chess960 tournaments (scaled
for 50,000 players per tournament).
Scid Vs PC (http://scidvspc.sf.net) free chess program with the ability to play Chess960 against a computer
opponent.
iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/app/chess960-calculator/id337551742?mt=8) Chess960 Calculator
brettspielnetz.de (http://www.brettspielnetz.de/java/chess960/index.php) Chess960 against Java Applet
ChessManiac.com (http://www.chessmaniac.com) - Play Chess960 with players from all over the world.
Meingames.de (http://www.meingames.de) - Play Chess960 against other people over the Internet.
Chess.com (http://www.chess.com?ref_id=650541) - Play free online chess, including tournamnets, Chess960,
blitz, live chess, and many more.

28

Transcendental chess

29

Transcendental chess
a

1
a

Transcendental chess. One of the possible starting positions.

Transcendental chess is a chess variant invented in 1978 by Maxwell Lawrence.[1] It inspired Chess960 (Fischer
Random Chess) which is similar but has fewer starting positions. In transcendental chess the beginning positions of
the pieces on the back row are randomly determined, with the one restriction that the bishops be on opposite-colored
squares. There are 8,294,400 such positions in total. In Chess960 there are 960 possible starting positions, but that is
because the king must be located between the rooks and both sides must have the same starting position. In
transcendental chess there is no such rule so the position of one side can be any of 42 x 6! / 22 = 2880. There is no
castling. On the first turn a player, instead of making a move, can transpose any of two pieces on the back row.
In Chess960 the back rows are mirror images, but in transcendental chess the setup of black and white is different
2879 out of every 2880 times (there being a 1-in-2880 chance that both sides will draw the same setup). This can
create inequalities in the position. One way to equalize these inequalities is to play a couplet: the players play two
games, one each as white and as black. To win the couplet, a player must win at least one game and draw the other.
The other way to equalize the opening positions is auction transcendental chess, in which each player bids to give
his or her opponent extra opening moves in order to play the side of the board he or she wants.
In orthodox chess, innovations in opening play are increasingly hard to come by, with most good players having
processed an extensive catalogue of opening movesnovelties tend to occur later in the game. Transcendental chess
offers opening complexity and novelty immediately because every game starts in a dense and unfamiliar position.

Variations
D-chess: Similar to Transcendental Chess, but only one game is needed to be played against each opponent as the
unequal starting positions are equalized with the weaker side having the option to transpose two pieces and then
gets to move first.[2]
Moab Random Chess: A variant of shuffle chess similar to Transcendental Chess, invented by philosopher and
game theorist Eulalio Paul Cane in Moab, Utah, in 1997. Moab Random Chess uses the same initial positions as
Transcendental Chess, except that the set-up phase is part of the game. Players take turns placing pieces on their
back rank or their opponent's back rank until a Transcendental Chess starting position is reached. Because the
piece set-up phase is part of the overall game strategy, the "auction" concept of Transcendental Chess is not
necessary. Strategic skill, not fate, is responsible for any inequalities in the initial position. In addition, Moab

Transcendental chess
Random has an "evacuation" rule similar that is a simplified form of castling: The king can move to any
unoccupied first-rank square just once in the game, so long as it has not moved and is not in check. The concept
of "evacuation" keeps the feeling of castling from Classical Chess because the king can suddenly relocate to
another region of the board. Yet, like Transcendental Chess, the "evacuation" concept avoids the complex and
awkward piece placement rules of castling in Fischer Random Chess (Chess960).

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
[2] D-Chess (http:/ / www. d-chess. com)

30

31

Different forces
Chess handicap
a

1
a

White to move; Black has given odds of Pawn and move.

A handicap (or "odds") in chess is a way to enable a weaker player to have a chance of winning against a stronger
one. There are many kinds of such handicaps, such as material odds, extra moves (i.e. the weaker player can play the
first x number of moves at the beginning of the game), extra time on the chess clock, and special conditions (such as
requiring the odds-giver to deliver checkmate with a specified chess piece or pawn). Various permutations of these,
such as "Pawn and two moves", are also possible. Handicaps were quite popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when
chess was often played for money stakes, in order to induce weaker players to play for wagers. Today, except for
time odds, handicaps are rarely seen. However, the very strong chess engine Rybka has recently played a series of
odds matches against strong human players.

Purpose and types of handicaps

The purpose of a handicap, or odds, is to compensate for the difference in skill between two chess players.[1] [2] [3]
There are many kinds of handicaps: material odds; extra moves; time odds; special restrictions (such as pion coiff);
weighting of results (such as "draw odds" - counting a draw as a loss for the odds-giver); differential stakes; and
physical restrictions, such as blindfold chess.[1] [4] Many different permutations of handicaps (for example, a material
handicap plus time odds) are also possible,[5] [6] as are countervailing handicaps (for example, a player gives up a
piece, but receives one of the opponent's pieces or pawns and/or extra moves, in return).[7] [8] [9]
Harry Golombek gives the following list of material odds (in increasing handicap level):[10]
Note that the odds-giver plays White unless otherwise indicated, and "pawn odds" normally refers to the f-pawn (i.e.
the pawn initially located on the f2-square for White, and on the f7-square for Black).[11] [12]
Odds of the move: Weaker player plays White.
Two moves: Weaker player plays White and starts the game by making two moves.
Pawn and move: Weaker player plays White; a black pawn (typically that on f7) is removed from the board.

Chess handicap

32

Pawn and two moves: Weaker player plays the first two moves, and Black's pawn on f7 is removed from the
board.
Knight odds: One of the stronger player's knights is removed, usually the queen's knight on b1.
Rook odds: One of the stronger player's rooks is removed, usually the queen's rook on a1.
Rook and pawn: Stronger player's queen rook and f-pawn are removed.
Two minor pieces: The odds-giver chooses which two of White's knights and/or bishops to remove.
Rook and knight: White's queen rook and queen knight are removed.
Queen odds: The stronger player's queen is removed.
Two rooks: Both of White's rooks are removed.
Strong king: The king can move up to two squares in any direction.
a

1
a

White mates in two moves no matter what Black plays

Larry Kaufman writes that under the chess tradition of the 18th and 19th centuries, the handicap below knight odds
was:
Pawn and three moves: White plays the first three moves, and Black plays without the f7 pawn.[13] In odds
games with extra moves (Pawn and two moves, Pawn and three moves), the odds-receiver cannot move beyond
the fourth rank with those moves.[14] [15] Otherwise, White could win immediately with 1.e3 2.Bd3 3.Qh5+ g6
4.Qxg6+ hxg6 5.Bxg6#.[13] [14]
Even with the "no moves beyond the fourth rank" proviso, Black cannot give White an unlimited number of moves.
Doing so would allow White to set up the position at right, when White's dual threats of 1.Qxf7# and 1.Ned6+ cxd6
2.Nxd6# are immediately decisive.[16]
I.A. Horowitz adds to the above list the following:[15]
Draw odds: The smallest of these handicaps; the stronger player plays White, and draws are counted as wins for
Black.
Queen for a Rook: A handicap between Knight odds and Rook odds; the odds-giver's queen, and the
odds-receiver's queen rook, are removed.
Queen for a Knight: A handicap slightly greater than Rook odds; the odds-giver's queen, and the odds-receiver's
queen knight, are removed.

Chess handicap

Other forms of handicap

Time handicaps are most often practiced in blitz games. The stronger player may be given one or two minutes to
play the whole game, while the weaker player receives five minutes or more. Money odds are another way of
compensating for a difference in strength; the stronger player puts up some multiple (three, five, ten, etc.) of the
amount of money put up by the weaker player.[17] [18]
In the 16th-19th centuries sometimes the pion coiff (or capped pawn) handicap was used, usually for players of
much different playing strengths. The stronger player must checkmate with a particular pawn, which is usually
marked at the start of play. The pawn cannot be promoted. Giving checkmate with any other pawn or piece loses the
game. Pietro Carrera proved that in the endgame king, queen and pawn versus king (pion coiff), a win can be forced
unless the pawn lies on a central file. Carrera considered pion coiff to be about equivalent to giving odds of a
queen.[19]
Similarly, games have occasionally been played with a ringed piece, where a ring or band is placed around a
particular piece, and the player giving odds must checkmate with that piece.[20] [21] [22] (See illustrative games.) This
form of odds, and pion coiff, are very difficult for the odds-giver, who cannot allow the odds-receiver to sacrifice
for the capped or ringed piece or pawn.[23] [24] For instance, in pion coiff, after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5, Black already
threatens to sacrifice the queen for the capped pawn if it is the a, d, or g-pawn, to play 3...Qe5+ followed by such a
sacrifice if it is the b or h-pawn, or to play 3...Qe4+ followed by a sacrifice if it is the c-pawn.
Staunton relied on a 1617 work by Carrera in discussing pion coiff, the ringed piece, money odds, draw odds, and
the following other "eccentric and peculiar Odds":[25]
Checkmate on a particular square: This may mean either that the odds-receiver's king must be mated while on
the specified square, or that the odds-giver's piece must administer mate from that square. Carrera considered the
first of these roughly equivalent to knight odds, the second a bit less.[26] Assiac observed of the first, "This sounds
like a formidable proposition, but it really isn't. All the better player has to do is reduce the game to a favorable
ending. Thereafter, having promoted a pawn or two, he will find the rest easy."[27]
Checkmate with a pawn: The mating pawn may be any pawn, not a specified pawn, as in pion coiff. Carrera
considered this form of odds equivalent to giving odds of two pawns.[28]
Giving all the pieces for two moves each time: The odds-giver begins the game with only the king and pawns,
while the odds-receiver has a full complement of pieces and pawns. In exchange for this, the odds-giver plays two
moves on each turn, while the odds-receiver can only play one. Carrera wrote that while some considered this an
even game, he thought that it favored the pieces, although the side with the pieces must play cautiously. The
player with the pieces should try to eliminate the pawns, for instance by giving up two pawns for one, or a minor
piece for two pawns.[29]
Giving the king the knight's move: The odds-receiver's king, in addition to being able to move in the usual
manner, is able to move like a knight. Carrera considered this form of odds improper because it allows the
odds-receiver to use his king to checkmate the enemy king from a knight's move away (for example, with the
odds-receiver's king at g6 and the odds-giver's king at h8, the latter is in check and, if no legal response is
possible, is checkmated).[30] Carrera considered this form of odds equivalent to giving rook and pawn odds.
Because of the king's unusual power, the odds-giver requires more material than usual in order to checkmate a
bare king (for example, queen and another piece, or two rooks).[30]
Giving the queen the knight's move: Similarly to the above, the odds-receiver's queen (rather than king) has the
additional ability to move like a knight. This makes the queen very powerful, since she has the ability to
administer mate without the assistance of any other pieces (for instance, an enhanced queen on h6 mates a king on
h8, since Kg8 would still leave the king in check). Carrera considered this roughly equivalent to knight odds,
although it varied depending on the players' strengths.[30]
Odds of the castled king The odds-receiver begins the game with the positions of his king and one of his rooks
interchanged (e.g., king on h8 or a8, and the displaced rook on the king's square). The first way (king on h8, rook

33

Chess handicap
on e8) is used unless otherwise specified before the game. Carrera thought this form of odds equivalent to the
player with normally placed pieces giving a little less than two pawns, or a little less than a knight if the a8-rook
and king are the ones interchanged. Staunton noted that Carrera's description and examples of these odds "are not
adapted to our mode of castling" since the king and rook do not end up on the same squares they would normally
occupy after castling.[31]
Staunton also mentioned the following unusual forms of odds not discussed by Carrera:
Odds of the losing game: The odds-giver undertakes to force the odds-receiver to checkmate him.[32] (See
Paris-Marseilles, correspondence 1878, given below.)
Additional pawns: The odds-giver permits the odds-receiver to begin the game with a specified number of extra
pawns (for example, eight extra pawns).[33] Unless specially agreed, the side with the extra pawns moves first.[34]
Odds of queen rook in exchange for the opponent's queen knight, or pawn and move, or pawn and two
moves.[35]
Odds of queen knight in exchange for pawn and move, or in exchange for the first two moves.[36]

History
According to Harry Golombek, "Odds-giving reached its heyday in the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth
century."[10] Indeed, it was so prevalent in the 18th century that Philidor (172695) played the vast majority of his
games at odds.[10] About fifteen percent of the known games of Paul Morphy (183784) are games in which he gave
odds.[37]
Howard Staunton in The Chess-Player's Handbook (1847) advised inexperienced players to accept odds offered by
superior players and, upon improving to the point that they can themselves give odds to some players, to avoid
playing such players on even terms, warning that doing so is apt to induce "an indolent, neglectful habit of play".[38]
In 1849, Staunton published The Chess-Player's Companion, a 510-page work "chiefly directed to the exposition of
openings where one party gives odds".[39] Just over 300 pages were devoted to odds games: Book I (pages 1 to 185)
contained games played at various odds, and most of Book V (specifically pages 380-496) discussed various types of
odds, including exotic and unusual ones.[40] The late-19th century chess opening treatise Chess Openings Ancient
and Modern, by Edward Freeborough and Charles Ranken, included fourteen pages of analysis of best play in games
played at odds of Pawn and move, Pawn and two moves, and either knight.[41]
Macon Shibut writes that in the mid-19th century "chess was a gambling game ... . Individual matches for stakes
were the focus of organized play. Matches between leading players attracted a wide following so masters often
succeeded in finding sponsors to back their personal wagers."[42] However, the available sums were generally
relatively meager, and travel was arduous, so the amount of money obtained in this way was not sufficient to enable
professional chess players to support themselves financially."[42] Moreover, the first major chess tournament was not
organized until 1851,[43] and chess tournaments remained a rarity for several decades after that.[44] With tournaments
not a reliable means of making a living, odds-giving became a way for masters to entice amateurs into playing for
wagers, since the odds gave the amateur a fighting chance.[1] [42] [45] The odds system even became the earliest
rating system: amateurs were graded according to what handicap they needed to compete against a master, and were
referred to as a "Rook player" or "Pawn and Move player" as we would today speak of players by their Elo ratings,
e.g. "1200 player" and "1800 player".[46]
The playing of games at odds gradually grew rarer as the nineteenth century proceeded.[10] Today, odds games,
except for those at time odds, have all but disappeared.[47] Shibut posits that games played at material odds became
unpopular for (1) technological, (2) political, and (3) philosophical reasons. Taking these in turn, first, the
introduction of chess clocks gave rise to a new way to give odds, one that has today supplanted material odds as the
preferred mode of odds-giving. Second, the Soviet Union supported chess masters and sponsored chess education,
but expected chess masters "to be cultural icons, not hustlers". Third, chess began to be treated in a scientific, logical
way, "with an assumption of idealized 'best play' [coming] to underpin all analysis". From this perspective, a game

34

Chess handicap
beginning from a "lost" position becomes less interesting, even distasteful.[4] Writings by Wilhelm Steinitz
(18361900), the first World Champion, and James Mason (18491905) are consistent with the last point.[48] [49]
In an interview with Ralph Ginzburg published in the January 1962 issue of Harper's Magazine, future World
Champion Bobby Fischer was quoted as saying that he could successfully give knight odds to any woman in the
world:[50] [51] [52]
They're all weak, all women. They're stupid compared to men. They shouldn't play chess, you know.
They're like beginners. They lose every single game against a man. There isn't a woman player in the
world I can't give knight-odds to and still beat.
Fischer later claimed that Ginzburg had distorted what he had said.[53] There is no doubt that Fischer would have
failed at such an endeavor.[54] World Champion Emanuel Lasker had failed at such an endeavor in 1894, losing a
match at knight odds to Jackson Showalter's wife; he scored two wins and five losses.[55]
In 2001, London businessman Terence Chapman, a master-level player, played a match against former world
champion Garry Kasparov with Kasparov giving odds of two pawns in each game (the pawns to be removed being
different each time); Kasparov won the match by two games to one, with one draw.[56]
The very strong chess engine Rybka has recently played a series of odds matches against strong human players. On
March 68, 2007, Rybka gave Grandmaster (GM) Jaan Ehlvest pawn odds (removing a different pawn each time),
with Rybka having White in every game. Rybka won 5.5-2.5.[57] On January 8, 2008, Rybka gave GM Joel
Benjamin draw odds, with Benjamin having White in all games. Rybka won six games and drew two, thus winning
the match 6-2.[58] On March 7, 2008, Rybka gave pawn and move (removing a different pawn each time) to GM
Roman Dzindzichashvili, drawing the match 4-4.[59] On June 8, 2008, Rybka gave knight odds to FIDE Master John
Meyer, losing 4-0.[60] [61] On July 6, 2008, Rybka gave Meyer odds of pawn and three moves, winning 3-1.[62] [63]

Rating equivalent
Grandmaster Larry Kaufman wrote the following about the Elo rating equivalence of giving knight odds:[64]
[T]he Elo equivalent of a given handicap degrades as you go down the scale. A knight seems to be
worth around a thousand points when the "weak" player is around IM level, but it drops as you go down.
For example, I'm about 2400 and I've played tons of knight odds games with students, and I would put
the break-even point (for untimed but reasonably quick games) with me at around 1800, so maybe a 600
value at this level. An 1800 can probably give knight odds to a 1400, a 1400 to an 1100, an 1100 to a
900, etc. This is pretty obviously the way it must work, because the weaker the players are, the more
likely the weaker one is to blunder a piece or more. When you get down to the level of the average 8
year old player, knight odds is just a slight edge, maybe 50 points or so.
Kaufman has written that Kasparov could give pawn and move odds to a low grandmaster (2500 FIDE rating) and be
slightly favored, and would have even chances at knight odds against a player with a FIDE rating of 2115.[65]

Illustrative games

35

Chess handicap

36

1
a

Eckart-Tarrasch, position after 13. ... Rxd4

a

1
a

Eckart-Tarrasch, position after 16.Nc3

Pawn and move This game was won by Siegbert Tarrasch, whom Assiac described as "one of the greatest experts of
'Pawn and move' theory".[27] [66] K. Eckart-Tarrasch, Nuremberg Chess Club Championship 1887-88 (remove
Black's f-pawn) 1.e4 Nc6 2.f4 e5 3.Nf3 exf4 4.Bc4 Bc5 Planning the following unsound but tricky sacrifice. 5.d4
Nxd4?! 6.Nxd4 Qh4+ 7.Kf1 d5 Sacrificing another pawn for rapid development. 8.exd5 Bg4 9.Bb5+? Evidently
overlooking Black's next move. Correct was 9.Qd3, with a satisfactory defense. c6! 10.dxc6 0-0-0! 11.cxb7+ Kxb7
12.Bc6+ Kb6 13.Qd3 Rxd4 Black has regained the sacrificed piece and, contrary to appearances, his king is quite
safe. 14.Qb5+ Kc7 15.Qb7+ Kd6 16.Nc3 Allowing a pretty finish, but 16.Bf3 Rd1+! 17.Ke2 (17.Bxd1 Qf2#)
Bxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Rxh1 also wins for Black. Qf2+! 17.Kxf2 Rd1+ (discovered check) 18.Be3 Bxe3# 0-1 Notes based
on those by Fred Reinfeld.[67]

Chess handicap

37

1
a

Zukertort-Epureanu, position after Black's 19th move

a

1
a

Zukertort-Epureanu, final position; Black, ahead a queen, bishop, and knight, is defenseless.
Knight odds Johannes Zukertort-Epureanu, Berlin 1872 (remove White's queen knight) 1.f4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 d5
4.Bb2 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.a3 a6 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.Qe2 0-0 9.g4 Nxg4? Imprudently allowing White to attack Black's king
along the g-file. 10.Qg2 Nf6 11.h4 h6 12.h5 Kh8 13.0-0-0 Ne8 14.Rdg1 Rg8 15.Bh7!! f6 (15...Kxh7 16.Qg6+!!
fxg6 17.hxg6+ Kh8 18.Rxh6#) 16.Bxg8 Kxg8 17.Qg6 Kh8 18.Ng5! hxg5 19.fxg5 Ne7 20.gxf6!! Nxg6 21.hxg6+
Kg8 22.Rh8+! Kxh8 23.f7 1-0 There is no defense against mate. If 23...Qh4 (stopping the threatened 24.Rh1+),
24.fxe8(Q)+ Bf8 25.Qxf8#. Francis J. Wellmuth calls this "the finest odds-game ever played". Irving Chernev and
Fred Reinfeld call the conclusion "the finest finish in this type of contest." Notes by Chernev and Reinfeld,
Wellmuth, and Napier.[68] [69] [70] [71]

Chess handicap

38

1
a

Kashdan-Horneman, position after Black's 13th move

a

1
a

Kashdan-Horneman, position after 16.Ng7#

Rook odds Isaac Kashdan-Buster Horneman, Manhattan Chess Club 1930 (remove White's queen rook) 1.e4 e6 2.d4
d5 3.e5 c5 4.Qg4 cxd4 5.Nf3 Nh6 6.Qh3 Be7 7.Bd3 b6 8.Qg3 Nf5 9.Bxf5 exf5 10.Qxg7 Rf8 11.Nxd4 Ba6?
12.Nxf5 Nd7 13.Bg5 f6? 14.e6! fxg5 15.Qg6+!! hxg6 16.Ng7# 1-0[15] [72] [73]
a

1
a

Chess handicap

39
Morphy-Maurian, position after White's 9th move
a

1
a

Morphy-Maurian, final position

It would be a mistake to suppose that the odds-giver always wins. Even the strongest players sometimes meet with
disaster: Paul Morphy-Charles Maurian, Springhill 1855 (remove Whites queen rook) 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4 Qh4+
4.Kf1 b5 5.Bd5 Nc6 6.Nf3 Qh5 7.d4 Nf6 8.Bb3 Ba6 9.Qe2 Nxd4! 10.Nxd4 b4! 11.Qxa6?? Qd1+ 12.Kf2 Ng4#
0-1[74] [75]
a

1
a

Apscheneek-Amateur, position after Black's 21st move

a

Chess handicap

40
a

Apscheneek-Amateur, position after 25.Nh6#

Queen odds Apscheneek-Amateur, Riga 1934 (remove White's queen) 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 d6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.0-0-0 Nf6
5.f3 0-0 6.e3 c6 7.g4 h6 8.Nge2 Be6 9.Ng3 Nbd7 10.h4 Nh7 11.g5 hxg5 12.hxg5 Bxg5 13.Bd3 Bh6 14.Rdg1 d5
15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.Bxf5 Qf6 17.Bxd7 d4 18.exd4 exd4 19.Ne2 Qe7 20.Nxd4 Qxd7 21.Rxh6 Rad8 22.Rxg7+! Kxg7
23.Nf5+ (double check) Kg8 24.Rg6+! fxg6 25.Nh6#[76]
a

1
a

Lange-von Schierstedt, position after White's 14th move

a

1
a

Lange-von Schierstedt, final position: the ringed knight mates

Ringed piece Max Lange- Jenny von Schierstedt, Halle 1856 (White's queen knight is the ringed piece with which
he must checkmate) 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.Nf3 g5 5.Bc4 g4 6.0-0 gxf3 7.d4 fxg2 8.Bxf7+ Kxf7 9.Qh5+
Kg7 10.Rxf4 Nh6 11.Be3 d6 12.Ne2 Qe7 13.Kxg2 Be6 14.Raf1 Bf7? Black could have won with 14...Qg5+!!,
when 15.Qxg5 would checkmate Black, but violate the stipulation that the queen knight must checkmate.[77]
15.Qxh6+!! Kxh6 16.Rg4+ Kh5 17.Ng3+ Kxg4 18.Rf5 h6 19.h3+ Kh4 20.Rh5+ Bxh5 21.Nf5#[20] [21] [22]

Chess handicap

41

1
a

Staunton-Taverner, position after White's 3rd move; White guards the capped pawn against frontal attack
a

1
a

Staunton-Taverner, final position; the capped pawn gives mate

Pion coiff Howard Staunton-Taverner?, date unknown (White's pawn on g2 is the capped pawn, with which he
must give checkmate)[78] 1.Nc3 e5 2.Ne4 d5 3.Ng3 Covering the pawn to make it less assailable by Black's pieces.
f5 4.e3 Bd6 5.c4 h5 6.Nxh5 Qg5 7.Ng3 f4 8.exf4 Not 8.Nf3??, when 8...Bh3! would win the g-pawn and the game.
exf4 9.d4 Qg6 10.Bd3 Qh6 Now Black threatens 11...Qh3! and wins. 11.Qh5+ Qxh5 12.Nxh5 Rxh5 13.Bg6+ Ke7
14.Bxh5 Nf6 15.Bf3 g5 16.c5 g4 17.cxd6+ cxd6 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Bxf4 Nh5 20.Bg3 Nc6 21.h3 21.f3? Be6 22.Ne2
Rg8 23.Kf2 Bh3! 24.gxh3 Nxg3 followed by 25...Rh8 would win the capped pawn. Be6 22.Ne2 Rg8 23.Rc1 Bf5
24.Rc3 Be4 25.Re3 Nb4 26.Kd2 Nxa2 27.Ra1 Nb4 28.Rxa7 Nc6 29.Rxb7+ Ke6 30.Rh7 Rg5 31.Rxe4+ dxe4
32.Rxh5 Rxh5 33.Nf4+ Ke7 34.Nxh5 Nxd4 35.Ke3 Nc2+ 36.Kxe4 Ne1 Attacking the "game pawn". 37.Bh4+ Kd7
38.g4 Kc6 39.f4 Nc2 40.f5 d5+ 41.Kf4 d4 42.Bf2 d3 43.Be3 Nd4 44.Ke4 d2 45.Bxd2 Nb3 46.Be3 Kd6 47.Nf6
Kc6 48.h4 Na5 49.h5 Nc4 50.Bf4 Nxb2 51.h6 Na4 52.h7 Nc5+ 53.Ke3 Kb5 54.Ne4 Na6 55.h8(Q) Ka5 56.Qc3+
Kb5 57.Qb3+ Ka5 58.Nc3 Nc5 59.Bc7+ Ka6 60.Qb5+ Ka7 61.Qxc5+ Ka6 Deliberately allowing checkmate.
62.Qa5+ Kb7 63.Ke4 Kc8 64.Qa7 Kd7 65.Qb7 Ke7 66.Qc8 Kf6 67.Bd8+ Kg7 68.Qe6 Kf8 69.Qe7+ Kg8 70.Nd5
Kh8 71.g5 Kg8 72.g6 Kh8 73.Ke5 Kg8 74.Nf6+ Kh8 75.g7# Notes by Staunton, who wrote that he and his
opponent played many games at these odds, of which this was "perhaps the weakest, but ... also the shortest".[79] [80]

Chess handicap

42

1
a

Paris-Marseilles, position after 67.Kbl

a

1
a

Paris-Marseilles, final position; Black, having forced White to give checkmate, wins
Odds of queen in return for requiring Black to force White to checkmate Paris-Marseilles, correspondence 1878
(Remove White's queen; in response for receiving the queen, Black undertakes to force White to checkmate Black)
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 c6 3.Nf3 g6 4.e4 e6 5.e5 Bb4 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.Bxc3 b5 8.h4 h5 9.0-0-0 a6 10.Ng5 f5 11.g3 Nh6
12.Bd3 Nf7 13.Bxf5? gxf5 14.Nxf7 Kxf7 15.Bd2 Nd7 16.Rhe1 c5 17.dxc5 Nxc5 18.Bg5 Qg8 19.Re3 Bb7 20.Rc3
Rc8 21.Be3 Nd7 22.Bd4 Rxc3 23.bxc3 a5 24.Kd2 a4 25.Rb1 Ba6 26.Rg1 Qg4 27.Rb1 Rc8 28.Rb4 Rc4 29.Rxc4
dxc4 30.a3 f4 31.Kc1 fxg3 32.fxg3 Qxg3 33.Kb2 Qxh4 34.Kc1 Qe1+ 35.Kb2 Qd1 36.Ba7 Nxe5 37.Bc5 h4
38.Bd4 Nc6 39.Be3 e5 40.Bf2 h3 41.Bg3 e4 42.Bf4 Ke6 43.Bg3 e3 44.Bf4 e2 45.Bg3 Kd7 46.Bh2 e1(Q) 47.Bf4
Qee2 48.Bg3 Qdxc2+ 49.Ka1 Qf1+ 50.Be1 Qd2 Now White is reduced to shuffling the king back and forth while
Black sets up self-mate. 51.Kb1 h2 52.Ka1 h1(Q) 53.Kb1 Qf8 54.Ka1 Qxa3+ 55.Kb1 Qad6 56.Ka1 Qf6 57.Kb1
Kc7 58.Ka1 b4 59.Kb1 b3 60.Ka1 Kb6 61.Kb1 Ka5 62.Ka1 Ne7! 63.Kb1 Nc8 64.Ka1 Bb5 65.Kb1 Qa6! 66.Ka1
Nb6 67.Kb1 Qh7+ 68.Ka1 Qxc3+! 69.Bxc3# The only legal move. 0-1 Black, having forced White to checkmate,
wins.[81] [82]

Chess handicap

References
[1] David Hooper and Kenneth Whyld, The Oxford Companion to Chess, Oxford University Press, 2nd ed. 1992, p. 166 ("handicap" entry).
ISBN 0-19-866164-9.
[2] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
[3] Assiac, The Pleasures of Chess, Dover Publications, 1960, p. 147.
[4] Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, p. 124. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[5] For example, in 1747 Philidor won a match against Philipp Stamma in which Philidor gave move odds and draw odds in every game. H. J. R.
Murray, A History of Chess, Oxford University Press, 1913, p. 862. ISBN 0-19-827403-3. By another account, Philidor gave draw odds and
5:4 money odds. David Hooper and Kenneth Whyld, The Oxford Companion to Chess (2nd ed. 1992), Oxford University Press, p. 303. ISBN
0-19-866164-9. According to a third account, he gave all of these: move odds, draw odds, and 5-4 money odds. Harry Golombek, Golombek's
Encyclopedia of Chess, Crown Publishers, pp. 304-05. ISBN 0-517-53146-1.
[6] In 1914, future World Champion Alexander Alekhine played the famous composer Sergei Prokofiev blindfold and at knight odds. Prokofiev
won handily in 31 moves. Andrew Soltis, Chess to Enjoy, Stein and Day, 1978, pp. 92-93. ISBN 0-8128-6059-4.
[7] Staunton gives the score of games where Kieseritzky gave odds of his queen rook in exchange for the opponent's queen knight, and Philidor
gave odds of his queen rook in return for pawn and move. He also mentions odds of queen rook in exchange for pawn and two moves.
Staunton, The Chess Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 409-12. Staunton also cites games where Philidor gave odds of queen
knight in exchange for pawn and move, and in exchange for the first two moves. Id., pp. 435-40.
[8] Irving Chernev cites a game Andreaschek-Dr. R.M., Olmtz 1901, where White gave queen odds in return for the right to make the first six
moves: 1.e4 2.d4 3.Nc3 4.f4 5.Nf3 6.Bc4 d6 7.h3 Nd7 8.Bxf7+ Kxf7 9.Ng5+ Kf6? 10.Nd5+ Kg6 11.f5+ Kh6 12.Nf7+ Kh5 13.g4+
(13.Bg5! Ngf6 14.Nf4#) Kh4 14.Kf2 e5 15.Ne3 any 16.Ng2#. Irving Chernev, The Chess-Player's Companion, Simon and Schuster, 1973, p.
215.
[9] A bizarre example of countervailing odds was Paris-Marseilles, correspondence 1878. Marseilles received queen odds, in return for which it
undertook to force Paris to checkmate it. (See game at the end of this article.)
[10] Harry Golombek, Golombeks Encyclopedia of Chess, Crown Publishers, 1977, p. 218.
[11] Howard Staunton, The Chess Player's Handbook, Henry G. Bohn, 1847, p. 36.
[12] James Mason, The Principles of Chess in Theory and Practice, David McKay, Fourth Edition, c. 1910, pp. 317-18.
[13] 2008-06-30 comment by Kaufman (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=4658)
[14] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 440.
[15] I.A. Horowitz, All About Chess, Collier Books, 1971, pp. 56-57.
[16] Andy Soltis, Chess to Enjoy, Stein and Day, 1978, pp. 104-05. ISBN 0-8128-6059-4.
[17] Staunton discusses 2-1 money odds, for example betting two pounds on each game to the opponent's one. Howard Staunton, The
Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 388-89.
[18] In 1963 Bobby Fischer, playing five-minute chess, gave 10-1 money odds to Stewart Reuben and 20-1 money odds to National Master Asa
Hoffman. John Donaldson and Eric Tangborn, The Unknown Bobby Fischer, International Chess Enterprises, 1999, p. 71. ISBN
1-879479-85-0.
[19] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 384.
[20] Irving Chernev, Wonders and Curiosities of Chess, Dover Publications, 1974, p. 31. ISBN 0-486-23007-4.
[21] Edward Winter, Kings, Commoners and Knaves, Russell Enterprises, 1999, pp. 114-15. ISBN 1-888690-04-6.
[22] Chess Notes No. 3502 (http:/ / www. chesshistory. com/ winter/ winter03. html#3500. _Capablanca_origins)
[23] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 383 (quoting Carrera).
[24] "[O]bviously, the odds-receiver can go to any limit of material sacrifice in order to get rid of that one 'fatal' piece. Conversely, this means
that the odds-giver must guard that particular piece no less jealously than his King--a condition liable to cramp the style and tax the ingenuity
of the best player." Assiac, The Pleasures of Chess, Dover Publications, 1960, p. 153.
[25] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, 1849, Henry G. Bohn, pp. 380-81.
[26] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 381.
[27] Assiac, The Pleasures of Chess, Dover Publications, 1960, p. 150.
[28] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 387.
[29] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 389.
[30] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 390.
[31] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 391.
[32] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 395.
[33] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, 1849, pp. 395-400.
[34] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 398.
[35] Staunton, The Chess Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 409-12.
[36] Howard Staunton, The Chess Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, pp. 435-40.
[37] Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, p. 121. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[38] Staunton began his "MAXIMS AND ADVICE FOR AN INEXPERIENCED PLAYER" as follows:

43

Chess handicap
There is nothing that will improve you so much as playing with good players ; never refuse, therefore,
when any one offers you odds, to accept them : you cannot expect a proficient to feel much interest in
playing with you upon even terms, and as you are sure to derive both amusement and instruction from
him, it is but fair that he should name the conditions. It will soon happen that you yourself will be able
to give odds to many amateurs whom you meet ; when this is the case, avoid, if possible, playing them
even, or you are likely to acquire an indolent, neglectful habit of play, which it will be very difficult to
throw off. When you cannot induce such players to accept odds, propose to play for a small stake ; and
they will soon be glad to take all the advantages you can offer.
Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Handbook, Henry G. Bohn, 1847, pp. 46-47.
[39] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. v.
[40] Books II and III were devoted to games not at odds, classified by opening, Book IV analyzed the games of Staunton's 1843 match against
Saint Amant. The last chapter of Book V was devoted to chess problems.
[41] E. Freeborough and Rev. C.E. Ranken, Chess Openings Ancient and Modern, Third Edition, Kegan Paul, Trench, Trbner and Co., London,
1896, pp. 271-84. The authors, after discussing general principles applicable to odds games, devoted pages 274-76 to analyzing games played
at Pawn and move, pages 277-79 to Pawn and two moves games, pages 281-82 to games played at queen knight odds, and page 283 to the
unusual odds of king knight.
[42] Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, p. 122. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[43] "Indeed, it was not until the International Tournament of 1851, held at the Crystal Palace of the London Exhibition, that tournament play
entered the chess scene." Robert Byrne "Chess" (http:/ / query. nytimes. com/ gst/ fullpage.
html?res=9907E1DD1338F937A25752C0A961958260), The New York Times, January 14, 1997. Accessed July 21, 2008.
[44] Reuben Fine writes that for Adolf Anderssen (1818-79), winner of the 1851 tournament, "There were few tournaments (none at all from
1851 to 1857)". Reuben Fine, The World's Great Chess Games, Dover, 1983, p. 16. ISBN 0-486-24512-8. Similarly, for Wilhelm Steinitz
(1836-1900), the first World Champion, "active tournaments were few and far between ... Steinitz could hardly find one every three or four
years". Id. at 31. It was only during Emanuel Lasker's 1894-1921 reign as World Champion that "the institution of the chess tournament was
really developed", with "half a dozen international tournaments a year and innumerable local ones". Id. at 49.
[45] "It was the pernicious practice at the time [of Philidor] for the best players to give odds to weaker ones, no doubt as an inducement for them
to play for wagers." Harry Golombek, Chess: A History, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1976, p. 120.
[46] Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, pp. 122-23. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[47] Shibut addresses the question "why has odds chess all but disappeared today?" Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess
Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, pp. 122. ISBN 978-0486435749. He notes that, "Today, the game's gambling heritage is best preserved in
the arena of blitz chess and, not coincidentally, we can still find oddsgiving in blitz. However, time odds have replaced material as the
preferred form of handicapping." Id. at 124.
[48] Steinitz wrote:

[A] learner should seek as much as possible to play on even terms with superior players. From
experience and observation we feel sure that he will learn much faster in this manner than by taking
odds. The latter method of practice engenders the habit on the part of the odds-receiver of exchanging
pieces without any motive other than to reduce the forces. He may also with comparative impunity
commit many mistakes anyone of which would surely cost him the game if he started on even terms, and
the object of the student ought to be not so much to win games as to train himself to play correctly. By
taking odds a players loses the opportunity to observe the finer points of play of his adversary who on
account of his inferiority in force cannot always afford to adopt the best strategy and is more apt to
resort to lines of play which he knows to be unsound, relying on the inability of the weaker player to
perceive the correct reply. Moreover, the openings in games at odds are quite different from those
adopted in even games and, therefore, the odds-receiver is not advancing in one important branch of
Chess knowledge.
Wilhelm Steinitz, The Modern Chess Instructor, Part I, Edition Olms Zrich, 1990 (reprint of 1889 work), pp. xxix-xxx. ISBN 3-283-00111-1.
[49] Mason wrote:

Strictly speaking, odds play is somewhat foreign to the general principles of Chess, and, therefore, less
conducive to improvement of the playergiver or receiverthan serious conduct of the game on proper
even terms. This would be so for the weaker party, if only because correctness of development must
needs be missing, the whole theory of the opening being distorted and disturbed; and it would be so, for
the stronger party, if only because of the habit of speculative and unsound combination odds play so

44

Chess handicap
naturally inducesa habit which if once acquired is so difficult of rejection, and whose effects cannot
fail to prove inconvenient to its subject, when confronted by a foeman entirely worthy of his steel, and
calling for the full exercise of all his powers.
James Mason, The Principles of Chess in Theory and Practice, David McKay, Fourth Edition, c. 1910, pp. 317-18.
[50] Ralph Ginzburg, "Portrait of a Genius as a Young Chess Master", Harper's Magazine, January 1962, pp. 49-55, at 50.
[51] Bobby Fischer quotes (http:/ / www. bobby-fischer. net/ bobby_fischer_quotes_96. htm)
[52] I. A. Horowitz and P. L. Rothenberg, The Complete Book of Chess, Collier Books, 1972, pp. 139-40.
[53] Fischer biographer Frank Brady wrote of the Ginzburg interview (not specifically addressing the part about women chessplayers) that
Fischer "claimed emphatically that much in it had been twisted, distorted, and taken out of context". Frank Brady, David McKay, Profile of a
Prodigy, Second Edition, 1973, p. 47.
[54] Former World Champion Mikhail Tal responded, "Fischer is Fischer, but a knight is a knight!" Cathy Forbes, The Polgar Sisters: Training
or Genius?, Henry Holt and Company, 1992, p. 22. ISBN 0-8050-2426-3. Ironically, in 1991 Judit Polgr, a girl aged 15 years, 4 months, and
28 days, became the (then) youngest grandmaster ever, beating Fischers own record, set in 1958, by just over a month. Id. at 171.
[55] G. H. Diggle, Chess Characters: Reminiscences of a Badmaster, Volume II, Chess Notes, Geneva, 1987, p. 25.
[56] Kasparov makes it a knight to remember - Telegraph (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1317037/
Kasparov-makes-it-a-knight-to-remember. html)
[57] Rybka-Ehlvest I (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=519)
[58] Rybka-Benjamin match (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=2937)
[59] Rybka-Dzindzichashvili match (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=3363)
[60] Rybka-Meyer match conditions (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=4249)
[61] Rybka-Meyer games (http:/ / chessok. com/ broadcast/ live. php?key=pgn/ 2008/ rvsmeyer/ KnightOdds. pgn& game=0)
[62] Rybka-Meyer II match conditions (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=4658)
[63] Rybka-Meyer II games (http:/ / chessok. com/ broadcast/ live. php?key=KnightOdds. pgn& game=0)
[64] 2008-06-02 comment on Rybka Community Forum (http:/ / rybkaforum. net/ cgi-bin/ rybkaforum/ topic_show. pl?tid=4249)
[65] Larry Kaufman, The Evaluation of Material Imbalances (http:/ / home. comcast. net/ ~danheisman/ Articles/
evaluation_of_material_imbalance. htm), originally published in Chess Life, March 1999.
[66] Eckart-Tarrasch (http:/ / www. chessgames. com/ perl/ chessgame?gid=1341035)
[67] Fred Reinfeld, Tarrasch's Best Games of Chess, Dover, 1960, pp. 287-88. ISBN 0-486-20644-0.
[68] Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld, The Fireside Book of Chess, Simon and Schuster, 1976, p. 218. ISBN 0-671-21221-4.
[69] William Ewart Napier, Paul Morphy and the Golden Age of Chess, William Ewart Napier, David McKay, 1971, pp. 112-13.
[70] Francis J. Wellmuth, The Golden Treasury of Chess, Chess Review, 1943, p. 5.
[71] As to the spelling of Zukertort's opponent's name and the year in which the game was played, see Edward Winter, Chess Notes 5564, 5568,
and 5580 (http:/ / www. chesshistory. com/ winter/ winter46. html#5563. _Who_C. N. _5555).
[72] Francis J. Wellmuth, The Golden Treasury of Chess, Chess Review, 1943, p. 250.
[73] Arnold Denker and Larry Parr, The Bobby Fischer I Knew and Other Stories, Hypermodern Press, 1995, pp. 10-11. ISBN 1-886040-18-4.
[74] Irving Chernev, 1000 Best Short Games of Chess, Fireside; Rei Sub edition, 1955, pp. 56-57. ISBN 978-0671538019.
[75] Macon Shibut, Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Dover Publications, 2004, p. 212. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[76] Irving Chernev, 1000 Best Short Games of Chess, Fireside; Rei Sub edition, 1955, p. 433. ISBN 978-0671538019.
[77] Staunton quotes Carrera: "The player who gives the odds, loses the game if he checkmate with any other Piece than the one named." Howard
Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 383.
[78] Staunton wrote in 1849 that the game was played "some years ago" and referred to his opponent as the "Hon. Mr. T." Howard Staunton, The
Chess-Player's Compansion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 384. David Levy writes, "probably Taverner". D.N.L. Levy, Howard Staunton, The
Chess Player, 1975, p. 137-38. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[79] Howard Staunton, The Chess-Player's Companion, Henry G. Bohn, 1849, p. 387 n. *.
[80] D.N.L. Levy, Howard Staunton, The Chess Player, 1975, pp. 137-38. ISBN 978-0486435749.
[81] Andy Soltis, Chess to Enjoy, Stein and Day, 1978, pp. 53-54. ISBN 0-8128-6059-4.
[82] Irving Chernev, The Chess Companion, Simon and Schuster, 1973, pp. 216-17.

45

Chess handicap

46

Further reading
The Chess-player's Companion: Comprising a New Treatise on Odds, and a ... (http://books.google.com/
books?id=iO0IAAAAQAAJ&printsec=titlepage) by Howard Staunton, 1849.

External links
The Romance of Chess - A Perspective on the Art of Odds-giving (http://sbchess.sinfree.net/odds-giving.
html) from Sarah's Chess Journal. (dead link)
Odds chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/other.dir/oddschess.html) by Roger Cooper.
Video of Fischer making the claim about giving knight odds to women (http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=jdA7I9nPhSU&feature=player_embedded)

Dunsany's chess
a

1
a

Dunsany's chess, the starting position.

Dunsany's chess, also known as Dunsany's game,[1] is an asymmetric chess variant in which one side has standard
chess pieces, and the other side has 32 pawns. Unlike many chess variants, this one does not feature any fairy pieces,
which are pieces not found in conventional chess. This game was invented by Lord Dunsany in 1942. A similar
game is called 'horde chess'.

Rules
Object of the game:
The standard pieces win by capturing all 32 pawns before the pawns run out of legal moves.
The pawns win by checkmating the king. This is far easier if they first get at least one pawn promoted to queen.
The pawns can also accomplish a draw, which for them is almost as good as a win, by running out of legal moves.
Piece movement is the same as in regular chess, except that only the eight pawns from the standard side (second
row) have the option to move forward two spaces on their first move.

Dunsany's chess

47

Variations
a

1
a

Horde chess.
There exists an almost identical game called Horde chess. In difference to Dunsany's chess, the colors of pieces are
exchanged, and the middle two columns of pawns are shifted forward one space.

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN 0-9524-1420-1.

External links
Lord Dunsany's chess java applet at www.pathguy.com (http://www.pathguy.com/chess/Dunsany.htm)

48

Different board
Minichess
Minichess is a family of chess variants
played with regular chess pieces and
standard rules, but on a smaller
board.[1] The motivation for these
variants is to make the game simpler
and shorter than the standard chess.
Martin Gardner recommended 5x5
chess variant to fill short breaks during
the work. The first chess-like game
implemented on a computer was a 6x6
chess variant Los Alamos chess. The
low memory capacity of the early days
computer required reduced board size
and smaller number of pieces to make
the game implementable on a
computer.

Magnus Carlsen promoting 5x6 chess variant Chess Attack

3x3 and 3x4 boards

Chess on a 3x3 board does not have any clearly defined starting position. However, it is a solved game: the outcome
of every possible position is known. The best move for each side is known as well. The game was solved
independently by Aloril in 2001 and by Kirill Kryukov in 2004. The solution by Kryukov is more complete, since it
allows pawns to be placed everywhere, not only on second row as by Aloril. The longest checkmate on 3x3 board
takes 16 moves. The number of legal positions is 304,545,552.[2]
In 2009 Kryukov reported solving 3x4 chess.[3] On this board there are 167,303,246,916 legal positions and the
longest checkmate takes 43 moves.

4x4 and 4x5 chess

Silverman 4x4
Silverman 4x5

Microchess

Minichess

49

In 1981 Silverman suggested 4x4 chess variant shown on the diagram.[4] The first player wins easily in this game (1.
axb3+ Qxb3 2. cxb3+ Kxb3 (or 2...Kb4 3. bxc3 checkmate) 3. bxa3+ Kc4 4. Qa2 checkmate) , so Silverman
proposed a variant: Black can select a pawn, and White must make a first move with this pawn. However, in this
case Black wins even more easily (select pawn b2, 1.bxa3 (or 1.bxc3) b2+ 2. Qxb2 Qxb2 checkmate). To make the
variant more playable, Silverman finally proposed to insert a row between pawns and use the board 4x5. In this
variant pawns can do double-move if target square is free.
Another chess variant on 4x5 board, Microchess was invented by Glimne in 1997.[4] Castling is allowed in this
variant.

5x5 chess

Gardner

Baby chess

Jacobs-Meirovitz

Mallett

A 5x5 board is the smallest which can contain all kinds of chess pieces. In 1969, Martin Gardner suggested a chess
variant on 5x5 board in which all chess moves, including pawn double-move, en-passant capture as well as castling
can be made.[5] Later AISE (Associazione Italiana Scacchi Eterodossi) abandoned pawn double-move and castling.
The game was largely played in Italy (including by correspondence) and opening theory was developed. The
statistics of the finished games is the following:[4]
White won 40% of games.
Black won 28%.
32% were draws.
Gardner minichess was also played by AISE with suicide chess and progressive chess rules. In 1980 HP shipped
HP-41C programmable calculator, which could play this game.[6] The calculator was able to play on quite a decent
level.
In 1989, Martin Gardner proposed another setup, which he called Baby chess. In difference from Gardner minichess,
kings are placed into opposite corners here. Paul Jacobs and Marco Meirovitz suggested another starting position for
5x5 chess shown at the right. Jeff Mallett (main developer of Zillions of Games), suggested setup in which white has
two knights against two black bishops.[7]

Minichess

50

5x6 chess

Petty chess

Speed chess

QuickChess

Elena chess

Chess Attack

There are several chess variants on 5x6 board. The earliest published one is Petty chess, which was invented by
Walker Watson in 1930. Speed chess was invented by Mr. den Oude in 1988.[8] Elena chess was invented by Sergei
Sirotkin in 1999.
QuickChess was invented by Joseph Miccio in 1991.[9] Pawn double-move and castling are not allowed in this
variant, pawns can only promote to captured pieces. The game was sold by Amerigames International and received
National Parenting Publications Award in 1993. Miccio obtained an USA patent in 1993, which described 3 further
chess variant on 5x6 board.[10] Besides two variants similar to Speed chess and Elena Chess (same position of white
pieces, position of black pieces is symmetrical), the patent claimed one further variant, which have been named later
Chess Attack. Miccio advocated these games as educational tools for chidren to learn chess rules. The smaller board
and less pieces would reduce the complexity of the game and allow for more quicker games. The piece setup like in
Speed chess was intended to teach short side castling and setup as in Chess Attack - long side castling.
Laszlo Polgar published a book in 1994 Minichess 777+1 Positions (Quickchess teaches chess quick)[11] ,
completely devoted to chess on 5x6 board. Besides initial setup as in QuickChess, Polgar proposed to use any other
possible setup of pieces, even asymmetrical one. The book contained problems, combinations and games for 5x6
chess. Polgar recommended to use is as a first book to teach children to play chess.
Chess Attack, which has the same setup as Gardner minichess (but played on a bigger board) is sold by Norway
company Yes Games AS since 2008. In this variant, pawns can make double-moves and en-passant capture is
allowed. The game was endorsed by Magnus Carlsen and Alexandra Kosteniuk.

Minichess

51

6x6 chess
a

Diana chess

L'Hermitte chess

Los Alamos chess

Besides Los Alamos chess, there are other chess variants played on a 6x6 board. The game Diana chess (or Ladies
chess) was suggested by Hopwood in 1870. The initial position is shown above. There are no queens on the board
and pawns can't promote to queens either. Pawns cannot move forward two squares on their initial move. Castling is
done by switching the positions of the king and rook. The same condition as in chess apply for castling (e.g. the king
should not be under check, neither rook nor king should have moved before etc.)
Serge L'Hermitte suggested in 1969 a game with nearly the same setup as Diana chess, except that the positions of
the black king and knight are exchanged from their positions in Diana chess. Additionally, knights cannot move
within the first three moves, and the king can move to the knight position without losing the right to castle.

Simpler chess, without rooks

Simpler chess, without knights

Mallett 6x6 chess

A. Wardley proposed in 1977 a Simpler chess, a family of 6x6 chess variants, in which a pair of pieces is removed
from the both sides: rooks, knights, bishop or even king and queen. Removing bishops results in Los Alamos chess;
the result of removing rooks or knights is shown on the diagrams above.
Jeff Mallett proposed the setup knights versus bishops also on 6x6 board. On a normal 8x8 board, bishops are
considered slightly more valuable than knights (especially two bishops). However, on 6x6 boards, because of the
smaller size of the board, two knights are presumably equal to two bishops.

Minichess

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
3x3 Chess (http:/ / kirr. homeunix. org/ chess/ 3x3-chess/ ) by Kirill Kryukov.
3x4 Chess (http:/ / kirr. homeunix. org/ chess/ 3x4-chess/ ) by Kirill Kryukov.
Pritchard (2007), p. 113
Martin Gardner (1991). The Unexpected Hanging and Other Mathematical Diversions (Reprint ed.). University Of Chicago Press.
ISBN0-2262-8256-2.
[6] HP-minichess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ small. dir/ hpmini. html) by Hans Bodlaender, based on an email from Ross Crawford.
[7] This game can be found in set of games shipped together with Zillions of Games. The history section says: A little experiment by Jeff Mallett.
[8] Chess - Speed Game (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ small. dir/ chessspeed. html) by Hans Bodlaender
[9] Polgar (1994), p.3
[10] USA patent 5257787 Chess-like game (http:/ / www. freepatentsonline. com/ 5257787. html)
[11] Polgar (1994)

References
Pritchard, D. (2007). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. ISBN978-0955516801.
Laszlo Polgar (1994). Minichess 777+1 Positions (Quickchess teaches chess quick). Laszlo Polgar.
ISBN963-4508057.

External links

Knight court (http://www.chessvariants.org/small.dir/knightcourt.html) by Jason D. Wittman

Quick Chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/small.dir/quick.html) by Hans Bodlaender
Mini-chess variants (http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/minichessvariants.html)
6 Ranks, remaining variants (http://www.chessvariants.org/index/msdisplay.php?itemid=MS6ranks,remaini)
by Charles Gilman.

52

Los Alamos chess

53

Los Alamos chess

a

1
a

Los Alamos chess

Los Alamos chess (or anti-clerical chess) is a chess variant played on a 66 board without bishops. This was the
first chess-like game played by a computer program. This program was written in Los Alamos laboratory by Paul
Stein and Mark Wells for the MANIAC I computer in 1956. The reduction of the board size and the number of
pieces from standard chess was due to the very limited capacity of computers at the time.
The computer played three games. The first it played against itself. The second one was against a strong human
player, who played without a queen. The human player won. In the third game, MANIAC I played against a novice
chess player who had been taught the rules just before the game. The computer won, marking the first time that a
computer had beaten a human player in a chess-like game.

Rules
The starting position is shown on the right. All rules are as in chess except:
There is no pawn double-move, nor is there en passant capture;
Pawns may not promote to bishops;
There is no castling.

References
D.B. Pritchard (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.
H. L. Anderson (1986). Metropolis, Monte Carlo, and the MANIAC [1] (from Los Alamos Science [2], N 14, Fall
1986), pp 104-105.

Los Alamos chess

54

External links
Los Alamos Chess [3] by Hans L. Bodlaender.
A short history of computer chess [4] by Frederic Friedel
BrainKing.com [5] - internet server to play Los Alamos chess.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

http:/ / www. fas. org/ sgp/ othergov/ doe/ lanl/ pubs/ 00326886. pdf
http:/ / library. lanl. gov/ cgi-bin/ getfile?number14. htm
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ small. dir/ losalamos. html
http:/ / www. chessbase. com/ columns/ column. asp?pid=102
http:/ / BrainKing. com

Grid chess
Grid chess is a chess variant invented by Walter Stead in 1953. It is
played on a grid board. This is a normal 64-square board with a grid of
lines further dividing the board into larger squares. For a move to be
legal in grid chess, the piece moved must cross at least one of these
lines.
Grid chess is also used in chess problems.

Rules
Various arrangements of the grid have been tried, but the original, and
by far the most popular, is that shown to the right, which divides the
board into 16 22 squares. Unless otherwise stipulated, the term grid
board can be assumed to refer to this arrangement, and grid chess to
chess played on this board.

A sample position.

In the position shown, white can play either a3 or a4 (see algebraic notation), but cannot move his b-pawn. Black
cannot play Bd5 but can play any other bishop move if he wants to put his bishop on d5, it will take two moves
(for example, first Ba8, and then Bd5). The white king is not in check from the queen, but if the queen were to take a
step back with Qe3, it would be. The white king cannot take the queen, although the white knight can. The black
king, on the other hand, is in check from the rook on c8. Black cannot escape check, as he could in normal chess,
with Ke7 or Kf7, as these moves do not cross a grid-line, but he can play Kd7 and also Kd8, bringing the king into
the same large square as the rook.

Grid chess

Example problem
It is possible to play entire games under grid chess conditions, and a
number of chess problems using grid chess rules have also been
composed. The one to the right won first prize in the first grid chess
problem tournament. It is by H. Ternblad and was published in the
Fairy Chess Review, 1954. It is a helpmate in 4 (black moves first and
cooperates with white to checkmate him within 4 moves). The solution
is 1.Ke2 Bc4+ 2.Kd3 (note that this brings the king into the same large
square as the bishop, and so escapes the check) 2...Bxb5+
(withdrawing the bishop over a grid-line gives check again) 3.Ke4
Bc6+ 4.Kd5 (note that two kings can co-exist next to each other so
long as they are in the same large square) 4...Bxb7#.
This problem displays attractive correspondence between the paths
Helpmate in 4.
taken by the king and bishop. It is worth noting the zig-zagging path
the black king must take to reach d5 the straightfoward route Kd1-d2-d3-d4-d5 is not possible because two of the
moves do not cross grid-lines, and d1-e2-e3-d4-d5 is not possible because on d4 the king is checked by white's king.

External links
Grid Chess Problems [1]

References
[1] http:/ / members. tripod. com/ ~JurajLorinc/ chess/ fi_g. htm#gridc

55

Cylinder chess

56

Cylinder chess

Cylindrical chessboard

1
a

Cylinder chess
The diagram shows possible moves of the bishop on c1 and the knight on h2 on a cylindrical board. Note that the
bishop can't move through the upper and lower sides of the board.
Cylinder chess (or cylindrical chess) is a chess variant with an unusual board. The game is played as if the board
were a cylinder, with the left side of the board joined to the right side. According to Bill Wall, in 947 in a history of
chess in India and Persia, the Arabic historian Ali al-Masudi described six different variants of chess, including
astrological chess, circular chess and cylinder chess.[1]
Cylindrical board is also used in chess problems.

Rules and gameplay

Cylinder chess

57

1
a

Mate in 2
Cylinder chess with the null-move.
The game is played as if there is no edge on the side of the board. When a piece goes off the right edge of the board
in cylinder chess, it reappears on the left edge; when a piece goes off the left edge, it reappears on the right edge.[2]
It is legal to move a rook from a3 to h3, even if there is a piece on b3, since the rook can move left from a3. A bishop
on c1 can go to h4, by moving from c1 to a3, and then going up and left from a3 to h4. Moves that do not change the
position, like rook a3-a3 (assuming 3rd rank is empty), are usually not allowed, but sometimes they are in some
problems. It is allowed to capture en passant over the board edge. For example, if white has a pawn on a5, black on
h7 and black plays h7-h5, white can capture it: a5xh6.
Bishops are more valuable in this variant. And, unlike in standard chess, king and rook cannot enforce checkmate
against the lone king on the cylindrical board.
The game is sometimes played with changed rules for castling:
Castling is not allowed. Proponents of this convention argue that the purpose of castling is nullified by all files
being equivalent, as they are on the cylinder.
Additionally to normal castling, castling with the wrong rook (over the board edge) is also allowed. By such
castling on the king side the king e1 moves to g1 and rook a1 moves to f1. This castling on the queen-side has the
rook on h1 moving to d1, king moves to c1.
Some cylinder chess problems allow moves that don't change the position (null moves).[3] At the right an example of
such a problem is shown. The solution is to put black in a zugzwang by playing 1.Rh4-h4 . Now, after any move by
black white has a mate. The move 1.Rg4 doesn't work because of 1....Ka5 threatening to capture the rook.

Cylinder chess

58

Horizontal cylinder chess and toroidal chess

Toroidal chessboard

1
a

Initial position
Torus chess on a standard board
In horizontal cylinder chess, first and last rank are connected. In toroidal chess the board has the form of a torus.
One can get a toroidal board by connecting first and last ranks of the cylindrical board. On the toroidal board, even
king and queen can't checkmate the lone king.[4]
See the Torus Chess link below for a toroidal variant that can be played, with an explanation of moves and strategy.
The diagram on the right shows the starting position for play on a standard board, using toroidal geometry.

Cylinder chess

59

References
[1] Earliest chess books and references (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20091028082822/ http:/ / www. geocities. com/ SiliconValley/ Lab/
7378/ oldtexts. htm) by Bill Wall.
[2] D.B. Pritchard (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (p. 79). ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.
[3] From A. W. Mongredien, Bulletin de la FFE, No. 19, 1926 (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ problems. dir/ prcylin2. html)
[4] .. , , , , 1983 (in Russian)

External links
Cylinder chess (http://www.bcvs.ukf.net/cylin.htm) by George Jelliss, Variant Chess, Volume 3, Issue 22,
Winter 1996-7, pages 3233.
Cylindrical chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/boardrules.dir/cylindrical.html) by Ron Porter and Cliff
Lundberg.
BrainKing.com (http://BrainKing.com) - internet server to play Cylinder chess and many other chess variants
Torus Chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/shape.dir/torus_standard_board.html) by Karl Fischer, Torus
Chess on a standard board - playable, if bloody.

Circular chess
Circular chess is a chess variant played using the standard set of
pieces on a circular board consisting of four rings, each of sixteen
squares. This is topologically equivalent to playing on the surface of a
cylinder.

History
Documents in the British Library and elsewhere suggest that circular
Circular chess
chess was played in Persia as early as the 10th century AD, and further
references are found in India, Persia, and, later, Europe. Historical
rules are in sources that are little-known in the West, such as Muhammad ibn Mahmud Amuli's 'Treasury of the
Sciences', so when, in 1983, Lincoln historian David Reynolds came across a reference to the game being played in
the Middle Ages and set about attempting to revive interest in it, he chose to draw up a new set of rules, based
around those of orthodox chess. Since that time, the older rules of circular chess have become far better known.

Historical Circular Chess

Rules
One set of rules for medieval circular chess is from the Persian author Amuli (1325). In this
version, called shatranj al-muddawara (circular chess) or shatranj al-Rmya (Roman or
Byzantine chess), the game uses a board with four concentric rings, each split into 16
spaces, for a total of 64 spaces. The game uses the same pieces as shatranj. The king and
the counselor on the inner ring, next to each other. The next ring has the elephants, the next
ring has the knights, and the last ring has the rooks. A single row of 4 pawns flanks each
side of the central pieces. The king of one side "faces" the counselor of the other (a shorter

Starting position for

historical circular chess.

Circular chess

60

path is between the king of one side and the counselor of the other than between the kings of the two sides).
Movement is the same as shatranj, except that, if two pawns from the same side, going in opposite directions, end up
being blocked by each other, the opponent may remove both pieces, which does not use the opponent's turn. As there
is no back row, there is no promotion. A stalemate is a victory for the stalemating player. A bare king is a loss for the
player who only has the king left unless, in the next turn, the player can also impose a bare king, at which point the
game is a draw.
Citadel Chess
A variant of this game attested by Amuli has two "citadel" spaces in the center of the board
and a different starting setup. In the citadel game, if a king reaches the citadel, a draw is
forced.

Modern Circular Chess

Starting position for
citadal chess.

Rules
The starting position is essentially obtained from that of orthodox chess by cutting the
board in half and bending the two halves to join at the ends. Two lines are marked on
opposite sides of the board, and each set of pieces is positioned so as to straddle this line.
The king and queen start on the innermost ring, with, as is the case in square chess, the
queen on a square of the same colour; the bishops start in the second ring from the centre,
the knights on the third and the rooks on the outermost ring. The pawns are positioned in
front of the pieces.

Starting position for

modern circular chess.

The moves of the pieces are identical to those in orthodox chess; a queen or rook may, if it
is not obstructed, move any distance round a ring, except that the "null move" of moving a
piece all the way round the board and back to its original square is not permitted. A pawn is promoted after moving
six squares from its initial position, to the square immediately before the opponent's starting line. Castling and en
passant captures are not permitted. Announcing a check is not obligatory, and "snaffling" (winning the game
immediately by capturing the opponent's king after he either moved into or failed to move out of check) is allowed and has on more than one occasion decided a world championship game.

Theory
Most textbooks on orthodox chess assign the pieces relative values of 9 points for a queen, 5 for a rook, 3 for a
bishop or knight, and 1 for a pawn; although no attempt has been made to assign specific values for circular chess, it
is certain that the same values do not hold. The values of the queen and rook are considerably augmented by their
greater range - with two rooks or a queen and rook unobstructed on the same ring being especially powerful - while
those of the bishop and knight are diminished; for example, on an 8 x 8 board two minor pieces are held to be
stronger than a rook, but on a circular board the rook is considerably stronger. The minor pieces do, however, pose a
significant danger value, as their moves are more difficult to visualise on the circular board and even strong players
often fail to notice a threat.
One of the major differences between orthodox and circular chess in practice is in the opening. In the former,
opening theory has developed over several centuries, and the use of computer analysis has resulted in top level

Circular chess

61

games frequently not deviating from known theory until the 20th move or beyond; in the latter, there is virtually no
opening theory, and consequently players are "on their own" from the first move. In orthodox chess, advancing the
king's or queen's pawn are generally considered the best opening moves, as doing so attacks two key central squares,
opens a diagonal to enable the development of a bishop, and, in the case of the king's pawn, the queen also. On a
circular board these advantages are negated, as a king's or queen's pawn only attacks one square, and its advance
only opens one square for the bishop. Some players advance the central pawns first anyway, while others prefer to
advance the rooks' pawns in order to open lines of attack for the more powerful pieces; it is not known which move,
if any, is objectively best.
The different geometry of the square and circular boards creates considerable differences in endgame theory: three of
the four "basic checkmates" on a square board (those with king and rook, king and two bishops or king, bishop and
knight against a lone king) rely on forcing the defending king into the corner of the board, and thus are impossible on
a circular board since it doesn't have corners. The "basic mates" in circular chess are thus those with king and queen,
king, rook and minor piece or king and three minor pieces against a lone king. The greater tendency towards drawn
endgames often results in the defender playing on in a position which would be considered cause for resignation on a
square board. In one particular endgame, however, the circular board favours the attacker: with king and pawn
against king, there is no stalemate defence and thus, unless the defending king can capture the pawn before it can be
either promoted or defended, this endgame is always a win. So most rules are as in orthodox chess.

The World Championship

Chess championship year

Location

Winner

1996

The Tap and Spile public house, Lincoln Rob Stevens, Lincoln

1997

Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

1998

Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

1999

Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

2000

Lincoln

Herman Kok

2001

Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

2002

Bishop Edward King House, Lincoln

David Howell

2003

Bishop Edward King House, Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

2004

Lincoln

Francis Bowers, Peterborough

2005

Lincoln Cathedral

Michael Jones, Lincoln

2006

Lincoln Castle

Herman Kok

2007

The Tap & Spile public house, Lincoln

Kevin McCarthy

After experimenting with various possible layouts for the game, Reynolds decided on that pictured above,
constructed a board and introduced the game to other players in Lincoln; it caught on, and in 1996 the Circular Chess
Society was formed, with the aim of popularising circular chess, primarily by organising a tournament. Since it was
not known to be played competitively anywhere else, its claim to the status of world championship was not
contested, and thus it became. The inaugural tournament was held in the Tap and Spile public house in Lincoln in
1996; it was played as a knockout, with Lincoln player Rob Stevens beating Nottinghamshire's Mark Spink in the
final. Subsequently the tournament has been held at different venues in Lincoln, usually under the Swiss system, and
has been dominated by two players: Peterborough engineer Francis Bowers and Dutch businessman Herman Kok,
who between them won eight of the following ten tournaments. Bowers took the title from 1997 to 1999, and
remains not just the only player to have won the tournament three years in succession, but the only one to win on
more than two occasions; Kok broke the sequence with victory in the 2000 tournament, before Bowers won again in

Circular chess
2001.
The 2002 World Championship, staged in Bishop Edward King House in Lincoln and sponsored by the Duke
William Hotel, saw the only instance to date of the participation in the tournament of a player widely known outside
the world of circular chess: David Howell, then aged 11 and having recently gained national publicity by becoming
the youngest player to avoid defeat (at standard chess) against a reigning world champion, with a draw in the final
game of his match against Vladimir Kramnik (having lost the other three games). Howell won the tournament,
scoring a maximum 5 points after beating Bowers in the final round, although he commented afterwards "This is the
first time I have played in a circular chess contest and it was difficult. Circular chess is a lot harder to play than
square chess. Every time you or your opponent makes a move, you have to think about what is happening on the
other side of the board.". Kok finished runner-up with 4 points.
The 2003 tournament was again held in Bishop Edward King House; sponsorship for it and the four subsequent
tournaments came from Lindum Group. Howell did not return to defend his title (and has not played in the
tournament since); Bowers gained his fifth title with victory over Kok in the last round to complete a 5/5 score, and
Lincolnshire player David Carew, with 4, finished second. Bowers repeated the feat the following year, again
finishing with a win against Kok; Nottinghamshire's Mike Clark was the runner-up, with Stevens third and Kok and
Carew among a group of six players in joint fourth place.
In 2005 the Society gained extra publicity for the tournament by securing the chapter house of Lincoln Cathedral as
the venue, only the day after the filming of The Da Vinci Code there had been completed (the cathedral was used to
film scenes which, in the book, take place in Westminster Abbey, since the abbey had refused Columbia Pictures
permission to film there); much of the film set was (and is) still in place. The draw for the first round of the
tournament was conducted by Councillor Steve Allnutt, the Deputy Mayor of Lincoln, and Mrs Chris Noble, the City
Sheriff; the two guests accepted an invitation to try the game for themselves, with the Sheriff emerging as the
winner. In contrast to previous tournaments, the 2005 championship was held over four rounds rather than five; in
the first Stevens drew with Bowers, to end the latter's run of ten consecutive wins in the tournament and leave Kok
the favourite to take the title again. At the halfway point there were four players with maximum points - Kok,
Hertfordshire's John Beasley, and tournament newcomers David Stamp and Michael Jones, both of Lincolnshire with Bowers on 1 after surviving a scare to "snaffle" Carew in the second round. Kok beat Beasley in the third
round, while Stamp and Jones remained in contention after both winning; Bowers also won, although, since the top
four players would be drawn against each other in the final round, his chances of retaining his title were remote,
relying on him winning his own game and the other being drawn to force a three-way playoff. The draw for the final
round pitted Kok against Jones and Bowers against Stamp - in each case an experienced player against a tournament
newcomer. The former game looked to be heading in Kok's favour before he blundered in time trouble and
eventually lost on time, leaving Jones on 4/4 and Stamp needing to beat Bowers to force a tiebreak; he could only
draw, so Jones finished the outright champion and Stamp runner-up with 3. Bowers, Herman Kok, his son Robbie,
Beasley and Clark tied for third place with 3 points each.
The 2006 World Championship was held at Lincoln Castle, and was dedicated to regular competitor Charles Vermes
of Derbyshire, who had died shortly before. The first round brought no surprise results - the only two of the main
contenders to be drawn together were Clark and Stevens, with Clark emerging the winner; Jones, Herman Kok and
Bowers all won. Clark beat Jones in the second round, at which point there remained five players on maximum
points: Clark, Kok, Bowers, Lincolnshire's Richard Kidals and Ian Lewis of Cardiff. Lewis lost his third round game
to tournament founder Reynolds, but the other four leaders all won, ensuring the need for a tiebreak unless one of the
last round games was drawn; Kok beat Clark and Bowers beat Kidals to give them both the maximum 4 points, so
the expected tiebreak game ensued. The game was close throughout, with Bowers eventually losing on time to give
Kok the title - only the second player, after Bowers himself, to claim it more than once.
The 2007 World Championship was held at The Tap & Spile in Lincoln, with Kevin McCarthy lifting the title after
remaining unbeaten in his first ever tournament under Circular Rules, including a win against the legendary Herman

62

Circular chess
Kok, who had taught him the rules only a fortnight previously.

External links
Circular Chess Software (Windows 95 - Windows 7) [1]
Circular Chess Software (Windows 3.x) [2]
An Open Source Online Circular Chess [3]

References
The Circular Chess Society [4]
Historical roots [5]

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

http:/ / www. circularchess. com

http:/ / www. ochess. com/ software. html
http:/ / www. codeproject. com/ KB/ aspnet/ circular_chess. aspx
http:/ / www. circularchess. co. uk/
http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ byzantine. htm

Alice chess
Alice Chess is a chess variant invented
in 1953 by V. R. Parton which
employs two chessboards rather than
one,[1] and a slight (but significant)
alteration to the standard rules of
chess. The game is named after the
main character "Alice" in Lewis
Carroll's
book
Through
the
Looking-Glass, where travel through
the looking-glass is portrayed by the
after-move transfer of chess pieces
between boards A and B.
Alice steps through the looking-glass; illustration by Sir John Tenniel
The simple transfer rule is well known
for
causing
disorientation
and
confusion in players new to the game, and often leads to surprises and amusing mistakes as pieces "disappear" and
"reappear" between boards. This "nothing is as it seems" experience probably accounts for Alice Chess remaining
Parton's most popular and successful invention among the numerous other chess variants he created in his lifetime.

63

Alice chess

64

Move Rules
In Alice Chess, pieces move the same as they do in standard chess, but a piece transfers at the completion of its
move to the opposite board. This simple change causes a dramatic impact on gameplay.
At the beginning of the game, pieces start in their normal positions on board A, while board B starts empty. After
each move is made on a given board, the moved piece is transferred (goes "through the looking-glass") to the
corresponding square on the opposite board. (So, if a piece is moved on board A, it is transferred to board B at the
completion of its move; if the piece started on board B, it ends up on board A.)

Alice chess

65

B
Position after 1. Nf3 e6 2. Ne5 Bc5

B
Position after 3. Nxf7 Bg1
For example, after the opening moves 1. Nf3 e6, the white knight and black pawn transfer after moving on board A
to their corresponding squares on board B. If the game continued 2. Ne5 Bc5, the knight returns to board A and the
bishop finishes on board B. (See diagram.)
A move in Alice Chess has some stipulations: the move must be legal on the board on which it is played, and the
square transferred to on the opposite board must be vacant. (As a result, capture is possible only on the board a piece
sits on pieces on board A can capture only pieces on board A; pieces on board B can capture only pieces on board

Alice chess

66

B. After a capture, the capturing piece transfers to the opposite board the same as a non-capturing move.)
To demonstrate, if the above game continued 3. Nxf7, the knight transfers to board B. Then with Black to move,
both 3... Kxf7 and 3... Bxf2+ are not possible. Black cannot play 3... Qd4 either, since the queen may not hop over
the black pawn on d7. But the move 3... Bg1 is possible (see diagram), despite the fact a white pawn sits on f2 on
board A. (The bishop move on board B is legal, and the square transferred to, g1 on board A, is vacant.)
A final stipulation is that a king may not put itself into check upon transfer. (In other words, a king may not transfer
to a vacant square on the opposite board, if this would result in check to the king.) Castling is largely regarded as
permitted in Alice Chess. The en passant rule is normally not used, but can be.[2]

Early mates
Alice Fool's Mate

B
Alice Chess Fool's Mate
Several exist, one is: 1. e4 d5 2. Be2 dxe4? 3. Bb5# (diagram).
At first glance, it might seem that Black can simply interpose a piece between White's bishop and his king to block
the check (for example, 3... Bd7 or 3... Nc6 or 3... c6). But any piece so interposed immediately "disappears" when it
transfers to board B. And Black cannot escape check by fleeing to the opposite board via 3... Kd7, because the move
is not a legal move on board A. Therefore it is checkmate.
Another form of Fool's Mate: 1. e4 d6 2. Bc4 Qxd2? 3. Bb5#
And another: 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nf6? 3. Qxe5#

Alice chess

67

Alice Scholar's Mate

B
Alice Chess Scholar's Mate
1. e4 h5 2. Be2 Rh4 3. Bxh5 Rxe4+ 4. Kf1 d5 5. Qe2? (threatening 6. Qb5#) 5... Bh3# (diagram).
1. d4 e6 2. Qd6 Be7? 3. Qe5+ Kf8 4. Bh6# (SeitzNadvorney, 1973).

Sample game
Yearout vs Jelliss, 1996

Alice chess

68

B
Position after 11. 0-0-0
(Annotations by George Jelliss; moves returning to board A are notated "/A".)
Paul Yearout vs George Jelliss, 1996 AISE Grand Prix: 1. d3 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Qd2 Nc6 (To give a direct check
to the king the checking piece must come from the other board, so it is necessary first to transfer forces to the other
board.) 4. d4/A Rb8 (This way of developing rooks is common in Alice Chess.) 5. e3 g5 (This prevents the Bc1
coming to g5 or f4.) 6. f4 Rbg8/A (Guarding Pg5 on the other board.) 7. Nd5/A h6 8. Nf3 gxf4/A (Inconsistent play
on my part. Ne4/A now looks better to me.) 9. Bxf4 Rg4 10. Be5/A Rh5 11. 0-0-0 [diagram] (Perhaps judging that
the activated black force now being on the second board the king might be safer there. The black queen is now
effectively 'pinned': 11... Q-c7/b6?? 12. Qd8#.) 11... Ne4/A 12. Bc7 Ra4/A 13. Ba6 Bg7 (The idea is 14... Rc4+ 15.
c3/Nc3 Bxc3+/A.) 14. Bb5/A Rc4+ 15. Kb1/A Rf5/A 16. Ba5/A (Desperate measures now needed to save the
'pinned' queen.) 16... Rxd5 17. Qxd5/A Qxa5 (Threatening 18... Qa1#.) 18. a3 Qd2/A 19. Qxd7+ Kf8 (I put these
two moves in as an 'if...then' clause, but it seems Paul may not have noticed the discovered check, so perhaps I
should have kept quiet!) 20. Qxg7/A Qc3 (Stops Qh8#.) 21. Rd8/A Black resigns (10) (If 21... Bd7/Be6/Nf6 22.
Qg8/Re8/Qh8#.)

Variations
a

1
a

84 version of Alice Chess

Minor (and not-so-minor) rule modification has sprouted a number of different variations on Alice Chess.
Alice Chess 2 (SchemingMind.com [3]): the Black army starts out on the opposite board (board B).

Alice chess
Ms. Alice Chess (John Ishkan, 1973): null or zero moves are permitted. (A move consisting of piece transfer
only from the current square a piece sits on, to the corresponding square, if vacant, on the opposite board.)
O'Donohue Chess (Michael O'Donohue, 2003): piece transfer to the opposite board isn't required, if the square
normally transferred to is occupied.
Duo Chess (Jed Stone, 1981): Black starts out on board B; transfers are optional; non-pawn pieces may make
zero moves (and may capture in so doing); a king is checked when an opposing piece sits on its zero square; mate
must cover the king's ability to flee via a zero move.
Looking-Glass Chess (V. R. Parton, 1970): using two complete sets instead of one, and no transfers. (Thus two
separate games on two boards.) A move on a given board forces a mirror-image move on the opposite board. (So,
1. Nf3 on board A forces White to play 1. Nc3 on board B.)
Parton also introduced a smaller, 8x4 version of Alice Chess. (See diagram.)
Parton observed that Alice Chess could be played using three boards instead of two. (Players then having a choice
between two boards when transferring a piece.)
Alice Chess rules can really be adopted by practically any other chess variant too, by simply doubling the number
of gameboards in the variant and applying the Alice piece transfer policy. (For example, Raumschach using two
555 boards.)

Notes
[1] Since the rules disallow a given square to be occupied on both boards simultaneously, it is possible to play Alice Chess using one board only,
placing checkers under pieces to indicate they are on board B. A similar technique can be used in computer displays or with pocketmagnetic
sets, by turning pieces upside-down instead of using checkers.
[2] Unlike standard chess, capturing en passant may not always be possible in Alice, for example, when the normal capture-square is already
occupied by another piece.
[3] http:/ / www. SchemingMind. com

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

External links
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/other.dir/alice.html) Alice Chess article by Edward
Jackman and Fergus Duniho
BCVS Variant Chess website (http://www.bcvs.ukf.net/alice.htm) Alice Chess article by George Jelliss
SchemingMind.com (http://www.schemingmind.com/journalarticle.aspx?article_id=9&page=1) Alice Chess
article by Michael J. Farris
SchemingMind.com (http://www.schemingmind.com) Alice Chess online correspondence play
ChessVariants.org (http://play.chessvariants.org/pbm/presets/alice_chess.html) Alice Chess PBM Game
Courier
pathguy.com (http://www.pathguy.com/chess/AliceChs.htm) a simple Alice Chess program by Ed
Friedlander

69

Hexagonal chess

70

Hexagonal chess
The term hexagonal chess designates a group of chess variants played on hexagonal boards. The most popular one is
Gliski's hexagonal chess which was invented in 1936 by Wadysaw Gliski of Poland.

Gliski's hexagonal chess

Gliski's hexagonal chess is the most
popular hexagonal chess variant. At one
point in time, there were more than
half-a-million players, and over 130,000
board sets have been sold.[1] The game was
very popular in Eastern Europe, especially
in Poland, Gliski's native country.
The game is played on a hexagonal board
having three colors (light, dark, and
medium), with the middle cell (or hex)
usually medium.[2] The usual set of chess
pieces is increased by one bishop and one
pawn. The board has 11 files, marked by
letters al (letter j is not used), and 11 ranks
(which bend 120 at file f). Ranks 16 each
contain 11 cells, rank 7 (filled with black
pawns in the initial setup) has 9 cells, rank 8
has 7, and so on. Rank 11 contains only one
cell: f11.
The diagrams below show how the pieces
Starting position for Gliski's hexagonal chess
move. As in chess, the knight can jump over
other pieces. Three bishops on different
colors can never meet. The queen moves as rook plus bishop. There is no castling in Gliski's hexagonal chess.

King

Knight

Hexagonal chess

71

Bishop

Rook

Queen

Pawn

Pawns move straight forward and capture orthogonally to an adjacent square (shown as red circles on the diagram
above); the pawn's capturing move direction does not correspond to the bishop's move, as is the case in square chess.
All pawns can make a double step from their starting hexes. If a pawn captures from its starting hex in such a way
that it now occupies a starting hex of another pawn, it can still make a double move. For example, if the pawn on e4
would capture a black piece on f5, it still has the option to move to f7. , The Pawn in the middle file (hex f5 for
White) cannot make a double step on initial setup as the hex is occupied (a black Pawn is placed on f7), but the
double step move could be done later, as long as the hex is empty. En passant captures are also possible: for
example, if the black pawn on c7 on the diagram above moves to c5, the white pawn on b5 can capture it: bxc6.
Pawns promote on the last hex of a file; the hexes where white pawns promote are marked with stars.
Stalemate is not a draw in this chess variant, but is still counted less than checkmate. In tournament games, the
stalemated player (the one who cannot make any legal moves) earns 0.25 points and the player who delivers
stalemate 0.75 points.
A numeric (or international) notation exists. Every other detail is exactly as in ICCF numeric notation, except that
there is no castling.

Hexagonal chess

Dateline in Glinski's hexagonal chess

1976
June: First Hexagonal Chess Congress at Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, which included the inauguration of the
British Hexagonal Chess Federation and the first British Hexagonal Chess Championship. David Springgay took the
title.
December: First issue of "Hex Press" (Hexagonal Chess News) published.
1977
Hexagonal Chess was topic for many newspapers and magazines in Poland and other Eastern European countries.
December: Second British Championship held at Clifton-Ford Hotel, London. Brian Rippon took the title.
1978
January: Inventor visited Poland. Successful Hexagonal Chess event staged. Wide publicity in Eastern Europe.
`Wspolna Sprawa' produced and distributed over 90,000 inexpensive sets in 18 months. September: First
International Team Match Poland vs. G.V. at Central Hall, Westminster, London. Event shown on BBC and
Australian TV, reported in press at home and abroad including Japan.
1979
July: Third British Championship held at Polish Cultural Institute, London. Title taken by Simon Triggs, nearly 16
years old. August: Return International Team Match Poland vs. G.B. in Warsaw. Sponsored by magazine
"Horyzonty Technikili" (which includes a regular column on Hexagonal Chess).
Whilst in Poland, Simon Triggs played the first mixed (6 square and 6 hexagonal boards) simultaneous display.
Hexagonal Chess clubs formed in Poland, Czechoslovakia and USSR.
1980
August: International Congress at Polish Cultural Institute, London, which included: Inauguration of Internatienal
Hexagonal Chess Federation First European Championship Team Match: Poland v G.B. Countries taking part:
Austria, Great Britain, Hungary and Poland. Event covered by BBC TV and newspapers at home and abroad,
including USSR ("Komsomolskaya Pravda" 10,500,000 circulation), Austria and Hungary. Also radio in USA.
First four places: 1: Marek Mackowiak (Poland), 2: Laszlo Rudolf (Hungary), 3: Jan Borawski (Poland), 4: Piers
Shepperson (G.B.).
1981
September: First Hungarian Hexagonal Chess Championship in Szekszard. Title taken by Laszlo Sziraki. Fourth
British Championship held at Woodford Bridge, Essex. Local and National press coverage, including picture in "The
Times". Four players tied for first place. Final playoff arranged for October.
October: Playoff held in association with the North London (square-board) Congress, when Simon Triggs retained
his title.
1982
April: Second Hungarian Championship held in Miscolc. Laszlo Rudolf became the Hungarian Champion for 1982.
June: Final agreement and arrangements completed with "Bohemia" in West Germany regarding production of a new
complete Hexagonal Chess boxed game with roll-up double-sided board (hexagonal/square) and wooden pieces to be
distributed in the West European market. July: An open Hexagonal Chess Tournament was held on 10th and llth July
in the famous Sokolniki Park in Moscow. Players from Moscow and elsewhere in t in the USSR took part in the
competition. First place and the "Moscow Trophy" were taken by F. Goncharov. Second was S. Seryubin and Third
V. Goltyapin. Judging from the reports received, this tournament has considerably accelerated the development and
popularity of Hex Chess in the USSR. Further tournaments, including international team matches (over-the-board
and correspondence) are being organized.
Open International Tournament held in Pecs, Hungary, 24 31 July. This tournament was organized by the
President of the Hungarian Hexagonal Chess Association, Mihaly Gelencser, and sponsored by the Zsolnay

72

Hexagonal chess

73

porcelain factory in Pecs, which also donated the "Zsolnay Cup" as well as other prizes of porcelain figures. The
winner of the Tournament was Laszlo Rudolf (Hungary). Second place was taken by Simon Triggs (Great Britain).
September: Fifth British Championship held in London. Simon Triggs (19) of Garston, Hertfordshire, won the title
of British Hexagaonal Chess Champion for the third time in succession. Press Association attended and wrote
lengthy background. All the "quality newspapers" took photographs. LBC Radio and BBC Radio London broadcast
interviews.

McCooey's hexagonal chess

Dave McCooey and Richard Honeycutt
developed another variation of hexagonal
chess.[3] It is very similar to Glinski's
version, but there are four differences: the
starting array, the pawn's capturing moves,
the Pawns on f-file cannot make a double
step, and that stalemate is a draw, each
player gets half a point. See the diagram on
the left for the pawn's move in McCooey's
variant. Note that the capturing move
corresponds to the bishop's move. The white
pawn on d5 can capture the black pawn on
e8 en passant in case the black pawn
advances to e6. The pawn on the f-file is not
allowed to advance two steps, and is not
defended in the opening array, which in fact
allows a smothered mate when captured by
a knight. But this rarely occurs in practical
play.
These endgame studies apply to Glinski's,
McCooey's and Mathewson's games:[4]

McCooey's hexagonal chess, starting position

King & two knights can checkmate a

lone king.
King & rook beats king & knight (no fortress draws and a negligible number (0.0019%) of perpetual check
draws).
King & rook beats king & bishop (no fortress draws and no perpetual check draws).
King & two bishops cannot checkmate a lone king, except for some very rare positions (0.17%).
King, knight & bishop cannot checkmate a lone king, except for some very rare position (0.5%).

Hexagonal chess

74
King & queen does not beat king & rook: 4.3% of the positions
are perpetual check draws, and 37.2% are fortress draws.
King & rook can checkmate a lone king.

The pawn's move

Shafran's hexagonal chess

Invented by Soviet geologist Isaak
Grigorevich Shafran in 1939 and registered
in 1956. It was demonstrated at the
Worldwide Chess Exhibition in Leipzig in
1960.
The board is shaped like an irregular
hexagon with nine files and ten ranks. There
are 70 hexes in the board, as opposed to 91
in Glinski's and McCooey's versions. The
files are labelled a to i; the straight lines
running from 10 to 4 o'clock are numbered 1
to 10. In the diagram, the two kings start on
e1 and e10; Black's rooks start on a6 and
i10; White's rooks start on a1 and i5. The
hex i1 does not exist. Each player calls the
left-hand side of the board his queen's flank
and the right-hand side his bishops' flank;
note that they do not match (White's queen's
flank is Black's bishops').
The pieces and pawns move and capture
exactly like McCooey's. However, a pawn's
Shafran's hexagonal chess, starting position
first move can take him to the middle of his
file. This means that the a- and i-pawns advance only one step, and the d-, e-, and f-pawns may make a triple move.
If they do they are subject to be captured en passant.

Hexagonal chess

75
On the diagram of the left, the black pawn d8 has three possible
moves, but none is safe; after 1.. d7 it can be captured 2. exd7;
after 1... d6 it can be captured 2. exd7e.p. or 2. cxd7; after 1... d5
it can be captured en passant by either pawn.
Castling is possible in Shafran's chess. The usual restrictions
apply. It can be long or short in either direction. The notation
consists of Q- or B- (indicating whether the queen's or the bishops'
rook is used) followed by 0-0-0 (long castling: the king moves
next to the rook and the rook jumps over him) or 0-0 (short
castling, the opposite procedure). In the diagram, the black king on
h10 has castled long queenside (1... Q-0-0-0) and the one on c8
has castled short bishopside (1... B-0-0). Castling does not really
increase the king's safety or make the rook more active, but it is
present in the game nonetheless, for completeness.
Castling and en passant

Finally, stalemate is a draw.

Other hexagonal chess variants

The first published hexagonal chess variant was the commercial game Hexagonia.[1] It was invented in 1864 by John
Jaques & Son. The board had 125 cells; each side had the king, 2 cannons, 4 knights and 8 pawns.
In 1998 Derick Peterson invented the Grand Hexachess. In this variant the board is placed horizontally, placing each
player's pieces to opposite sides. Pawns then have two forward possible moves (forward left and forward right) and
three diagonal capturing movements possible (one directly in front). Precisely this was the motivation for this design,
considering the fact that usually hexagonal chess pawn is the only piece that does not increase their mobility.
C'escacs 2007 is a Grand Glinski chess of 169 hexes.[5] It introduces a dragon (chancellor), two pegasi (cardinal,
archbishop) and two almogavars to the Glinski's set. Pawn's moves are increased to allow forward 60 moves, and
captures are the same way McCooey's chess. The scornful pawn capture additional rule counterbalances the
excessive pawn mobility.

Multiplayer hexagonal chess variants

Multiplayer chess variants have existed since the beginning of the game, as chaturaji was a four-player version of
chaturanga. Multiplayer chess introduces a diplomacy factor, turning the game into a quite a different one from
two-player chess.
In 1984, Ronald Planesi invented the ImmortalStarMasters game. It is a chess or checkers variant for two to six
players played on a hexagonal board.[6] .
The original 1984 name of this game was Kingmaster., however, due to the U.S. Copyright Office's lack of support
for title copyright protection, and asserted infringement, the name was changed. The board in this game is
significantly larger than in Glinski hexagonal chess in order to accommodate six players and placed in a such a way
that each side of a large hexagon may be occupied by one of six players. Pieces are arranged essentially along
traditional lines (bishops and knights exchange places to account for the hexagon variation) and one extra bishop is
added so all spaces on the board are covered by bishops (a ninth pawn is also added to "seal" the third bishop within
the initial structure). All pieces except pawn move in the same way as in Glinski hexagonal chess. The pawn moves
and captures similar to McCooey's chess, but within an individual territory a pawn can move in two forward
directions and capture in three directions (one directly forward direction and two diagonally-forward directions), due

Hexagonal chess
to the particular orientations of a hexagon. In the central area pawns can move and capture in any direction.
Napoleonesque methods of play include two players each using three sets of pieces or three players each using two
sets of pieces. The primary structural difference between ImmortalStarMasters and the listed hexagonal variants,
other than the critical size of the board, is that the listed variants all allow a bishop to exit the initial structure as its
first move without movement by any pawns whatsoever (concurrently meaning that a bishop is unprotected by any
pawns and subject to immediate attack without the prior movement of a protecting pawn), which is an extreme
violation of basic chess structure logic.
A two-player version uses essentially the same rules and can use the same board, but a smaller board is available and
recommended for closer adherence to "number of pieces versus available space" (powers of force) considerations to
match the "difficulty of play" as related to standard square-based chess.

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

Pritchard, D. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Batsford Chess Books. ISBN0-7134-8578-7.

Wladyslow Gliski. Rules of Hexagonal Chess. ISBN0-904195-00-7.
McCooey's Hexagonal Chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ hexagonal. dir/ hexchess2. html) by Dave McCooey.
Endgame analysis for Hexagonal Chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ hexagonal. dir/ hexendgame. html) by Dave McCooey
"C'escacs" (http:/ / cescacs. orgfree. com/ ). .
ImmortalStarMasters (http:/ / www. immortalstarmasters. com) by Ronald D. Planesi

External links
Hexagonal chess computer software (http://www.hexagonalchess.com)
Gliski's Hexagonal Chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/hexagonal.dir/hexagonal.html) by Hans L.
Bodlaender
Hexagonal Chess by I G Shafran (http://www.math.bas.bg/~iad/tyalie/shegra/shegrax.html) by Ivan A
Derzhanski
Rules (http://world.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ru_en&trurl=http://www.loktev.h1.ru/
hexachess/rules.php) Russian page translated to English via Alta Vista
Scatha (http://www.glaurungchess.com/) a free GUI and engine for Mac OS which plays Glinski's Hexagonal
Chess
e2e4 (http://lutecium.org/stp/cochonfucius/e2e4.html) a bilingual comment on having three kinds of bishops

76

Three-dimensional chess

77

Three-dimensional chess
Not to be confused with chess software with a 3D rendering.
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)

White to move and mate in 4

by Udo Marks

Three-dimensional chess (or 3D chess) is any of various chess variants played on three-dimensional boards.
Three-dimensional variants have existed since the late 19th century, one of the oldest being Raumschach (German
for "Space chess"), invented in 1907 by Dr. Ferdinand Maack and considered the classic 3D game.[1] Maack founded
a Raumschach club in Hamburg in 1919, which remained active until World War II.
Chapter 25 of Pritchard's The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants discusses games using boards with three or
more dimensions and contains some 50 such variations. And chapter 11 covers variants using multiple boards
normally set side by side ("such games can also be considered as examples of three-dimensional
chess"Beasley).[2]

Raumschach
Raumschach starting position

Three-dimensional chess

78

An inverted knight is used to represent the unicorn. The pawn on Bd2 can move to squares marked "" and capture
on squares marked "x".
The inventor contended that for chess to be more like modern warfare, attack should be possible not only from a
two-dimensional plane but also from above (air) and below (underwater). Maack's original formulation was for an
888 board, but after experimenting with smaller boards eventually settled on 555 as best.
The Raumschach 3D board can be thought of as a cube sliced into five
equal spaces across each of its three major coordinal planes. This
sectioning yields a 555 (125-cell) playing volume. The horizontal
levels are denoted by capital letters A through E. Ranks and files of a
level are denoted using algebraic notation. White starts on the A and B
levels and Black starts on E and D. (So, the kings begin on squares
Ac1 and Ec5.)
Other obvious physical differences from chess include two additional
pawns per player, and a special piece (two per player) named unicorn.

Move Rules
Rooks, bishops, and knights move as they do in chess in any given
plane. Rooks, for example, move through the walls of the cubes in any
Raumschach board
rank, file or column. Bishops move through the edges of the cubes, and
knights make a (0,1,2) leaping move (the same effect as one step as a
rook and one as a bishop). Unicorns move in a manner special to a 3D space (called triagonal movement) through the
corners of the cubes. (Thus each unicorn can reach only 30 cubes; each player's pair, 60.) The queen combines the
moves of a rook, bishop, and unicorn. The king moves the same as a queen but one step at a time. Pawns move
forward as in chess, or one step directly upward (for White) or downward (for Black). Pawns capture diagonally as
in chess, including one step upward (White) or downward (Black) through a front or side cube edge. Promotion
occurs where pawns cannot move further, namely the rank E5 (for White's pawns) and rank A1 (Black's pawns).

Three-dimensional chess

79

There is no pawn initial two-square advance, no en passant capture, and no castling. White moves first, and the
object is still to checkmate the opposing king.

Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess

3D chess on Star Trek

The Tri-D chessboard

Playing Parmen

Probably the most familiar 3D[3] chess variant to the general public in the middle 20th and early 21st centuries is the
game of Tri-Dimensional Chess (or Tri-D Chess), which can be seen in many Star Trek TV episodes and movies,
starting with the original series (TOS) and proceeding in updated forms throughout the subsequent movies and
spinoff series.[4] [5] The game even assumed a fairly significant role in the TOS episode "Court Martial". (Captain
Kirk is put on trial for negligence in the death of a crew member. Spock, who had programmed the Enterprise's
computer to be unbeatable at the game, plays five matches with the computer and easily wins each one, proving the
machinethe source of seemingly irrefutable evidence confirming Kirk's guilthad been tampered with, thereby
destroying its credibility in its account of the incident.)

Three-dimensional chess

Notes
[1] Pritchard (2007), p. 229
[2] Pritchard (2007), p. 93
[3] An ongoing discussion is whether Star Trek Chess is really three-dimensional or not, as its structure is something in between 2D and 3D. But
since a third coordinate is needed to describe the position of the pieces, it is known by many as "3D Chess".
[4] Pritchard (2007), p. 226
[5] There is some discussion whether this game should be called "Tri-Dimensional Chess" as in the Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual (Franz
Joseph 1975, p. T0:03:98:3x) or "Three-Dimensional Chess" as in The Star Trek Encyclopedia (Okuda 1994, p. 342) and as on Memory
Alpha.

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1
Franz Joseph Schnaubelt (1975), Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual, ISBN 0-345-34074-4
Okuda, Denise; Okuda, Michael; & Mirek, Debbie (1997), The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Pocket Books, ISBN
0-671-53607-9
Abstract Games (Issue 14 Summer 2003), Carpe Diem Publishing, ISSN 1492-0492

External links
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/index/mainquery.php?type=Any&category=3d&
orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Three+Dimensional) Three
Dimensional (index)

Raumschach
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/3d5.html) Raumschach article by Bruce
Balden and Hans Bodlaender
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/555.html) 3D Chess FAQ by David Moeser

Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess

Tri-D Chess Rules site of Andrew Bartmess (http://www.yestercade.net/tactical.htm) commercial site; history
of Standard Rules
Star Trek 3D Chess Rules site of Charles Roth (http://www.thedance.net/~roth/TECHBLOG/chess.html) free
summary of Standard Rules
3D Chess site of Jens Meder (http://home.arcor.de/jens.meder/3dschach/indexe.html) in English; Tri-D
Chess Tournament Rules, boards, and more
3D Chess site of Michael Klein (http://www.3dschach.de/start_.asp) in English; collection of Tournament
Rules games, and more
Parmen site of Doug Keenan (http://www.parmen.com) free Tri-D Chess for Windows; supports Standard and
Tournament rulesets according to posted sample games
fzort.org (http://www.fzort.org/mpr/projects/vulcan/) Vulcan open source Tri-D Chess program ("inspired by
Star Trek")
Three-dimensional chess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memoryalpha:three-dimensional_chess) at Memory
Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/startrek.html) 3D Chess from Star Trek by
article Hans Bodlaender

80

Cubic chess

81

Cubic chess
Vernon Rylands Parton (18971974) was an English chess enthusiast
and prolific chess variant inventor, his most renowned variant being
Alice Chess.[1] Many of Parton's variants were inspired by the fictional
characters and stories in the works of Lewis Carroll. Parton's formal
education background, like Lewis Carroll's, was in mathematics.[2]
I have distinct memories of sitting on his knee and listening to
these [Lewis Carroll] stories, and not a book in sight.
He had a favorite uncle, who was blind, and Vern was content to
escort him around.
Vern never wanted to benefit financially from his work, but
asked only for a contribution to charities for the blind.
Peter Parton[2]
Parton wrote a series of nine monographs published from 1961 to 1974
detailing his inventions. Parton died at age 77 on 31 December 1974.
The same year, variant inventor Philip M. Cohen created the variant
Parton Chess in his honor.

V. R. Parton demonstrating 3D chess to a reporter

for The Birmingham Post, 1957

Cubic Chess
In this 666 3D variant by Parton, boards are denoted A
(bottom level) through F (top level). Each side has six
pieces: king (K), queen (Q), bishop (B), unicorn (U),
knight (N), and rook (R); and twelve pawns.[3]

Game rules
Pieces move the same as in Raumschach, except that
pawns move and capture one step forward (either
orthogonally, diagonally, or triagonally), but not directly
upward or downward. As in chess and Raumschach, the
objective is checkmate.
White's starting position: KAa1, QAb1, BAc1, UAd1,
NAe1, RAf1; pawns on Aa2f2 and Ba1f1
Black's starting position: KAf6, QAe6, BAd6, UAc6,
NAb6, RAa6; pawns on Aa5f5 and Ba6f6

Cubic Chess gameboard

Cubic chess

82

Variation
Parton made a variation of Cubic Chess for the same gameboard: In Compulsion Cubic Chess, capture is
compulsory, there are no checks, and the object is capture of the opposing king.

Mad Threeparty Chess

a

10

10

1
a

Mad Threeparty Chess starts on an empty board

This variant is for three[4] players on a 1010 board. Each player has a standard set of pieces in his own color,
including an extra king,[5] but no pawns.

Rules
The board starts empty. Players take turns, in
clockwise rotation around the board, placing one of
their pieces on any vacant square. Kings are placed
last, but must not be placed in check.
The two kings of each player are marked differently.
(For example, of a player's two kings, one might be
marked with a star.) Each player attacks the marked
king of the opponent to his left, and the unmarked
king of the opponent to his right. It is not permitted
to check the opponents' other kings.
The Mad Hatter's tea party; illustration by Sir John Tenniel

The first player to checkmate a king wins the game.

Chess variants by V. R. Parton

Checkers Chess (1950s)
Decimal Four-Handed Chess (1950s)
Idle Kings' Chess (1950s)

Cubic chess

Nightrider Chess (1950s)

Scaci Partonici (1950s)
Rettah Chess (1952)
Decimal Rettah Chess (1952)
Double Rettah Chess (1952)
Tweedle Chess (or Twin Orthodox Chess) (1952)
Alice Chess (1953)
Kinglet Chess (or Imperial Fiddlesticks) (1953)
Neutral King Chess (1953)
No-Retreat Chess (1954), co-inventor J. Boyer
Black & White Chess (1955)
Degraded Chess (1958)
Contramatic Chess (1961)
Complete Contramatic Chess (1961)
Damate (1961)
Dunce's Chess (1961)
Gryphon Chess (or Complicacious Chess) (1961)

Jabberwocky (1961)
Knightmare Chess (1961)
Linear Chess (1961)
Racing Kings (1961)
Scacia (1961)
Royal Scaci Partonici (1961)
Simpleton Chess (1961)
Twin Chess (1961)
Unirexal Chess (1961)
Chimaera Chess (1969)
Mock Chess (1969)
Ambi-Chess (1970)

Butters (1970)
Best Decimal Butter (1970)
Blot-Straight Chess (1970)
Capricorn Chess (1970)
Centaur Royal (1970)
Cheshire Cat Chess (1970)
Co-Regal Chess (1970)
Cubic Chess (1970)
Demigorgon Chess (1970)
Dodo Chess (1970)
Ecila (1970)
Gorgona Chess (1970)
Identific (1970)
Looking-Glass Chess (1970)
Mad Threeparty Chess (1970)
Meddlers' Chess (1970)

Semi-Queen Chess (1970)

Sphinx Chess (1970)

83

Cubic chess

Timur's Cubic Chess (1970)

Wyvern Chess (1970)
Circean (1971)
Dabbabante Chess (1971)
Decimal Oriental Chess (1971)
Imitante Queen Chess (1971)
Synchronistic Chess (1971)
Royal Fury (1972)
2000 A.D. (1972)
Gorgon Chess (1973)
Megasaur Chess (1973)
Mimotaur Chess (1973)
Rangers Chess (1973)
Triscacia (1974)

Checkers variants by V. R. Parton

Good-for-Nothings
Dragon
Kinger, Simple Kinger, and Grand Kinger

Monographs by V. R. Parton (with section headings)

Curiouser and Curiouser, (1961), 31 pp.

Scacetic
The First Lesson in Chess
Dunce's Chess in Three Grades
Imperial Fiddlesticks
The Queen's Relations
The Dodo's Chess
Rettah
Simpletonry
Alician
The Black King's Complaint
Tweedledee and Tweedledum
Mock Turtle's Pseudomprphy
Damification
A New Pudding
Podospherism
Contramatic
The Rules According to the March Hare
Knightmares
Gryphon's Fancy and Fun
The Realm of Circum Morus
The Caterpillar's Idea of C.C.C.

Challenge and Delight of Chessical and Decimal, (1970), 14 pp. Chesshire-Cat-Playeth Looking-Glass Chessys,
(1970), 27 pp.
The Queen of Hearts' Chess

84

Cubic chess

Capricorn Chess
The Black King's Complaint
The Rules According to the March Hare
Identific
Synchronistic Chess
Jabberwocky Chess
Dodo Chess
The Chesshire Cat's Grin
Scaci Partonici
A Chess Reflection
Demigorgons
The Mad Tea Party
Knightmares
Scaci Partonici

Chessical Cubism or Chess in Space, (1971), 16 pp.

Cubic Chess
Tamerlane Variation of Cubic Chess
Sphinxian Chess
The Compulsion Sphinx Chess Variations
Ecila Chess
100 Squares for Chess + Damante, (1972), 16 pp.

Capablancan Chess
Decimal Falcon-Hunter (Schulz Chess)
Half-Queen's Chess
Decimal Oriental CHess
Decimal Imitante Q Chess
Centaur Royal
Damate Game
Damatic Chess
Decimal Duffer's Chess
Wyvern Chess
Dabbabante Chess
Decimal Butter
Decimal Obstacles Chess
Chimaera
Gorgona
Circean
Ambi-Chess
Decimal Scaci Partonici

My Game for 2000 A.D. and After, (1972), 12 pp. Enduring Spirit of Dasapada, (1973), 19 pp.
Dasapada
Idea for a Personal Game, (1973), 12 pp.
The Basis of Pawn Partonici
The Idea of Scaci Partonici
Chessery for Duffer and Master, (1974), 23 pp.

85

Cubic chess

Chessery for Duffer and Master

The Game of Rettah Chess
Semi-Queen Chess
The Diversion of Zerta
Meddlers Chess Game
The Alice Chess Game
The Idea of Gryphon Chess
Royal Fury

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

Pritchard (1994), p. 3
AG8 (2001), p. 9
Pritchard (1994), p. 77
"What are you threee doing?" asked Alice. "We're going to have a Mad Three party" explained the Mad Hatter. Alice thought he must have
meant "tea party". "Can I join you please in this party?" she asked politely, and with much curiousity over this painting with jam. "No, you
can't" said the March Hare rather impolitely. "If you join, then it would be a Four party instead." Chesshire-Cat-Playeth Looking-Glass
Chessys, Parton (1970), p. 6

[5] "Each player has two Kings!" replied the Hatter very crossly at Alice's ignorance in this matter. "It is home-made plain cake commonsense.
One of your opponents attacks one of your kings and the other attacks the other. That is quite easy to understand. If you had only a single king
it would get too complicated when both of your opponents attacked the same king." He added with a glare of annoyance at Alice's obvious
doubt about that point. "If they had only one teapot they would have to halve it, and what use is half a teapot? You seem as stupid as the
Dormouse!" Chesshire-Cat-Playeth Looking-Glass Chessys, Parton (1970), p. 7

References
Pritchard, D. B. (1994), The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, Games & Puzzles Publications,
ISBN0-9524142-0-1
Peter Parton, "Reflections on Vernon Rylands Parton", Abstract Games (Issue 8 Winter 2001), Carpe Diem
Publishing, ISSN 1492-0492

External links
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/parton/parton.html) Vernon Rylands Parton
(18971974)
BrainKing.com (http://brainking.com/en/GameRules?tp=125) play Racing Kings online

86

Flying chess

Flying chess
Flying chess is a chess variant, based around a three dimensional board. It was invented by Dr David Eltis (a noted
historian of the Military Revolution) in 1984.

Rules
The board used for Flying chess is 8 * 8 * 2, giving a 128 cell board. There can either be markers on 'flying' pieces
or a second board can be used for the upper level. All pieces start the game as per a standard chess game. Most
commonly, two, adjacent chess boards are used, one representing the Top tier, and the other, the bottom tier.

Moves
Kings, Queens, and Pawns may not go to the higher level. They move as in standard chess, but can also capture an
enemy piece that is flying on the square directly above them.
Rooks are among the three pieces that can 'fly'. They can move on, to, and from the higher level. A rook can make a
normal move on any of the two levels: note that the squares it passes over must be empty on the level he moves in.
Additionally, a rook can go up when moving on the ground level by making a normal move and then moving
diagonally up in the direction the rook moves. They also can go up directly one level. The only way a rook can go
down from the upper to the lower level is to directly move one square down.
Bishops are also among the three pieces that can 'fly'. A bishop can make a standard move on any of the two levels.
It can make a normal move on the higher level and then descend diagonally in the direction of movement, or go up
from a ground square to the upper level square directly above it, or go down from an upper level square to the
ground square immediately below it.
Knights are the third type of 'flying' piece. A knight can either make a normal move in any level, or a knight can
move in the upper level combined with a direct descend.

Taking
All pieces take in the same way as they move. Additionally, each piece can headbutt; when he is in a square on the
lower level and a piece of the opponent is in the same square in the upper level, he can take that piece without
moving.

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, p.226,
ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

External links
Flying chess [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ 3d. dir/ flying. html

87

Dragonchess

88

Dragonchess
Dragonchess is a three-dimensional fantasy chess variant created by
Gary Gygax, co-creator of the famed role-playing game Dungeons &
Dragons.[1] Dragonchess was first presented in 1985 in issue No. 100
of Dragon Magazine.
The Dragonchess gameboard consists of three vertically-stacked 128
levels. The upper level (blue and white) represents the air, the middle
level (green and amber) represents the land, and the lower level (red
and brown) is the subterranean world (Gygax 1985:34).
The Dragonchess game pieces (42 per player) are an ensemble of
characters and monsters inspired or derived from fantasy settings in
Dungeons & Dragons. Intricate inter- and intra-level game piece
capabilities are defined. As in chess, the game is won by delivering
checkmate to the enemy king.

Gary Gygax

The Dragonchess 3D gameboard

Dragonchess

89

Upper board
The Sylph (S)
On level 3:
can move one step diagonally
forward, or capture one step
straight forward;[2]
can capture on the square
directly below on level 2.
On level 2: can move to the
square directly above on level 3,
or to one of the player's six
Sylph starting squares.

The Griffon (G)

Upper board starting position

On level 3:
can move and capture by jumping[3] in the following pattern: two steps diagonally followed by one step
orthogonally outward;[4]
can move and capture one step triagonally to level 2.[5]
On level 2:
can move and capture one step diagonally;
can move and capture one step triagonally to level 3.[6]

Dragonchess

90

The Dragon (R)

Bound to level 3:
can move and capture any number of unobstructed steps diagonally, or one step orthogonally;[7]
can capture remotely (without leaving level 3) on the square directly below on level 2, or on any square
orthogonally adjacent to that square.

Middle board
The Warrior (W)
Bound to level 2:
can move one step straight
forward, or capture one step
diagonally foward;[8]
promotes to Hero when reaching
the 8th rank.

The Oliphant (O)

Bound to level 2: can move and
capture
any
number
of
unobstructed
steps
orthogonally.[9]
Middle board starting position

The Unicorn (U)

Bound to level 2: can move and capture the same as a chess knight.

The Hero (H)

On level 2:
can move and capture one or two unblockable steps diagonally;
can move and capture one step triagonally to levels 1 or 3.[6] [5]
On levels 1 and 3: can move and capture one step triagonally to the same square on level 2 the Hero
previously left.

Dragonchess

The Thief (T)

Bound to level 2: can move and capture any number of unobstructed steps diagonally.[10]

The Cleric (C)

On level 2:
can move and capture one step in any direction;[11]
can move and capture to the square directly above or directly below on an adjacent level.
On levels 1 and 3: the same powers as when on level 2.

The Mage (M)

On level 2:
can move and capture any number of unobstructed steps diagonally or orthogonally;[12]
can move and capture to the square directly below on level 1 or directly above on level 3.
On levels 1 and 3:
can move one step orthogonally;[13]
can move and capture one or two steps directly above or directly below to one of the other levels.[14]

The King (K)

On level 2:
can move and capture one step in any direction;[11]
can move and capture to the square directly below on level 1 or directly above on level 3;
On levels 1 and 3: can move to (only) the same square on level 2 the King previously left.[13]

The Paladin (P)

On level 2:
can move and capture as a chess king+knight;
can move to levels 1 or 3 using an (unblockable) knight-like move: one level up or down followed by two steps
orthogonally.
On levels 1 and 3:
can move and capture one step in any direction;[11]
can move to the other levels using an (unblockable) knight-like move: one level up or down followed by two
steps orthogonally, or two levels up or down followed by one step orthogonally.

91

Dragonchess

92

Lower board
The Dwarf (D)
On level 1:
can move one step straight
forward or sideways, or capture
one step diagonally foward;
can capture on the square
directly above on level 2.
On level 2:
can move one step straight
forward or sideways, or capture
one step diagonally foward;
can move to the square directly
below on level 1.
Lower board starting position

The Basilisk (B)

Bound to level 1:
can move one step diagonally forward or straight backward, or capture one step straight forward;
always freezes (immobilizes) an enemy piece on the square directly above on level 2.

The Elemental (E)

On level 1:
can move and capture one or two steps orthogonally;[14]
can move one step diagonally;
can capture in the following pattern: one step orthogonally followed by the square directly above on level
2.[14]
On level 2:
can move and capture in the following pattern: the square directly below on level 1 followed by one step
orthogonally.

Dragonchess

Notation
Recording moves is done the same as in algebraic notation for chess, extended to a 128 board, with the addition of
a numeric prefix (1, 2, or 3) in front of each square coordinate to idenfity the level.[15] (So for example, Black's king
starts on 2g8.)

Sample game
1. Rx3a7 Rx3a2 2. Rx2a8 ...

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

Pritchard (1994), p. 95
The same as a Berolina pawn (without promotion or an initial two-step option).
The move or capture is unblockable.
Or (the same result): one step orthogonally followed by two steps diagonally outward. The same as a Zebra fairy chess piece, or an elephant
in janggi.
That is, to a square diagonally below.
That is, to a square diagonally above.
The same as a chess king+bishop, or a dragon horse in shogi.
The same as a chess pawn (without an initial two-step option).

[9] The same as a chess rook.

[10] The same as a chess bishop.
[11] The same as a chess king.
[12] The same as a chess queen.
[13] Gygax does not mention whether for moves only, or for moves and captures.
[14] Gygax does not mention whether the move is unblockable or not.
[15] Gygax initially describes levels beginning with "1" for upper board in the first page of his article (Gygax 1985:34), but consistently uses "3"
for upper board and "1" for lower board in the subsequent six pages (Gygax 1985:3540) for all examples, move definitions, and sample
moves.

References
Gygax, Gary (August 1985). "Dragonchess". Dragon Magazine No. 100 (TSR, Inc.) X (3): 3440.
ISSN0279-6848.
Pritchard, D. B. (1994), The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, Games & Puzzles Publications,
ISBN0-9524142-0-1

External links
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/dragonchess.html) Dragonchess article by
Edward Jackman
The Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/3d.dir/dragonchess2.html) more on Dragonchess
Strategy Game Server (http://3moves.net/) Dragonchess online play
sourceforge.net (http://dragonchess.sourceforge.net/index.html) Dragonchess software for local and network
play
Pathguy.com (http://www.pathguy.com/chess/DragonCh.htm) a simple Dragonchess program by Ed
Friedlander

93

94

Unusual rules
Antichess
Antichess, also called losing chess, loser's chess, zero chess, giveaway chess, suicide chess, take-me chess or
reverse chess is a chess variant in which the objective of the participants is to get all of their pieces captured. The
most widely played variation, as described in the book Popular Chess Variants by D.B. Pritchard, is described
below.

Rules
The rules of the game are the same as those of chess except for the following additional rules:
Capturing is compulsory.
When more than one capture is available, the player may exercise choice.
The king has no special prerogative and accordingly:
It may be captured like any other piece.
There is no check or checkmate.
There is no castling.
Pawns may also promote to King.
In the case of stalemate, there are different rules:
It is a win for the stalemated player (international rules).
It is a draw.
It is a win for the player with the fewer number of pieces, and if both have the same number it is a draw. The
type of the piece makes no difference (FICS rules).
A player wins by losing all his pieces, or being stalemated (as detailed.) Apart from move repetition, mutual accord
and the fifty-move rule, the game is also drawn when a win is impossible, such as if a dark-squared bishop and a
light-squared bishop are the only pieces remaining. In another little-played version, forcing the opponent to
checkmate the king is another option to win.
P.H. Trngren
Tidskrift fr Schack 1929
a

Antichess

95
a

Suicide chess, white to play and win.

Solution goes: 1.h3! a5 2.h4 a4 3.h5 a3 4.h6 a2 5.h7 a1R! 6.h8B!! Ranywhere (Black is in zugzwang) 7. Ba1 Rxa1
1-0
Because of the forced capture rule, antichess games often involve long sequences of forced captures by one player.
This means that a minor mistake can ruin the game. Losing openings include 1.d4, 1.e4, 1.d3, 1.Nc3, 1.Nf3, 1.f4,
1.h4, 1.b4, 1.h3.[1] Some of these openings took months of computer time to solve, but the wins against 1.d3, 1.d4,
and 1.e4 consist of a single series of forced captures and can be played from memory by most experienced players.

Kamikaze chess variation

Kamikaze chess is similar to Antichess, but with one main difference, players must lose their king last.
As with Antichess, players must take at every opportunity and make a choice if more than one piece can be taken.
Players must not move into check until they only have the King left. If an opponent's move puts them in check, they
must get out of it, as per standard chess. If they only have the king left, they can just make a move which still leaves
them in check, their opponent must take the king and then the player who has lost the king is the winner. If they are
checkmated before all the other pieces are gone, they lose. Pawns may only be promoted to a Queen.

References
[1] http:/ / brainrook. com/ archives/ 14-ANTI-CHESS. html

External links

KPanta (http://freecode.com/projects/kpanta/) at Freecode AntiChess Game for Linux

Play Antichess online (http://grandgames.net/en/)
Nilatac's Suicide Opening Book (http://catalin.francu.com/nilatac/book.php)
The complete review of suicide chess by Fabrice Liardet (http://www.pion.ch/Losing/index.html)
An interesting look on suicide chess by Vladica Andreji (http://www.matf.bg.ac.rs/~andrew/suicide)

Web site of Stan Goldovski, pioneer of suicide chess (http://www.matf.bg.ac.rs/~andrew/suicide/StanGold/

Index.htm)
Suicide and Losers Chess database (http://www.wildchess.org/)
SuicideChess (http://suicidechess.ca/)
Play Antichess online (http://online.gambiter.com/) (Suicide and Losers variants)

Atomic chess

Atomic chess
Atomic chess is a chess variant. While the other rules of chess apply fully, all captures result in an atomic explosion.
This means that the surrounding pieces not including pawns will be taken off the board as well.

The rules
The rules of atomic chess are the same as standard chess with the following differences:

Capturing
In standard chess, the captured piece is removed from the board and the capturing piece takes its place. In atomic
chess, both pieces are removed from the board (i.e. "killed"). Furthermore, this atomic explosion extends to all eight
surrounding squares. Any pieces caught in the surrounding squares are also captured with the exception of pawns.
Pawns are captured only when they are involved in the actual capture event in the central square. In en passant,
ground zero of the explosion is the square on the sixth rank upon which the capturing pawn lands. The game
frequently ends with one king being caught in the explosion of a surrounding piece. Moves that result in the
explosion of your own king are illegal. There is also a variant without check, in which checkmate will only mean a
capture of the king in the next move, and not a win by itself.

Check
As in normal chess check still fully applies. However if a player's king is in check he has nevertheless the ability to
win by exploding his opponents king. Also as the king cannot take another piece, it is possible to move the kings
next to each other. In this case check does not apply. In a further variant of atomic chess, check is not enforced at all.
This means that any move, even one leaving the king to be captured in the next move, is possible and can be forced
by zugzwang. Some chess servers, such as the Internet Chess Club, use slightly different rules which completely
ignore check, meaning that victory can only be attained via the explosion of an enemy king. This requires more
awareness from the players with regards to direct threats against their kings.

Stalemate
If the check rule is enforced then a stalemate is possible in similar way to that of standard chess. If the check rule is
not enforced, and for example if a player's only legal move is to move into check then he or she must do so. Without
check, a stalemate can only occur in extremely rare situations.

Death match
If both kings die simultaneously in an atomic explosion, the game continues until all the pieces of one player are
removed from the board. If all the remaining pieces are removed in the last explosion (i.e. the board is empty), then
it's a draw. This is not possible on most online servers, as it is an illegal move to explode your own king in any
circumstances - even if the other king would be exploded as well.

In game tactics
The first-move advantage enjoyed by White is much greater in this game than in standard chess. Hence, this game is
imbalanced against Black. Some players consider atomic chess to be a forced win for white, but so far all attempts to
refute the game have been unsuccessful, and high-rated players tend to disagree. The transition from opening to
mid-game and from mid-game to end-game is as ambiguous and subjective as in standard chess. However, below are
ideas and theory about the game that most players will agree with or change emphasis.

96

Atomic chess

97

Opening
Because White has the initiative, Black is often preoccupied initially to fending off attempts to kill its king via
atomic explosions directed at the pawns adjacent at d7, e7 and f7. These attacks usually involve the knights, which
are fastest to develop, but the queen and bishops are also dangerous. A strong White opening will dictate Black's
moves for the start of the game and Black has a small number of choices at each move compared with standard
chess. Ignoring an attack set and making benign moves will cause a loss of the game far earlier than in standard
chess, if the opponent is familiar with the opening. A weak white opening can result in black taking the initiative and
forcing white's moves.
In atomic chess a sacrifice of knights, bishops and sometimes even queens are acceptable. It is extremely common to
make sacrifices of material, which would seem to a chess player to be nonsensical in order to gain a positional
advantage in the opening. By far the most common sacrifice in atomic chess openings is to advance either knight
from the third rank to the fifth, knowing it can be taken by a pawn.

Mid-game
Generally speaking once a player's knowledge of opening theory is expended in the direction a game has gone, or
when neither player has an opportunity to attack their opponent for several moves the game can be said to have
moved into the mid-game. This can occur with both players having all their material, or when all but a few pawns are
left. The moves a player makes in his mid-game will be dictated by the position he is left with after the opening. For
example if he is "a piece up" (i.e. has a material advantage) a strategy is to play purely defensive moves and try to
make all subsequent exchange of material equal or better, and then use that advantage at the end. Depending on the
style of play of a player in his mid-games he may wish to risk material or losing by attacking or may play
defensively, digging in until the end game comes where he may feel more confident. Or he may try to continue
making move sets to gain material advantage or threaten the opponent's king.
The survival of the queens in non-defensive positions tend to lead to shorter games, making the queen more powerful
than almost all defensive alignments of the other pieces. Though there are some openings where one side can
successfully exchange the queen (for example, by taking the pawn on b7, getting a rook, knight, bishop and a pawn
for it). Losing the queen without having a trap or very accurate play is a huge disadvantage.
An endgame position in Atomic chess.
a

1
a

Black has connected kings and became immune to check. However, white can win by forcing the black king to be
adjacent to the black pawn, then capturing the pawn. 1.Kc4 Kd4 2.Kb5+ Kc5 3.Ka6+ Kb5 4.Ka7+ Ka6 5.Qxa5
Note that black is forced to retain the connection, or the queen will chase the king and mate him.

Atomic chess

Endgame
Endgame theory is now as detailed as opening theory and it is possible to say whether a forced win or draw is
possible. A notable and amusing feature of atomic chess which can first attract chess players to the game is that
kings can be in adjacent squares. This is not a rare occurrence and a player can in some positions force a draw with
it, though there are many ways to disconnect or win by blowing up a piece next to the opponents king. For example a
win is always possible if one side is up a queen or rook and a second piece, or just a queen and there are still blocked
pawns on the board. Creative use of Zugzwang is a common tactic to force a win.

New theory and game culture

New opening theory is still being developed and played by different players on different servers, trying to catch each
other out. As more games are played and more players play across different servers using what they believe is a new
opening line or an unusual defensive line which an opponent has not seen. Strong attacking ideas come for white and
then are refuted again, so that there is no known line that will result in a win for white. A player who knows many
variations will often be able to gain significant advantage when playing with white.

Variants and other games called atomic chess

Another variant of this game is that the pawns will be killed by an explosion, but will not set off one, which
drastically decreases the potency of pawn killers.
Yet another variant has surfaced, particularly in online play, such as through ItsYourTurn.com [1]. In this variant,
each side secretly identifies one of their pieces as the "bomb". Capture of any piece, including the bomb, will not set
off a detonation. The bomb can only be detonated willfully by the player when his turn comes, and setting off the
bomb counts as a turn. The explosion kills the bomb and all pieces surrounding it. Killing the opponent's bomb in
this fashion does not initiate a chain reaction. Since it is impossible to determine for sure whether or not your
opponent's bomb is still active (unless he has detonated it), bluff is part of a good strategy in this variant. Blowing up
the opponent's king in this fashion results in a win, killing your own king in a loss and killing both kings in a draw.
Setting off the bomb is a valid move when in check only if the explosion removes the check status and does not
cause your king to be in check again by the removal of the destroyed pieces. All other standard chess rules apply.

References
[1] http:/ / www. itsyourturn. com

98

Three checks chess

99

Three checks chess

Three-check chess is a variation of chess, in which a player wins if he checks his opponent three times. Anatoly
Karpov is said to excel in this chess variant (Pritchard 2007:83).
This chess variant is much more tactical than standard chess, sacrifices are very common, there are a lot of traps in
the opening. Two checks is already a big advantage and may be worth more than one piece. The game rarely reaches
endgame usually it is decided before queens are traded.

Example game
a

1
a

A game of three-check chess in progress. Position after 4....Qh4.

1.e4 e6 2. d4?? This typical opening in standard chess immediately loses in three-check chess.
2....Bb4+ First check.
3.c3 Bxc3+! Second check.
4.Nxc3 Qh4! (see diagram).
0-1. White resigned here, there is no way to prevent a third check by Qxf2+ or Qxe4+.

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

Extinction chess

Extinction chess
Extinction chess is a variant of western Chess where the objective of the game has changed. Instead of the winning
condition of the game being the checkmate of the opponent's king, the object of the game is to capture all of a
particular kind of piece the opponent has. In other words, the objective is to achieve any of the following:

Capture the opponent's king

Capture the opponent's queen
Capture both of the opponent's knights
Capture both of the opponent's bishops
Capture both of the opponent's rooks
Capture all of the opponent's pawns. If your opponent promotes their last pawn, you will also win the game.

Since the king is not a special piece in this game, it is legal to castle when in check, or to castle through check.
Promotion to king is also allowed.
This game was invented by R. Wayne Schmittberger.

External links
Extinction Chess [1]
Extinction Chess on Game Courier [2] - Play Extinction Chess against others online
ItsYourTurn.com [1] - Extinction chess tournaments online

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ winning. dir/ extinction. html
[2] http:/ / play. chessvariants. org/ pbm/ presets/ extinction_chess. html

100

Crazyhouse

101

Crazyhouse
Crazyhouse is a chess variant similar to bughouse
chess, but with only two players. It effectively
incorporates a rule in shogi (Japanese chess), in which
a player can introduce a captured piece back to the
board as his own.

Rule differences from normal chess

A captured piece reverses colour and goes to the
capturing player's 'reserve', or 'pocket'. At any time,
instead of making a move with a piece on a board, a
player can 'drop' a piece, in his reserve, onto an
empty square on the board.
Promoted but captured pawns are dropped as
pawns.[1]

1. N@e7+ Kh8
2. Bxg7#

Pawns must not be dropped on the first or eighth ranks.[1]

Drops which cause immediate checkmate are allowed. Unlike in shogi, this includes pawn drops.[1]
A check that would cause checkmate, in regular chess, can be answered if the defender can make a legal drop
which blocks the check.[2]

Notation
When recording games, an extension of the usual algebraic notation for chess is used, so that drops can be specified.
Drops first give the piece type, followed by an @ symbol, then the target square. For example, "P@d5" means "pawn
is dropped on d5 from reserve".[2]

Strategy
Crazyhouse, which has been analysed much less than regular chess, requires different strategies. Pawns and knights
increase in relative importance in crazyhouse, while rooks, queens, and bishops decrease in relative importance. If a
king is put in check by any of the latter three pieces, from two or more squares away, dropping a pawn next to the
king becomes defensively useful. A knight, on the other hand, cannot be blocked by anything and its offensive value
is more manifest. That piece can be used effectively to maintain a strategic influence over a region. After an early
exchange of queens, it is usually unwise to reintroduce the queen too soon, particularly if she can be harassed by
dropped minor pieces. Careful preparation is needed, in order to reintroduce the queen to maximum effect. Pawns
could be dropped deep in the enemy position where, for example, they can fork pieces or give an uncomfortable
check.

Crazyhouse

102

Variations
Minor variations of the rules are possible, such as:
Loop Chess - promoted pawns keep their rank when captured.[3]
Chessgi, Neo Chess - promoted pawns keep their rank when captured; pawns may be dropped on the first rank.[4]

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. chessclub. com/ help/ crazyhouse

http:/ / www. freechess. org/ Help/ HelpFiles/ crazyhouse. html
http:/ / brainking. com/ game/ GameRules?tp=6
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ other. dir/ chessgi. html

External links
Crazyhouse (http://www.chessvariants.org/other.dir/crazyhouse.html) by Fergus Duniho
Database of Crazyhouse games (http://wildchess.org/index.php?variant=Crazyhouse)

Knight relay chess

a

1
a

Knight relay chess The diagram shows possible moves of white pawn on e6. White knight on d4 "relays" knight
power to this pawn.
Knight relay chess (also called N-relay chess) is a chess variant invented by Mannis Charosh in 1972. In this game
knights "relay" their power to friendly pieces.

Knight relay chess

Rules
Any piece defended by a friendly knight can move as a knight. Knights can't be captured and they can't capture
enemy pieces. Pawns can't move to the first and the last rank by a relayed knight move. If the pawn moved to the
second rank by a knighted move, it can move two steps again on one of the next moves. In this game there is no en
passant capture. Pawns can promote to knights and promoted knights also have relay power.
The diagram on the right shows possible moves of the pawn e6. It can move on e7 and capture on d7 and f7 as a
usual pawn. However since it is defended by a friendly knight on d4, it can move like a knight to c7, c5, f4, g5 and
g7. It can't move on last rank to f8 with a knight move and the black king is not under check. White knight on b7
doesn't check black king as well and can't capture black pawn on a5. White queen can't capture black knight on c3.
White can deliver checkmate in this position by moving Qd6. In this case black king can't escape on c8 or e8. These
fields become attacked by the queen on d6, because the queen gets knight power by the knight on b7.

References
D.B. Pritchard (2000). Popular Chess Variants. ISBN 0-7134-8578-7.

External links
N-Relay Chess [1] by Alessandro Castelli.
BrainKing.com [2] - allows to play knight relay chess online.

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffmove. dir/ nrelay. html
[2] http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=71

103

Andernach chess

104

Andernach chess
Michel Caillaud
Comm. Andernach TT, 1993
a

1
a

Shortest proof game in 3.0 (Andernach chess).

Andernach chess is a chess variant in which a piece making a capture (except kings) changes colour.[1] For instance,
if a white bishop on a2 were to capture a black knight on g8, the end result would be a black bishop on g8.
Non-capturing moves are played as in orthodox chess. If a pawn captures on 8th rank, it is promoted first and then
changes color.
The game was named after the German town of Andernach, which is the site of annual meetings of fairy chess
enthusiasts. It was during the 1993 meeting there that Andernach chess was introduced with a chess problem
composing tournament for Andernach problems. It has since become a popular variant in problem composition,
though it has not yet become popular as a game-playing variant.

Example problem
At the right an example Andernach chess problem is shown. The task is to find a proof game, which would last 3
moves and lead to the shown position. The solution is: 1.Nf3 Nc6 2.Ne5 Nxe5 (=wN) (Black knight turns to white
knight after capture on e5. White can now move this knight.) 3.Nxd7 (=bN) (This time white knight turns into black
knight.) Nb8. This leads to the position shown on the diagram.

Variations
Predecessor of Andernach chess was Tibetan chess, in which a black unit (called lama) changes colour when it
captures a white piece of a different type. As in Andernach chess, the king is not affected by capture. For example, if
black pawn on d7 captures white queen on c6, it becomes white pawn and can be moved by white on the next move.
This game has nothing to do with Chandraki, a chess variant played in Tibet.[2]
A variant on Andernach chess is anti-Andernach, in which pieces except kings change colour after non-captures,
but stay the same colour after a capture. There is also super-Andernach in which all pieces except kings change
colour after every move, whether a capture or not. Super-Andernach was introduced by John Rice in The Problemist
Supplement in March 2006.

Andernach chess

References
[1] Andernach Chess (http:/ / www. janko. at/ Retros/ Glossary/ Andernach. htm) by Joost de Heer and Otto Janko
[2] Chandraki, the Tibetan Chess (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ chandraki. htm) by Jean-Louis Cazaux.

External links
A selection of Andernach problems (http://members.tripod.com/~JurajLorinc/chess/fi_a.htm#ander)

Checkless chess
Checkless Chess (or prohibition chess) is a chess variant where neither player is allowed to give a check, with the
exception of checkmate. All other rules are as in regular chess. This change has a profound impact on the way the
game is played.
In regular chess, the king needs to be kept safe, since attacks on it need to be parried, and checks can be used to gain
time or chase the king to an unsafe position. In checkless chess however, the king is immune from most attacks, as
long as checkmates are avoided. In order to achieve checkmate the king must be encircled without checks.
Another impact of this rule is that the king, immune from attack, is now itself a powerful force. The king can defend
pieces by placing itself so that capturing the piece would place the king in check. The king can advance into the
enemy position, creating havoc in the enemy camp as they need to avoid squares where they would put the king
under check. Such a plan may be risky however, since getting the king trapped in the enemy camp may subject it to
an untimely checkmate.

References
Entry on "Checkless chess" in Hooper, David; Whyld, Ken (1984). Oxford Companion to Chess.
ISBN0-19-217540-8.

External links
Checkless chess [1] by Hans Bodlaender.

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ usualeq. dir/ checklss. html

105

Circe chess

106

Circe chess
Circe chess (or just circe) is a chess variant in which captured pieces are reborn on their starting positions as soon as
they are captured, based on the following rules:
1. Pawns return to the start position on the same file they are captured on.
2. Rooks, knights and bishops return to the starting square which is the same color as the square they are captured
on.
For instance, a white pawn captured on b4 is reborn on b2; a black knight captured on f6 is reborn on b8; a black
rook captured on the same square is reborn on h8. Castling with a reborn rook is permitted.
If the square that the rebirth should take place on is occupied, either by a friendly or enemy piece, the captured unit
is not rebornit is instead removed from the board and takes no further part in the game (like a capture in orthodox
chess).
The rules of circe chess were first detailed by P. Monral and J.-P. Boyer in an article in Problme, 1968.
These are the most usual rules employed in circe - there are numerous other forms of the game in which the rules of
rebirth may vary.
a

1
a

Black to move. White is threatening a mate with 2.Re1# but Black can defend with 1...Ba1!
When notating a circe game in algebraic notation, it is conventional to place details of where a captured piece has
been reborn in brackets following the move. For example, if in the diagram to the right, white were to take black's
knight, this would be notated Rxe8(Ng8).
The position to the right demonstrates a couple of unusual effects which can occur in circe. It is black to move.
White is threatening checkmate with 1.Re1#. Black would not be able to defend with 1...Kxe1 after this move,
because the rook is instantly reborn on a1 from where it gives check (black's bishop does defend a1, and the black
king is free to move to e2 or capture at d2, but this is of no consequence as after Kxe1 it will be white's move.). It
might appear that there is nothing black can do to prevent this threat, but in fact he has 1...Ba1! - if now 2.Re1+,
Kxe1 is possible because the rook is not reborn because its rebirth square is occupied.
Circe is rarely played as a variant game (when it is, it is usually combined with progressive chess), but very often
employed in composed fairy chess problems.

Circe chess

Circe variants
There are many variants of circe, especially in chess problems. Instead of being reborn on their starting positions the
pieces may be reborn on other locations:
Anticirce: the capturing piece is reborn on its initial square. The captured piece disappears from the board. The
rebirth square must be empty or the capture is illegal. There are two types: Type Cheylan: captures on the rebirth
square are illegal (i.e. a white rook can't capture on a1). Type Calvet: captures on the rebirth square are legal.
Assassin circe: The rebirth occurs, even if the rebirth square is occupied. The occupying piece is removed from
the board. When a piece is captured on its rebirth square, the capturing piece disappears.
Chamaeleon circe: a captured piece (other than a pawn) is reborn as a different piece: knight becomes bishop,
bishop becomes rook, rook becomes queen and queen becomes knight. The reborn piece is placed according to
the circe rule for the new piece.
Circe Parrain: a captured piece is reborn on the square displaced from the capture square by a vector equal to
that of the move following the capture. If the following move is castling, then the sum of the king-move and
rook-move vectors is used (for a king-side castle, rebirth can occur only if the piece is a pawn captured en
passant).
Circe Rex inclusive: as circe but also the kings may be captured. A mate requires that the initial square of the
king is occupied.
Clone circe: a captured piece is reborn on its initial square but reappears as the piece by which it is captured (not
a king).
CouCou circe: as circe but the rebirth square is that of the capturing piece. Pawns captured by a piece are reborn
on the promotion rank, and promote. The promotion is chosen by the capturing side.
CousCous circe: as CouCou circe, but for captures resulting in promotion, the promotion type is chosen by the
side whose pawn promotes.
Diagram circe: a captured piece is reborn on the position it had on the diagram.
Equipollents circe: As Circe Parrain, but the rebirth occurs immediately on a vector equal to the capturing move.
Kamikaze circe: the captured piece is reborn on its initial square. The capturing piece disappears.
Martian circe: pieces move in the ordinary manner but capture only from their initial position (if it is
unoccupied). Captured pieces disappear from the board.
Mirror circe: a captured piece is reborn on a square where a piece of the opposite color would be reborn in
ordinary circe.
Platzwechsel circe (PWC): a captured piece is reborn on the square where the capturer was placed before the
capture. Platzwechsel means "position exchange" in German.
Strict circe: as ordinary circe but the rebirth square must be free for the capture to be legal.
Symmetrical circe: as circe but the rebirth square is the capture square mirrored across the center of the board.
Volcanic circe: as circe, but if the rebirth square is occupied, the captured piece is 'hidden' under that piece.
When that piece moves, the hidden piece is revealed. E.g. white king on f1, white bishop on a6, black king on b6:
Black captures Kb6xa6(+wBf1(hidden)) Kf1-e1 (+wBf1).

107

Circe chess

108

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, pp.5556,
ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

External links
Circe Problems [1]
Circe Chess [2] at Retro Corner

References
[1] http:/ / members. tripod. com/ ~JurajLorinc/ chess/ fi_c. htm#circe
[2] http:/ / www. janko. at/ Retros/ Glossary/ Circe. htm

Legan chess
a

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a

Legan chess
Legan chess is a chess variant invented by L. Legan in 1913. It differs from standard chess by starting position as
well as by pawn movements.

Rules
The initial starting position is shown at the right. The game can be also played with the board rotated by 45
clock-wise to make pawn movements easier to understand. There are no castling and no en passant moves.
Otherwise, the rules of chess apply.

Pawn movement

Legan chess

109

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a

Pawn movements in Legan chess

Pawns moves one space diagonally forward: white from right to left, black left to right. They capture orthogonally in
direction of movements (see the example in the diagram at right). The white pawn on f3 can move to e4 and capture
on e3 and f4. Black pawn on b6 can move to c5 and capture on b5 and c6.

Pawn promotion
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Pawn promotion in Legan chess

Pawns promote on squares occupied in initial position by opponent's king, bishops, knights, and rooks. For example,
white pawns promote on squares a5-a8-d8 (marked with white circles); black pawns on e1-h1-h4 (marked with black
circles). Note that the pawns that start on d1, h5, a4 and e8 cannot promote without moving toward the center of the
board via capturing.

Legan chess

110

References
D.B. Pritchard (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (p. 172). ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.

External links
BrainKing.com [1] - internet server to play Legan chess and many other chess variants.

References
[1] http:/ / brainking. com

Madrasi chess
Madrasi chess is a chess variant invented in 1979 by Abdul Jabbar Karwatkar which uses the conventional rules of
chess with the addition that when a piece is attacked by a piece of the same type but opposite colour (for example, a
black queen attacking a white queen) it is paralysed and becomes unable to move, capture or give check. Most of the
time, two like pieces attack each other mutually, meaning they are both paralysed (en passant pawn captures are an
exception to this, since the attack is not mutual. (The status of an en passant capture is open to debate, according to
Pritchard.)
This paralysis rule is not usually extended to the kings, meaning that as in orthodox chess, the two kings cannot
move to adjacent squares; when it is extended to kings, the variant is called Madrasi rex inclusive (sometimes
shortened to Madrasi RI). Although it is possible to play complete games of both Madrasi chess and Madrasi RI,
they have mainly been used as a condition in chess problems.
a

1
a

The position to the right demonstrates some of the peculiarities of Madrasi. The black king is not in check from the
rook on c5 (see algebraic chess notation), because it (the rook) is attacked by the black rook on g5, meaning it is
paralysed. In its turn, the c5 rook attacks the g5 rook, paralysing it. Likewise, the white rook on g2, also attacked by
the g5 rook, is paralysed. The black rook on h4, however, is not paralysed, and is free to move. The knights on d8
and f7 also attack each other, as do the pawns on c2 and d3, so these pieces are also paralysed. Note that the bishop
on d1 is not paralysed by knight on f2 attacking it - units have to be of a similar type (both knights, both bishops and
so on) for paralysis to happen.
There are two ways in which a paralysis may be released. The first is for a non-paralysed pieces to make a capture.
In the example, white cannot play cxd3 because his pawn is paralysed, but he can play Nxd3, thus unparalysing his

Madrasi chess

111

c2 pawn. The second way to unparalyse a piece is to cut off the line of attack from the paralysing unit by interposing
a third piece. For example, 1.Be5 in the diagram cuts the line of attack from the g5 rook to the c5 rook and so
unparalyses it. As a result, the white rook on c5 is now giving check. The only way for black to escape the check in
this instance is to re-paralyse the checking rook, which can be done by 1...Rc4. White then has the reply 2.bxc4
which is checkmate: black has no safe squares for his king, he cannot capture the checking unit, he cannot interpose
a piece between the checking unit and the king, and he cannot paralyse the checking unit (note that ...Rxe5
paralysing the c5 rook is not possible, because the g5 rook is paralysed by its counterpart on g2).
Isardam ("Madrasi" spelled backwards) is a variant of Madrasi in which only moves that do not lead to a Madrasi
paralysis are legal.

External links
Madrasi Problems [1]

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (2nd ed.), John Beasley, pp.4445,
ISBN0-95551-680-3
Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1992), "Madrasi", The Oxford Companion to Chess (2nd ed.), Oxford
University Press, ISBN0-19-280049-3

References
[1] http:/ / members. tripod. com/ ~JurajLorinc/ chess/ fi_m. htm#madra

Monochromatic chess
Raymond Smullyan
a

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a

Monochromatic chess: What color is pawn g3?

Monochromatic chess is a chess variant created by Raymond Smullyan, in which the initial board position and all
rules are the same as in regular chess, except that pieces which begin on a black square must always stay on a black
square and pieces which begin on a white square must always stay on a white square. This would mean that knights

Monochromatic chess
can never move, but The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants says that knights make a double jump. It has
been suggested that a knight be replaced with a (3,1)-leaper.
If knights are allowed to move (or are captured, clearing the way), castling may become possible, but only on the
kingside. Under the rules, pawns can only move by capturing or by advancing two squares for their first move.
A stalemate occurs if a player's king is not in check but the player nevertheless has no legal moves under the rules of
the game. Similarly, a checkmate occurs if the king is placed in check and the king has no legal moves under the
rules of the game. This means that certain board positions in regular chess which would not result in the end of the
game can be checkmates or stalemates in monochromatic chess. For example, each player has one bishop for which
it is possible to obtain checkmate with just this bishop and a king, while it is impossible with the other bishop along
with the king, since only one bishop is capable of threatening the king of the opposing side. Because the two kings
must occupy squares of different colours, they are allowed to be located next to each other.
This variant is used mostly in chess problems. Smullyan's example asks: What color is pawn g3 - white or black?
Answer is black with white pawns on d2 and f2, the white king can move from e1 only with castling and then
g1-h2-g3-... so the pawn on g3 cannot be white.

Bichromatic chess
In bichromatic chess, the opposite restrictions apply. A piece on a white square must move to a black square and
vice versa. Hence pawns cannot capture (or advance two squares) and bishops cannot move. Also castling and en
passant are impossible, and queens behave like rooks.

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

External links
http://www.janko.at/Retros/Glossary/Monochromatic.htm

112

Patrol chess

113

Patrol chess
Patrol chess is a chess variant in which captures can be made and checks given only if the capturing or checking
piece is guarded (or patrolled) by a friendly unit. Non-capturing moves are played as normal.
The variant was invented by Frederik Hendrik von Meyenfeldt who published a chess problem using the rules in The
Problemist (the magazine of the British Chess Problem Society) in 1975.
a

1
a

The diagram position shows some of the peculiarities of patrol chess. The white king cannot take the black knight
because it is not guarded by a friendly piece. Similarly, the black rook is not giving check, and neither is the white
knight on f7. If white were to play Nbd8 (see algebraic notation), however, this would be check, as the knights
would patrol one another. Black could reply Ke4, with checkmate: the king patrols the rook on e3 giving check and
guarding b3 and d3, the rook on a2 is patrolled by the knight on b4 and so controls the squares b2, c2 and d2, Kd4 is
not possible because the black king, patrolled by the e3 rook, controls that square, and Kxb4 is not possible because
the white king is not patrolled and so cannot capture.
Patrol chess has often been used as a condition in chess problems. It is also possible to play complete games under
patrol chess rules.

External links
Patrol Chess Problems [1]

References
[1] http:/ / members. tripod. com/ ~JurajLorinc/ chess/ fi_p. htm#patro

PlunderChess

PlunderChess
PlunderChess is a chess variant in which the capturing piece is allowed to temporarily take the moving abilities of
the piece taken.

Rules
The so-called plundering occurs when a chess piece captures an opposing chess piece and "plunders" or "acquires"
additional moving capabilities directly from the piece it just captured. Plundering is optional and may be declined by
the player making the capture. When plundering is elected, the capturing piece "couples" or "attaches" to itself a vest
that corresponds to the moving capabilities it is acquiring from the captured piece. The plundered vest must give
added moving capabilities to the piece that wears it or it will not be allowed to plunder. This means that a queen can
never wear a rook vest because a queen can already make the moves of a rook and a rook vest provides no additional
benefit to the queen.
The added moving capability provided by a plundered vest may be used one time only on any future move: i.e., the
plundered vest may be used on its very next move or carried around and used later in the game. After a vest is used
to move a chess piece on the board, it must be returned to the stand out of play. No more than one plundered vest is
allowed on any one piece at a time. If a chess piece with a plundered vest makes another capture, it may upgrade to a
stronger vest. If a player captures a piece with a vest, that player may take the vest it wears or a vest that represents
the captured piece.
The pawn with the vest can use it to reach the last rank. In this case the pawn gets immediately promoted. However,
the pieces with pawn vest can't promote. The pawn can also move to the first rank by a vest move. But it has
double-move capability only when moving from 2nd to 4th rank.
A piece with a vest can give a check (or eventually checkmate) to the opponent's king using vest-move power.

External links
PlunderChess [1] - official website.
PlunderChess: Pictures and a review [2] by Hans L. Bodlaender.

References
[1] http:/ / plunderchess. com
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. photo/ plunderchess/ plunderchess. html

114

115

Incomplete information and elements of

chance
Kriegspiel
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Kriegspiel, the game in progress. Position as seen by White player.

Kriegspiel (German for war game) is a chess variant invented by Henry Michael Temple in 1899[1] and based upon
the original Kriegsspiel developed by Georg von Rassewitz in 1812. In this game each player can see their own
pieces, but not those of their opponent. For this reason, it is necessary to have a third person (or computer) act as a
referee, with full information about the progress of the game. When it is a player's turn he will attempt a move,
which the referee will declare to be 'legal' or 'illegal'. If the move is illegal, the player tries again; if it is legal, that
move stands. Each player is given information about checks and captures. They may also ask the referee if there are
any legal captures with a pawn. Since the position of the opponent's pieces is unknown, Kriegspiel is not a game
with perfect information. Chess Kriegspiel derives from a war game which was used in 19th century Germany to
train military officers.

Rules
There are several different rule sets for Kriegspiel. The most widespread rules are those used on the Internet Chess
Club, where Kriegspiel is called Wild 16. The rules are as follows.[2]
The game is played with three boards, one for each player and one for the umpire (and spectators). Each opponent
knows the exact position only of his own pieces and doesn't know where the opponent's pieces are (but can keep
track of how many there are). Only the umpire knows the exact current position of the game. The game proceeds in
the following way. The umpire announces:
White (or black) to move.
Pawn tries, when it is possible for one's pawn to capture an opponent's pawn or piece. The umpire also indicates
the square on which the capture is possible to the player who can make the capture. This gives extra information,
but saves both players the bother of beginning every turn by trying all possible pawn captures. This is possible at

Kriegspiel

116

no risk because pawns don't move the same way they capture. Hence, if no capture is possible, then the move is
illegal and there is no penalty for attempting illegal moves. A pawn try is not announced if the pawn is pinned,
i.e., completing the capture would expose the king to check. En-passant pawn tries are announced, of course, but
not the fact that they are en-passant captures.
Pawn gone, when a pawn is captured.
Piece gone, when a piece is captured.
No, when the attempted move is illegal, given the opponent's position. For example: moving the king into check;
moving a queen, rook, bishop, or pawn through squares occupied by the opponent's pieces; advancing a pawn into
a square occupied by the opponent's pieces.
Hell no (or Impossible), when the attempted move is always illegal regardless of the opponent's position. For
example, moving a bishop a knight's move.
Check on the vertical.
Check on the horizontal.
Check on the long diagonal (the longer of the two diagonals, from the king's point of view).
Check on the short diagonal.
Check by a knight.
Checkmate, stalemate, draw by repetition, draw by insufficient force, 50-move draw.
Pawn promotions are not announced.

Kriegspiel problems
Jacques Rotenberg
The Problemist 1976
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Kriegspiel, mate in 8. Black has a bishop somewhere on dark squares, not exactly known where.
Kriegspiel is sometimes used in chess problems. In these, usual variations introduced by different black moves are
replaced by variations introduced by different announcements.
An example of a Kriegspiel problem is shown at the right. White must checkmate Black in 8 moves, no matter where
the black bishop initially is (it is somewhere on dark squares) and no matter what black plays. (Note that in a real
game, black would not see white's moves, but for a problem in which white is to force a win, one must assume the
worst-case scenario in which black guesses correctly on each move.) For example, 1. Ra1?? is a draw by stalemate if
the black bishop was initially on a1. 1. Nf2 Bxf2 2. Kxf2 (or Rxf2) is stalemate as well. So, white should not move
either the knight or the bishop, because either might capture the black bishop by accident. For the same reason, the

Kriegspiel
white rook should move only to light squares -- but only half of the light squares are reachable without visiting a
dark square along the way.
The solution is the following. White tries to play 1. Rg2.
If this move is not possible (umpire says No), then the black bishop must be on b2, d2 or f2. In this case white can
instead play 1. N(x)f2# (checkmate).
If the move is possible, it is made and then black moves the bishop. White still doesn't know where the bishop is.
White continues with 2. Rg8.
If not possible, then black bishop is on g3, g5 or g7. White plays 2. Be5. If black now plays 2...Bxe5, 3.Nf2#.
Otherwise (any move by black) 3. Nf2+ Bxf2 4. Rxh2#.
If possible, white continues 3. Rh8. (This is safe -- the black bishop can't be on h8 to be captured, because it
wasn't on g7 on the previous turn.) 4. Rh5 5. Rb5 (if not possible, 5. Rh3 and 6.Be5). 6. Rb1 7. Nf2+ Bxf2 8.
Kxf2#.

Rule variations
Frankenstein suggested in 1903 a variation of the game where one player sees the board and another plays
Kriegspiel. To make the game fair, the first player has to play with fewer pieces. Frankenstein proposed two variants:
Pickle pot - the player who sees the board plays only with queen and bishop (as well as with king and 8 pawns in
usual starting position).
One-eye - same as above, but only with two rooks and bishop.
In both versions, it should be announced, which bishop remains (on c or f-file).
The Semi-kriegspiel, suggested by David Silverman in 1971 is similar to variations above. In this game the sighted
side has only king and queen, which he/she can place on any legal square before the beginning of the game. In
Modern kriegspiel by Bruce Trone (1986), after each move the player calls 7 squares, which must be opened by
umpire. Otherwise the rules are as in usual kriegspiel.
Combining Crazyhouse with Kriegspiel yields Crazyhouse Kriegspiel[3] (or CrazyKrieg for short).

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
[2] Kriegspiel tournament rules of the computer Olympiad (http:/ / www. cs. unimaas. nl/ olympiad2006/ rules. html#Kriegspiel)
[3] Crazyhouse Kriegspiel (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ incinf. dir/ crazyhousekriegspiel. html)

External links
Kriegspiel (http://www.chessvariants.com/incinf.dir/kriegspiel.html) by Hans L. Bodlaender.
SchemingMind.com (http://www.schemingmind.com) Internet server to play Kriegspiel.
Berkeley Kriegspiel Home (http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~jawolfe/kriegspiel/), Kriegspiel in Artificial
intelligence research.
Bologna Kriegspiel Home (http://www.cs.unibo.it/~cianca/wwwpages/chesssite/kriegspiel/kriegspiel.html)
A page on Kriegspiel research
U. Maryland Kriegspiel Home (http://chess.cs.umd.edu/kriegspiel/) A page on Kriegspiel research
Freeware Windows Kriegspiel game (called SearchAndDestroyChess) (http://richelbilderbeek.nl/
GameSearchAndDestroyChess.htm).

117

Dark chess

118

Dark chess
Dark chess is a chess variant with incomplete information, similar to Kriegspiel. It was invented by Jens Bk
Nielsen and Torben Osted in 1989. A player does not see the entire board, only their own pieces (including pawns),
and squares where these pieces could move.
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A game of Dark chess in progress; squares indicated by "" can not be seen by the white player.

Rules
The goal of this chess variant is not to checkmate the king, but to capture it. A player isn't told if their king is in
check. Failing to move out of check, or moving into check, are both legal, and can obviously result in a capture and
loss of the game.
En passant capture is allowed, even if you do not see that it is possible. Unlike standard chess, castling is allowed
even out of check, into check and through the positions attacked by opponent pieces.
This chess variant is best played on one of the online chess servers. For playing over-the-board, three chess sets and
a referee are needed, just as in Kriegspiel.
There are some minor differences in the rules on different servers:

BrainKing [1]: pawn promotions remain unknown for the opponent.

ItsYourTurn [1]: the opponent knows that a pawn was promoted, but does not know where.
SchemingMind [2]: you do not see what is in front of your pawns, but know if the position is occupied or not.
AjaxPlay.Com [3]: En passant capture is not allowed; pawn promotions remain unknown for the opponent.

Dark chess

Variations
SchemingMind also provides some more variations of dark chess:
Dark chess (checkmate) - you are notified that your king is in check and you can't move your king into check. The
goal in this variation is the same as in standard chess - to checkmate the king.
Dark crazyhouse - combination of crazyhouse and dark chess.
Dark suicide - combination of suicide and dark chess.
Sun Tzu chess - combination of Double Fischer Random Chess (like Chess960, but with different positions for
white and black), crazyhouse and dark chess. You can drop pieces you have in any possible square on the board
(like crazyhouse). This chess variant was invented in 2005 by John Kipling Lewis.
Lao Tzu chess - like Sun Tzu, but you can only drop pieces on square you can see. Also invented in 2005 by John
Kipling Lewis.
Generally, because basic Dark chess rules are universal with respect to its parent classical variant, any other
2-player chess variant like Omega Chess, Seirawan chess or others may be played in dark, for example - Dark
Omega Chess.[4]

Gameplay
Dark chess has a strong strategic flavor. Planning and strategy, as well as some psychological reasoning, are very
important; tactics and move searching are not.
In this chess variant a king should be carefully protected from very dangerous checks by invisible pieces. For a
queen the most dangerous pieces are knights, which can attack it without becoming visible.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. brainking. com

http:/ / www. schemingmind. com
http:/ / ajaxplay. com
Dark Omega Chess at GamesByEmail.com (http:/ / gamesbyemail. com/ Games/ OmegaChess)

External links

Dark Chess Strategy guide (http://docs.google.com/View?docid=df72cxcs_20gj8jfvdm)

Darkness chess (http://www.chessvariants.com/incinf.dir/darkness.html) by Jens Bk Nielsen
Online turn-based dark chess (http://www.itsyourturn.com/t_helptopic2020.html#helpitem1504)
Dark Chess (http://www.zillions-of-games.com/cgi-bin/zilligames/submissions.cgi/62549?do=show;id=201)
implementation for Zillions of games.
Freeware Windows Dark Chess game called SearchAndDestroyChess (http://www.richelbilderbeek.nl/
GameSearchAndDestroyChess.htm).
KIKAItachi chess (http://kikaitachi.org/chess) supports playing Dark chess variant among others.
www.darkchess.com (http://www.darkchess.com) Dark Chess Helper application

119

Penultima

Penultima
Penultima is a game of inductive logic, played on a chess board. It was invented by Michael Greene and Adam
Chalcraft in Cambridge in 1994. The game is derived from the chess variant Ultima (otherwise known as Baroque
chess), and played with a standard chess board and pieces, each piece having different movement and capture rules
from standard chess. In a manner similar to the game Mao (also popular in Cambridge at that time), the rules for
each piece vary from game to game, and are initially kept secret from the players. Penultima is similar in style to
Eleusis, Zendo and Mao. The name of the game is a pun on "penultimate", and "Ultima" (the name of the chess
variant).

Rules
Several Spectators create secret rules which govern how the pieces move and two Players attempt to discover these
rules. The game is traditionally played with chess pieces but may be played any sufficiently distinct components,
such as coins or Icehouse pieces.
Before the game starts, the Spectators decide between themselves which pieces they will write rules for. The secret
rule for a piece may for example control the way that piece moves, captures, or is captured, and may cause it to
affect other pieces on the board. A piece may be given an invoke command which causes it to affect other pieces on
the board without moving. When he or she has written the secret rule for a piece, the Spectator also gives it a new
name for the duration of the game. These names (and the existence of any invoke commands) are announced to the
players at the start of the game.
On his or her turn, a Player attempts to move or invoke one of their pieces, and the Spectator for that piece declares
whether the action is legal or illegal. If it is legal, that Player's turn ends and play passes to the other Player. If it is
illegal, the piece is returned to its position at the start of the turn. In the original game, play then passes to the other
Player; in other variants the original Player continues making attempts until he or she succeeds in making a legal
move or invoke.
As in standard chess, the winning player is the one who forces his or her opponent's king (or equivalent piece) into
checkmate. At the end of the game, the Spectators reveal their rules.

External links
Penultima [1] by Michael Fryers, from Variant Chess, Volume 3, Issue 28, Summer 1998, pages 164-166

References
[1] http:/ / www. bcvs. ukf. net/ eureka. htm#penul

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Dice chess

121

Dice chess
Dice chess can refer to a number of chess variants in which dice are used to alter gameplay; specifically that the
moves available to each player are determined by rolling a pair of ordinary six-sided dice. There are many different
variations of this form of dice chess.[1] One of them is described here.

Rules
The players alternate rolling the dice and, if possible, moving. On each of the dice, the one represents a pawn, two a
knight, three a bishop, four a rook, five a queen, and six a king. The player may move either of the pieces indicated
on the two dice. For example, a player rolling a one and a two may move either a pawn or a knight. A player who
rolls doubles (the same number on both dice) may play any legal move. Otherwise, standard chess rules apply, with
these exceptions:
a player who has no legal move with either of the pieces indicated by the dice loses that turn (passed turn);
if castling is otherwise legal, a player may castle upon rolling a four, six, or doubles;
an en passant capture of a pawn is possible only if the player rolls a one, or doubles, immediately once the
opportunity for the en passant capture arises;
a player who is in check can only play a legal response to that check (capturing the checking piece, moving the
king, or interposing a piece);
a player who is in check but does not make a roll allowing a legal response to the check loses that turn, but does
not automatically lose the game;
except in the unlikely event that the game ends in a draw pursuant to the standard rules of chess, the game ends
when one player either checkmates the opponent or captures the opponent's king.
a

1
a

Black is checkmated

Sample game
Here is a sample game of dice chess. White rolls doubles, allowing her to play any move, and selects 1.e4. Black
rolls a two and a three; no bishop move being possible, he plays 1...Nc6. White rolls a three and a four, and plays
2.Bc4. Black rolls a four and a five; since no queen move is possible, he must play the only legal rook move, 2...Rb8.
White rolls a three and a six, and plays 3.Bxf7+. Black rolls a two and a four; since no knight or rook move is a legal
response to the check, he must pass. (Only a six, or doubles, would have allowed him to move.) White rolls a two

Dice chess

122

and a four, and chooses 4.Nh3. (A three or five would have enabled an immediate win with 4.Bxe8, 4.Qf3# or
4.Qh5#). Black rolls a one and a three; again, this does not allow a legal response to the check, so he must pass.
White rolls a two and a four, and plays 5.Ng5#. (See final position at right.)

Variants on these rules

There is no standard set of rules for Dice Chess, and so games called 'Dice Chess' may have different rules to the
ones given here.
For example, in the version of 'dice chess' given on the BrainKing site:[2]
The players roll only one die.
Pawns may move from the seventh to the eighth rank on any roll, but may promote only to the piece shown on the
die (a one allows a pawn to promote to any piece).
There is no check or checkmate. Rather, the goal is to actually capture the king.
a

10

10

1
a

Dice chess on 10x10 board.

BrainKing also provides a variant on 10x10 board with three kings on each side.[3] To win you need to capture all
enemy kings. All other rules are the same as for 8x8 version. The intention of adding two more kings is to reduce the
elements of chance in the game.
Another form of dice chess is "Vegas Fun Chess", whose rules are described here [4]. That site also indicates that
"Pritchard's Encyclopedia of Chess Variants contains descriptions of seven versions of what he calls 'Dice Chess'."
John Gollon, in his book Chess Variations: Ancient, Regional, and Modern, notes three ways in which dice may be
used in connection with a game of chess. The most common is similar to that described in the preceding sections. A
second way to use dice is to have each player roll one die on each turn, with the number rolled indicating the number
of moves to be played. The maximum number of moves that can be played is usually four, so a roll of a four, five, or
six allows the player to make four moves. A third form of the game uses two dice of contrasting colors, with one
determining the piece that can move, and the other the number of moves that the piece makes.[1]

Dice chess

123

History
Anne Sunnucks writes that there is evidence from the literature of the period that dice were used to play chess in
Europe between the 11th and 14th centuries, and even earlier in Burma and India. The dice were thrown before each
turn to determine the piece to be moved; the same numbering system as set forth above was used (1=pawn, 2=knight,
etc.).[5] In the Burmese form of the game, three dice were thrown and each player made three moves at a time.[6]
Vladimir Pribylinec writes that the cubes in the Cubic chess are moving as in orthochess by a symbol uppermost it is
described in both editions of Pritchard Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, first time published in 1977-th. In the
variant Protheus cubes are turned on the adjacent squares.

Footnotes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

John Gollon, Chess Variations: Ancient, Regional, and Modern, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1974, pp. 231-32. ISBN 0-8048-1122-9.
BrainKing Dice Chess rules (http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=95)
BrainKing Dice Chess 10x10 rules (http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=127& fwa=ShowGame!g=4962555$i=1)
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ dice. dir/ vegasfunchess. html
Anne Sunnucks, The Encyclopaedia of Chess, St. Martin's Press, 1970, pp. 97-98. Sunnucks does not make clear if only one die or both dice
were thrown, and, if the latter, whether the player could choose which of the specified pieces to move.
[6] Sunnucks, p. 98.

Knightmare Chess
Knightmare Chess is a fantasy chess variant published by Steve Jackson Games (SJG)
in 1996. It is a translation of a French game Tempte sur l'chiquier (Storm on the
Chessboard), designed by Pierre Clquin and Bruno Faidutti.

Overview
Knightmare Chess is played with cards that change the default rules of chess. The cards
might change how a piece moves, move opponent's pieces, create special squares on the
board or otherwise alter the game. For example, a card called Demotion says:
Replace one of your opponent's pieces (except a King or Queen) with one of his
captured Pawns.
Play this card on your turn, instead of making a regular move.

Knightmare Chess 2 cover

art.

There are two sets of cards sold separately, each consisting of 80 cards. The sets are
known as Knightmare Chess 1 [1] and Knightmare Chess 2 [2] but there's nothing at all to stop one from just shuffling
both decks into one 160 card deck. SJG also sells blank cards, to be customized as the player wishes, in packs of
20.[3]
The graphics in the English version of the Knightmare Chess cards are dark fantasy style, nightmarish (hence the pun
Knightmare) color paintings by Brazilian artist Rogerio Vilela. The French original version had a cartoonish tone,
unlike the English version, and the cards in the French original version are also different from the English version.
Another innovation of the American version is to include rules for "dueling deck" play, where each player has his
own
customized
deck,
possibly
built
from
multiple
copies
of

Knightmare Chess

124

the set if desired. In SJG's version, each card is marked with a point cost. The total
chaotic power of one's personal deck can be measured in the sum of the points of all
cards in the deck. For a balanced game each player uses the same point total, or a
stronger player can use a lower point total as a handicap. Cards which are too powerful
to appear more than once per side are marked with an asterisk, indicating that a player
can only put one copy of that specific card in his deck.

The card called Demotion.

Critical reaction
Peter Sarrett of The Game Report called the game "outstanding", remarking that it "result[s] [in] an unpredictable
game which removes the tedium of standard chess while preserving plenty of scope for strategic play," and praising
the "gorgeous" paintings by Rogerio Vilela. Sarrett's only complaints concerned the printing of the cards themselves,
as he found the wording occasionally confusing and the text "rather small, which makes it difficult for players with
poorer eyesight to play the game".[4]
Ken Tidwell of The Game Cabinet praised the game for including "elements from both the strategic/predictable side
of gaming and the wild/disorderly side" and found the artwork "striking" and "succeed[ing] in creating an air of
comic horror". He concluded, "If I had to find a fault with the game it is that there is no attempt to reconcile the
strategic game with the chaotic game and the contrast is a bit jarring. Even so, at the end of the day it is a good game
and one well worth checking out."[5]
Conversely, Steve Darlington of RPGnet, while finding the artwork "absolutely gorgeous" and that "in terms of sheer
presentation ... [Knightmare Chess] is streets ahead of anything I've seen in years", felt that while the game itself
"might make for an interesting game or two, it's not something you'll be playing an awful lot." He said "the dark
design only conflicts with the abstract nature of the game, and ends up being more humorous than dramatic" and that
it "ultimately doesn't hold your attention for too long".[6]

Footnotes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

ISBN 1-55634-332-9
ISBN 1-55634-348-5
"Knightmare Chess!" (http:/ / www. sjgames. com/ knightmare/ ). . Retrieved 2007-03-31.
Knightmare Chess Review (http:/ / www. gamereport. com/ tgr14/ knightmarechess. html) Peter Sarrett, The Game Report, Issue 4.2, Winter
1996
[5] Knightmare Chess Review (http:/ / www. gamecabinet. com/ reviews/ KnightmareChess. html) Ken Tidwell, The Game Cabinet
[6] Knightmare Chess Review (http:/ / www. rpg. net/ news+ reviews/ reviews/ rev_1358. html) Steve Darlington, RPGnet, February 13, 1999

Knightmare Chess

External links

Designer's website (http://www.faidutti.com/index.php?Module=mesjeux&id=338)

English publisher's website (http://www.sjgames.com/knightmare/)
Knightmare Chess Resource Page (http://members.tripod.com/knightmarechess/)
Knightmare Chess (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/227) and Knightmare Chess 2 (http://www.
boardgamegeek.com/game/1677) at BoardGameGeek

125

126

Multimove variants
Marseillais chess
Marseillais chess is a chess variant in which each player moves twice per turn. The rules of the game were first
published in Marseillais local newspaper Le Soleil in 1925. This chess variant became quite popular in the late 1930s
with such chess grandmasters as Alexander Alekhine, Richard Rti, Eugene Znosko-Borovsky, Andr Chron
playing it.[1]

Rules
A player can either move one piece twice or move two different pieces on his turn. Castling is considered as a single
move.
When a player gives a check on the first move, he loses the right for the second move on this turn. If a player is in
check, he must move out of check on the first move of the turn. It is not allowed to move the king into the check on
the first move of the turn and then move out of the check on the second one.
En passant capture is allowed even if the opponent moved the corresponding pawn on the first move of the previous
turn. However, en-passant capture must be made on the first move of the turn. When two pawns can be captured en
passant after opponents move, both of them can be captured.
To avoid too much advantage for white, usually a balanced version of the game is played. In the balanced version,
white makes only one move on the first turn. The moves are made in the following order: white, black, black, white,
white, black, black, etc. This rule was introduced in 1963 by Robert Bruce and since then gained a wide acceptance.

References
[1] Marseillais chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ multimove. dir/ marseill. html) by Hans L. Bodlaender and Antoine Fourrire

Progressive chess

Progressive chess
Progressive chess is a chess variant in which players, rather than just making one move per turn, play progressively
longer series of moves. The game starts with white making one move, then black makes two consecutive moves,
white replies with three, black makes four and so on. Progressive chess can be combined with other variants; for
example, when circe is played as a game, it is usually progressively. Progressive chess is considered particularly apt
for playing correspondence chess using mail or some other slow medium, because of the relatively small number of
moves in a typical game.

Rules
There are two main varieties of progressive chess: Italian progressive chess and Scottish progressive chess
(otherwise known as Scotch chess). The two have the following rules in common:
A check must be escaped from on the first move of a series--if this cannot be done, it is checkmate and the game
is lost.
En passant captures of pawns are allowed if the pawn in question moved two squares in one move, but no further,
at some point during the last turn, but the capture must be made on the first move of a series.
If ten consecutive turns are played with no captures and no pawn moves, then the game is declared a draw unless
one of the players can force a checkmate (this is the progressive chess equivalent of the fifty-move rule in
orthodox chess).
If at any stage a player has no legal moves but is not in check, the game is a draw by progressive stalemate.
Italian and Scottish progressive chess are distinguished by rules on when a player is allowed to give check:
Scottish progressive chess: check may be given on any move of a series, but a check ends the series--all further
moves that would otherwise be allowed are forfeited. This has no effect on the other player's next series--he will
receive as many moves as he would have had the other player played his full series.
Italian progressive chess: a check may only be given on the last move of a full series (for example, on move six, a
check can only be given on the sixth move)--giving a check at any other point in a series is illegal. In particular, if
the only way to escape a check is to give check on the first move of the series, then the game is lost by the player
in check by "progressive checkmate".
Progressive chess, like orthodox chess, is notated with algebraic notation. However, the numbering of moves is
handled slightly differently. Rather than one white and one black move being given under each move number
(leading to notation in orthodox chess like 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6), each turn by each player is given its own
move number (leading to notation in progressive chess like 1.e4 2.e5 Nf6 3.Bc4 Qh5 Qxf7#). In this way, the move
number is equal to the number of moves in a series available to a player on that turn.

Other variations
There is another form of progressive chess, English progressive chess, which makes quite a significant change to
the rules: within each turn, no piece may be moved twice until every other piece which has a legal move has moved
once; no piece may move three times until every other piece which can have moved twice; and so on. These
restrictions do not carry over from one turn to the next--so the opening 1.e4 2.e6 f6 3.e5 Nf3 Bc4 is legal (white's
e-pawn may move again because its moves are on different turns), but the sequence 1.e4 2.e6 f6 3.e5 Ba6 Bxb7 is
not (the bishop has made two moves, but there are many other white pieces which have not moved on that turn).
There is no en passant capture under English rules, and rules on checks follow the Scottish rules.
Progressive Take-All uses the same rules as Progressive chess, but involves capturing all pieces of your opponent's
instead of checkmate. Pawns can also be promoted to Kings.

127

Progressive chess
In Logical progressive chess (by Paul Byway, Variant Chess 18, automne 1995) there's no castling or pawn two
advance (hence no en-passant capture) since these rules were added to speed up the game, which is not relevant in
progressive form.

External links
Progressive Chess [1] by Timo Honkela

References
[1] http:/ / www. cis. hut. fi/ ~tho/ chess. html

Avalanche chess
Avalanche chess is a chess variant designed by Ralph Betza in 1977. After moving one of your own pieces, you
must move one of your opponent's pawns forward one space.

Rules
Rules are as normal chess except for the following. After you move one of your own pieces, you must move one of
your opponent's pawns one space forward toward you. You cannot use your opponent's pawn to capture and you
cannot move your opponent's pawn two spaces forward. If none of opponent's pawns can be moved, then that part of
the turn is skipped. If you must move your opponent's pawn to promotion, then your opponent chooses to what piece
it promotes. If moving an opponent's pawn gives check to you, then your opponent wins the game immediately.

Further reading
Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
Avalanche chess, p.13-15.
Pritchard, D. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Bastford Chess Books. ISBN0-7134-8578-7. Ch. 12 Avalanche
chess, p.78-82.

External links
Avalanche chess | ChessVariants [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ mvopponent. dir/ avalanche. html

128

Monster chess

129

Monster chess
a

1
a

Monster chess. White can move twice per turn.

Monster chess - or Super King chess - is a chess variant in which the White has only a king and four pawns to fight
against all the pieces of the Black side. All the rules of chess apply, except that White makes two successive moves
per turn. The white king can move into check on the first move of the turn. The goal is to capture the opponent's
king.
Monster chess is also played with White starting with all eight pawns, or with only two.
Queening a white pawn generally allows White to declare a checkmate on one of the next moves. Also, with only the
two kings on the board, White can easily force a Monster chess checkmate.
Sometimes White's moves can be executed with humour. For example, both hands can be used to move two pawns
simultaneously, or a black piece one square away from the white king can simply be removed from the board.

Rules

White must execute two moves in his/her turn. He can do this by moving a piece twice or two pieces once.
The white king may move into check and then out of check, provided that White can execute two moves.
If a king is in check, it must be placed out of check.
Otherwise, standard chess rules apply.

External links
Monster chess [1] by David Regis
Variants of Monster chess [2], and a description of a strategy for Black.

Monster chess

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ monster. html
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ muenster. html

Kung-fu chess
Kung-Fu Chess is a chess variant without turns. It is a real-time strategy game. Any player can move any of his
pieces at any given moment. After a piece was moved it must "rest" a while before it is allowed to move again. If
two pieces of opposite color (for example, the white queen and the black queen) try to capture each other exactly
simultaneously, they will trade places. Hence reflexes and timing are key. Victory is achieved when the enemy king
is captured. This game was created by Shizmoo Games.

Awards
Kung-fu Chess was Game of the Year 2003 from Arcade Pod [1] and Game of the Month February 2002 from Game
Spot [2]. It could be played online at Shizmoo.com [3], with up to 80 players online during busy hours.

Game Styles
There are several game styles of Kung-Fu Chess, all based on the same principle of a real-time gameplay, i.e. both
players playing simultaneously and can move several pieces in the same time.
Standard - The standard Kung-Fu Chess is one-on-one match, with average speed of the pieces' movements
("speed") and the time they are delayed until they can be moved again ("delay"). These two parameters are always
set to 1.0 in an official standard match. Match is over when one of the players gets to capture his opponent's king.
Fast Four Way - Competes the Standard style for "the most popular Kung-Fu Chess game style", probably with
success. Fast Four Way (a.k.a. "F4W", "FFW") is a match between four players on a four-way board similar to the
Four-Handed chess board, when the goal is again the eliminate your opponents' kings, as it goes by the principle of
"last man standing".
The major difference in this game style in addition to being 4 players match, is that the speed of both pieces
movement and delay is ten times quicker than the Standard game style (set to 0.1), and therefore F4W games are
characterized with more action and speed rather than strategy in the Standard style.
Standard and Fast Four Way are the two only official styles that were available at Shizmoo for the nonsubscribers
players (free users). By official, it means a player is being rated by playing this game style, and can have a different
rank at Standard than at Fast Four Way. Although the official game styles have their constant settings for Speed and
Delay, these parameters can be changed in friendly matches. This option created another popular style entitled "Fast
2 Ways" - for players who loved the extreme speed of the F4W but did not want to play with 3 opponents.
Nevertheless this game style had never become official, nor as popular as the Standard and the F4W were.
Crazyhouse - Crazyhouse is an official game style available only for subscribed players at Shizmoo. The principle is
the same as the original chess variant, captured pieces can be used in the board again by the player who captures
them, but alongside the real-time feature of the Kung-Fu Chess of course. The speed is average, but a bit quicker
than the Standard style, however the captured pieces move slower than the original pieces in the match.
Bughouse - A Crazyhouse for four players playing simultaneously, Bughouse is the second subscribers-only game
style, as there are two matches of one-on-one being played the same time, and each captured piece is moved to the
hands of the teammate of the capturing player, in the neighbor board. It is a pairs match and the first player to
eliminate his opponent's king wins for himself and his partner.

130

Kung-fu chess
Subscribed members could build new game styles, set new rules and principles, and not only change the speed
parameters of the official forms, and thus other chess vaiants were created in a Kung-Fu Chess style, but only these
four official game style mentioned above were rated.

Rankings
Kung-Fu Chess assigns each player a numerical rating based on the player's win/loss record, using the same system
as ICC, the Internet Chess Club. Additionally, each rating range corresponds to a Kung-Fu belt color as follows:

Green Belt: 20 games or fewer played

Purple Belt: 800-999
White Belt: 1000-1199
Yellow Belt: 1200-1399
Orange Belt: 1400-1599
Red Belt: 1600-1799
Brown Belt: 1800-1999
Black Belt: 2000+

Additional rankings such as black O and black X are awarded for 2200 rating and 2400 respectively.

The Apparent End of Shizmoo

On December 16, 2008 the Shizmoo website [3] was no longer accessible.
Shizmoo gathered many Kung-Fu Chess fans from all over the world, and many talent players that mastered the new
tactics and strategies of the unique game that did not exist in the original Chess game, and brought it to new levels of
excitement.
As for now it seems that Shizmoo was shut down for good.
These sorrowful tidings caused many disappointed fascinated fans to look for clues about the fate of Shizmoo, and a
few attempts to revive the community of the Kung-Fu Chess players and create a new home were made.

Tempest - Real Time Chess

In June 2009 a new project of reviving Shizmoo's Kung Fu Chess was published, and looked more serious attempt
than anything made so far. The new project called "Tempest" looks promising, and already gathered and still is
gathering former fans, hopefully to become their new home and a worthy successor for Shizmoo. Tempest is still
under constant development. Its current state is already playable. Unlike Shizmoo, Tempest uses a software that
needs to be downloaded in order to play. A download is available for free from the official site.

Ninja Chess
In 2010 a game similar to Kung Fu Chess dubbed "Ninja Chess" has been developed for iPhone and iPad. It is
published on the App Store by Nordlysa Entertainment. This project brings the concept of Real-Time Chess to touch
interfaces and includes the ability to play Head-to-Head (each player facing his own board). This was absent in Kung
Fu Chess which offered only online play. However this project does not supports the many variants developed by
Shizmoo.

131

Kung-fu chess

External links

Official site (currently unavailable) [4]

Devilant's Strategy guide [5]
Newgen's Strategy guide [6]
GameSpy article [7]
GameDev.net article [8]
Post-Shizmoo meeting place [9]
Tempest [10]
Ninja Chess [11]
Rules definition [12]
Notation FENr [13]

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. arcadepod. com

http:/ / www. gamespot. com
http:/ / www. shizmoo. com
http:/ / www. kungfuchess. com/

[5] http:/ / www. tubo-world. de/ en/ devilantguide/

[6] http:/ / kfc. kunuk. dk/ newgenstrategy/
[7] http:/ / archive. gamespy. com/ articles/ january02/ igfchess/ bio. shtm
[8] http:/ / www. gamedev. net/ columns/ interviews/ shizmoo2004. asp
[9] http:/ / www. zenchess. com/ forum
[10] http:/ / www. tempestchess. com/
[11] http:/ / www. nordlysa. com/ ninjaches/
[12] http:/ / kfc. kunuk. dk/ rules. htm
[13] http:/ / kfc. kunuk. dk/ notation. htm

132

133

Multiplayer variants
Bughouse chess
Bughouse chess

Players

Setup time

1 minute

Playing time

Usually 5 to 10 minutes

Random chance None

Skill(s) required Chess strategy, Blitz chess

Bughouse chess (also called Exchange chess, Siamese chess, Tandem chess, Transfer chess, or simply Bughouse
or Bug) is a popular chess variant played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two.[1] Normal chess rules
apply, except that captured pieces on one board are passed on to the players of the other board, who then have the
option of putting these pieces on their board.
The game is usually played at a fast time control; this, together with the passing and dropping of pieces, can make
the game look chaotic and random to the casual onlooker; hence the name bughouse, which is slang for mental
hospital. The game is traditionally played as a diversion from regular chess both over the board and online. Yearly,
several dedicated bughouse tournaments are organised on a national and an international level.

Rules

Bughouse chess

134

Team 1, Board A

Team 1, Board B
Bughouse setup and start position
Bughouse is a chess variant played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two. Each team member faces
one opponent of the other team. Partners sit next to each other and one player has black, while the other has white.
Each player plays the opponent as in a standard chess game, with the exception of the rules specified below.[2]

Captured pieces
A player capturing a piece immediately passes that piece to the partner. The partner keeps these pieces in reserve and
may, instead of playing a regular move, place one of these pieces on the board (as in shogi and crazyhouse). Pieces
in reserve or on deck may be placed on any vacant square, including squares where the piece delivers check or
checkmate. However pawns may not be dropped on the first and last rank. Dropped pawns may promote, but all
promoted pawns convert back to pawns when captured. In play over the board, a promoted pawn can be put on its
side to indicate promotion.[3] A pawn placed on the second rank may move two squares on its first move. Each
player must keep the reserve or stock pieces on the table in front of the board, always visible to all players of the
game.

Clock and completion of a move

Bughouse chess is usually played with chess clocks to prevent players from waiting indefinitely for a piece. Clocks
are placed on the outside so that each player can see both clocks. At the start of the game, the players with the black
pieces start the clocks simultaneously. Bughouse is usually played using clock move, which allows touching of
pieces. A move is completed only when the clock is pressed. Touch move is practiced to a lesser extent.[4] When
used, it applies to pieces in reserve as well; they are considered dropped after contact has been made with an empty

Bughouse chess
square.
Bughouse can be played without a clock, but then there is usually a rule preventing a player waiting for pieces
(stalling or sitting) indefinitely. One rule states that players may not delay their move beyond the time that it takes
for their partner to make three moves.[5]

End of the game

The match ends when either of the games on the two boards ends. A game is won when one player gets checkmated,
resigns, forfeits on time or when an illegal move is made in which the offending side is caught. The match can be
drawn by agreement or when two players run out of time or are checkmated simultaneously. Depending on (local)
rules threefold repetition applies, in which case the reserve of pieces is not taken into account.[6]
Alternatively, when one board finishes, play can continue on the other board. In this case, pieces in reserve can still
be dropped, but no new pieces are coming in. The outcome of the match is then decided by adding the score of the
two boards.[5]

Communication
Partners are normally allowed to talk to each other during the game. They can for instance ask for a specific piece,
for more trades, ask to hold a piece, suggest moves or ask their partner to stall. Shouts like "Knight mates!" or "Give
me pieces!" are common, and can lead to seemingly absurd sacrificial captures on the other board. Partners are not
allowed to physically act on the other board.[7]

Variations
Bughouse comes in many variants, especially in the way drops are handled. Examples include:[8]
Pieces cannot be dropped with check and/or checkmate. This variation is common in Europe and is sometimes
referred to as tandem chess.[9] [10]
Pieces can only be placed on the player's half of the board.
Pieces may only be placed on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rank (the four middle ranks).
Play continues until both games are complete.
Kings are not subject to check; the game ends when one player's king is captured, even though there might have
been an escape.
Kings can be captured and the game continues until one team has all kings on the board.
Pawns cannot be dropped on seventh (and sometimes sixth) rank.
Pawns never promote, when they reach the eighth rank they remain pawns. This was a common variation in
Australia in the 1980s which saves having to find extra pieces.
Pawns may be dropped on the first rank.
Promoted pawns carry their promotion over after a capture.
It is possible to play the game with just two players (one per team) by having each player move on two boards.
Analogous to simultaneous chess, this way of playing the game is referred to as simultaneous bughouse. It can also
be played with just one clock by playing the boards in a specific order (WhiteA, WhiteB, BlackB, BlackA) and
pressing the clock after each move. This variation is suitable for play by mail.[11]
Bughouse can be played with three or more boards. The game is played in exactly the same way as normal bughouse
with boards placed with alternating colours and two players and one clock per board. On capturing a piece however,
the player has to decide which player of the team will get that piece. In three board bughouse chess the middle player
is the key since he gets material from two boards, but has to decide how to divide the captured pieces.[12] The middle
board also commonly becomes very cramped due to having twice the number of pieces available.

135

Bughouse chess

Strategy
Material
In chess a minor material advantage is important as when material gets exchanged, the relative advantage becomes
larger. Because new pieces come in, there is no endgame play in bughouse and material is therefore less important. It
is common to sacrifice pieces in bughouse while attacking, defending or hunting down a certain piece which the
partner requires.[12]
A scoring system to evaluate material is to add up the piece values of the material on the board. In chess, when a
pawn equals one unit, a bishop or knight is worth three, a rook five and a queen nine. These values are a
consequence of the difference in mobility of the pieces. In bughouse piece values differ because pieces in reserve
essentially have the same mobility as they can be dropped on any vacant square.[13] The pawn relatively gains
importance in bughouse chess, its very limited mobility does not handicap reserve pawns. They can for instance be
dropped to block non-contact checks. Pawns can be dropped onto the seventh rank, one step away from promotion,
which again adds to their importance. Long range pieces like the queen or the rook lose relative value, due to the
constantly changing pawn structure. They are also more likely to be cornered in.[14] A valuation system often applied
to bughouse is pawn=1, bishop=knight=rook=2 and queen=4.[15]

Coordination
Captured pieces are passed on and thus what happens on one board influences what happens on the other board. It is
therefore natural for team members to communicate during game play. A common request of an attacking player
would be "trades are good", while players in trouble would ask their partner to hold trades with "trades are bad".
Equally a player can request a piece e.g. "knight wins a queen" or ask to hold a piece e.g. "rook mates me".[16]
Another common situation in the interplay between the two boards is a player not moving, also called sitting or
stalling. This can happen in anticipation of a certain piece or at the request of the partner. Suppose a player is under
heavy attack, and an additional pawn would mate him. When the partner cannot prevent giving up a pawn on the
next move, sitting is the only strategy. It would of course be perfectly logical for the attacker to sit as well, waiting
for a pawn to come. The situation, where diagonal opponents sit at the same time is known as a "sitzkrieg" (literally
"sitting war" in German, and a pun on "blitzkrieg"). The difference in time between the diagonal opponents will
eventually force one party to move. This diagonal time advantage is more important than the difference on the clock
between opponents on the same board.[17]
Apart from this active communication, a good bughouse player tries to coordinate silently by keeping an eye on the
other board and adapting moves accordingly. This can mean as little as glancing at the other board before trading
queens, or as much as playing an opening adapted to the other board.[18]

Attack and defense

Attacking the king can mean checking the opponent but also controlling vital squares around the king. It is an
essential part of bughouse gameplay. From a player's perspective, attacking the king has important advantages as
opposed to defending or attempting to win material:[19]
Because of the possibility of dropping pieces, attacks in bughouse can quickly lead to checkmate.
The attacking player has the initiative, he is the one who controls the board, while the opponent is left to react.
This has also important consequences for the other board.
It is easier to attack than to defend. A defending mistake can have bigger consequences than an attacking mistake.
Thus, the defender needs to be more precise, which in turn can lead to a time advantage for the attacker.
It is common to sacrifice material to build up, or sustain an attack. Characteristic for attacks is the so-called "piece
storm", where a player drops piece after piece with check. Contact checks or knight checks, which force the king to

136

Bughouse chess
move as opposed to dropping pieces, are especially important. They can be used to drive the king into the open,
away from its defenders, while they prevent the opponent from putting new material on the board.[20]
Partner communication is essential in a good defense. When one partner is under attack, the other partner should be
aware of which pieces hurt most. Sitting strategies might be necessary, and it is therefore important to play the
defense fast. Accepting a sacrifice can be lethal. On the other hand, it results in the attacker having a piece less to
play with, with the defender's partner having a piece more. Sacrifices therefore give the partner of the defender an
opportunity to take initiative.[21]

Opening
There are significantly fewer bughouse openings than there are chess openings. Many chess openings create
weaknesses which can be easily exploited in bughouse. It is for instance not recommended to move pawns other than
the d and e pawn.[22] Bughouse openings are generally geared towards dominating vital squares and fast
development. Captured pieces become available after the first few moves and it is important to develop at this stage
as there is often not enough time to do so later. Development also helps to defend against early piece drop attacks.[23]

Notation and sample game

The algebraic chess notation for chess can be used to record moves in
bughouse games. Different notations for piece drops are possible.[24]
The internet chess servers FICS and Internet Chess Club use the at-sign
@, as in N@f1 (knight drop at f1), Q@e6+ (queen drop with check at
e6) or P@h7 (pawn drop at h7).
Because of the fast pace at which the game is played, bughouse games
are rarely recorded in games played over the board. With the arrival of
online chess it has become possible to systematically record games.[25]
Example bughouse game.
The format in which this is done is the bughouse portable game
notation (BPGN), an extension of the Portable Game Notation for chess.[26] Software, such as BPGN viewer can be
used to replay and analyse bughouse games.[27] Below is an example bughouse game in the BPGN format.
[Event "rated bughouse match"]
[Site "chess server X"]
[Date "2004.04.12"]
[WhiteA "WA"][WhiteAElo "1970"]
[BlackA "BA"][BlackAElo "2368"]
[WhiteB "WB"][WhiteBElo "1962"]
[BlackB "BB"][BlackBElo "2008"]
[TimeControl "180+0"]
[Result "0-1"]
1A. e4 {180} 1a. Nc6 {180} 1B. d4 {179} 2A. Nc3 {179}
1b. Nf6 {178} 2a. Nf6 {178} 2B. d5 {178} 3A. d4 {177}
2b. e6 {177} 3a. d5 {177} 3B. dxe6 {176} 4A. e5 {176}
3b. dxe6 {176} 4B. Qxd8+ {175} 4a. Ne4 {175}
4b. Kxd8 {175} 5B. Bg5 {174} 5A. Nxe4 {174}
5a. dxe4 {173} 5b. Be7 {173} 6A. Nh3 {173}
6B. Nc3 {172} 6a. Bxh3 {171} 6b. N@d4 {171}
7A. gxh3 {171} 7a. Nxd4 {170} 7B. O-O-O {169}
8A. P@e6 {168} 7b. Nbc6 {168} 8B. Bxf6 {166}

137

Bughouse chess
8a. N@f3+ {165} 9A. Qxf3 {165} 8b. Bxf6 {164}
9a. Nxf3+ {164} 10A. Ke2 {164} 9B. e3 {164}
10a. Q@d2+ {164} 11A. Bxd2 {164} 11a. Qxd2+ {164}
{WA checkmated} 0-1

Where to play
Over the board
Little is known on the history of bughouse, but it seems to have developed in the early 1960s.[28] It is now quite
popular as a diversion of regular chess in local chess clubs throughout Europe and the US.[28] [29] Grandmasters such
as Levon Aronian, Joel Benjamin, Yasser Seirawan, Andy Soltis, John Nunn, Jon Speelman, Sergey Karjakin,
Michael Adams, Emil Sutovsky and Michael Rohde have been known to play the game.[28] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]
With the absence of an International Federation, competitive over the board bughouse is very much in its infancy.
There is also no world championship. A few countries do organize bughouse tournaments within the national chess
federation. Examples include:
The yearly international chess festival Czech Open in July features the Czech republic bughouse
championship.[35]
Yearly, USCF organizes bughouse tournaments as part of the National Junior High (K-9) Championship and the
National High School (K-12) Championship.[36] [37]
Other tournaments are organized privately:
One of the largest international bughouse tournaments is the yearly tournament in Berlin.[38] Going into its sixth
edition, it is popular among top players from FICS. Grandmaster Levon Aronian took part in the 2005 edition of
the tournament and took the second place with his teammate Vasiliy Shakov.[39]
Since 2000 there has been an annual bughouse tournament in Geneva, attracting the best European players.[28] [40]

Online
Bughouse can be played online at chess servers such as FICS and ICC since 1995.[41] FICS is currently the most
active server for bughouse, attracting the world's best players like Levon Aronian.[42]
The game is played online in the same way as over the board, but some aspects are unique to online bughouse. In
games over the board, communication is heard by all players, while in online bughouse it is usually done via private
messages between two partners. This makes communication a more powerful weapon. It is also easier to coordinate
as the second board is more visible on the screen than over the board.[43] The time aspect is altered due to existence
of premove and lag. The latter can influence the diagonal time difference significantly, and it is good sportsmanship
to restart the game when this difference gets too large.[44]
ICS compatible interfaces particularly suitable for bughouse include Thief and BabasChess. They have the ability to
display both boards at the same time and store played or observed games, they also have partner communication
buttons and a lag indicator. Special Xboard compatible engines have been written that support bughouse, examples
are Sunsetter, Sjeng and TJchess.[45] [46] [47] Although much faster than humans, they lack in positional
understanding and especially in coordination and communication, an essential skill in this team game.[48]

138

Bughouse chess

Controversy
Bughouse chess is controversial among scholastic chess teachers. The majority view is that it does not have a
positive effect on novice chess players.[49] In the words of Susan Polgar: "If your children want to play bughouse for
fun, it is OK. But just remember that it is not chess and it has no positive value for chess. In fact, I absolutely
recommend no bughouse during a tournament."[50] One argument supporting this view is that bughouse distorts the
typical pattern recognition used in chess.[51] Another argument is that bughouse neglects positional values due to its
highly tactical game play.[52] On the other hand, there is no evidence that bughouse would hurt experienced chess
players. In the words of Levon Aronian: "Bughouse is good for players who know chess well already.... I started to
play bug when I was already at master level, [you] see, and I think bughouse is good for the imagination, to develop
new ideas."[52]

Notes
[1] Other less common names for bughouse include Team chess, Hungarian chess, Swedish chess, New England Double Bughouse, Pass-On
chess, Tandem Put-back, Double Speed, Double chess, Double Five, Simultaneous chess, Double Bug or Double Bughouse (von Zimmerman
(2006), front; Manson and Hoover (1992), p. 186 and Bughouse on Chessvariants (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ multiplayer. dir/ tandem.
html)). See Bughouse in other languages (http:/ / www. bughouse. be/ bughouse translations. htm). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[2] It should be noted though that bughouse has many variations and that there is no international standard. The rules below are in accordance
with the US chess federation (http:/ / www. uschess. org/ tournaments/ 2006/ 2006bughouse. pdf), the rules as applied on the chess servers
Free Internet Chess Server and Internet Chess Club and the Berlin bughouse tournament (http:/ / bughouse. info). In the case rules contradict,
alternatives are listed. Accessed July 29, 2007.
[3] von Zimmerman (2006), p. 15
[4] See for example the rules of the Geneva bughouse tournament (http:/ / pion. ch/ Bug/ ruleseng. html). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[5] Bughouse on ChessVariants.org (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ multiplayer. dir/ tandem. html). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[6] For instance, the threefold repetition applies on FICS but not on Internet Chess Club.
[7] See Article nr. 12, US chess federation Bughouse rules (http:/ / www. uschess. org/ tournaments/ 2006/ 2006bughouse. pdf). Accessed August
27, 2007.
[8] Comments on tandem chess rules from chessvariants.com (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ listcomments. php?itemid=TandemChess).
Accessed July 29, 2007.
[9] See for example the bughouse rules from the Geneva gathering page (http:/ / www. pion. ch/ Bug/ rules. html) and the official bughouse rules
in the Netherlands (http:/ / www. schaakmeester-p. nl/ spelregels. htm#doorgeefschaak). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[10] Tandem chess rules from chessvariants.com (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ multiplayer. dir/ tandem. html). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[11] von Zimmerman (2006), p.108
[12] Manson and Hoover (1992), p. 3437
[13] von Zimmerman (2006), p. 17.
[14] Manson and Hoover (1992), p. 3233
[15] von Zimmerman (2006), p. 17. The bughouse playing program Sunsetter (http:/ / sunsetter. sourceforge. net/ ) uses the values pawn=100,
bishop=195, knight=192, rook=200 and queen=390, while the engine Sjeng (http:/ / www. sjeng. org/ indexold. html) uses pawn=100,
bishop=230, knight=210, rook=250 and queen=450. Accessed July 29, 2007.
[16] von Zimmerman (2006), p. 243244
[17] Manson and Hoover (1992), p. 7589
[18] See Chris Ferrante (2000) (http:/ / personal. atl. bellsouth. net/ f/ e/ ferrantc/ chess/ bughouse. html), reproduced in von Zimmerman (2006),
p.7994
[19] von Zimmerman (2006), p.109
[20] von Zimmerman (2006), p.20
[21] von Zimmerman (2006), p.113
[22] von Zimmerman (2006), p.2124
[23] von Zimmerman (2006), p.68
[24] Manson and Hoover (1992) use an "x" (as used in captures) in front to indicate a piece drop, as in xNf1. Penn and Dizon (1998) use the "I"
(for insert) in front as in INf1. Von Zimmerman (2006) uses the @-notation.
[25] Two large bughouse databases are Jamesbaud's database (http:/ / www. bughouse-db. org) and Lieven's database (http:/ / www. bughouse.
be/ database. html).Accessed July 31, 2007.
[26] Specification of the BPGN format from bughouse.be (http:/ / www. bughouse. be/ BPGN_Standard. txt). Accessed July 29, 2007. Archived
(http:/ / web. archive. org/ 20070927030540/ http:/ / www. bughouse. be/ BPGN_Standard. txt) September 27, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
[27] BPGN viewer can be obtained from bughouse.net (http:/ / www. bughouse. net/ ). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[28] Pritchard (2007), p. 327

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Bughouse chess
[29] von Zimmerman (2006), p.162173
[30] John Nunn playing bughouse at the 2004 World Chess Solving Championship; Chessbase news, 22 September 2004 (http:/ / www.
chessbase. com/ newsdetail. asp?newsid=1919). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[31] Sergey Karjakin playing bughouse at the 2005 Young Stars tournament; Chessbase news 31, May 2005 (http:/ / www. chessbase. com/
newsdetail. asp?newsid=2423). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[32] Bughouse Newsletter, Vol I 1992 edited by Jeremy Graham
[33] The Independent (London), 12 July 1999 (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_qn4158/ is_19990712/ ai_n14255436). Accessed July 29,
2007. Archived (http:/ / web. archive. org/ 20080308153016/ http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_qn4158/ is_19990712/ ai_n14255436)
March 8, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
[34] Emil Sutovsky playing bughouse at the 8th Montreal International (http:/ / chesspro. ru/ _events/ 2007/ monreal13. html) Accessed July 31,
2007.
[35] Chess festival Czech Open (http:/ / www. czechopen. net/ ). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[36] The official announcements for the 2006 (http:/ / www. uschess. org/ tournaments/ 2006/ jhs/ ) and 2007 (http:/ / www. uschess. org/
tournaments/ 2007/ jhs/ ) editions. Accessed July 29, 2007.
[37] The official announcements for the 2006 (http:/ / www. uschess. org/ tournaments/ 2006/ hs/ ) and 2007 (http:/ / www. uschess. org/
tournaments/ 2007/ hs/ ) editions. Accessed July 29, 2007.
[38] Official website of the Berlin bughouse tournament (http:/ / www. bughouse. info). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[39] Report of the 2005 edition (http:/ / www. berlinerschachverband. de/ archiv/ chronik/ 2005/ tandem/ ), Berliner Schachverband. Accessed
July 29, 2007.
[40] Official site of the bughouse tournament in Geneva (http:/ / www. pion. ch/ Bug/ gath. html). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[41] von Zimmerman (2006), p.239
[42] von Zimmerman (2006), p.59, 16, 25, 95 and 240
[43] von Zimmerman (2006), p.240
[44] Anders Ebenfelt's Bughouse page (http:/ / reocities. com/ Paris/ metro/ 1324/ ). Accessed August 29.
[45] Homepage of Sunsetter (http:/ / sunsetter. sourceforge. net/ ). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[46] Homepage of Sjeng (http:/ / www. sjeng. org/ indexold. html). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[47] Homepage of TJchess (http:/ / www. tonyjh. com/ chess/ ). Accessed July 29, 2007.
[48] Georg von Zimmerman (2000), Figuren recycling, Computerschach und Spiele 5/00 p4446 (in German).
[49] A guide to scholastic chess (http:/ / www. uschess. org/ scholastic/ sc-guide2. html), United States Chess Federation. Accessed October 3,
2007. Archived (http:/ / web. archive. org/ 20071011044350/ http:/ / www. uschess. org/ scholastic/ sc-guide2. html) October 11, 2007 at the
Wayback Machine
[50] Scholastic Chess: Polgar Girls' World Open and Boys' Chess Challenge (http:/ / main. uschess. org/ content/ view/ 7794/ 302/ ), USCF
Chess Live Magazine. Accessed October 3, 2007.
[51] Snyder, Robert M. (2004). Winning Chess Tournaments for Juniors. Random House Puzzles & Games. ISBN978-0812936353., p. 10.
[52] von Zimmerman (2006), p. 27

References
Manson Jr., John F.; Hoover, Todd (1992), Siamese Chess. How To Play...How to Win!, Farnsworth Enterprises,
ASIN B0006PFGZS
Penn, David A.; Dizon, Rommel (1998), Comprehensive Bughouse Chess (http://www.bughousechess.net/),
Graham Cracker Studios, ISBN0-966-98060-3
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. (second edition), John Beasley,
ISBN0-95551-680-3
von Zimmerman, Georg, ed. (2006), Bughouse Chess (http://www.bughouse-book.com/), Books on Demand
GmbH, ISBN3-833-46811-4

140

Bughouse chess

141

External links
Bughouse Chess (http://www.bughouse.net)
Explanation of BugHouse Chess by FM Gulamali and NM Stewart (http://www.onlinechesslessons.net/2011/
06/11/what-is-bughouse-chess/)
Bughouse on the ChessVariants pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/multiplayer.dir/tandem.html)
Errant Fischer's Bughouse Page (http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/f/e/ferrantc/chess/index.html)
The Bug Board - Forum and software (http://www.thebugboard.net/)
bughouse-db.org - FICS bughouse database (http://www.bughouse-db.org/)
bughousedb.com - Another bughouse database (http://www.bughousedb.com/)
bughouse.be - Database and links (http://www.bughouse.be/)
Bughouse live on XBOX (http://www.xblaratings.com/component/content/article/2358-team-chess)

Three-handed chess
Three player chess is a family of chess variants
specially designed to be played by three people.[1]
There are many variations of three-handed chess. They
usually use some non-standard board, for example,
hexagonal or three-sided board connected in the middle
in a special way.
Three-player chess (and other games) variants are the
hardest to design fairly, because the imbalance created
when two gang up on one is usually too great for the
player to withstand. Some versions avoid this problem
by deciding victory such that the third player loses as
well as the checkmated player, leaving the player who
delivers checkmate first to be the victor.

Chessboard for three-handed chess

Hexagonal board
Many three-player chess variants use a hexagonal board. Pieces move usually as in one of versions of hexagonal
chess:
ThreeChess: Three-player chess online played on hexagonal board with classical chess rules, adapted for three
players. It is available multiplayer and free to play online at www.ThreeChess.com [2].
Chesh [3] by Gianluca Moro.
Chexs [4] by Stephen P. Kennedy.
Echexs [5] by Jean-Louis Cazaux.
HEXChess [6]: commercial chess variant by HEXchess Inc.
Three-way chess was invented by Richard Harshman.[7] It is played by three players on a six-sided board with
hexagonal cells.[8]

Three-handed chess

Three-sided board
Often a special three-sided board is used (like shown in the picture above):
Self's variant [9]: by Hency J. Self (1894).
Three player chess [10]: by Robert Zubrin (1972). The patent for this game describes a variant in which whoever
is first to checkmate one of the other two players gains control of that player's forces. If more than one player's
pieces contribute to a checkmate, this applies to whoever makes the final move that causes a checkmate.[11]
Triple chess [12]: chess board is extended with 8x3 rectangles on 3 sides. This game is invented by Philip
Marinelli in 1722.
Triochess [13] (1975).
Waider's game [14]: by Waider (1837).

Other boards
Besides hexagonal and three-sided boards some other board forms were tried:
3-color chess [15]: uses a special three-dimensional board or can be used with three-colored boards.
3 Man Chess [16]: uses round board.
Orwell chess [17]: cylindrical board is used, similar to cylinder chess.
Megachess [18]: uses a triangular board.

Strategy
The introduction of a third player drastically changes the style of play, even if standard pieces are used. Many chess
openings are useless due to the extended board and third player. The introduction of the 'extra' move by the third
player can introduce situations of deadlock, for example if a white piece is undefended and simultaneously attacked
by both black and red pieces. Black cannot take the white piece, since red would then capture the black piece next
turn. Thus the black and red pieces are both simultaneously attacking the white piece and defending it from attack by
the other player. In similar situations, a piece can move quite safely into a square where it is attacked by both
opponents, since neither opponent would take the piece and risk capture by the third player. Each player must think
twice as far ahead anticipating the moves of both opponents, with the added complexity that the next player may
move to attack either of his opponents.
In games where the third player loses as well as the checkmated one, players must concentrate not only on their own
attack and defense, but also on preventing the two opponents from checkmating each other. A player can take
advantage of one opponents position to checkmate the other, but must be careful that the third player does not
checkmate first. White could checkmate red, only to have his piece captured by a black piece, which checkmates red.
In this situation, white would lose since black delivers the final checkmating move. This strategy also applies to
games which give the checkmating player command of the checkmated opponent's pieces- a player who allows the
second player to checkmate the third would surely go on to lose due to the increased power of his remaining
opponent, now armed with the third player's pieces.

142

Three-handed chess

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Bastford Chess Books. ISBN 0-7134-8578-7.
[2] http:/ / www. ThreeChess. com
[3] http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ query?url=http:/ / www. geocities. com/ Athens/ Olympus/ 5867/ chesh. html& date=2009-10-25+ 06:08:39
[4] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ hexagonal. dir/ chexs. html
[5] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ hexagonal. dir/ echexs. html
[6] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ hexagonal. dir/ hexreview. html
[7] Nikos Sidiropoulos and Rasmus Bro (2009). "In memory of Richard Harshman". Journal of Chemometrics 23: 315. doi:10.1002/cem.1247.
[8] http:/ / www. threewaychess. org/
[9] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ historic. dir/ self. html
[10] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ multiplayer. dir/ 3pl2. html
[11] US3,652,091 (http:/ / www. google. com/ patents?vid=3652091) Three-player chess board Robert Zubrin
[12] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ historic. dir/ marinelli. html
[13] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. photo/ triochess. html
[14] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ historic. dir/ waider. html
[15] http:/ / www. 3schach. de/ german/ device. html
[16] http:/ / www. 3manchess. com/ page6. html
[17] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ contest84/ orwellchess. html
[18] http:/ / boardgamegeek. com/ boardgame/ 4572/ megachess

External links
Chess for three (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,910529-1,00.html).

143

Four-handed chess

144

Four-handed chess
Four-handed chess

A common four-way chess board

Genre(s)

Chess variant

Players

Random chance

None

Skill(s) required

Strategy, Logic

Four-handed chess (also known as Chess 4 and 4-way chess) is a chess variant, which is typically played with four
people. It is played on a special board, which is made of standard 8x8 board with an additional 3 rows of 8 cells
extending from each side. Four sets of different colored pieces are needed to play this game. Four way chess follows
the same basic rules as regular two way chess. There are many different rule variations of this game. Most variants,
however, share the same board and similar piece setup.

Team
The most common form of play is two vs. two in which allied pieces cannot eliminate each other, but help the others
in defense and offense. The allied players sit across from each other and help checkmate the people to the left and
right of them. The game is over when both opposing kings are checkmated. If only one can be checkmated, the game
is a draw.

Singles
Singles is substantially harder than team play. In this method, each player can attack any of the other three players
and vice versa. Once a player is checkmated, the checkmated player can either remove their pieces from the board, or
the person that checkmated can use the remaining pieces during his/her turn. Play continues until only one player is
left.

Game rules
Players can only move their chess pieces on their turn.
If a player is placed in check, that player must wait until their designated turn before that player can respond to
the threat.
Pawns move forward only, unless attacking in a diagonal forward manner.
In the event a pawn reaches the King's row to the left, right or directly across, that pawn shall receive all the
privileges of a pawn reaching King's row during a traditional chess game (i.e. bringing back a queen (most
commonly), a rook, a bishop, or a knight).

Four-handed chess

External links

Four-player Chess [1] at BoardGameGeek

Four Handed Chess I [2], II [3] and III [4] from chessvariants.org
Four-handed Chess [5] by Capt. George Hope Verney
Free online version (Chesapeake Four-handed Chess) [6]

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ game/ 2173

http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ multiplayer. dir/ 4players. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ multiplayer. dir/ fourhanded2. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ multiplayer. dir/ fourhanded3. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ books. dir/ 4handed/ index. html
http:/ / www. pathguy. com/ chess/ Chesapea. htm

145

Forchess

146

Forchess
Forchess
Players

Age range

any

Setup time

2 minutes

Playing time

30-90 minutes

Random chance None

Skill(s) required Chess strategy

Forchess is a four-person chess variant developed by an American engineer named T. K. Rogers. It uses one
standard chess board and two sets of standard pieces.

History and motivation

Forchess was developed around the year 1975. Its inventor T. K. Rogers wanted to create a pure strategy game with
the social dynamic of card games like Bridge. Rogers believed in the educational merits of chess and felt that making
the game a more popular social activity would benefit society.
Rogers wanted the game to use only standard pieces and a standard board so that everything necessary to play would
be readily available. He also did not want to severely limit the number of pieces each player had.
In 1992, Rogers published the instruction set as a 64-page booklet Forchess: The Ultimate Social Game, designed to
fit in a shirt pocket. The booklet also contained strategies for playing the game and a new technique invented by
Rogers for analyzing both chess and Forchess games. He called it influence indicator.
In 1996, Rogers posted a free instruction set on the then newly-founded Intuitor website. He simultaneously began
distributing thousands of free instruction brochures to schools and colleges.

Overview of the game

Initial Forchess Board Layout
a

d e f

8 K R N P P B R K 8
7 R Q B P P N Q R 7
6 B N

P P

B N 6

5 P P P P P P P P 5
4 P P P P P P P P 4
3 N B

P P

N B 3

2 R Q N P P B Q R 2
1 K R B P P N R K 1
a

d e f

The game is played by four people in teams of two. At the outset, each player controls an entire quadrant of the
board with a full set of chess pieces (minus one pawn). Partners occupy quadrants diagonally across from each other.

Forchess
The diagram at right shows the initial layout of the Forchess board (K=King, Q=Queen, R=Rook, B=Bishop,
N=Knight, and P=Pawn). Note that only 4 squares are initially unoccupied.
All the pieces move and capture in the same manner as conventional chess, except the pawn, which moves
diagonally and captures laterally. A pawn may not move two squares at a time, and there is no en passant capture.
There are no checkmates and no stalemates: kings are captured like all other pieces. When a player is in check and
has no legal moves to escape check, he may make a "token move" every turn until his king is actually captured.
When a player loses his king, his remaining pieces subsequently become the captor's. The game ends when one team
has lost both kings or chooses to concede.
Partners typically coordinate their moves as part of a single strategy. Thus, communication of that strategy becomes
a requirement of the game. Clandestine forms of communication such as code words, furtive gestures, or secret notes
are not allowed. All strategizing between partners must be done openly in front of their opponents. This rule lends
Forchess much of its social character.

Cutthroat Forchess
Forchess has a variant called Cutthroat, in which there are no partners and only one player wins by defeating all
three opponents. Successful strategy in Cutthroat Forchess can differ greatly from "regular" Forchess, as fluid
alliances may spark a game of psychological manipulation. In this respect, Cutthroat shares strategy elements with
the board game Risk.

External links
The official Forchess homepage [1]
Forchess discussion forum [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. intuitor. com/ forchess/
[2] http:/ / games. groups. yahoo. com/ group/ forchessonline/

147

Djambi

148

Djambi
Djambi (also described as "Machiavelli's chessboard") is a board game and a chess variant for four players, invented
by Jean Anesto in 1975.

Rules
Material
The game is played on a 99 board
whose central square (called "the
maze") is marked with a different color
or a sign. Each player has 9 pieces:

1 Chief
1 Assassin
1 Reporter
1 Troublemaker (also called
Provocateur, or Diplomat)
1 Necromobile
4 Militants.

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture
the chiefs of the other players before
they capture yours. Although informal
alliances can be temporarily agreed
upon, there is no team: each player
plays against the other players.

Board of Djambi, with the pieces in their start position. Each piece is identified by the
first letter of its name as well as a symbol.

Start position
The pieces are placed in each corner of the board as shown in the picture above.

Movements
Each player, at his/her turn, moves one of his/her pieces, and can possibly capture a piece in this way. The militants
move of one or two squares in the eight directions; the other pieces can move through any number of squares in the
eight directions. A piece cannot jump above another piece.

Captures
The pieces are "killed" as soon as they are captured, but their "corpses" stay on the board (the pieces are turned
upside down to show that they are "dead"). The militant kills by occupying the square of a piece (capture by
replacement). He places the corpse on an unoccupied square of his choice, except on the central square (the "maze").
A militant cannot kill a chief in power (see below).
the chief kills and places the corpse in the same way as the militant.
the assassin kills in the same way as the militant, but places the corpse in the square he comes from.

Djambi
the reporter kills by occupying one of the four squares next to the square of the piece he wants to kill (he cannot
kill diagonally). The corpse stays in his square. The reporter can only kill at the end of his move.
The troublemaker and the necromobile cannot kill the other pieces but can move them.
the troublemaker can move another living piece by occupying its square (of course, he can only move the pieces
of the other players). The piece is placed on any unoccupied square (except the maze if this piece is not a chief).
the necromobile acts like a troublemaker but only with the dead pieces (whatever the origin of the dead piece is).
The corpses cannot be placed in the maze.

Death and surrounding of a chief

When a player kills the chief of another player, he/she takes control of the living pieces of this one. At his/her turn,
he/she will have the choice between using one of his/her own pieces, or using one of the captured pieces. When a
player has no necromobile and his chief is surrounded by corpses, he is eliminated (except if he is in power, in the
maze). His/her pieces now belong to the chief in power. If there is no chief in power, then the pieces cannot be
moved or killed, until the moment when a chief takes the power, and captures them in that way (he keeps control on
these pieces even if he leaves the maze).

The maze
The central square of the board is called the maze. Each piece can go through this square, but the chief is the only
piece that can stop on it. A chief who is in the maze is a chief "in power". He plays one time after each player. For
instance, if there are four players, he plays three times in a turn (if there are two players, he plays twice
consecutively). When he leaves the maze, he loses this power. A chief in power takes control of the pieces of the
surrounded chiefs, and keeps them after losing the power. A chief in power cannot be killed by a militant. The
surrounding has no effect on him. When an assassin, a troublemaker or a necromobile goes in the maze to kill or
move a chief, the assailant must make an additional move immediately, in order to leave the maze.

Alliances and betrayals

There can be informal agreements or alliances between the players, but there is no rule to prevent any betrayal.

End of the game

The game ends when a player has captured the chiefs of all of the other players.

Variants
Three-player variant
The pieces of the missing fourth player are "hostages". These pieces can be killed or moved by the pieces of the
players. When the chief is captured, the normal rules to take control of them apply. The hostage chief can be placed
in the maze, but it has no influence on the game.

149

Djambi

Five-player variant
There is a five-player variant of djambi, called pentachiavel.

External links
Board and pieces to download [1]
Links and comments [2]

References
[1] http:/ / jeuxsoc. free. fr/ d/ djamb. htm
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ link2. dir/ djambi. html

Bosworth
Bosworth is a four-handed chess variant manufactured by Out of the
Box Publishing company since 1998. It is played on 6x6 board and
uses 4 sets of standard chess pieces.
Instead of traditional chess pieces, the "kingdoms" are represented by
pictures of the pieces on large colored tokens, (each player has his own
color: red, yellow, green, or blue), accompanied by a humorous picture
of a Dork Tower character.[1]

Rules
The game can be played by two to four players,[2] pieces act like their
normal chess counterparts (i.e. rooks move vertically and horizontally), with minor exceptions.[1] Due to the
multi-player nature of the game, there is no checkmate and kings can be captured. The goal of the game is to be the
last player who still has a king.
Bosworth has certain rules for game set-up and placing new pieces on the board. The game board has 36 squares, in a
6x6 pattern, but the four corner squares are marked by trees, which designate the squares as impassable, and the
remaining four squares between the trees on each side are marked by tents and are the "camps" of the pieces.
At the start of the game each player takes his tokens, puts four pawns in his spawn camp, and shuffles the remaining
tokens face down into a deck. From there the player draws four tokens from the top of the deck, and chooses from
these tokens to replace empty spots in his/her spawn camp. The player must then draw enough pieces from the deck
to get four in his/her hand.

150

Bosworth

References
[1] Lidberg, Paul Arden (1998-07-31). "Pyramid Pick: Bosworth". Pyramid (online) (Steve Jackson Games).
[2] "Bosworth official rules" (http:/ / www. otb-games. com/ bosworth/ rules. html). .

External links
Bosworth overview (http://www.otb-games.com/bosworth/) by the publisher
Bosworth (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/645) at BoardGameGeek
RPGnet: Review of Bosworth (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11858.phtml) by Tom Vasel

Enochian chess
Enochian chess is a four-player chess variant, similar to Chaturaji, associated with the Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn. The name comes from the Enochian system of magic of Dr. John Dee (magus and astrologer to
Queen Elizabeth I), which was later adapted by Victorian members of the Golden Dawn into "a complete system of
training and initiation."
Enochian Chess was created by William Wynn Westcott, one of the three founders of the Golden Dawn, but the rules
of the game were probably never completed by him. The game was finished by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, who put
its rules into final form.[1] The game was four-handed because each set of pieces corresponded to one of the four
classical elements and their several watchtowers, and the game was used for divination as well as competition. The
four sets of pieces were variously colored, and identified with Egyptian deities or "god-forms". The main
identifications of the pieces were:

Osiris, represented by the king;

Isis, the queen;
Horus, the knight;
Aroueris, the bishop; and
Nephthys, the rook or castle.[2]

The chess board itself was also varicolored, and divided into four sub-boards in which each of one of the four
elemental colors predominated.[3] The rules of the game were partially derived from shatranj and other historical
forms of chess; the queen is played like a fers, with a two square diagonal leaping move.[4] The four players would
form pairs of two, with each player having a partner. MacGregor Mathers, who finalised the game's rules, was
known to play with an invisible partner he claimed was as spirit. Joseph Hone, biographer of William Butler Yeats,
claimed, "Mathers would shade his eyes with his hands and gaze at the empty chair at the opposite corner of the
board before moving his partner's piece."[5]
The game, while complex, was in actual use; Georgie Yeats, wife of poet William Butler Yeats, relates actually
playing the game as a part of her occult training in Golden Dawn circles.[6] Her husband took part in some of these
games, as did MacGregor Mathers.[7] On the other hand, the full set of the rules is not well presented in the Golden
Dawn material handed down; Donald Tyson has observed that the game has "numerous weird little quirks" that
"make it impossible to actually play in any satisfactory manner".[8]

151

Enochian chess

Notes
[1] Ellic Howe, The magicians of the Golden Dawn: a documentary history of a magical order (Taylor & Francis, 1972; ISBN 0710073399)
[2] The Golden Dawn: a complete course in practical ceremonial magic : the original account of the teachings, rites, and ceremonies of the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Israel Regardie, Cris Monnastre, Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, eds., p. 686 (Llewellyn, 1989; ISBN
0875426638)
[3] Regardie et. al., p. 684.
[4] Regardie et. al., p. 691
[5] Joseph Hone, W.B. Yeats, 1865-1939, p. 106
[6] Ann Saddlemyer, Becoming George: The Life of Mrs. W. B. Yeats, p. 71 (Oxford University Press, 2004; ISBN 0199269211).
[7] Joseph Hone, W.B. Yeats, 1865-1939, p. 106
[8] Donald Tyson, Enochian magic for beginners: the original system of angel magic, p. 308 (Llewellyn, 1997; ISBN 1567187471).

Further reading
Chris Zalewski: Enochian Chess of the Golden Dawn: A Four-Handed Chess Game. Llewellyn's Golden Dawn,
1994. ISBN 978-0875428956.

External links
Enochian Chess publications (http://steve-nichols.com/page3.html)
Enochian Chess on the Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/historic.dir/enochian.html)

152

153

Unusual pieces
Fairy chess piece
Some fairy pieces
Archbishop (knight + bishop compound)

Chancellor (knight + rook compound)

Grasshopper (shown as an upside-down queen)

Nightrider (Knightmare) or unicorn (shown as an upside-down knight)

A fairy chess piece or unorthodox chess piece is a piece analogous to a chess piece. It is not used in conventional
chess, but is used in certain chess variants and some chess problems. These pieces vary in the way they move and
possibly in additional properties.
Because of the distributed and uncoordinated nature of unorthodox chess development, often the same piece is
referred to by different names or the same name is used for different pieces in various contexts (chess problems,
various chess variants).

Classification
Fairy chess pieces usually fall into one of three classes, although some are hybrid pieces. Some types of pieces are
created by combining the movement powers of two or more different pieces.
A specialized solving program, WinChloe, recognizes more than 1200 different fairy pieces.

Movement type
Leapers
An (m,n)-leaper is a piece that moves by a fixed type of vector between its start square and its arrival square. One of
the coordinates of the vector 'start square - arrival square' must have an absolute value equal to m and the other one
an absolute value equal to n. A leaper moves in the same way whether or not it captures, the taken unit being on the
arrival square. For instance, the knight is the (1,2)-leaper.[1]
The leaper's move cannot be blocked; it "leaps" over any intervening pieces, like the knight in standard chess.
In shatranj, a forerunner to chess, the pieces later replaced by the bishop and queen were also leapers: the alfil was a
(2,2)-leaper (moving exactly two squares diagonally in any direction), and the fers a (1,1)-leaper (moving exactly
one square diagonally in any direction).[2]
Some pieces can be described as combined leapers, i.e. as pieces having the movement capabilities of multiple
leapers. The king in orthodox chess (ignoring check restrictions) is an example of a combination of a (1,1)-leaper
and a (1,0)-leaper.

Fairy chess piece

154

Leapers are not able to create pins, although they are often effective forking pieces. One additional property is that
the check of a leaper cannot be parried by interposing.
All orthodox chessmen except the pawn are either leapers or riders, although the Rook does 'hop' when it castles.
The Wazir is a (1,0)-leaper (an "orthogonal" one-square leaper); the Fers is a (1,1)-leaper (a "diagonal" one-square
leaper). Both are used in Muslim versions of chess. The King of standard chess combines the two.
The Dabbaba is a (2,0)-leaper; the Alfil is a (2,2)-leaper; the Knight is a (1,2)-leaper. The Alibaba combines the
Dabbaba and Alfil; while the Squirrel can move to any square 2 units away. The Arabic word dabbba formerly
meant a type of medieval siege engine, and nowadays means "army tank".
The 'level-3' leapers are the Threeleaper, a (3,0)-leaper; the Tripper, a (3,3)-leaper; the Camel, a (1,3)-leaper; and the
Zebra, a (2,3)-leaper.
0
0

Zero

1
Wazir

Wazir

Fers

Dabbaba

Knight

Threeleaper Camel

Dabbaba Threeleaper
Knight

Camel

Alfil

Zebra

Zebra

Tripper

An amphibian is a combined leaper with a larger range on the board than its components. The simplest amphibian is
the Frog, a (1,1)-(0,3)-leaper.
Riders
A rider is a piece that can move an unlimited distance in one direction, provided there are no pieces in the way.
There are three riders in orthodox chess: the rook can move an unlimited number of (1,0) cells and is therefore a
(1,0)-rider; the bishop is a (1,1)-rider; and the queen is a (1,1)- or (1,0)-rider.
One of the most popular fairy chess riders is the nightrider, which can make an unlimited number of knight moves
(that is, (2,1) cells) in any direction (though, like other riders, it cannot change direction half-way through its move).
Sliders are a noteworthy special case of riders which can only move between geometrically contiguous cells. All of
the riders in orthodox chess are examples of sliders.
The names of riders are often obtained by taking the name of a leaper which moves a similar cell-size and adding the
suffix "rider". For example, the zebra is a (3,2)-leaper, and the zebrarider is a (3,2)-rider.
Riders can create both pins and skewers.
Hoppers
A hopper is a piece which moves by jumping over another piece (called a hurdle). The hurdle can usually be any
piece of any color. Unless it can jump over a piece, a hopper cannot move. Note that hoppers generally capture by
taking the piece on the destination square, not by taking the hurdle (as is the case in checkers). The exceptions are
called locusts.
There are no hoppers in Western chess, although in xiangqi, the cannon captures as a hopper (when not capturing, it
is a rider which can not capture).
The most popular hopper in fairy chess is the grasshopper, which moves along the same lines as an orthodox queen,
except that it must hop over some other piece and land on the square immediately beyond it.

Fairy chess piece

155

Locusts
A locust is any piece which captures by hopping over its victim (as in checkers). It is sometimes considered a type of
hopper.
Marine Piece
A marine piece is a combination piece consisting of a rider (for ordinary moves) and a locust (for captures) in the
same directions. Marine pieces have names alluding to the sea and its myths, e.g., nerede (marine bishop), triton
(marine rook), mermaid (marine queen), or poseidon (marine king).

Games
Some classes of pieces come from a certain game; often these have a common set of characteristics.
Chinese pieces
Chinese pieces are pieces derived from those found in xiangqi, the Chinese form of chess. The most common
Chinese pieces are the leo, pao and vao (each of which are derived from the Chinese cannon) and the mao (derived
from the horse). Those derived from the cannon are distinguished by moving as a leaper when capturing, but
otherwise moving as a rider. Less frequently encountered Chinese pieces include the moa, nao and rao.

Special attributes
Royal pieces
A royal piece is one which must not be allowed to be captured. If a royal piece is threatened with capture and cannot
avoid capture next move, then the game is lost (this is "checkmate"). In orthodox chess, each side has one royal
piece, the king. In fairy chess any other orthodox piece or fairy piece may instead be designated royal, there may be
more than one royal piece, or there may be no royal pieces at all (in which case the aim of the game must be
something other than to deliver checkmate, such as capturing all of the opponent's pieces).
Xed pieces
Name

Notes

Crowned pieces Any piece which, in addition to its normal powers, can move like a King.
Knighted piece

Any piece which, in addition to its normal powers, can move like a knight. For example, an amazon is a knighted queen.

Notations
Parlett's movement notation
In his book The Oxford History of Board Games[3] David Parlett used a notation to describe fairy piece movements.
The move is specified by an expression of the form m={expression}, where m stands for "move", and the expression
is composed from the following elements:
Distance (numbers, n)
1 - a distance of one (i.e. to adjacent square)
2 - a distance of two
n - any distance in the given direction
Direction (punctuation, X)
* - orthogonally or diagonally (all eight possible directions)

Fairy chess piece

+ - orthogonally (four possible directions)
> - orthogonally forwards
< - orthogonally backwards
<> - orthogonally forwards and backwards
= - orthogonally sideways (used here instead of Parlett's divide symbol.)
>= - orthogonally forwards or sideways
<= - orthogonally backwards or sideways
X - diagonally (four possible directions)
X> - diagonally forwards
X< - diagonally backwards
Grouping
/ - two orthogonal moves separated by a slash denote a hippogonal move (i.e. jumping like knights)
& - repeated movement in the same direction, such as for hippogonal riders (i.e. the nightrider)
Additions to Parlett's
The following can be added to Parlett's to make it more complete:
Conditions under which the move may occur (lowercase alphanumeric, except n)
(default) - May occur at any point in the game
i - May only be made on the initial move (e.g. pawn's 2 moves forward)
c - May only be made on a capture (e.g. pawn's diagonal capture)
o - May not be used for a capture (e.g. pawn's forward move)
Move type
(default) - Captures by landing on the piece; blocked by intermediate pieces
~ - Leaper (leaps)
^ - Locust (captures by leaping; implies leaper)
Grouping (punctuation)
/ - two orthogonal moves separated by a slash denote a hippogonal move (i.e. jumping like knights); this is in
Parlett's, but is repeated here for completeness
, (comma) - separates move options; only one of the comma-delimited options may be chosen per move
() - grouping operator; see nightrider
- - range operator
The format (not including grouping) is: <conditions> <move type> <distance> <direction> <other>
On this basis, the traditional chess moves are:

King: 1*
Queen: n*
Bishop: nX
Rook: n+
Pawn: o1>, c1X>, oi2>
Knight: ~1/2

156

Fairy chess piece

157

Ralph Betza's "funny notation"

Ralph Betza created a classification scheme for fairy chess pieces (including standard chess pieces) in terms of the
moves of basic pieces with modifiers.[4]
Capital letters stand for basic pieces and components, besides the standard abbreviation for the chess pieces (R, N, B,
Q, and K) the following letters are used: Wazir, Ferz, Alfil, Dabbaba, H (0,3)-leaper, Long Leaper (CameL), J
(2,3)-leaper (Giraffe), and G (3,3)-leaper. Riders are denoted by duplication of the letter, e.g., NN is the funny
notation for the nightrider piece; restricted range is denoted by a digit after the letter, e.g., R4 is a rook restricted to at
most 4 steps.
Small letters in front of the capital letters denote modifications of the component. Often used modifiers are: forward,
backward, right, left, sideward, vertical, move only, capture only, z crooked (moving in a zigzag line like the
Boyscout), grasshopper, jumping (i.e., it must jump, cannot move without a hurdle), non-jumping like the Chinese
Elefant, o cylindrical, pao (like the Chinese Cannon captures), and q circular movement (like the Rose).
In addition, Betza has also suggested adding brackets to his notation: q[WF]q[FW] would be a circular king, which
can move from e4 to f5 then g5, h4, h3, g2, f2, e3, and back to e4, effectively passing a turn.
Example: The standard chess pawn can be described in Ralph Betza's funny notation as mfWcfF (ignoring the initial
double move).
There is no standard order of the components and modifiers. In fact, Betza often plays with the order to create
somehow pronouncable piece names and artistic word play.
Addition to Betza's
Betza does not use the small letter i. It is used here for initial in the description of the different types of pawns.

Notable examples
Name

Parlett

Betza

Found in

Notes

Alfil

~2X

Shatranj

A (2,2)-leaper. Compare to Elephant. Alternate notation: ~2/2

Alibaba

~2*

AD

Fairy Chess
Problems

Combines the powers of Alfil and Dabbaba

Amazon

n*, ~1/2

QN

Knightmare
Chess

Combines the powers of the Queen and the Knight. Also called Superqueen.

Andernach
chess

A Grasshopper that changes the colour of the hurdle it leaps over. Also
known as a Chopper.

Capablanca
chess

Combines the powers of Bishop and Knight. Also called a Princess,

Cardinal, Janus or Paladin.

Four
Dimensional
Chess

A Bishop-like piece used in four-dimensional chess, i.e. it changes all

coordinates simultaneously while moving.

mQ (Immo-N)

Nova Chess

A piece that moves as a Queen but immobilizes any piece within a knight's
move of itself, that is, it prevents it from moving or taking. If it is a fairy
piece with additional powers it may or may not perform these other tasks
depending on the case in question. A Basilisk that is caught by another
Basilisk in this fashion, for example, may continue to immobilize others,
including the other Basilisk.

mfFcfWimfF2

Berolina chess

Moves one square diagonally forward (except on its first move, when it may
move two), but captures by moving one square straight forward. Compare
with Pawn.

Andernach
grasshopper
Archbishop

nX, ~1/2

BN

Balloon

Basilisk

on*
(Immo~1/2)

Berolina pawn o1X>, c1>,

io2X>

Fairy chess piece

Bishop

158
nX

Boyscout

Orthodox
Chess

Moves any number of free squares diagonally.

zB

Fairy Chess
Problems

Moves like a bishop, but takes 90 degree turns after each step. Invented by J.
de A. Almay in the first half of the 20th century. Rediscovered as Crooked
Bishop by Ralph Betza.

Fairy Chess
Problems

Can jump to any square which would not be reachable by any orthodox
chess piece. Since the Amazon is the sum of all orthodox chess pieces, the
Bug-Eyed Monster is the complement of the Amazon.

Tamerlane
Chess

Old historic piece. Jumps 2 squares orthogonally followed by one square

diagonally outwards.

Bug-Eyed
Monster

Camel

~1/3

Cannon

See "Pao" and "Korean Cannon"

Cardinal

See "Archbishop"

Champion

1+, ~2*

WAD

Omega Chess

Combines the powers of the Wazir and the Alibaba.

Chancellor

n+, ~1/2

RN

Capablanca
chess

Combines the powers of the Rook and Knight. Also called Empress or
Marshal.

Checker

cn(^2X>),
o1X>
King:
cn(^2X),
o1X

Checkers

Multiple captures in one turn, or without capturing can move forward one
diagonal space, but cannot move backward until after it has finished a turn
on the far rank of the board. (cf. Draughts, Checkers)

Chopper

See "Andernach grasshopper"

Colonel

n>, n=, 2/1>

1*

KfsRfN

Chess with
different
armies

Moves as forwards and sideways Rook, the forwards moves of a Knight, or a

King.

Dabbaba

~2+

Tamerlane
Chess

Old historic piece, also known as War machine or Machine. Alternate

notation: ~0/2

Dayrider

n(~2*)

AADD

Combination of Alfilrider and Dabbabarider. Also known as Alibabarider.

Dummy

A piece with no moves at all. It may be captured, gain temporarily moving

ability by relay, or pushed or pulled around by other pieces if there are
pushing or pulling pieces on the board. Different from Zero.

Edgehog

n*

Edgehog
[5]
Chess

A Queen that can move only to or from the edge of the board. Variant: when
it moves from an edge, it may not move to an edge. Represented in diagrams
by a Queen rotated 90 counterclockwise. Invented by John Driver in 1966.

Elephant

2X

nA

Xiangqi
(Chinese)

A (2,2) leaper, but it cannot jump over an intervening piece, like the Ma. In
Chinese Chess, the Elephant is restricted to its half of the board.

Empress

See "Chancellor"

Fers

1X

Shatranj

Move one square in any direction diagonally.

Fusilier

o1+, c1X

mWcF

Centennial
Chess

Moves and captures like a Pawn in all 4 directions. Invented by F. Marinelli

in 1770. Also known as Steward or Quadrapawn.

Giraffe

~1/4

Gold General

1+, 1X>

Grasshopper

Old historic piece. Jumps one square diagonally followed by three squares
orthogonally. See also Zurafa.
WfF

Shgi

Moves in all 4 orthogonal directions or diagonally forward.

gQ

Fairy Chess
Problems

A hopper which moves along the same lines as a queen and lands on the
square immediately beyond that of the hurdle. One of the most popular fairy
pieces. In diagrams, the Grasshopper is usually represented by an inverted
Queen.

Fairy chess piece

159

Graz Pawn

1*> , io2*>

fWfFifmW2ifmF2 Fairy Chess

Problems

Combines the powers of the Berolina Pawn and the standard Pawn. Also
known as the Sergeant, this piece was used as early as 1943 in Arno von
Wilpert's Wolf Chess. It occurs (without the initial double move) as Iron
General in large Shogi variants from 15th century, e.g., in Tenjiku shogi.

Immobilizer

on*
(Immo1*)

mQ (Immo-K)

Ultima

The Immobilizer, invented by Robert Abbott, moves as a chess Queen. At

the end of its move, any enemy piece that is on a square adjacent to the
Immobilizer is frozen in place, and can not move away until the Immobilizer
moves away or is captured. The Immobilizer can never move to an occupied
square and can not capture pieces. If two Immobilizers move next to each
other, they are both frozen until the end of the game or until one is captured.
An immobilised piece may commit suicide, e.g., to open a line of attack.
This action counts as a move.

Janus chess

See "Archbishop"

Janus
King

1*

Orthodox
Chess

Move one square in any direction. Royal in orthodox chess. A non-royal

piece which moves in this way is sometimes called a Commoner or Man.

Khohn

1X, 1>

FfW

Makruk

Move one square in any direction diagonally or one square straight forward.
It has the same moves as the Silver General in Shogi.

Knight

~1/2

Orthodox
Chess

It jumps one square orthogonally followed by another square diagonally.

pR

Korean Chess
(Janggi)

Moves and captures along orthogonal lines by jumping exactly one piece,
called the hurdle. There can be any number of free squares before and after
the hurdle. Unlike the Pao it moves the same way for capturing and
non-capturing moves. In chess problems it is sometimes called Rook Lion
or Rion.

Korean
Cannon

Kraken

~n/m

Leap to any square on the board, including the one it is currently on (leaping
to the current square has the effect of passing a move). Compare with
Universal leaper.

Leeloo

Quintessential
Chess

Combines the powers of Quintessence and Rook

Leo

on*, c^&

mQcpQ

Chinese

Combines the powers of the Pao and Vao; it moves like a Queen when not
capturing (that is, a (1,0) or (1,1) rider), but captures by leaping over an
intervening piece and taking the piece on the Leo's destination square (the
captured piece can be any number of squares beyond the hurdle).

Lias' Pawn

o1>, o1=,
c1X>, io2>

mfsWcfFimfW2

Lias' proposal

An extended Pawn which can also step one square sidewards. Proposed in
the 1920s by A. G. Lias to improve standard chess

pQ

Fairy Chess
Problems

A hopper which moves along the same lines as a Queen and which can land
on a square any distance beyond the hurdle.

QN

Maharajah and
the Sepoys

A royal Amazon, the only piece for white.

Chinese

Moves like a Knight except that it does not leap. It first moves one square
orthogonally in any direction, and then continues in the same general
direction one square diagonally. The square it is on after its orthogonal move
must be vacant. For example, if a white mao is on b2 and there is a white
pawn on b3, the Mao cannot move to a4 or c4; if the pawn is on c3,
however, it can move to both those squares (because the first part of the
move is orthogonal, not diagonal).

Lion

Maharaja

Mao

n*, ~1/2

Marshal
Moa

See "Chancellor"
Chinese

as the Mao, but the first step is diagonal and the second orthogonal, not the
other way round.

Fairy chess piece

Murray Lion

160
~2*, c1*

Nao

Nightrider

n(1/2) (in
same
direction)

ADcK

mNNcpNN

Chinese

A Chinese Nightrider moves as a normal Nightrider (that is, a (2,1) rider)

when not capturing, but which captures by leaping over an intervening piece
and taking the piece on the Nao's destination square (the captured piece can
be any number of knight-moves beyond the hurdle).

NN

Fairy Chess
Problems

A rider which moves any number of 2,1 cells (i.e., knight moves) in the
same direction. A Nightrider on b2 on an empty board, therefore, can move
to a4, c4, d6, e8, d3, f4, h5 and d1. A Pawn of the opposing colour on d6
could be captured, but the Nightrider could not move any further in that
direction (i.e., it couldn't move on to e8). A pawn on b3, for example, would
have no effect. On diagrams, the nightrider is usually represented by an
inverted Knight. One of the most popular fairy pieces. See diagram below.

Fairy Chess
Problems

The Odysseus' move depends on the file where it is located: It moves as a

Rook on files a and h, as a Knight on files b and g, as a Bishop on files c and
f, as a Queen on file d and as a King on file e. Also known as Querquisite.

mRcpR

Chinese

Moves like a Rook when not capturing (that is, a (1,0) rider), but captures by
leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Pao's
destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond
the hurdle). Found in xiangqi (in which context it is normally known in
English as a Cannon). Compare with Korean Cannon.

mfWcfFimfW2

Orthodox
Chess

Moves one square straight forward (except on its first move, when it may
move two squares), but captures one square forward diagonally. Compare
with Berolina pawn.

Quinquereme
Chess

Combines the powers of Queen and Quintessence.

Odysseus

Pao

Pawn

o1>, c1X>,
io2>

Can move and capture as an Alfil or Dabbaba, and capture only as a King.
This piece stems from a misinterpretation of the Lion of Chu Shogi but has
become popular in fairy chess problems and chess variants. It is named after
the chess historian Harold James Ruthven Murray who brought it up.

Pentere

Princess
Pterodactyl

See "Archbishop"
~3/3, ~5/5,
~0/15

Quang trung
rook
Queen

n*

Quintessence

Rao

Reflecting
Bishop

mqNcpqN

Chess
mathematics

The simplest triple range amphibian. George Jelliss demonstrated a

[6]
pterodactyl's knight's tour on a 1616 board in 1985

Quang Trung
Chess

Moves as Rook but when capturing must move on square away from
captured piece in the same direction.

Orthodox
Chess

Combines the powers of the Bishop and Rook.

Quintessential
Chess

A Nightrider who takes 90-degree turns in a zig-zag manner on each step.

First described in 2002 by Jrg Knappen and found in several chess variants
since then.

Chinese

A Chinese Rose moves as a normal Rose when not capturing, but captures
by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Rao's
destination square. The captured piece can be any distance beyond the
hurdle.
Moves like a bishop, but additionally is allowed to "bounce" off the edge of
the board when making a move, similar to a hockey puck or billiard ball. Its
path continues down the diagonal to any legitimate square after the
[7]
"bounce".

Fairy chess piece

161

RennCavalier

Renniassance
Chess

Moves in the same move one square diagonally and any number of squares
othogonally or any number of squares orthogonally and one diagonally. It
has two paths to the same target square and must make at least a blockable
knight's move. Called Cavalier in RennChess, but the name Cavalier is used
for other pieces as well. Renniassance Chess was invented by 1980 by Eric
V. Greenwood.

RennDuke

Renniassance
Chess

Moves in the same move one square orthogonally and then any number of
squares diagonally or any number of squares diagonally and then one
straight. It has two paths to the same target square and must make at least a
blockable knight's move. Called Duke in RennChess, but the name Duke is
used for other pieces as well.

Orthodox
Chess

Moves any number of free squares orthogonally.

qN

Fairy Chess
Problems

Moves as a Nightrider, except that rather than moving in a straight line, it

moves along pseudo-circular ones. A rose standing on e1 on an empty board,
for instance, can move to any of the squares on the large circle c2, b4, c6, e7,
g6, h4 and g2; as well as c2 and a1; or d3 and b4; or d3, e5 and g6; or f3, e5,
c6 and a5; or f3 and h4. As with the nightrider, an opposite-coloured piece
on any one of these squares can be captured, but prevents the rose from
progressing any further along that line. See diagram below.

Rook

n+

Rose

Spy

2>, 2=,
(1/1)>

fsDfF

Chess Empire

The Spy can move two spaces forwards or sideways, or can move like a
knight one forward and then one horizontally or vice versa. It can leap over
pieces and can only move two spaces; thus, it is "trapped" on its own color
like a Bishop.

Squirrel

~0/2, ~1/2,
~2/2

DAN

Fairy Chess
Problems

Jumps to any field in a distance of 2. It was discovered independently

several times and is also known as Centurion or Castle.

Superpawn

on>, cnX>

mfRcfB

Fairy Chess
Problems

Moves without capture any number of fields forward, captures diagonally

forwards like a Bishop. Promotes on the 8th rank. Cannot capture en passant
nor be captured en passant. May be placed in the first rank. Invented by
[8]
Werner Speckmann in 1967.

Superqueen

See "Amazon"

Taxi

Fairy Chess
Problems

Universal
leaper

Moves without capture one step forward or backwards, captures one square
diagonally forwards like a Pawn. When in the second rank can move one,
two or three steps forward or one backwards. Can promote on the 8th rank or
continue to be a Taxi. Can capture en passant other Pawns or Taxis. May be
placed in the first or eight ranks.
Leap to any square on the board apart from the one it is on. Compare with
Kraken.

Unicorn

Vao

Raumschach

In Raumschach it is a triagonal rider, moves through the vertices of the

cubes. See diagram below. The name Unicorn is also used for several pieces
in 2 dimensions, e.g., for the Archbishop or for the combination of Bishop
and Nightrider also known as Banshee.

mBcpB

Chinese

Moves like a Bishop when not capturing (that is, a (1,1) rider), but captures
by leaping over an intervening piece and taking the piece on the Vao's
destination square (the captured piece can be any number of squares beyond
the hurdle).

Wazir

1+

Tamerlane
Chess

Moves one square orthogonally in any direction.

Wizard

1X, ~1/3

FL

Omega Chess

Combines the movement of Fers and Camel.

Zebra

~2/3

Old historic piece. Jumps one square orthogonally followed by two squares
diagonally outwards.

Fairy chess piece

Zero

162
~0/0

A piece which can make a zero move, i. e., jump and land on its starting
square without any side effects. This gives the player the option to pass a
move. Sometimes used as a component to more complex pieces. It is
different from the piece with no move at all called Dummy

Zurafa

Tamerlane
Chess

Starts with a (1,4) leap (like the modern Giraffe) and may continue moving
outwards as a Rook.

1
a

Nightrider makes any number of knight moves in the same direction.

a

10

10

1
a

Rose. Moves as Nightrider, but along pseudo-circular lines. (two possible paths depicted.) Of course it may move
clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Fairy chess piece

163

The unicorn, represented here by an upside-down knight, moves through the vertices of cubes (triagonally). A
unicorn from its starting position can reach only 30 cubes. The white unicorn's destination squares are marked with a
circle, black's with an X. The boards are stacked, with board E on top.

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

Poisson, Catgories de pices - Types of pieces, section "Bondisseur(m,n) - (m,n)Leaper".

Poisson, Pices Pieces, sections Alfil, Fers
Parlett, 1999
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ piececlopedia. dir/ betzanot. html Betza Notation by Glen Overby II
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ dpieces. dir/ edgehog-chess. html Peter Aronson, "Edgehog Chess"
G. Jelliss, Theory of Moves (Retrieved on 2009-07-18) (http:/ / www. ktn. freeuk. com/ 9a. htm)
The Piececlopedia: Reflecting Bishop (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ piececlopedia. dir/ reflecting-bishop. html) by Peter Aronson.
Mrchenfiguren und ihre Grundtypen (pdf, in german) (http:/ / www. problemschachbuch. de/ Materialien/ Maerchenschach. pdf)

References
David Parlett (1999). The Oxford History of Board Games. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN0-19-212998-8.
Christian Poisson. "Catgories de pices - Types of pieces" (http://christian.poisson.free.fr/problemesis/
categories.html). Retrieved 2008-04-18.
Christian Poisson. "Pices Pieces" (http://christian.poisson.free.fr/problemesis/pieces.html). Retrieved
2008-04-18.
Ralph Betza's funny notation (http://www.chessvariants.org/d.betza/chessvar/pieces/notation.html)
George Jelliss. "All the King's Men" (http://www.mayhematics.com/v/gm.htm). Retrieved 2010-07-20.

Fairy chess piece

External links
Piececlopedia (http://www.chessvariants.org/index/mainquery.php?type=Piececlopedia&
orderby=LinkText&displayauthor=1&displayinventor=1&usethisheading=Piececlopedia) - an extensive list of
fairy chess pieces, their history and movement diagrams
Who is Who on Eight by Eight (http://www.chessvariants.org/piececlopedia.dir/whos-who-on-8x8.html)
Compiled by Ivan A Derzhanski, shows also piece values
Jerome Grimbert's List of Fairy Chess Pieces (french) (http://jgrimbert.free.fr/pieces/indexa.html)
Fairy chess pieces and fairy problem conditions (german) (http://www.hilmar-ebert.de/VV1000.htm)
Mrchenschachlexikon (http://www.dieschwalbe.de/lexikon.htm) (Die Schwalbe, German)

Hippogonal
A hippogonal chess move is one similar to a knight's move. That is, a leap m squares in one of the orthogonal
directions, and n squares in the other, for integer values of m and n. It need not be a 2:1 ratio for m and n. A specific
type of hippogonal move can be written (m,n), usually with the smaller number first.
For example, the knight itself moves two squares in one orthogonal direction and one in the otherit moves
hippogonally. It is a (1,2) hippogonal mover, sometimes referred to as a (1,2) leaper.
Other hippogonally moving pieces include the camel, a fairy chess piece, which moves three squares in one direction
and one in the other, and thus is a (1,3) hippogonal mover.

External links
Piececlopedia: knight [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ piececlopedia. dir/ knight. html

164

Grasshopper

165

Grasshopper
a

1
a

Grasshopper (shown as an inverted white queen with notation G) must hop over other pieces in order to move or
capture. Here, it can capture the pawn in a7.
The Grasshopper is a fairy chess piece that moves along ranks, files, and diagonals (as ordinary queen) but only by
hopping over another piece at any distance to the square immediately closest. If there is no piece to hop over, it
cannot move. If the square beyond a piece is occupied by a piece of the opposite color, the grasshopper can capture
that piece. The grasshopper may jump over pieces of either color; the piece being jumped over is unaffected.
On the diagram it is shown as an inverted queen with notation G.
For an example of grasshopper movement see the first diagram. The white grasshopper on d4 can move to the
squares marked by cross (b2, d1, d7 and h8), as well as capture the black pawn on a7. It cannot move on g4, because
there are two pieces to hop over.
Grasshopper was introduced by T. R. Dawson in 1913 in problems published in the Cheltenham Examiner
newspaper. Nowadays it is one of the most popular fairy pieces used in chess problems.
V. Onitiu, N. Petrovi, T. R. Dawson & C. M. Fox (1930)
a

1
a

Mate in 8 (with grasshoppers Ga8, f7, h2 and h1)

Grasshopper

166

Solution of the problem on the second diagram is:

1.Gh3! Gh4 2.Gh5 Gh6 3.Gh7 Gh8 4.Ge7 Gd7 5.Gc7 Gb7 6.Ga7+ Ga6 7.Ga5+ Ga4 8.Ga3#.

Grasshopper chess
a

1
a

Grasshopper chess. Second and seventh ranks are occupied with grasshoppers.
Grasshopper chess is a chess variant, in which the pawns are allowed to promote to a fairy piece grasshopper.
Grasshopper (shown as an inverted queen) must hop over other pieces in order to move or capture.
In some variations grasshoppers may also be present on the board in the opening position, in addition to the usual
pieces. For example, pawns can be moved forward and grasshoppers put along the second and seventh ranks[1] as
shown on the diagram at right. Another possibility is to replace queens with grasshoppers in initial position.[2]

References
[1] J. Boyer (1951). Les Jeux D'Echecs Non Orthodoxes.
[2] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.

External links
Grasshopper chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/dpieces.dir/grashopper.html) by Hans Bodlaender.

Berolina chess

167

Berolina chess
a

1
a

On its first move, a Berolina pawn may move two steps forward. It may not change direction during its move. The
black e4-pawn may capture the white f2-pawn en passant if the white pawn advances to d4 in one move.
Berolina Chess is a chess variant using a popular fairy chess piece called the Berolina pawn (also called Berlin
pawn or Anti-pawn). The Berolina pawn was invented by Edmund Hebermann in 1926.
The rules of Berolina Chess are the same as in standard chess, including castling, except that all the pawns are
replaced by Berolina pawns.

Berolina pawn specifics

The Berolina pawn moves, without capturing, one square diagonally forward. It captures one square straight forward.
(So, it is the converse of a normal chess pawn, which moves straight forward and captures diagonally forward.)
Like a normal chess pawn, the Berolina has the option to move two squares forward on its first move (so for the
Berolina, two squares diagonally forward). En passant capturing is possible as well (see diagram). As in normal
chess, the Berolina pawn promotes when reaching the last rank.

Related pawns
Two famous pawns used in problem compositions are the Berolina Plus and the Sergeant.
The Berolina Plus moves and captures like the Berolina pawn, but in addition may capture one square sideways.
The Sergeant combines the normal chess pawn and the Berolina pawn; that is, it can move to or capture on any of
the three squares immediately in front.

Further reading
Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524142-0-1.
Berolina Chess, p.2122.

Berolina chess

168

External links
BrainKing.com [1] turn-based server for playing Berolina Chess
The Chess Variant Pages [2] article on Berolina Chess (specially "Recognized" by Chessvariants.org)

References
[1] http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=59
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ dpieces. dir/ berlin. html

Maharajah and the Sepoys

Maharajah and the Sepoys
a

1
a

Starting position. White queen is a maharajah; it can move as queen or knight.

Maharajah and the Sepoys, originally called Shatranj Diwana Shah, is a popular chess variant with different
armies for white and black. It was first played in the 19th century in India.
Black has a full, standard chess army ("sepoys") in the usual position. White is limited to a single piece, the
maharajah, which can move as either a queen or as a knight on White's turn. Black's goal is to checkmate the
maharajah, while white's is to checkmate black's king. There is no pawn promotion.
The asymmetry of the game pits movement flexibility and agility against greater force in numbers. By perfect play
black always wins in this game, at least on an 8x8 board. According to Hans Bodlaender [1], "A carefully playing
black player should be able to win. However, this is not always easy, and in many cases, when the white 'Maharaja'
breaks through the lines of black, he has good chances to win."
However, the following algorithm can help the black to win:
Step 1: The Maharaja can only check the black King from squares that are attacked by black.
Step 2: All black pieces other than King are at protected by at least one other pieces, or if there are any
unprotected black pieces, Maharaja can only attack them from squares attacked by black.
Step 3: All black moves are done only to squares that were attacked by black before that moves.
Using such a sequece of moves, black can finally create a situation where every empty square of the board is
attacked.

Maharajah and the Sepoys

169

External links
The Maharaja and the Sepoys [1] by Hans L. Bodlaender.
Brainking Rules page [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ maharaja. html
[2] http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=21

Omega Chess
Omega Chess is a commercial chess variant designed by Daniel MacDonald in Toronto. The game is played on a
10x10 board with an extra square in each of the extreme corners where the wizards are placed at the start of the
game.[1] The game is laid out like regular chess with the addition of a "champion" in each corner and a "wizard"
diagonally behind each champion (see diagram on the right).
W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

W3

W4
W4

Omega Chess - start position

Part of the reason for adding the new pieces was to equalize the number of jumping pieces with sliding pieces. The
wizard was created specially to be a color-bound piece, a parallel to the bishop. Because of the symmetry and four
additional corners, Omega Chess creates new tactical possibilities, including the possibility of checkmate with two
knights.
Omega Chess has garnered endorsements by grandmasters Michael Rohde[2] and Alex Sherzer.

Omega Chess

170

Differences from standard chess

The new pieces
W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

A
W3

W4
W4

Wizard, Champion, Pawn's first move, En passant and Castling.

Champion: jumps 2 squares in any direction or slides 1 square orthogonally. White's King Champion can
start the game by Ch2 or Cj2. In the position shown at the left, the black Champion's movement is indicated by
an X, and it can't capture the white Knight.

Wizard: a colorbound piece, jumps {1,3} or {3,1} squares in any direction, or slides 1 square diagonally.
White's King Wizard can start the game by Wj2. In the position shown at the left, the black Wizard's movement is
indicated by a black dot, and it can capture the white Knight.

Pawns
The Pawn may slide one, two or three squares in the forward direction, on its first move only. This is shown on
files (a),(b) and (d) respectively.
Capture, promotion and movement (following the first move) are otherwise identical to the pawn in standard
chess.
The en passant rule also applies. The d pawn may be captured en passant by either black pawn. The b pawn may
be captured normally by the pawn at c4, and en passant by the pawn at c3

Omega Chess

171

Castling
The normal rules of castling apply. Also, it is done exactly as in Chess, with the king moving two squares to either
side: to h0 for white or h9 for black to castle king-side, and to d0 or d9 to castle queen-side. (See diagram.)
W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

W3

W4
W4

Position before 42... b4!

Sample games
As seen in the diagrams, the ranks are numbered from 0-9, and the corner squares behind a0, j0, j9 and a9 are
notated w1, w2, w3 and w4 respectively. It should be noted that these squares are part of the board, and all pieces
(except rooks and pawns) can enter them. (See the problem at the end of the page. The solution of which starts with
1.Ww3+ .)

GM Alex Sherzer v. GM Judit Polgr

1.f4 d5 2.Nd2 Ng7 3.Wa2 Cc7 4.Ng2 f7 5.Wj2 Wa7 6.e4 de4 7.Ne4 Bb4+ 8.Be1 Nd7 9.c3 Be7 10.Wi5 O-O 11.d4
Cc6 12.Bd3 b5 13.b4 Wd6 14.Cc2 Wj7 15.Ch2 Wi4 16.Nh4 Wh5 17.Wd1 We3 18.Kg0 c7 19.i4 Wg4 20.Be2
Wd5 21.Rc0 Bb7 22.Nc5 Black is aiming a lot of artillery at the White king. Perhaps White should follow suit and
play this knight to g5 instead of c5. 22...Nc5 23.bc5 Qd8 24.Qh3 Wh4 25.Bh4 Either on this move or the next,
recapturing with the Champion looks more promising. 25... Bh4 26.Wh4 Ch7 27.Wg2 Ce4 28.Ce4 We4 29.Qj3 j7
30.i5 i6 31.Wg7 hg7 32.Ri3 Ki8 33.Qj4 Rh9 34.Rj3 Ci7 35.Re0 Qf6 36.Bc0 e6 37.Bb1 Wf5 38.Wf5 ef5 39.Re8
Rh8 40.Rje3 g6 41.Qi3 Qg7 42.j4 b4! (see diagram) Black seizes the initiative. 43.R8e5 bc3 44.Rc3 Bh1 45.Kh1
Rb1 46.Ra3 Ch7 47.Ra8 Ch5 48.Ra9 Qh7 49.Ree9?? Cj3! 50.Qj3 Qh2+ 0-1[3]

Omega Chess

172

The Scholar's mate and the Fool's mate

1.f4 f5, 2.Bc4 Bc5, 3.Qj5 Ng7?? (defending the pawn on f5) 4.Qxg8#
1.Wa2 Ng7, 2.Wb5 Ni5?? 3 We6#
W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

W3

W4
W4

King & Rook vs. King

Endgames
The four corner squares in Omega Chess offer many endgame possibilities and peculiarities. For example, if you
have two Rooks, a Bishop and a Wizard against a lone King, you cannot win if the Bishop and Wizard attack one
color, with the enemy King being on a corner square of the other color. This leads to the inevitable question of what
combinations of reduced material can deliver mate.
Unlike in chess, a lone Queen (without the King's assistance) can force mate. As well, two Rooks find it easy to mate
provided the enemy King is not in a Wizard or Champion starting square.
In the position on the left, White is obliged to check the enemy King back to the edge of the board, since Black isn't
going to go there voluntarily. 1.Rd8+ Ke9 2.Ke7 Kf9 3.Kf7 (The White King must pursue the enemy King because
when Black gets to i9, the White King wants to be on h7, controlling i8 so the rook can check on d9, forcing the
King to j8, followed by Re8 - Kj7, Rj8#) 3...Kg9 (Not 3...Ke8 because of 4.Rd6 Kf8 5.Rd8#) 4.Kg7 Kf9 it is safe for
the Black King to double back. If the Rook was on e8, then it could just retreat along the file and deliver mate next
move. Or if it was on any other rank, it could now move to the e-file, but as it is the Rook would be vulnerable to
capture.
Two Bishops can deliver mate fairly easily, as can two Knights, although in the latter case the task of herding the
enemy king into a corner requires a lot of patience.[4]

Omega Chess

173

W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

W3

W4
W4

Puzzle by Benjamin Good: White to move and mate in three

Two Champions mate easily and so do a Champion and a Knight. A Bishop with a Wizard on the opposite colour
squares can also force mate although technique is involved since the enemy King has to be driven into the same
coloured corner as the Bishop.[5] However two Wizards can't force mate. A Rook in combination with either a
Knight or a Champion can force mate easily and, provided the enemy King is not on the wrong coloured Wizard's
square, (or corresponding Champion's square) then both Rook and Bishop, and Rook and Wizard are also easy wins.
In the remaining combinations of material, Bishop and Champion, Champion and Wizard, Bishop and Knight, and
Knight and Wizard, the requirement for winning is that the enemy King should be kept out of the wrong coloured
corner since the Knight alone, or the Champion alone cannot oust the king. Having met this requirement, the mating
technique for Bishop and Champion, and Wizard and Champion are fairly straightforward, while the technique for
Bishop and Knight is somewhat trickier.[6] As for Knight and Wizard, it is possible to set up positions in which the
enemy King is corralled, leading to checkmate, but there doesn't seem to be a way of forcing these positions.

Omega Chess Advanced

W1
W1

W2
A

W2

Omega Chess

174
2

W3

W3

W4
W4

Omega Chess Advanced: The White Fool immobilizes Black Queen, The Black Fool - White Rook. Black dots show
squares where the White fool may move to for freeing own Queen from immobilizing. Moves of White Templar
Knight
In 2008, the authors of Omega Chess developed an extension to the game called Omega Chess Advanced.[7]
A special move was introduced called Guarding. This move is equal to Castling but it is executed by Queen and
Rook. For Guarding to be legal, both the Queen and Rook must never have made any previous moves, and there
may not be any pieces between them.[8]
A new piece is introduced called the Fool.[9] Each player owns exactly one.
The Fool has no starting position on the board. Instead, when a piece makes its first move in the game, its
owner may choose to place the Fool at that piece's starting location. When Castling or Guarding, the Fool can
be place on either of the two available squares.
The Fool moves and captures like the piece or pawn that the opponent last used. For example, if White moves
a Queen, then Black's Fool may move or capture as a Queen.
The following two rules are optional parts of Omega Chess Advanced:

The Fool may immobilize an opponent's piece on an orthogonally adjacent square, thus preventing it from
moving. In the figure to the right, the white Fool has immobilized the black Queen, and the black Fool has
immobilized the white Rook. An immobilized piece can move again if the Fool moves away or is captured. In
addition, an immobilized piece can move if it is also orthogonally adjacent to a friendly Fool.[10]
A new piece can replace the ordinary Knight, called the Templar Knight. The Templar Knight moves like an
ordinary Knight, but after it has made its move or capture, it may make an additional diagonal step in the same
direction onto an empty square. In the diagram to the right, the white Templar Knight may move or capture to
any of the squares marked with an X, and may make the additional step to any of the squares marked with a
circle.[11]
Optional rules extensions were also introduced in Omega Chess Advanced.
Solution to the Puzzle here [12].

References
[1] Dylan Loeb McClain (2007-08-19). "Giraffes, Viziers and Wizards: Variations on the Old Game" (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2007/ 08/ 19/
crosswords/ chess/ 19chess. html). New York Times. . Retrieved 2009-10-12.
[2] Grandmaster reviews (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=grandmaster-reviews).
[3] Omega Chess sample game (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ scripts/ ltpgnviewer. html?http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ scripts/
Alex_Sherzer_vs_Judit_Polgar. html& SetBGColor=EEEEEE& SetBorder=1) with the option to view the moves in a JavaScript viewer.
[4] Checkmate with two knights in Omega chess (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ scripts/ ltpgnviewer. html?http:/ / www. omegachess. com/
scripts/ King_+ _2_Knights_vs_King. html& SetBGColor=EEEEEE& SetBorder=1), animated example.
[5] Checkmate with Bishop and Wizard in Omega chess (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ scripts/ ltpgnviewer. html?http:/ / www. omegachess.
com/ scripts/ King_+ _Bishop_+ _Wizard_vs_King. html& SetBGColor=EEEEEE& SetBorder=1), animated example.
[6] Checkmate with Knight and Bishop in Omega chess (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ scripts/ ltpgnviewer. html?http:/ / www. omegachess.
com/ scripts/ King_+ _Knight_+ _Bishop_vs_King. html& SetBGColor=EEEEEE& SetBorder=1), animated example.
[7] Omega Chess Advanced official web site (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=advanced)
[8] Definition of Guarding in Omega Chess Advanced (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=advanced#guarding)
[9] Description of the Fool piece (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=advanced#fool)

Omega Chess

175

[10] Immobilization (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=advanced#immobilization)

[11] Templar Knight description (http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=advanced#templar)
[12] http:/ / www. omegachess. com/ home. html?action=puzzle6

External links

Omega Chess - Official web site (http://www.omegachess.com/)

Rules of Omega Chess (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=board-setup)
How pieces move (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=how-pieces-move)
Piece values (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=piece-values)
Omega Chess vs. Chess (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=comparisons)
Game Openings (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=openings)
Game Endings (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=game-endings)
Game Strategy (http://www.omegachess.com/home.html?action=strategy)
Zillions of Games file. (http://www.chessvariants.org/programs.dir/zillions/omega.zip)

Stealth Chess
The fictional universe of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett features a number of invented games, some of
which have gone on to spawn real-world variants.

Stealth Chess
Stealth Chess is a chess variant, played in the Ankh-Morpork
Assassins' Guild, according to The Discworld Companion.
It is similar to normal chess, with the exception of an extra piece
and the widening of the board by two specially-colored fields
(red and white are described, as opposed to the normal black and
white) on either side, known as the Slurks. The extra piece is the
Assassin (appearing on either side of the Rooks in the beginning
of the game), the only piece to be able to move in the Slurk.
The Assassin moves one square in any direction, and two to
capture; however, on exiting the Slurks, the assassin may make
as many moves as it has taken within the slurks and, optionally,
a capture move.

Stealth chess - opening position

An example may clarify: If an Assassin enters the Slurks and takes five moves within them (in any direction,
including back and forth), it may then appear in any square that is five moves from its original entry point into the
Slurk. It is then still able to make a one-square move to capture. If an Assassin were to make fifteen moves (the
minimum necessary to go from one corner of the normal board to the opposite corner), it could reappear anywhere
on the board. The mechanism of moving the assassin up and down the Slurks is used in order to a) use up a move by
the player and b) to keep count of how many spaces the assassin has moved.
The Slurks are, in essence, a second, "invisible" board, through which only the Assassin may travel, and from which
it may reemerge on the "visible" board at any time. The Assassin may take pieces of its own colour, should this give
the player an advantage, but may not take opposing Assassins (professional courtesy). Many players consider the
assassin to be moving "underneath" the actual board, ready to pop out when they have reached their intended
destination.

Stealth Chess
This makes it a highly powerful piece and a very effective counter to certain strategies depending on specific pieces,
and can quickly win the game if one manages to take control of the Slurks and access the King directly. The
Discworld Companion notes, however, that players should also take care that they don't focus on the opponent's
Assassin exclusively to the point that they lose track of what the opponent's other pieces are doing.
The acknowledged master of the game in the books is Lord Havelock Vetinari, Provost of Assassins and Patrician of
Ankh-Morpork.
According to the Companion, some Discworld scholars believe that Stealth Chess is the original form of chess in
their world; this belief is corroborated by the in-world discovery, in a tomb in Muntab, of a preserved corpse with an
810 board embedded in its skull and a pawn hammered up each nostril.

Cripple Mr Onion
Cripple Mr Onion was originally a fictional card game played by characters in the novels Wyrd Sisters, Reaper
Man, Witches Abroad and Lords and Ladies. A game called "Shibo Yancong-San" ("Cripple Mr Onion" in Japanese)
appears in Interesting Times as a tile game played in the Agatean Empire. This was used by Dr Andrew Millard and
Prof. Terry Tao as the basis for an actual card game. The complete rules and design of this game were posted on
USENET around 1993 and were approved by Pratchett himself. It contains elements of blackjack and poker.
The band "Cripple Mr Onion", a Progressive metal band, originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, was named
after the game.
The most notable aspect of the game is that it requires an eight-suited card deck, with suits representing the eight
Minor Arcana suits of a Discworld Tarot, or "Caroc" deck: the staves, swords, cups, and coins of real-world Tarot
plus four additional suits named for octograms, elephants, terrapins and crowns. For the purposes of flushes, each of
the real-world suits is paired with one of the four discworld suits (a commercially available deck marketed for use in
the game includes axes, tridents, roses and doves as suits to be paired, respectively, with the more traditional clubs,
spades, hearts and diamonds). For real-world play, two distinctive but identically-backed "normal" decks are
generally used, most frequently a traditional "French" deck and an identically-backed Latin-suited deck.
Each player receives a hand of ten cards: five cards are dealt face-down to each player, and the player may then
discard up to four of them, receiving new cards to replace them. Then a further five cards are dealt face-up to each
player except the dealer, who receives his face-down. The first player begins by assembling his or her cards into one
of the winning groupings described below, and displaying them. The next player must then create a more valuable
grouping or fold. If the player is successful in creating a more valuable grouping, the original first player may try
again to create an even more valuable grouping for himself, or fold. This process passes left around the table until
only one player remains, who then wins the hand.
The categories of winning group, in ascending order of value, are as follows. Number cards are worth their face
value, picture cards are worth ten, and aces are worth one or eleven at the player's choice (a la Blackjack).
Bagel, two cards with values totalling 20;
Two-card Onion, two cards with values totalling 21;
Broken Flush, a set of three or more cards totalling between 16 and 21 inclusive, and with all but one in the same
suit-pair;
Three-card Onion, three cards with values totalling 21;
Flush, as a broken flush but with all the cards being in the same suit-pair;
Four-card Onion, as two- and three-card Onion above;
Broken Royal, the combination 678 of any suit;
Five-card Onion;
Royal, the combination 777 of any suit;
Six-card Onion;

176

Stealth Chess

Wild Royal, the combination 888 in a hand when eights are wild (see below);
Seven-card Onion;
Double Onion, two picture cards and two aces;
Triple Onion, three picture cards and three aces;
Lesser Onion, four picture cards and four aces;
Great Onion, five picture cards and five aces.

"Modifiers" may also be played to increase the value of a hand. Apart from the crippling rule, modifiers are optional
rules, which may or may not be included in a game. The available modifiers (many of which are named after
Discworld characters or concepts) are as follows:
Crippling Mr Onion: if a player displays a Great Onion, an opponent may display a nine-card running flush and
instantly win the hand. If a player displays a Great or Lesser Onion, an opponent may display a ten-card running
flush and instantly win the hand; a player with a ten-card running flush can also use it to steal the win from
someone who has previously crippled Mr Onion with a nine-card running flush. (This is the only non-optional
modifier.)
Null Eights: in a normal hand, eights may be played as if their value were zero (but can be still be played with
value eight if the player wishes). Thus they can be included in an existing Onion in order to improve its size by
one card. Whenever this is done, eights become wild cards in the following hand, and this modifier cannot be
used in that hand. After one hand with eights as wild cards, they revert to normal, and this modifier becomes
available again.
Wild Crippling: when eights are wild, you cannot Cripple Mr Onion if your running flush contains more wild
eights than the Lesser or Great Onion you are trying to cripple.
Octavo: when eights are wild, the grouping 88888888 is considered a Lesser Onion, but beats any other Lesser
Onion and is considered a Great Onion for the purpose of being crippled.
The Lady: a player may reveal the Queen of Spades for one of two effects: if eights are not wild in the hand, the
player may draw two cards from the deck, then choose one of these cards to replace the queen in their hand. If
eights are wild, the player can force every opponent to devalue one ace in their hand to value 1 (rather than 11).
The opponent chooses which ace is devalued.
Fate: if the Lady has been played and replaced with another card from the deck as above, the King of Cups may
be revealed and replaced in the same way, also rendering all Aces held by the player who played the Lady
unplayable. If eights are wild, the King of Cups may be played to immediately cause them to cease being wild;
but if played this way, any other (not the same!) player who holds the Queen of Spades may reveal it to cause
their eights to remain wild.
Great A'Tuin: a player who reveals the Queen of Coins may subtract eight from the value of one of their cards and
add it to the value of another. Card values must still range from 1 to 11.
The Elephants: a player who reveals a set of four cards, each either a nine or ten (or a wild eight), plus the Queen
of Coins, may shift points of value between their cards to create a Double Onion, and may consider any other
nines or tens in their hands as ones (not aces) and twos respectively. However, any other Double Onion beats this
one.
The Sender of Eights: displaying a Jack of Diamonds when eights are not wild causes the aces of any other player
who has used a Null Eight to become unplayable. When eights are wild, displaying a Jack of Diamonds makes all
aces unplayable and bans wild eights from taking value 1 or 11.
Death: displaying a King of Swords "kills" one picture card in the hand of every player who has more than one in
their hand. A "killed" picture card may not participate in a Double Onion, and if eights are wild may not
participate in a Triple Onion either, but may still participate in other groupings.
The Archchancellor: When played, the Jack of Staves is wild in all hands. However, any player who plays a Jack
of Staves must play all their eights as null eights. Further, any opponent may reveal a King of Swords after the
Jack of Staves is revealed to cause the Jack of Staves to cease being wild and also cause all other players to reveal

177

Stealth Chess

178

a card they have not yet revealed.

The Fool: If the Jack of Clubs is declared by any player before the first player has played their first group of
cards, Bagels and Onions switch places in score value. Thus, Double Bagels, Triple Bagels, etc. become the most
valuable hands, with the exception that a Great Onion will still beat a Great Bagel. It also, of course, becomes
possible for a player to Cripple Mr Bagel.

Thud
Stealth Chess

Players

Setup time

under one minute

Playing time

About two hours

Random chance None

Skill(s) required Tactics, Strategy, Visual-Spatial reasoning

Thud is a board game devised by Trevor Truran and first published in 2002, inspired by the Discworld novels rather
than originating in them. It bears a strong resemblance to the ancient Norse games of Hnefatafl and Tablut but has
been changed to be less one-sided. The two sides are dwarfs and trolls.
In the game, the objective is to eliminate as many of the opposition's
pieces as possible. The two antagonists are the trolls and the dwarfs,
the trolls being few in number (but individually very powerful), while
there are a large number of dwarfs, but each individual dwarf is very
weak and requires support from nearby dwarfs to be of use against the
trolls. As in fox games, the two sides have different pieces with
different movement and attacking styles.
Thud uses an unconventional, octagonal board divided into smaller
squares, with only thirteen pieces allowed to occupy each square.

Two players early in a game of Thud

Fictional origins
The game, supposedly called in Dwarfish "Hnaflbaflwhiflsnifltafl", represents the famous Battle of Koom Valley
between dwarfs and trolls.
The game was first directly referenced in Going Postal, being played by Vetinari, and became a central concept in
the immediate sequel Thud!. The release of Thud! led to a special Koom Valley edition of the game. The pieces of
the Koom Valley version are similar to the cover of the novel Thud! drawn by Paul Kidby.
Terry Pratchett has devised a fictional history of how Thud was invented similar to the Shahnama theory of the
origins of chess. In short, the clever dwarf who invented the game was asked by his king to name his reward. The

Stealth Chess

179

answer was that he wanted his board filled with gold: One small gold piece on the first square, two pieces on the
second, four pieces on the third, etc. Needless to say, this is more than all the gold of the Disc combined. The king
then got angry and threatened to kill the dwarf who was 'too drhg'hgin clever by half'. The inventor then hastily
changed his reward to 'as much gold as he could carry', whereupon the king agreed and simply broke one of his
arms.

Gameplay
The octagonal playing area consists of a 15
by 15 square board from which a triangle of
15 squares in each corner has been removed.
The Thudstone is placed on the centre
square of the board, where it remains for the
entire game and may not be moved onto or
through. The eight trolls are placed onto the
eight squares adjacent to the Thudstone and
the thirty-two dwarfs are placed so as to
occupy all the perimeter spaces except for
the four in the same horizontal or vertical
line as the Thudstone. One player takes
control of the dwarfs, the other controls the
trolls. The dwarfs move first.[1]
On the dwarfs' turn, they may either move
or hurl one dwarf:
Move: any one dwarf is moved like a
chess queen, any number of squares in
any orthogonal or diagonal direction, but
not onto or through any other piece,
whether Thudstone, dwarf, or troll; or

A Thud game's initial positions. "d" represents the dwarfs, "T" represents the trolls,
and "X" represents the Thudstone.

Hurl: anywhere there is a straight (orthogonal or diagonal) line of adjacent dwarfs on the board, they may hurl
the front dwarf in the direction continuing the line, as long as the space between the lead dwarf and the troll is less
than the number of dwarfs in the line. This is different from a normal move in that the dwarf is permitted to land
on a square containing a troll, in which case the troll is removed from the board and the dwarf takes his place.
This may only be done if the endmost dwarf can land on a troll by moving in the direction of the line at most as
many spaces as there are dwarfs in the line. Since a single dwarf is a line of one in any direction, a dwarf may
always move one space to capture a troll on an immediately adjacent square.
On the trolls' turn, they may either move or shove one troll:
Move: one troll is moved like a chess king, one square in any orthogonal or diagonal direction onto an empty
square. After the troll has been moved, any dwarfs on the eight squares adjacent to the moved troll may optionally
[2]
be immediately captured and removed from the board, at the troll player's discretion; or
Shove: anywhere there is a straight (orthogonal or diagonal) line of adjacent trolls on the board, they may shove
the endmost troll in the direction continuing the line, up to as many spaces as there are trolls in the line. As in a
normal move, the troll may not land on an occupied square, and any dwarfs in the eight squares adjacent to its
final position may immediately be captured. Trolls may only make a shove if by doing so they capture at least one
dwarf.

Stealth Chess

180

The battle is over when both players agree that no more captures can be made by continuing to play, or when one
player has no more valid moves to make. At this point the players count score: the dwarfs score 1 point for each
surviving dwarf, and the trolls score 4 for each remaining troll, with the difference being the 'final' score. The players
should then swap sides to play another round, and the sum of their final scores for the two battles determines the
overall victor.

Tactics
The basic overall strategy for the dwarfs to form a large group and for the trolls to try and stop them.[3] It is normally
better for the trolls to be widely spaced.
A dwarf's strategy does widely depend on how the trolls are advancing on the dwarf block. A good tactic therefore is
to be prepared to sacrifice a few dwarfs to get in the way and slow down any trolls that are advancing into dangerous
positions.[3]
A troll's strategy can also vary but at the start of a match getting into shoving lines is regarded as the best tactic.

Koom Valley Thud

For the 2005 rerelease of Thud, Truran devised a
substantially different game that could be played with
the same board and pieces, known as Koom Valley
Thud. Unlike the original release, in which the
publishers attempted to keep the game rules secret so
that anyone wishing to play would have to buy the
official set, the rules for Koom Valley Thud were
posted on the official website [4] so that owners of the
original edition would have access to the new rules.

Objective
For the dwarfs to win they must move the rock to the
far side of the valley - onto any of the five squares on
the opposite side of the board against which the dwarf
commander is sitting. For the trolls to win they must
capture the rock by placing three trolls adjacent to it (in
any direction including diagonally). If neither side can
achieve their objective the game is drawn.

The board and initial positions for Thud: The Koom Valley. D for
Dwarves, T for Trolls, X for Thudstone, dark gray - far side of the
valley.

Movement
Movement is the same as Classic Thud except that Trolls may now move up to 3 spaces in any direction (horizontal,
vertical or diagonal).
Dwarfs may move the Rock instead of moving a dwarf piece. It may move only one square in any direction. To be
moved it must be next to a dwarf and it must also be next to a dwarf at the end of its move.

Captures
A troll captures a dwarf by trampling over it. It moves in a straight line from a square next to the dwarf, through the
square the dwarf is on and lands on the empty square immediately beyond. The trampled dwarf is removed from the
board.

Stealth Chess
Several captures may be made in one move and a change of direction is allowed between captures.
Dwarfs capture a troll by moving a dwarf so that the troll is trapped between two dwarfs in any straight line
(including diagonally). The three pieces, two dwarfs and a troll, must all be in line.
If the dwarf that has been moved also traps another troll between itself and another dwarf, that troll is also captured
Captures are only made when the capturing side moves a piece. The rock may be moved and come to rest next to
three trolls. It can only be captured when a troll is moved.

External links
The Fat Pack Playing Card Company [5] An eight suit pack of cards suitable for playing Cripple Mr Onion
The full rules. [6]
A play-against-your-computer version is available at http://www.davebudd.org.uk/cmo/index.html (Note
from program author: 1. The program is embarrassingly poor, and 2. I've lost the source, so don't ask!)
Official site [7], including Pratchett's Story of Thud
Photograph of an official board [8] at BoardGameGeek. This illustrates both what the official game set looks like,
and the initial positions.
Thud [9] at BoardGameGeek
ThudBoard [10] by Marc Boeren is software for playing Thud.

References
[1] Pratchett, Terry; Trevor Truran, Bernard Pearson (2006-09-29). "Rules for Classic Thud and Koom Valley Thud" (http:/ / www. thudgame.
com/ rules). . Retrieved 2006-12-15.
[2] Dewi Morgan (2006-08-08). "Masked Thudplayer challenge!" (http:/ / www. thudgame. com/ node/ 137). . Retrieved 2006-12-15.
[3] Pratchett, Terry; Trevor Truran, Bernard Pearson (2006-09-29). "Rules for Classic Thud and Koom Valley Thud ("rules3")" (http:/ / www.
thudgame. com/ rules). . Retrieved 2006-12-15.
[4] http:/ / www. thudgame. com/ kvt
[5] http:/ / www. fatpackcards. com
[6] http:/ / cripplemronion. info/
[7] http:/ / www. thudgame. com
[8] http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ image/ 64064
[9] http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ game/ 4532
[10] http:/ / www. million. nl/ thudboard

181

Pocket mutation chess

182

Pocket mutation chess

Pocket mutation chess is a chess variant invented by Mike Nelson in 2003.[1] In this game a player can take a piece
from the board and put it into a pocket. The piece in the pocket can be put back on the board later. When placing the
piece into the pocket the player can mutate the piece, i.e. change it to the different piece.
The game is one of Recognized Chess Variants at Chess Variant Pages.[2]

Rules
The starting position in this game is the same as in standard chess. Players make moves as in standard chess. Instead
of moving, a player can take one of their own pieces from the board and put it into the pocket, provided that the
pocket is empty. If the piece is placed into the pocket from the last rank, it gets promoted to a piece of higher class.
Otherwise the player has an option to mutate the piece into a different piece of the same class. The choice of
mutating (or not) must be made at the time the piece is removed. White cannot use the pocket on the first move. The
King cannot be placed into the pocket.
As a players move, a piece in the pocket can be dropped on any empty position on the board, except the last rank. A
pawn can make only a single step from the first rank, but can do a double step from the second one, even if dropped
there or moved from the first rank. The en passant rule applies as in standard chess. Pawns that reach the last rank do
not get promoted immediately. Instead, they can be placed into the pocket and promoted to a piece of higher class.
There is no castling in this chess variant. The game is declared a draw if no capture or promotion was made for 50
consecutive moves.

Classes of the pieces

Besides usual pieces there are several fairy chess pieces in this game. All pieces are divided into the following
classes. All pieces from the same class are of presumably the same (or close) value.
Class

1
2
3

Usual
pieces

bishop

Combined with king

Combined with nightrider and

king

knight

rook

nightrider

queen

chancellor
(rook+knight)

super bishop (bishop+king)

super rook (rook+king)

cardinal
(bishop+knight)

Combined with
nightrider

pawn

Combined with
knight

cardinal rider
(bishop+nightrider)

super cardinal
(bishop+knight+king)

chancellor rider
(rook+nightrider)

super chancellor
(rook+knight+king)

amazon (queen+knight)

super cardinal rider

(bishop+nightrider+king)
super chancellor rider
(rook+nightrider+king)

amazon rider
(queen+nightrider)

Pocket mutation chess

183

1
a

Nightrider makes any number of knight moves in the same direction.

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (2007). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. ISBN 978-0955516801., p. 164.
[2] The Chess Variant Pages: Recognized Chess Variants (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ rindex. html)

External links
Pocket mutation chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/large.dir/pocketmutation.html) by Mike Nelson.

Baroque chess

184

Baroque chess
Baroque chess is a chess variant invented in 1962 by Robert Abbott. In 1963, at the suggestion of his publisher, he
changed the name to Ultima, by which name it is also known. Abbott considers his invention flawed, and he has
suggested amendments to the rules, but these suggestions - like the new name he attempted to give it - have been
substantially ignored by the gaming community, which continues, for the most part, to play by the 1962 rules. Since
the rules for Baroque were first laid down in 1962, some regional variation has arisen, causing the game to diverge
from Ultima.
a

1
a

The opening setup

Description
Baroque chess is usually played on a standard 88 chessboard with the standard Staunton design of chess pieces.
The rules that follow are widely found on the internet, but other variants exist. A variant popular among students at
Cambridge University in 1974 is described on this webpage [1].
The initial setup of the pieces is the same as in standard Chess, except for two things that the players must first
decide on - center counter symmetry, and corner counter symmetry.

Establishing the degree of symmetry

Center counter symmetry allows either player to decide whether to switch his King and Withdrawer ("Queen")
around, and then corner counter symmetry requires each player to decide which of his "Rooks" will be turned upside
down. (The one that remains upright is the Coordinator, and the one that is turned upside down is the Immobilizer.)
After these two kinds of symmetries are determined, White moves first.
For purposes of recording the moves that are played in the game, it is sufficient to employ an algebraic form of
notation, as in Chess, and write the names of the pieces and the squares they are to be placed in. For instance, 1. Kd1
& We1, Ke8 & Wd8 (center counter symmetry), and 2. Ia1 & Ch1, Ih8 & Ca8 (corner counter symmetry).
If the symmetry resolution phases that are usually found at the start of the game could somehow be put off for later,
then one may readily see how similar they are to the castling maneuvers in Chess. They have the practical function
of multiplying the number of games that are possible from the initial starting position.

Baroque chess

Moving
In Baroque, the King is the one piece alone that is limited to moving exactly one square at a time; it moves and takes
just like the King in Chess.
All of the remaining pieces on the first rank may move like the Queen, in all directions. They have this power as a
matter of privilege, as they are all considered to be Noble pieces. This is a kind of privilege that attaches to them at
birth, that is, at the outset of the game, and is never diminished; they retain this privilege no matter where they go,
except when they find themselves next to an Immobilizer (see below).
The pawns, on the other hand, move just like the Rook moves in Chess, unable to move diagonally. Just as in Chess,
pawns are the peasants of this game. Unlike Chess, pawns are never promoted to another kind of piece. (There is no
magic square to which pawns can be moved and then promoted.)

Capturing
All the pieces except for the King capture differently from their counterparts in chess, and all but the King have
different names. The King is the only piece that captures, as chess pieces do, by moving into a square that is
occupied by an enemy piece. All the other pieces capture enemy pieces in more complex ways. Friendly pieces are
never allowed to capture other friendly pieces.

Pieces
The names of the pieces and rules for movement are as follows:
The King moves and captures like a standard chess King. The objective of the game is to capture the opposing
king. Fast play with a chess clock usually makes declaration of checkmate a very rare thing to achieve in actual
face to face play.
The pawns - or pincers, as it were - move like standard chess Rooks. A pawn captures any opposing piece
horizontally or vertically between the square to which the pawn moved and a friendly piece (i.e. there may be no
gaps between any of the three pieces). This is considered a custodial form of capture because it has been likened
to two men coming up on the sides of the person to be seized, and taking hold of his arms to carry him off. Pawns
never capture diagonally, only horizontally or vertically.
The remaining pieces all move like standard chess queens, but have unique methods of capture.
The Withdrawer (or Retreater), represented by the Queen, captures by moving directly away from an adjacent
piece.
The long-leapers, represented by the Knights, capture by jumping over an opposing piece in a straight line. A
long-leaper may make multiple captures in the same line as long as each piece is jumped independently. Those
variants of Baroque prohibiting multiple leaps call this piece the Leaper, and restrict it to capturing the first
enemy piece it encounters, provided the next space is empty or open. It appears that the choice between a
Long-Leaper and a Single-Leaper tends to affect game play by encouraging "hunkering down" and overdefending
pieces, and allowing pieces to spread across the board more, with less attention to bulky blockades.
The Coordinator, represented by the unmarked Rook, captures any opposing piece that is on either of the two
squares found at a) the intersection of its own file and the King's rank, and b) the intersection of the King's file
and its own rank; these are found after the Coordinator has moved.
The Immobilizer, represented by the inverted Rook, does not capture anything, but immobilizes all adjacent
enemy pieces.
The Imitators (or Chameleons), represented by the Bishops, capture any piece by moving as a piece of the type
captured would have moved to capture. Also Imitators or Chameleons immobilize enemy Immobilizers to which
they are adjacent. Imitators cannot capture Imitators. In order for an Imitator to capture an enemy King, it must

185

Baroque chess

186

begin its turn adjacent to it, and step into its square. This is because the King is the only piece on the board that
steps one square at a time, and captures by 'occupation' and 'replacement' - stepping into the enemy's square to
capture it.
Diagrammed examples are indispensable to understanding the rules.
a

1
a

The King's movement.

King
The white King moves c4-d5 delivering checkmate. Normally it would not be possible for the two kings to be
adjacent, but here the black king is unable to move due to the white immobilizer on f4, thus the d5 square is not
under attack by black, and the white king is not moving into check.
Note that white could not play c4-d4, as that would place his own King in check from the black Withdrawer.
Capturing the Withdrawer with c4-d3 would result in stalemate, as black would then have no legal moves.
a

1
a

The Pincer's movement.

Baroque chess

187

Pawn/Pincer
The white pawn (or Pincer) moves g4-d4, capturing the Black Immobilizer and black pawn. The Black Withdrawer
on e5 is not captured because pawns capture only vertically and horizontally, not diagonally. The Black Imitator
(Chameleon) on d3 is not captured, because there is no white piece on d2. Finally, the Black Long-leaper on g3 was
safe because it moved between the two white pawns, rather than a white pawn moving to complete the custodial
capture.
a

1
a

The Withdrawer's movement.

Withdrawer
The White Withdrawer moves g6-d3, capturing the black pawn on h7. The pawn on g7 and the Imitator (Chameleon)
on h6 are unaffected because the Withdrawer did not move in their respective lines, but the Withdrawer could have
captured either by a move in the g-file or sixth rank respectively. Note that the Withdrawer also gives check to the
Black King by threatening to move away on the d-file.
a

1
a

The Long-Leaper's movement.

Baroque chess

188

Long-Leaper
The white Long-Leaper moves d2-d4-d6-d8, capturing three black pieces. It might instead have captured the Black
Withdrawer with either d2-g5 or d2-h6. On the other hand, the black pawn on b2 and the Black Chameleon on d1 are
safe from the Long Leaper because there is no square on the opposite side on which the Long Leaper could land.
Also the black pawns on f2 and g2 cannot be captured by d2-h2, because there is no space in between the two pawns
which would allow the Long Leaper to make two separate jumps. A move of d2-b4 would be illegal because long
leapers may not jump over friendly pieces. Some variations of Baroque forbid multi-leaping, if only because it is felt
that the game is more playable if the Leaper is less powerful. By requiring the Leaper to stop its movement
immediately after capturing the first piece, that objective is met.
a

1
a

The Coordinator's movement.

Coordinator
The White Coordinator moves d4-f6, capturing black's Leaper on c6 and Immobilizer on f2. If White had played
d4-d6 instead, he would have captured black's Leaper and pawn. The Coordinator threatens only pieces on the same
rank or file as the friendly King. This kind of capture can be visualized by imagining an invisible cross emanating
from the square the King is sitting on, and another invisible cross emanating from the square the Coordinator arrives
at. The points where these two crosses intersect are the places where captures are possible.
a

1
a

Baroque chess

189
The Immobilizer's movement.

Immobilizer
The White Immobilizer moves f3-d5, immobilizing 5 black pieces. The black Leaper on g4, which had been
immobilized, is now free to move again.
An Immobilizer can never be captured by an Immobilizer, or Imitator (Chameleon). An Immobilizer can never be
captured by a King or Withdrawer unless the variation popular in Cambridge is being played, in which case the
Immobilizer itself must first be immobilized. When an Immobilizer comes into contact with an Enemy Chameleon or
Immobilizer, the two pieces freeze each other, after which neither can move unless the other is captured. In the
version played at Cambridge, the power of an enemy Immobilizer to arrest a friendly piece's movement is defeated
when another friendly Immobilizer or Chameleon is brought up to it, effectively cancelling out each other's power to
arrest movement.
Some versions of Baroque allow an immobilized piece to commit suicide, i.e. be removed from the board, in lieu of
the regular move of that player. There may be strategic reasons to open a line. For example, after the above
diagrammed move, the Black Leaper on c5 may wish to commit suicide, so that the other Leaper can capture the
White Immobilizer by jumping over it on the fifth rank. White cannot hinder this plan, because the Immobilizer is
itself immobilized by the Black chameleon.
a

1
a

The Chameleon's movement.

Chameleon/Imitator
On the diagram on the right, the white chameleon moves g6-e6-c6, astoundingly capturing all seven black pieces
except the king in one move and delivering check.
It captures the black withdrawer by moving away from it.
It captures the black long-leapers by jumping over them.
It captures three black pawns by surrounding them. (A chameleon can only capture pawns on a horizontal move
or vertical move, not on a diagonal move.)
It captures the black coordinator by rank/file coordination with the white king.
It delivers check by moving adjacent to the black king.
In the Cambridge rules, this capture is not possible. The move is legal, but it captures only the two leapers, because
the move is not a legal move for any of the other target pieces. In the absence of the two black leapers, the same
move would capture the other five pieces.

Baroque chess

Variants
Maxima
Baroque played on a somewhat larger board that is mostly rectangular but for a couple extra squares that are outside
the board, located at D0 and E0 just behind the King and Queen's squares. A matching pair of squares are also on the
other side of the board, just beyond the Black King and Queen (D9 and E9). Although one objective of the game is
to capture the King, an alternative objective allows depositing a piece in the pair of squares on the other side of the
board. Unlike Baroque, the King in Maxima moves like the Knight in Chess, making for a game with much more
fluid movement of pieces.

Optima
Baroque that is similar to Maxima with additional pieces and rules.

Renaissance
As Shogi is to Chess, Renaissance to BaroquePieces may be revived and reborn. Renaissance is played on a 9x9
board with a Swapper (or Resurrector or Ankh) that moves like a Queen for all ordinary purposes, but for
swapping actions must move like a King, trading places with any adjacent piece (both friend or foe), never capturing
it. Consistent with the concept of the Swapper (or Resurrector) being a piece wholly incapable of killing, it can
also step into any adjacent empty square, and leave behind a previously captured piece resurrected by placing it in
the square just vacated. Although, seen in that light, though the Swapper is like a piece of life, it can be transformed
into a 1 square Bomb when captured and readmitted to the board - but capable only of death. Instead of moving, a
Bomb need merely explode to effect the destruction of both friendly pieces and enemy pieces adjacent to itself, and
suiciding in the process. The destruction of pieces in this way causes all effected to be unrevivable.
There are also two more pieces that, like the Coordinator, are not capable of unassisted capture: the Pusher and the
Puller. They can move like Queens for ordinary purposes, but for the purpose of exercising their special powers,
they must be adjacent to the affected piece at the start of the turn. If they begin adjacent to a piece (regardless if
friendly or foe), they can push or pull it by 1 square. For a Pusher, the empty square on the other side must be open
(except for the unusual circumstance of driving a King into an enemy piece, or an Imitator into a King.) Although
the Pushers and Pullers are not capable of capture, their pushing and pulling maneuvers can result in other pieces
being forced to make captures, regardless of the captured one being a friendly or enemy piece.

Rococo
Rococo is a species of Baroque that is played on a 10x10 board for the purposes of captures, but on the inner 8x8
square just inside it for the purpose of movement. To put it another way, the outer perimeter of squares can only be
entered as a result of a capturing maneuver. In addition to the traditional Baroque pieces, Rococo has an Advancer
piece that moves like a Queen, but captures the enemy piece it has run up next to, stopping just short of the piece
taken. As is usual for most pieces of the Baroque family, the Advancer will not enter into the space vacated by the
captured piece, it merely runs up to it, and stops short by 1 square. Unlike the game of Renaissance described above,
Rococo has a similarly named Swapper piece that moves like a Queen, but trades places with the enemy it runs up
to, a full Queen's move away. The Rococo Swapper has the unusual property of self-destructing at will, in lieu of
moving, provided it is not at the same time immobilized, with the effect of taking one enemy piece alongside it.
What sets Rococo apart from Baroque the most is the way the pawns work; they are called cannonball pawns and
move like a King, stepping 1 square in all directions, or leap over any adjacent piece (friend or foe). The only way
that they can effect capture is by leaping, and landing on the enemy piece. They cannot capture like a King does.
Apparently as compensation for their limited mobility, the cannonball pawns can be promoted into other pieces
when they reach the other side of the board.

190

Baroque chess
The pawn formations unique to the parent game, Baroque, already significantly different from traditional chess, are
not seen in Rococo. Instead, Rococo's cannonball pawns seem to hang away from enemy pieces by two or three
squares, rarely coming into contact with each other without advance preparation. In both Chess and Baroque,
however, fine nuances in maneuvering are made possible by locking positions together, made concrete by the
establishment of well-defined pawn structures. This sort of thing is lacking in Rococo.

Further reading
Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524142-0-1.
Ultima, p.329-330.
Pritchard, D. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Bastford Chess Books. ISBN0-7134-8578-7. Ch. 18 Ultima,
p.104-107.

External links
Ultima [2] by Robert Abbott
Ultima [3] from the Chess Variant Pages
Rococo [4] from the Chess Variant Pages
An Illustrated Guide to Ultima Pieces [5] - Animated GIFs show how the pieces capture.
Ultima on Game Courier [6] - Play Ultima against others online

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

http:/ / www. inference. phy. cam. ac. uk/ mackay/ ultima/ ultima. html
http:/ / www. logicmazes. com/ games/ ultima. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ other. dir/ ultima. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ other. dir/ rococo. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ other. dir/ ultimapieces. html
http:/ / play. chessvariants. org/ pbm/ presets/ ultima. html

191

Chess with different armies

192

Chess with different armies

Chess with different armies (or Betza chess[1] ) is a chess variant in which two sides use different sets of fairy
pieces. There are several armies of equal strength to choose from, including standard FIDE army. In all armies kings
and pawns are the same as in FIDE chess, but other pieces are different.

Rules
Before the game players choose their armies in a certain way, predefined by tournament rules. This can be done
either randomly or secretly by both players. Each player has a choice of 4 armies[2] : the Fabulous FIDEs, where all
pieces move as in standard chess, Colorbound Clobberers, Nutty Knights or Remarkable Rookies army.
All armies are designed to be equal in strength, but have significantly different properties. kings and pawns move the
same as in chess for all armies. Pawns can only promote to pieces available in either player's army at the start. The
castling is done as in standard chess with exception of the case when rook replacement is a colorbound, like in
colorbound clobberers army. In the latter case the king when castling long moves to b1 and rook replacement to c1.
This is so colorbound pieces don't change square color.

Fers.

Alfil, can jump.

Wazir.

Dabbaba, can jump.

Many pieces in the following armies are combination of standard chess pieces and 4 fairy pieces: fers, alfil, wazir
and dabbaba (see their movement diagrams above). The game can be played with standard chess pieces and the
following move diagrams use standard pieces as well (except queens).

Colorbound Clobberers
a

1
a

Cardinal. Moves as bishop or knight. Can jump for knight moves.

Chess with different armies

193

1
a

FAD. Moves as fers, alfil or dabbaba (hence the name.) Can jump for all moves.
a

1
a

Bede. Moves as bishop or dabbaba. Can jump by orthogonal moves.

a

1
a

Waffle. Moves as wazir or alfil. Can jump by diagonal moves.

Chess with different armies

194

Nutty Knights
a

1
a

Colonel. Moves as king or as rook forward and sideways or as knight forward.

a

1
a

Charging knight. Moves as king backward and sideways and as knight forward.
a

1
a

Charging rook. Moves as king backwards or as rook forward and sideways.

Chess with different armies

195

1
a

Fibnif. Moves as fers or as a knight for its two longest forwards and backwards moves.

Remarkable Rookies
a

1
a

Chancellor. Moves as rook or knight.

a

1
a

Half duck. Moves as fers or dabbaba or jump 3 squares in orthogonal directions.

Chess with different armies

196

1
a

Short rook. Moves as rook, but not more than 4 spaces.

a

1
a

Woody rook. Moves as dabbaba or as wazir. Can jump for all moves.

Other armies
The four armies described above were play tested by Ralph Betza and selected as most balanced ones. There are
other armies, invented by Betza and other people:

Amazon Army[3] (Ralph Betza);

Cylindrical Cinders[4] (Ralph Betza);
Fighting Fizzies[5] (Peter Aronson);
Forward FIDEs[6] (Ralph Betza);
Pizza Kings[7] (John Lawson);
Meticulous Mashers[8] (Ralph Betza);
Seeping Switchers[9] (Jrg Knappen).

In initial version of the game there were 8 armies[1] and in these armies the king moved differently than the king in
the standard chess. Instead of normal pawns, fairy pawns could be selected, for example berolina pawns. However,
later Betza abandoned the idea of using fairy pieces for king and pawn[10] and reduced the number of armies to four.

Chess with different armies

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications. ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
[2] Chess with different armies (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ cwda. html) by Ralph Betza.
[3] The Amazon Army (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ cvda/ amazon. html) by Ralph Betza.
[4] The Cylindrical Cinders (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ cvda/ cylind01. html) by Ralph Betza.
[5] The Fighting Fizzies (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ dpieces. dir/ fighting-fizzies. html) by Peter Aronson
[6] The Forward FIDEs (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ dan/ forfid. html) by Ralph Betza.
[7] The Pizza Kings (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ pizza-kings. html) by John Lawson.
[8] The Meticulous Mashers (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ cda/ meticulous. html) by Ralph Betza.
[9] The Seeping Switchers (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ unequal. dir/ seeping-switchers. html) by Jrg Knappen.
[10] Different Kings and Pawns? (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ d. betza/ chessvar/ dan/ danx-70. html) by Ralph Betza

Duell
Duell is a two-player chess variant played with dice on a board of 9x8 squares. Players take turns moving one of
their dice in order to capture their opponent's pieces, with the ultimate aim of capturing the opponent's king to win
the game.
Designed by Geoffrey Hayes, it was previously published in the UK as "Conquest" and "The George v Mildred Dice
Game" and in Germany as "Tactix".

Setup
The board is placed between the two players such that the eight rows of nine squares run left to right. The pieces are
placed so that from left to right the following numbers appear face up: 5 1 2 6 1 6 2 1 5, with the "key piece"
(equivalent to the king in chess, which has a "1" on each face) appearing in the middle and the 3s facing towards the
controlling player. To ensure true fairness, each die should be of the same chirality.

Gameplay
Players take it in turn to move one piece the number of squares shown on the outermost face (at the start of that
move) by rolling it along the direction of travel such that the uppermost number changes with each square moved. A
move may optionally include a single 90-degree change in direction. Moves may not pass though existing pieces of
either color.
Opposing pieces are captured by landing on the occupied square with the final move. Captures are not compulsory,
and there is no penalty for not doing so when possible.
The game finishes when one of the players captures their opponent's key piece; the capturing player wins, or when a
players' key piece lands in the opponents "key space" (the square initially occupied by the key piece at the start of the
game, in the center of the home row).

197

Duell

198

References
Pritchard, D. B. (2007), The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, John Beasley, ISBN978-0-9555168-0-1

External links
Duell rules [1]

References
[1] http:/ / aboardgamesdatabase. com/ rules/ duell/ duell. htm

Gess
Gess is a strategic board game for two
players, involving a grid board and mutating
pieces. The name was chosen as a conflation
of "chess" and "go". It is pronounced with a
hard "g" as in "go", and is thus
homophonous with "guess".
Gess was created by the Puzzles and Games
Ring of The Archimedeans, and first
published in 1994 in the society's magazine
Eureka. It was popularized by Ian Stewart's
Mathematical Recreations column in the
November 1994 issue of Scientific
American.

Rules

The starting position of Gess.

Gess is played on a grid of 18 18 squares.

Two players, "Black" and "White", each have 43 stones of their colour on the board in the starting configuration.
Starting with Black, players take turns moving a piece on the board. A move must always change the stone
configuration on the board. There is no passing.
A piece consists of a 3 3 grid of squares, at least one of which must exist on the board. Only stones of one
colour may be in the grid. There must be at least one stone on the eight squares around the central square.
A piece can only be moved by the player whose stones are inside the grid.
The 3 3 grid is termed the footprint of the piece. Each piece can move as determined by the stones in its
footprint:
The central square determines the extent of the piece's movement. If the square is unoccupied, it may move up
to three spaces; if it is occupied by a stone, it may move any number of spaces.
Each of the eight surrounding squares determines the directions the piece can move. If a square has a stone, the
piece can move in the direction indicated by the square's location relative to the central square; if a square is
unoccupied, the piece cannot move in that direction.
As a piece moves, all of the stones in its footprint move in unison.
When the footprint of a piece coincides with any other stones on the board, those stones are removed from the
board and the move ends.

Gess

199
If the footprint moves partially out of the board, the move ends. The stones of the piece which are on a square that
has moved out of the board are removed.
A move also may end before any stone is removed.
A ring is any piece consisting of eight stones around an empty central square.
The game object is to be the only player with a ring piece on the board: when, at the end of any turn, a player has
no ring pieces on the board, that player loses the game. If neither player has a ring piece, the player who has just
moved loses.

Equipment
A go set is one easy way to assemble the equipment needed for gess. The 19 19 line grid is simultaneously an 18
18 grid of squares, and the starting position needs only 43 each of the black and white stones.

Influences
The rules describe a highly variable set of pieces, which will often change every turn. In total there are 510 possible
sets of a footprint; however, the starting position uses these rules to emulate chess pieces: king, queen, bishop, rook
and pawn in this order R - B - Q - K - B - R in the last row (black's view) and 6 pawns in the next row. The game
objective, to remove the opponent's "ring" (described as a piece that moves like a chess king) also mimics that of
chess.

Notation
The rows are named 2 to 19 (1 and 20 being outside the grid), and the files are named b to s (a and t again being
outside the grid).
A move is notated by noting the place of the centre of the footprint at the beginning of a move and its place at the
end of the move.

External links
Gess the Game [1], original article at the online Eureka archive
GESS -- a New chess/go variant [2], Gess @ chessvariants.com with links to a java applet to play Gess

References
[1] http:/ / www. archim. org. uk/ eureka/ 53/ gess. html
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ crossover. dir/ gess. html

200

Variants with bishop+knight and

rook+knight compounds
Seirawan chess
a

1
a

Seirawan chess, position after 1. Nc3/Eb1. White moved his Queen Knight from b1 to c3 and placed the Elephant
on b1.
Seirawan chess is a chess variant invented by grandmaster Yasser Seirawan in 2007.[1] It is played on the standard
8x8 board and uses two new pieces, the hawk (which moves like a knight or a bishop) and the elephant (which
moves like a knight or a rook). Yasser Seirawan has given simultaneous exhibitions for the game. The first ever
event was a 12 board simultaneous exhibition held March 31, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada.[2]

Rules
The initial position is that of standard chess. Each side has additionally two pieces in hand (a hawk and an elephant):

The Elephant, moves as a rook or a knight; and

The Hawk, moves as a bishop or a knight.

The elephant and the hawk are introduced to the game in the following way: whenever the player moves a piece
(king, queen, knight, bishop or rook) from its starting position (that hasn't already been moved), one of the pieces in
hand may be placed immediately on the square just vacated. One cannot use the placing of an elephant or hawk to
block check. If the player moves all his pieces from the first rank without placing one or both in hand pieces, he
forfeits the right to do so. After castling, the player may put one of the pieces in hand on either the king's or the
rook's square, but he may not place both pieces in hand in the same turn. Pawns may promote to a hawk or an
elephant in this game (in addition to the normal chess pieces).
When notating games in algebraic notation, the letter E is used for the Elephant and H for the Hawk. If the player
places one of the two pieces on the board, it's written after a slash. For example, 1. Nc3/Eb1 means that the player
moved his knight from b1 to c3 and placed the elephant on b1 (see diagram).

Seirawan chess

201

Name
GM Seirawan has expressed dissatisfaction with the name Seirawan chess, noting that the variant was a joint
development with friend Bruce Harper.[3] The name SHARPER Chess (a combination of the names Seirawan and
Harper) has been suggested.

References
[1] Seirawan chess (http:/ / www. chessmastery. com/ seirawan-chess. html)
[2] Seirawan chess simultaneous (http:/ / www. chessmastery. com/ seirawan-simul. html), photos and videos.
[3] Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan explains Seirawan (http:/ / video. yahoo. com/ watch/ 1947363)

External links
Seirawan chess, a conservative drop chess (http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/seirawanchess.htm) by M.
Winther.
Seirawan chess videos (http://video.yahoo.com/?t=t&p=seirawan+chess)
Chessvariants.org entry on game (http://www.chessvariants.org/index/msdisplay.
php?itemid=MLseirawanchess)

Janus chess
a

1
a

Janus Chess. The Janus (knight + bishop compound) is placed on the b-file and i-file, beside the rooks.
Janus Chess is a chess variant played on a 108 board. It features a new piece, the Janus (also known as archbishop
or cardinal), with the combined moves of a bishop and a knight. This piece is named after the Roman god Janus
because this god was usually depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. Janus Chess was invented in
1978 by Werner Schndorf from Bildstock, Germany.
The usual set of chess pieces is extended with two pawns and two Januses per player. Each Janus is placed between a
rook and a knight. The relative position of the king and queen is reversed compared to chess. After castling the king
is placed on either the b-file or i-file and a rook is placed on either the c-file or h-file, depending upon which side to
castle is chosen.
Note that the Janus is the only piece in this game which is able to checkmate the opponent's king without the
assistance of any other piece, if the king is in a corner.

Janus chess

202

This chess variant is quite popular in Europe. Several chess grandmasters play this game including Viktor Korchnoi,
Pter Lk and Artur Yusupov.

External links

Janus Chess [1] by Hans L. Bodlaender.

Janusschach [2] - Janus Chess (in German).
BrainKing.com [1] - a server which plays Janus Chess over the internet.
ChessV [3] - a program which plays Janus Chess.

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ janus. html
[2] http:/ / www. janusschach. de/
[3] http:/ / www. chessv. com

Capablanca chess
a

1
a

Capablanca chess. Archbishop is placed between knight and bishop on the queen's side, chancellor on the king's
side.
Capablanca chess (or Capablanca's chess) is a chess variant invented in the 1920s by former World Chess
Champion Jos Ral Capablanca. It incorporates two new pieces and is played on a 108 board. Capablanca
proposed the variant while World Champion, and not as a "sour grapes" rationalization after losing his title as some
critics have asserted.[1] He believed that chess would be played out in a few decades and games between
grandmasters would always end in draws. The threat of "draw death" for chess was his main motivation for creating
a more complex and richer version of the game.

The chancellor combines powers of a rook and a knight.

The archbishop combines powers of a bishop and a knight.

The new pieces have properties that enrich the game. For example, the archbishop by itself can checkmate a lone
king (king in a corner, archbishop placed diagonally with one square in between).

Capablanca chess

203

Setup of the pieces

Capablanca proposed two opening setups for Capablanca Chess. In one opening setup, he proposed that the
archbishop be placed between the bishop and the queen and that the chancellor be placed between the king and the
king's bishop. This setup has the flaw that it leaves the pawn in front of the king's bishop undefended, allowing white
to threaten mate on the first move.
He subsequently revised the opening setup so that the archbishop was between the queen's knight and bishop, and the
chancellor was between the king's knight and bishop. He also experimented with 1010 board sizes, where the
pawns could move up to three squares on the initial move.
In his book, The Adventure of Chess, Edward Lasker writes (p.39): ...I played many test games with Capablanca,
and they rarely lasted more than twenty or twenty-five moves. We tried boards of 1010 squares and 108 squares,
and we concluded that the latter was preferable because hand-to-hand fights start earlier on it.
Lasker was one of the few supporters. Hungarian grandmaster Gza Marczy also played some games with
Capablanca (who got the better of him). One of the few rational critics, British champion William Winter, thought
that there were too many strong pieces, making the minor pieces less relevant.
The names for new pieces, Archbishop and Chancellor, were introduced by Capablanca himself. These names are
still used in most modern variants of Capablanca Chess.

Variants that predate Capablanca Chess

Capablanca was not the first person to add the Chancellor and the Archbishop to the normal Chess set, though he is
the most famous. Other attempts mostly differ only by the arrangement of pieces and the castling rules.
In 1617, Pietro Carrera published a book Il Gioco degli Scacchi, which contained a description of a chess variant
played on 810 board. He placed new pieces between a rook and a knight. Chancellor was on the king's side and
archbishop on the queen's side. Carrera used names champion instead of chancellor and centaur instead of
archbishop. The game was largely forgotten after the death of the inventor.
In 1874, Henry Bird proposed a chess variant similar to Carrera's variant. The only significant difference was the
opening setup. The chancellor was placed between the queen's bishop and queen and the archbishop was placed
between the king's bishop and king. Bird used names guard instead of chancellor and equerry instead of archbishop.
a

1
a

Carrera Chess. Earliest chess variant on 810 board with archbishop and chancellor.

Capablanca chess

204

1
a

Bird's chess. Another predecessor of Capablanca chess.

Variants that postdate Capablanca Chess

Capablanca Chess has inspired a number of chess variants;

Aberg's variation [2] (2003) by Hans Aberg.

Grotesque Chess [3] (2004) by Fergus Duniho.
Univers Chess [4] (2006) by Fergus Duniho.
Ladorean Chess [5] (2005) by Bernhard U. Hermes.
Grand Chess (1984) by Christian Freeling.
Embassy Chess (2005) by Kevin Hill.
Gothic Chess (2002) by Ed Trice.
Schoolbook Chess [6] (2006) by Sam Trenholme.
Paulovich's variation [7] (2004) by David Paulovich.
Modern Capablanca Random Chess [8] (2008) by Jos Carrillo.

It is noteworthy that Embassy Chess uses a starting position identical to Grand Chess adapted to a 108 board.
Another interesting recent development is Capablanca Random Chess, invented in 2004 by Reinhard Scharnagl. This
game combines ideas of Fischer Random Chess and Capablanca Chess. It also applies the sound principle which
demands that in the starting position, all pawns are protected by at least one piece.

Variants which use a different board

There are also variants of Capablanca Chess that do not use the standard 108 board. Grand chess is a popular chess
variant invented by Dutch game designer Christian Freeling in 1984. It uses Capablanca Chess pieces upon a larger,
1010 board.
In 2007 Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan devised a variant (called Seirawan chess), which adds the two pieces to the
standard game in a different manner. The player, after moving a piece (for example, a bishop) from the first rank,
may immediately place either of the two pieces on the bishop's square. If the player moves all his eight officers
without placing the Hawk or the Elephant (Seirawan's names for the Archbishop and the Chancellor, respectively),
he forfeits his right to do so.

Capablanca chess

205

10

10

1
a

Grand Chess. The chancellor and archbishop are at right of the king.
W1
W1

W2
A

W2

W3

W3

W4
W4

Omega Chess - start position

Capablanca chess has inspired many chess variants, including grand chess and omega chess.

Capablanca chess

206

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

"In Moscow" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,721501,00. html). Time. 1925-12-07. .
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ capablancavariation. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ grotesque. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ univers. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ ladorean_chess. html
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ msdisplay. php?itemid=MSschoolbook
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ displaycomment. php?commentid=7258
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ msdisplay. php?itemid=MPmoderncapablan

D.B. Pritchard (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. ISBN0-9524142-0-1.

Edward Lasker (1959). The Adventure of Chess. ISBN0-486-20510-X.

External links
Capablanca Chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/large.dir/capablanca.html) by Hans L. Bodlaender
Capablanca Chess | material values of pieces (http://www.symmetryperfect.com/shots/texts/values-capa.pdf)

Capablanca random chess

a

1
a

Capablanca Random Chess. One of the 12118 possible starting positions.

Capablanca Random Chess (CRC) is a chess variant invented by Reinhard Scharnagl in 2004. It combines the
piece set and 10x8 board from Capablanca Chess with the permutation idea of Fischer Random Chess. This game
won a contest in 2005 held at The Chess Variant Pages to design a chess variant based upon the theme of the number
10.[1]

Capablanca random chess

Rules
The rules are the same as in Capablanca chess but initial setup is randomized. White and black pieces are set up in
symmetrical position. The pieces on the first rank are placed in a random way with the following restrictions:
Bishops must be on opposite colored spaces.
The queen and the archbishop (which are composite pieces possessing, in part, the movement powers of bishops)
must also be on opposite colored spaces.
The king must be between the rooks.
All pawns must be protected in initial setup.
The starting position must be different from that of Gothic Chess.
Starting positions with neighbouring bishops must be avoided.
The first restriction is taken from Fischer Random Chess for the purpose of balancing the power of colorbound
bishops. The second restriction is based upon the first restriction but extrapolated to the unique piece set used within
CRC. The third restriction is taken from Fischer Random Chess to preserve castling ability. The fourth restriction
helps to minimize the advantage held by white in having the first move of the game. The fifth restriction is to avoid
possible legal issues in America with Gothic Chess, which was formerly protected by a US patent. The sixth
restriction was introduced later upon discovery by Reinhard Scharnagl that such positions might increase the first
move of the game advantage for white.
Together, these six rules restrict the opening setup to 12,118 starting positions.

Extended FEN Encoding

Within Capablanca Random Chess, X-FEN is used (to represent positions).

References
[1] "Contest to design a 10-chess variant" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ contests/ 10/ index. html). The Chess Variant Pages. 2005-12-25. .
Retrieved 2007-08-19.

External links
Capablanca Random Chess | material values of pieces (http://www.symmetryperfect.com/shots/texts/
values-capa.pdf)

207

Gothic Chess

208

Gothic Chess
a

1
a

Gothic Chess, starting position

Gothic Chess is a chess variant derived from Capablanca Chess by Ed Trice. It was patented in 2002, but the patent
expired in 2006.[1] [2] [3]
It is played on the same 108 board and additional pieces as in Capablanca Chess. The only difference is the starting
position, which is shown right.

Tournaments
In 2004, Trice organized the Gothic Chess Computer World Championship, which was won by his own Gothic
Vortex computer program.[4]

References
[1] Chessvariants.org page on Gothic Chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ displayitem. php?itemid=GothicChess) retrieved August 11,
2009
[2] United States Patent 6,481,716 (http:/ / patft. uspto. gov/ netacgi/ nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1& Sect2=HITOFF& d=PALL& p=1& u=/
netahtml/ PTO/ srchnum. htm& r=1& f=G& l=50& s1=6481716. PN. & OS=PN/ 6481716& RS=PN/ 6481716) Method of playing a variant
of chess
[3] Notice of Expiration of Patents Due to Failure to Pay Maintenance Fee (http:/ / www. uspto. gov/ web/ offices/ com/ sol/ og/ 2007/ week03/
patexpi. htm) Patent 6,481,716 expired on November 19, 2006
[4] Trice E (Dec 2004). "The 2004 Gothic Chess Computer World Championship". ICGA Journal 27 (4): 249254.

External links
Play Gothic Chess online (http://grandgames.net/)
The Gothic Chess Federation (http://www.gothicchess.com)
CRC | material values of pieces (http://www.symmetryperfect.com/shots/texts/values-capa.pdf)

Embassy Chess

209

Embassy Chess
a

1
a

Embassy chess, starting position

Embassy chess is a chess variant created in 2005 by Kevin Hill. It borrows the opening setup from Grand chess by
Christian Freeling and adapts it to the 10x8 board.
Embassy chess is a free, non-commercial Capablanca random chess variant that is played on a 10x8 board with two
additional pawns per side and two fairy chess pieces: the marshall and the cardinal.[1]

The marshall moves as both a rook and a knight.

The cardinal moves as both a bishop and a knight.

The castling in this chess variant is done by king moving 3 spaces in rook direction, see diagram at right. All other
rules, like en passant are the same as in chess.
a

1
a

Castling in Embassy chess. White castled king-side, black queen-side.

Embassy Chess

210

Computer implementations
Embassy chess is supported by at least three multi-variant programs available in the chess variant world. It was
selected as one out of seven 10x8 board games featured in SMIRF (developed by Reinhard Scharnagl). It was
selected as one out of eleven 8x10 board games featured in ChessV (developed by Gregory Strong). In both
programs, its opening setup can conveniently, automatically be loaded for play against a computer opponent.
It is also possible to play Embassy chess in Zillions of Games using a third-party rules file, such as this one [2].

References
[1] Embassy chess rules (http:/ / brainking. com/ en/ GameRules?tp=41) by Filip Rachunek.
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ zillions. php?itemid=zLargeChess

External links
Game Courier | Embassy Chess (http://play.chessvariants.org/pbm/play.php?game=Embassy+Chess&
settings=default)
ChessV (http://samiam.org/chessv/)
BrainKing (http://www.brainking.com) - a server where you can play Embassy Chess.
CRC | material values of pieces (http://www.symmetryperfect.com/shots/texts/values-capa.pdf)

Modern chess
a

1
a

Modern chess. Prime Minister is placed to the left of the King.

Modern chess is a chess variant played on a 9x9 board. The game was invented by Gabriel Vicente Maura in 1968.
Besides the usual set of chess pieces, each player has an additional piece with a corresponding pawn:

a Prime Minister that moves as both a bishop and a knight.

Otherwise, the standard rules of chess still apply, with the objective being to checkmate the opponent's king. The
king piece must be moved out of check when it is placed in check. If escape is not possible, the game is lost. A
player still may resign at any point in the game, and en passant is legal.

Modern chess

211

External links
Modern chess [1] by Hans Bodlaender

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ large. dir/ modern. html

Grand chess
a

10

10

1
a

Grand chess initial position. The marshall and cardinal are at the right of the king.
Grand chess is a popular[1] large-board chess variant invented by Dutch games designer Christian Freeling in
1984.[2] It is played on a 1010 board, with each side having two additional pawns and two new pieces: the marshall
and the cardinal.

The marshall combines powers of a rook and a knight.

The cardinal combines powers of a bishop and a knight.

A superficial similarity exists between Grand chess and an early version of the historic chess variant Capablanca
chess because the same pieces and game board are used. But differences in initial start position, rules governing
pawn moves and promotion, and castling make them significantly different games.
A series of Grand chess Cyber World Championship matches was sponsored by the Dutch game site Mindsports.
Past title holders included R. Wayne Schmittberger (1998, 1999) and John Vehre (2001). Grand chess tournaments
were held annually beginning in 1998 by the (now defunct) correspondence game club kNights Of the Square Table
(NOST).[3]

Grand chess

212

Rules
a

10

10

1
a

White's major pieces are set up on the first and second ranks as shown in the diagram. White's pawns are set up on
the third rank. The white rooks alone are positioned on the first rank, which makes it easier for them to activate
earlier in the game since they are not blocked by the other pieces as they are in standard chess. The black rooks are
placed the same, for the same advantage. Black's major pieces are set up on the ninth and tenth ranks, and Black's
pawns are set up on the eighth rank.
A white pawn may elect to either promote or remain a pawn upon reaching the eighth and ninth ranks, but must
promote upon reaching the tenth rank. Unlike standard chess, a pawn may be promoted only to a previously captured
piece of the same color. (So, it is illegal for either side to have two queens, or two marshalls, or three rooks, etc.) If
no captured piece is available for promoting a white pawn about to reach the tenth rank, the pawn must stay on the
ninth rank, but it can still give check.
Similarly, a black pawn promotes optionally upon reaching the third and second ranks, but must promote in order to
move to the first rank. It can still give check from the second rank to a white king on the first rank, even if it can't yet
legally move to the first rank.
As in standard chess, pawns can move one or two squares on their first move, and they may also capture en passant.
As in chess, checkmate is a win and stalemate is a draw. But there is no castling in Grand chess.[4]

Notes
[1] Hans Bodlaender and John William Brown. "Christian Freeling's Grand Chess" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ large. dir/ freeling. html).
The Chess Variants server. . Retrieved 2008-12-13.
[2] Dylan Loeb McClain (2007-08-19). "Giraffes, Viziers and Wizards: Variations on the Old Game" (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2007/ 08/ 19/
crosswords/ chess/ 19chess. html). New York Times. . Retrieved 2008-12-07.
[3] Formed in 1960 by Bob Lauzon and Jim France, NOST held an annual convention and enjoyed several hundred active members (Pritchard
1994:210).
[4] "We're so used to castling that we tend to forget that it is the weirdest move in Chess, implemented specifically to solve a problem. Chess
turned out a great game despite its problem, but it needed an ad hoc fix to do so. In Grand Chess, pawns retain their usual distance and rooks
are free from the onset, so the problem doesn't exist in the first place." (Freeling)

Grand chess

References
R. Wayne Schmittberger (1992). New Rules for Classic Games. Wiley. ISBN978-0471536215.
Pritchard, David (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. Games & Puzzles Publications.
ISBN0-9524-1420-1.
Hochberg, Burt (August 1997). "Don't be Scared, It's Still Chess". Chess Life.

External links
Christian Freeling's Grand chess (http://www.chessvariants.org/large.dir/freeling.html) by Hans L.
Bodlaender
Grand chess introduction (http://www.mindsports.nl/Arena/GrandChess/) official Mindsports website
contains rules, problems, example games
2001 Cyber World Championship game (http://www.samiam.org/grandchess/2001-VS.html) annotated by
John Vehre2001 Grand chess World Champion
Grand chess, The Yerevan Games (http://www.bcvs.ukf.net/grand.htm) by Malcolm Horne (Variant Chess,
Volume 3, Issue 24, Summer 1997, pages 7172)

213

214

Games inspired by chess

Arimaa
Arimaa

An Arimaa Elephant
Designer(s)

Omar Syed and Aamir Syed

Publisher(s)

Z-Man Games

Players

Setup time

< 1 minute

Playing time

15 minutes - 2 hours

Random chance None

Skill(s) required Tactics, Strategy

Arimaa is a two-player abstract strategy board game that can be played using the same equipment as chess. Arimaa
was devised to be more difficult for artificial intelligences to play than chess.

History
Arimaa was invented by Omar Syed, an Indian American computer engineer trained in artificial intelligence. Syed
was inspired by Garry Kasparov's defeat at the hands of the chess computer Deep Blue to design a new game which
could be played with a standard chess set, would be difficult for computers to play well, but would have rules simple
enough for his then four-year-old son Aamir to understand. ("Arimaa" is "Aamir" spelled backwards plus an initial
"a"). In 2002 Syed published the rules to Arimaa and announced a $10,000 prize, available annually until 2020, for
the first computer program (running on standard, off-the-shelf hardware) able to defeat each of three top-ranked
human players in a three game series.[1]

Rules
Arimaa is played on a chessboard with four squares distinguished as trap squares, namely c3, f3, c6, and f6 in
algebraic chess notation. The two players, Gold and Silver, each control sixteen pieces. These are, in order from
strongest to weakest, one elephant (

), one camel (

), two horses (

), two dogs (

), two cats (

),

and eight rabbits (

). These may be represented by the king, queen, rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns
respectively when one plays on a chess board.

Arimaa

215

The players begin by setting up their pieces however they choose on their home rows.
The objective of the game is to move a rabbit of one's own color onto the home rank of the opponent. Thus Gold
wins by moving a gold rabbit to the eighth rank, and Silver wins by moving a silver rabbit to the first rank. However,
because it is difficult to usher a rabbit to the goal line while the board is full of pieces, an intermediate objective is to
capture opposing pieces by pushing or pulling them into the trap squares.
The game begins with an empty board. Gold places the sixteen gold pieces in any configuration on the first and
second ranks. Silver then places the sixteen silver pieces in any configuration on seventh and eighth ranks. The
diagram at right shows one possible initial placement.

Arimaa

216

After the pieces are placed on the board, the players alternate turns, starting with Gold. A turn consists of making
one to four steps. With each step a friendly piece may move into an unoccupied square one space left, right, forward,
or backward, except that rabbits may not step backward. The steps of a turn may be made by a single piece or
distributed between several pieces in any order.
A turn must make a net change to the position. Thus one may not, for example, take one step forward and one step
back with the same piece, effectively passing the turn. Furthermore, one's turn may not create the same position with
the same player to move as has been created twice before. This rule is similar to the situational super ko rule in the
game of Go, which prevents endless loops, and is in contrast to chess where endless loops are considered draws. The
prohibitions on passing and repetition make Arimaa a drawless game.
The second diagram, from the same game
movement.

[2]

as the initial position above, helps illustrate the remaining rules of

A player may use two consecutive steps of a turn to dislodge an opposing piece with a stronger friendly piece which
is adjacent (in one of the four cardinal directions). For example, a friendly dog may dislodge an opposing rabbit or
cat, but not a dog, horse, camel, or elephant. The stronger piece may pull or push the adjacent weaker piece. When
pulling, the stronger piece steps into an empty square, and the square it came from is occupied by the weaker piece.
The silver elephant on d5 could step to d4 (or c5 or e5) and pull the gold horse from d6 to d5. When pushing, the
weaker piece is moved to an adjacent empty square, and the square it came from is occupied by the stronger piece.
The gold elephant on d3 could push the silver rabbit on d2 to e2 and then occupy d2. Note that the rabbit on d2 can't
be pushed to d1, c2, or d3, because those squares are not empty.
Friendly pieces may not be dislodged. Also, a piece may not push and pull simultaneously. For example the gold
elephant on d3 could not simultaneously push the silver rabbit on d2 to e2 and pull the silver rabbit from c3 to d3.
An elephant can never be dislodged, since there is nothing stronger.
A piece which is adjacent (in any cardinal direction) to a stronger opposing piece is frozen, unless it is also adjacent
to a friendly piece. Frozen pieces may not be moved by the owner, but may be dislodged by the opponent. A frozen
piece can freeze another still weaker piece. The silver rabbit on a7 is frozen, but the one on d2 is able to move
because it is adjacent to a silver piece. Similarly the gold rabbit on b7 is frozen, but the gold cat on c1 is not. The
dogs on a6 and b6 do not freeze each other because they are of equal strength. An elephant cannot be frozen, since
there is nothing stronger, but an elephant can be blockaded.
A piece which enters a trap square is captured and removed from the game unless there is a friendly piece adjacent.
Silver could move to capture the gold horse on d6 by pushing it to c6 with the elephant on d5. Also a piece on a trap
square is captured if all adjacent friendly pieces move away. Thus if the silver rabbit on c4 and the silver horse on c2
move away, voluntarily or by being dislodged, the silver rabbit on c3 will be captured.

Arimaa
Note that a piece may voluntarily step into a trap square, even if it is captured thereby. Also, the second step of a
pulling maneuver may be completed, even if the piece doing the pulling is captured on the first step. For example,
Silver to move could step the silver rabbit from f4 to g4, step the silver horse from f2 to f3, which captures the horse,
and still pull the gold rabbit from f1 to f2 as part of the horse's move.
In the diagrammed position, if it were Gold's turn to move, Gold could win in three steps: The dog on a6 can push
the rabbit on a7 to a8, and when the dog is on a7, it unfreezes the rabbit on b7, which can step to b8 for the victory.
Although almost all games end with a rabbit reaching goal,[3] there are two other ways for the game to end.
If a player has no legal move, either because all friendly pieces are frozen or blockaded, or because the only
moves by mobile pieces are illegal due to repetition of position, the player whose turn it is loses.
A player wins by capturing all eight opposing rabbits, even if he sacrifices his last rabbit in the same turn in which
he captures the last opposing rabbit. (Originally Arimaa was drawn if all sixteen rabbits were captured, but on
July 1, 2008, Syed changed the rules of Arimaa to eliminate the possibility of draws. This change was essentially
cosmetic, as there had never been a draw in thousands of human games anyway.)
Finally, if an opposing rabbit is dislodged onto its goal line and dislodged off within the same turn, the game
continues.

Strategy and tactics

For beginning insights into good play, see the Arimaa Wikibook articles on tactics and strategy.

Computer performance
Several aspects of Arimaa make it difficult for computer programs to beat good human players. Because so much
effort has gone into the development of strong chess-playing software, it is particularly relevant to understand why
techniques applicable to chess are less effective for Arimaa.
Top chess programs use brute-force searching coupled with static position evaluation dominated by material
considerations. Chess programs examine many, many possible moves, but they are not good (compared to humans)
at determining who is winning at the end of a series of moves unless one side has more pieces than the other. The
same is true for Arimaa programs, but their results are not as good in practice.
When brute-force searching is applied to Arimaa, the depth of the search is limited by the huge number of options
each player has on each turn. Computationally, the number of options a player has available to them governs the
number of different paths play can go down. This is known as the branching factor. The average branching factor in
a game of Chess is about 35,[4] whereas in Arimaa it is about 17,281.[5]
These differing branching factors imply that a computer which can search to a depth of eight turns for each player in
chess, can only search about three turns deep for each player in Arimaa:

Brute force search depth, for chess software, is nearly doubled by alpha-beta pruning, which allows the software to
conclude that one move is better than another without examining every possible continuation of the weaker move. If
the opponent can crush a certain move with one reply, it isn't necessary to examine other replies, which dramatically
increases search speed. In Arimaa, however, the side to move switches only every four steps, which reduces the
number of available cutoffs in a step-based search.
Furthermore, the usefulness of alpha-beta pruning is heavily dependent on the order in which moves are considered.
Good moves must be considered before bad ones in order for the bad ones to be neglected. In particular, checking
and capturing moves are key for pruning, because they are often much better than other moves. In Arimaa software
the speedup provided by alpha-beta pruning is less, because captures are rarer. In rated games played on arimaa.com,

217

Arimaa
only 3% of steps result in capture, compared to about 19% of chess moves that result in capture.
In most Arimaa positions, particularly toward the beginning of the game when the board is still crowded, a
competent player can avoid losing any pieces within the next two turns. Compared to chess, Arimaa allows either
player to delay captures for longer. Indeed, the median move number of the first capture in chess is turn 6, whereas
in Arimaa it is turn 12. The struggle is initially more positional in Arimaa, and revolves around making captures
unavoidable at some point in the future. This magnifies the importance of correctly judging who is gaining ground in
non-material ways. Thus the strength of computer programs (examining millions of positions) is not as significant as
their weakness (judging the position apart from who has more pieces).
The weakness of Arimaa programs in the opening phases is further magnified by the setup phase. In chess every
game starts from the same position. By compiling before the game a list of stock replies to all standard opening
moves, chess programs may often make a dozen or more excellent moves before starting to "think". Humans do the
same, but have a smaller and less reliable memory of openings, which puts humans at a relative disadvantage in
chess. Arimaa, in contrast, has millions of possible ways to set up the pieces even before the first piece moves. This
prevents programs from having any meaningful opening book.
As the game progresses, exchanges and the advancement of rabbits tend to make the position more open and tactical.
Arimaa programs typically play better in this sort of position, because they see tactical shots which humans
overlook. However, it is usually possible for humans to avoid wide-open positions by conservative play, and to angle
for strategic positions in which computers fare worse. Against a conservative opponent it is almost impossible to
bust open the position in Arimaa, whereas in chess it is merely difficult. One must beat defensive play by the
accumulation of small, long-term advantages, which programs do not do very well.
One additional technique from computer chess which does not apply to Arimaa is endgame tablebases. Master-level
chess games sometimes trade down into unclear endgames with only a few pieces, for example king and knight vs.
king and rook. It is possible to build, by retrograde analysis, an exhaustive table of the correct move in all such
positions. Programs have only to consult a pre-generated table in such positions, rather than "thinking" afresh, which
gives them a relative advantage over humans. Arimaa, in contrast, seldom comes to an endgame. Equal exchanges of
pieces are less common than in chess, so it is rare for a game of Arimaa to "trade down" and still be unclear. An
average game of Arimaa has only eight captures (compared to seventeen for chess), and top humans can often defeat
top programs in Arimaa without losing a single piece, for example the second game of the 2011 challenge match [6].
In the 2007 Postal Championship, the game between the top two [7] finishers featured only one capture, a
goal-forcing sacrifice.
Omar Syed hopes that, because traditional computer game-playing techniques are only moderately effective for
Arimaa, programmers will be forced to use artificial intelligence techniques to create a strong Arimaa-playing
program. The successful quest to build a world-championship-caliber chess program has produced many techniques
to successfully play games, but has contributed essentially nothing to more general reasoning; in fact, the techniques
of chess playing programs have been excluded from some definitions of artificial intelligence; a goal for Arimaa is
that the techniques involved in playing it will help the larger goals of artificial intelligence.
The structure of Syed's man-against-machine challenge is focused on rewarding advances in AI software and not
advances in hardware. In the annual challenge, programs are run on machines chosen and provided by Syed himself,
under the criterion that it be a typical, inexpensive, off-the-shelf home computer. The challenge would not be open to
anyone requiring expensive multi-processor machines such as those used to challenge top-level chess players, much
less something like the custom-built supercomputer Deep Blue, even though it was the success of this
hardware-intensive approach which inspired Arimaa's invention. Syed believes that even the computer used in the
2004 challenge match (a Pentium 4 2.4GHz system with 512 MB of RAM) had sufficient hardware to win the
challenge prize if only it was running the proper software. Supercomputers might already have the power to conquer
Arimaa by brute force using conventional AI software, and eventually personal computers will too, if hardware
continues to advance at the current rate. This is why the Arimaa challenge prize is offered only until the year 2020.

218

Arimaa

219

Challenge history
Year Prize[8]

Challenger /
Developer

Result
Human Defender
[9] [10]
(Human Rank)

Notes

2004 $10,000 Bomb /

David Fotland

Omar Syed (1)

08

Syed gave a rabbit handicap in the last game and won.

2005 $10,000 Bomb /

David Fotland

Frank Heinemann (5)

17

No handicap games

2006 $17,500 Bomb /

David Fotland

Karl Juhnke (1)

Greg Magne (2)
Paul Mertens (5)

03
03
12

Mertens gave a camel handicap in his last game and lost.

2007 $17,100 Bomb /

David Fotland

Karl Juhnke (1)

Omar Syed (9)
Brendan M (12)
N Siddiqui (23)

03
03
02
10

Juhnke gave handicaps of a dog, a horse, and a camel respectively, and won
all three. Syed gave a cat handicap in his last game and won. Siddiqui
substituted for Brendan's second game.

2008 $17,000 Bomb /

David Fotland

Jean Daligault (2)

Greg Magne (3)
Mark Mistretta (20)
Omar Syed (24)

03
03
01
02

No handicap games. Syed substituted for Mistretta's final two games.

2009 $16,500 Clueless /

Jeff Bacher

Jean Daligault (1)

Karl Juhnke (2)
Jan Macura (14)
Omar Syed (18)

02
12
12
01

Juhnke gave a dog handicap in his second game and lost. Daligault gave a
horse handicap in his last game and won. Syed substituted for Daligault's
first game.

2010 $16,250 Marwin /

Mattias
Hultgren

Greg Magne (3)

03
Louis-Daniel Scott (10) 12
Patrick Dudek (23)
21

Scott gave a dog handicap in his second game and lost.

2011 $11,000 Marwin /

Mattias
Hultgren

Karl Juhnke (3)

Gregory Clark (7)
Toby Hudson (14)

Juhnke gave a cat handicap in his last game and lost

12
03
03

The Arimaa Challenge has been held eight times so far. Prior to the third match, Syed changed the format to require
the software to win two out of three games against each of three players, to reduce the psychological pressure on
individual volunteer defenders. Also Syed called for outside sponsorship of the Arimaa Challenge to build a bigger
prize fund.
In the first five challenge cycles, David Fotland, renowned for his program Many Faces of Go [11], won the Arimaa
Computer Championship [12] and the right to play for the prize money, only to see his program beaten decisively
each year. In 2009 Fotland's program was surpassed by several new programs in the same year, the strongest of
which was Clueless by Jeff Bacher. Humanity's margin of dominance over computers appeared to widen each year
from 2004 to 2008 as the best human players improved, but the 2009 Arimaa Challenge was more competitive.
Clueless became the first bot to win two games of a Challenge match.
In 2010, Mattias Hultgren's bot Marwin edged out Clueless in the computer championship. In the Challenge match
Marwin became the first bot to win two out of three games against a single human defender, and also the first bot to
win three of the nine games overall. In 2011, however, Marwin won only one of the nine games, and that having
received a material handicap.
The material handicaps given in the Challenge games can be roughly equated to chess handicaps as a proportion of
the total material on the board in each game. Arimaa handicaps of rabbit, dog, horse, and camel are roughly
equivalent to chess handicaps of pawn, two pawns, knight, and rook respectively.

Arimaa

220

Comparing Arimaa challenge to chess challenges

It has been argued that a computer has beaten the world chess champion but not beaten the human in the Arimaa
challenge because of six reasons:
1. Arimaa is a new game. Therefore, the number of programmers and amount of time devoted to computer Arimaa
is much less than for computer chess. Computer chess had thousands more programmers and 40 more years than
computer Arimaa. The later and smaller effort resulted in less and slower progress in computer Arimaa.
2. The rules for the Arimaa challenge required the computer to show a higher playing ability than the rules for the
chess matches. In the Arimaa challenge, the computer must beat three human players in three matches. In the
chess matches, the computer must win one match against one human player.
3. In the Arimaa challenge, the computer needs to score 2/3 of the total points to win. In chess matches, the
computer needs to score more than 1/2 of the total points to win.
4. In the Arimaa challenge, the computer needs to win a qualification match. Then the human studied the computer
games to find the computers weakness. In chess, there was no qualification match.
5. In the Arimaa challenge, the computer cannot be improved between games. In chess, the computer was improved
between games.
6. In the Arimaa challenge, the rules reject powerful or custom made computers priced over $1,000. However, a
powerful custom made computer beat the world chess champion.
However, the Arimaa community disputes this argument point by point. To the first point, Arimaa is a new game, so
the playing community is still small and even the best players are not professional players and have only been
playing the game for a few years. Thus the human players in the Arimaa challenge are much weaker than the human
players in the chess challenge. The weakness of humans players should make the Arimaa Challenge easier to
conquer than chess, which compensates developers for having studied the problem for a shorter time.
The remaining five points compare the Arimaa Challenge only to Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, ignoring all other man vs.
machine chess matches in which computers have prevailed. The chess match which can most closely be compared to
the Arimaa challenge match is the Man vs Machine World Team Championship. In 2004 and 2005 a team of humans
played against a team of computer opponents. In both years the computers won by wide margin. In 2005 all three
humans lost, the computers won 2/3 of the total points, the chess engines were commercially available for the
humans to study, and the machine hardware used was not a supercomputer, but rather comparable to hardware used
in the Arimaa Challenge.
Man-vs.-machine chess matches since 2005 have shown increasing computer dominance. For example, the 2006
Deep Fritz vs. Vladimir Kramnik and 2007 Rybka vs. Jaan Ehlvest matches gave additional advantages to the human
player, but the computers (running on commodity hardware) prevailed anyway.

World Championship
Each year since 2004 the Arimaa community has held a World Championship [13] tournament. The tournament is
played over the Internet and is open to everyone. Past world champion title holders are:

2011 Jean Daligault of France

2010 Jean Daligault of France
2009 Jean Daligault of France
2008 Karl Juhnke of USA
2007 Jean Daligault of France
2006 Till Wiechers of Germany
2005 Karl Juhnke of USA

2004 Frank Heinemann of Germany

Arimaa

221

Computer World Championship

Each year since 2004 the Arimaa community has held a Computer World Championship [13] tournament. The
tournament is played over the Internet and is open to everyone. Past computer world champion title holders are:

2011 bot_sharp developed by David Wu of USA

2010 bot_marwin developed by Mattias Hultgren of Sweden
2009 bot_clueless developed by Jeff Bacher of Canada
2008 bot_Bomb developed by David Fotland of USA
2007 bot_Bomb developed by David Fotland of USA
2006 bot_Bomb developed by David Fotland of USA
2005 bot_Bomb developed by David Fotland of USA
2004 bot_Bomb developed by David Fotland of USA

Patent and trademark

US PAT No. 6,981,700 [14] was filed on 3 October 2003, and granted on 3 January 2006. Omar Syed also holds a
trademark on the name "Arimaa".
Syed has stated that he does not intend to restrict noncommercial use and has released a license called "The Arimaa
Public License" [15] with the declared intent to "make Arimaa as much of a public domain game as possible while
still protecting its commercial usage". Items covered by the license are the patent and the trademark.

Footnotes
[1] Syed, Omar; Syed, Aamir (2003). "Arimaa a New Game Designed to be Difficult for Computers". International Computer Games
Association Journal 26: 138139.
[2] http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ gameroom/ replayFlash. cgi?gid=5641& s=w
[3] The Arimaa server game archive (http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ download/ gameData/ ) as of December 2006 showed the following number of
rated human versus human games: 1653 ending in goal, 38 ending in immobilization, 4 ending by repetition of position, and 0 ending in a
draw.
[4] Franois Dominic Larame. "Chess Programming Part IV: Basic Search" (http:/ / www. gamedev. net/ reference/ articles/ article1171. asp).
GameDev.net. . Retrieved 2007-05-01.
[5] Brian "Janzert" Haskin. "A Look at the Arimaa Branching Factor" (http:/ / arimaa. janzert. com/ bf_study/ ). http:/ / janzert. com/ . . Retrieved
2009-11-25.
[6] http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ games/ jsShowGame. cgi?gid=179122& s=w
[7] http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ games/ jsShowGame. cgi?gid=57508& s=w
[8] The history of prize fund pledges is as follows: In 2002 Omar Syed pledged $10,000 until 2020; Prior to 2006 Omar Syed pledged an
additional $5,000 until 2010; Prior to 2006 Paul Mertens pledged $2,000 for 2006, $1,500 for 2007, $1,000 for 2008, $500 for 2009, and $250
for 2010; Prior to 2006 Karl Juhnke pledged $500 for 2006; Prior to 2007 Karl Juhnke pledged $600 for 2007; Prior to 2008 Karl Juhnke
pledged $1,000 for 2008; Prior to 2009 Karl Juhnke pledged $1,000 for 2009; Prior to 2010 Karl Juhnke pledged $1,000 for 2010; Prior to
2011 Karl Juhnke pledged $1,000 for 2011
[9] The Arimaa Forum (http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ forum/ cgi/ YaBB. cgi?board=talk;action=display;num=1207699394;start=45#45) The rank
of human players was calculated from human games only, and does not necessarily reflect anti-computer expertise or lack thereof.
[10] The listed ranks include inactive players. Among active players only, the 2010 ranks were Magne(3), Scott(9), Dudek(16), and the 2011
ranks were Juhnke(3), Clark(5), Hudson(10).
[11] http:/ / www. smart-games. com/ manyfaces. html
[12] http:/ / www. arimaa. com/ arimaa/ wc/
[13] http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ wc/
[14] http:/ / www. google. com/ patents?vid=6981700
[15] http:/ / arimaa. com/ arimaa/ license/

Arimaa

References
Syed, Omar; Syed, Aamir (2003), Arimaa a New Game Designed to be Difficult for Computers, International
Computer Games Association Journal 26: 138139
Juhnke, Fritz (2009). Beginning Arimaa: Chess Reborn Beyond Computer Comprehension. Flying Camel
Publications. ISBN0-9824-2740-9

External links
Official Arimaa Website (http://arimaa.com/arimaa/)
First Official Hand-Crafted Arimaa Set (http://www.newforestearth.org/index.php?option=com_content&
view=category&layout=blog&id=24&Itemid=115&lang=en/)
Academic Papers and Presentations (http://arimaa.com/arimaa/papers/)
David Fotland's Arimaa Program (http://www.smart-games.com/arimaa.html)
The Arimaa Public License (http://www.arimaa.com/arimaa/license/current.txt)
Arimaa Strategy (wikibook)
Arimaa Videos (http://youtube.com/arimaa2)
Play Arimaa game on the iGoogle homepage (http://www.iggamecenter.com/)
Play Arimaa game online at [[boardspace.net (http://boardspace.net/)]
Arimaa articles @ Rajmahendra.com (http://www.rajmahendra.com/category/arimaa/)

Icehouse pieces
Icehouse pieces are pyramid-shaped gaming pieces invented by
Andrew Looney and John Cooper in 1987, originally for use in the
game of Icehouse.

Description
Each stash or set of Icehouse pieces consists of fifteen pyramids
(variously called pieces, pyramids, or minions) of the same color in
three different point (or pip) values: five large 3-point pyramids (called
Various Icehouse pieces.
queens in some games), five medium 2-point pyramids (sometimes
called drones), and five small 1-point pyramids (or pawns). The
commercially produced plastic sets are hollow and can be stacked and nested; this feature isn't used in the original
Icehouse game, but is taken advantage of in some of the other Icehouse-based games listed below.
Icehouse pieces were, for many years, sold as tubes containing one stash of durable crystal-look plastic pieces in one
of ten available colors (though cyan was only available through their promotional program or as part of the Ice
Towers set). There was also a less expensive starter set called Origami Icehouse (later called Paper Icehouse), made
of cardstock in four colors, which one punched out and folded into the pyramid shapes. In 2006, Looney Labs began
selling Icehouse pieces as Treehouse sets, which are multicolored sets of 15 pyramids: five colors, each color having
one each of the three sizes. Looney Labs has also sold boxed sets for Zendo and IceTowers; the latter contained cyan
pieces. The Icehouse website also has instructions for making your own pieces. Looney Labs has licenced Crystal
Caste LLC to make regulation-sized Icehouse pieces out of semiprecious stone[1].
In 2001, Icehouse: The Martian Chess Set won the Origins Award for Best Abstract Board Game of 2000. In 2004,
the Zendo boxed set won Best Abstract Board Game of 2003. In 2006, Treehouse won the Origins Award for Best
Board Game of 2006.

222

Icehouse pieces

223

Games
Icehouse pieces can be used to play many different abstract strategy
games. Most games need at least two colors, and some require other
readily-available equipment such as glass stones or a checkerboard.
Rules for these games can be found on the Icehouse website. Some are
also available in Playing with Pyramids, published by Looney Labs.
Games that use Icehouse pieces include:
Alien City
Armada
Blam!

Branches & Twigs & Thorns(a Go inspired game)

CrackeD Ice
DNA
Focus
Gnostica
Gridlock
Hailstorm
Hextrix
Homeworlds
Icehouse
IceSickle
IceTowers
IceTraders
Igloo
Martian Backgammon
Martian Chess
Martian Coasters
Martian Mud Wrestling
Martian Shogi
Pantopia
Pikemen
RAMbots
Rotationary
Sprawl
Thin Ice
Torpedo
Tic Tac Doh!
Treehouse
Trice
Undercut
Volcano
World War 5
Zagami (game)
Zarcana
Zark City

Icehouse pieces in paper and plastic

Icehouse pieces
Zendo

Score-keeping
Icehouse pieces can also be used as a score-keeping device or counter for non-icehouse games. For example, when
scoring a Cosmic Wimpout game, a small pyramid would be worth five points, a medium pyramid worth twenty-five
points, and a large pyramid one-hundred; the goal being to collect five of the large pieces (for the 500 point standard
game). They could be use instead of poker chips, the denominations would be determined by size rather than color
(smalls are worth one, mediums worth five, and larges valued at twenty-five, for example).

External links
Icehouse official website [2]
Fan-run community website and comprehensive wiki [3]
Icehouse pieces [4] at BoardGameGeek

References
[1] http:/ / www. crystalcaste. com/ mm5/ merchant. mvc?Screen=CTGY& Store_Code=CC& Category_Code=PY
[2] http:/ / www. icehousegames. com
[3] http:/ / www. icehousegames. org
[4] http:/ / www. boardgamegeek. com/ game/ 225

Martian chess
See Jetan for a discussion of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Martian chess.
Martian Chess is an abstract strategy game for two to six players invented by Andrew Looney. It is played with
Icehouse pieces on a chessboard or checkerboard; to play with a number of players other than two or four, a small,
Non-Euclidean board is available [1] which can be tiled to produce a board of the required size, allowing up to six
players.

224

Martian chess

Rules
Initial setup
Each player starts with nine pieces: three small, three medium, and three large. The color of the pieces is irrelevant;
for reasons given below, a mix of colors should be used.
In a two-player game, only half the board is used; a folding checkerboard is useful. The pieces are placed in the
corners of the board as shown:

The players decide who moves first by a random method or by agreement. Play passes to the left after each move.

Movement and capturing

The red lines in the diagrams indicate notional canals that divide the board into territories. At any given time a
player controls only those pieces that are in his or her territory.
The pieces may be moved as follows:
small pieces (pawns) move one space diagonally (unlike chess pawns, they may move backwards)
medium pieces (drones) move one or two spaces horizontally or vertically
large pieces (queens) move any distance horizontally, vertically or diagonally, just like a chess queen
A piece is captured when an enemy piece lands on the square it occupies. The person who moved takes the piece and
puts it aside for later scoring.
Since a piece is always owned according to the territory it is in, a player whose piece is captured immediately gains
control of the capturing piece. It is easy to forget this if each player's starting pieces are all the same color, as if that
determined whose it was, so it is better to start with a mix of colors instead (unless you have enough pieces that
everyone can use the same color).
Pieces may not jump over other pieces, nor may they end a move on an occupied square except to capture.
The No Rejections rule: in the two-player game, you may not immediately reverse your opponent's last move.

225

Martian chess

End of game and scoring

The game ends when one player runs out of pieces (i.e., their territory becomes empty). Players then compute their
scores by adding up the pips on their captured pieces: 3 per queen, 2 per drone, and 1 per pawn. The player or
players with the highest total win.
In a variation of the four-player game, the players form two teams who play for a combined score. Teammates sit at
opposite corners. Aside from strategic differences, play is unaffected; it is legal (and sometimes good strategy) to
capture your teammate's pieces.

Strategy
Capturing with a queen often allows the opponent to immediately recapture, leading to a back-and-forth battle until
one player runs out of pieces in the line(s) of capture. This is more common in two-player games, since other players
may interfere in the four-player version. The net point difference is usually minor with two players, but can give the
players involved a significant lead over the others in a four-player game.
More generally, any piece used to capture becomes the opponent's.
Moving a pawn or drone into enemy territory can be a good move for several reasons:
it can prevent an opponent from capturing the piece from you
it can ensure that you capture that piece or another piece from an opponent
it can block an attack from an opposing queen or drone

External links
Rules of Martian Chess [2] by Looney Labs

References
[1] http:/ / ee0r. com/ tri-chess/
[2] http:/ / www. wunderland. com/ icehouse/ MartianChess. html

226

227

Historical variants
History of chess
For the book by H. J. R. Murray, see A History of Chess.
The history of chess spans some 1500 years. The earliest predecessors
of the game originated in India, before the 6th century AD. From India,
the game spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess
was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to
Southern Europe. In Europe, chess evolved into its current form in the
15th century. In the second half of the 19th century, modern chess
tournament play began, and the first world Chess Championship was
held in 1886. The 20th century saw great leaps forward in chess theory
and the establishment of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Developments in the 21st century include use of computers for
analysis, which originated in the 1970s with the first programmed
chess games on the market. Online gaming appeared in the mid 1990's.

Photographs of real-size resin reproductions of

the 12th century Lewis chessmen. The top row
shows king, queen, and bishop. The bottom row
shows knight, rook, and pawn.

Origin
a

1
a

Chaturanga: The position of the pieces at the start of a game.[1] Note that the Rjas do not face each other; the white
Rja starts on e1 and the black Rja on d8.

History of chess
The precursors of chess probably originated in India during the Gupta empire,[2] [3] [4] [5] where its early form in the
6th century was known as chaturaga, which translates as "four divisions (of the military)": infantry, cavalry,
elephantry, and chariotry, represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and
rook, respectively.[6]
Chess was introduced to Persia from India and became a part of the princely or courtly education of Persian
nobility.[7] In Sassanid Persia around 600 the name became chatrang, which subsequently evolved to shatranj, and
the rules were developed further. Players started calling "Shh!" (Persian for "King!") when attacking the opponent's
king, and "Shh Mt!" (Persian for "the king is helpless" see checkmate) when the king was attacked and could not
escape from attack. These exclamations persisted in chess as it traveled to other lands.
The game was taken up by the Muslim world after the Islamic conquest of Persia, with the pieces largely keeping
their Persian names. The Moors of North Africa rendered Persian "shatranj" as shaerej, which gave rise to the
Spanish acedrex, axedrez and ajedrez; in Portuguese it became xadrez, and in Greek zatrikion, but in the rest of
Europe it was replaced by versions of the Persian shh ("king"). Thus, the game came to be called ludus scacchorum
or scacc(h)i in Latin, scacchi in Italian, escacs in Catalan, checs in French (Old French eschecs); schaken in Dutch,
Schach in German, szachy in Polish, ahs in Latvian, skak in Danish, sjakk in Norwegian, schack in Swedish, akki
in Finnish, ah in Slovene, sakk in Hungarian and ah in Romanian; there are two theories about why this change
happened:
1. From the exclamation "check" or "checkmate" as it was pronounced in various languages.
2. From the first chessmen known of in Western Europe (except Iberia and Greece) being ornamental chess kings
brought in as curios by Muslim traders.
The Mongols call the game shatar, and in Ethiopia it is called senterej, both evidently derived from shatranj.
Chess spread directly from the Middle East to Russia, where chess became known as (shakhmaty, treated
as a plural).
The game reached Western Europe and Russia by at least three routes, the earliest being in the 9th century. By the
year 1000 it had spread throughout Europe.[8] Introduced into the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors in the 10th century,
it was described in a famous 13th century manuscript covering shatranj and backgammon and dice named the Libro
de los juegos.
Chess spread throughout the world and many variants of the game soon began taking shape.[9] Buddhist pilgrims,
Silk Road traders and others carried it to the Far East where it was transformed and assimilated into a game often
played on the intersection of the lines of the board rather than within the squares.[9] [10] Chaturanga reached Europe
through Persia, the Byzantine empire and the expanding Arabian empire.[11] Muslims carried chess to North Africa,
Sicily, and Iberia by the 10th century.[9]
The game was developed extensively in Europe, and by the late 15th century, it had survived a series of prohibitions
and Christian Church sanctions to almost take the shape of the modern game.[12] Modern history saw reliable
reference works,[13] competitive chess tournaments[14] and exciting new variants which added to the game's
popularity,[14] further bolstered by reliable timing mechanisms (first introduced in 1861), effective rules[14] and
charismatic players.[15]

228

History of chess

229

India
The earliest precursor of modern chess is a game called chaturanga,
which flourished in India by the 6th century, and is the earliest known
game to have two essential features found in all later chess variations
different pieces having different powers (which was not the case
with checkers and go), and victory depending on the fate of one piece,
the king of modern chess.[9] Other game pieces (speculatively called
"chess pieces") uncovered in archaeological findings are considered as
coming from other, distantly related, board games, which may have
had boards of 100 squares or more.[9] Findings in the Mohenjo-daro
and Harappa (26001500 BCE) sites of the Indus Valley Civilization
show a prevalence of a board game that resembles chess.[16]

Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga on an 8x8

Ashtpada.

Chess was designed for an ashtpada (Sanskrit for "having eight feet", i.e. an 8x8 squared board), which may have
been used earlier for a backgammon-type race game (perhaps related to a dice-driven race game still played in south
India where the track starts at the middle of a side and spirals in to the center).[17] Ashtpada, the uncheckered 88
board served as the main board for playing Chaturanga.[18] Other Indian boards included the 1010 Dasapada and
the 99 Saturankam.[18] Traditional Indian chessboards often have X markings on some or all of squares a1 a4 a5 a8
d1 d4 d5 d8 e1 e4 e5 e8 h1 h4 h5 h8: these may have been "safe squares" where capturing was not allowed in a
dice-driven backgammon-type race game played on the ashtpada before chess was invented.[17]
The Cox-Forbes theory, started in the late 19th century, mainly from the works of Captain Hiram Cox and Duncan
Forbes, proposed that the four-handed game chaturaji was the original form of chaturanga.[19] Other scholars dispute
this and say that the two-handed form was the first.[20]
In Sanskrit, "chaturanga" () literally means "having four limbs (or parts)" and in epic poetry often means
"army" (the four parts are elephants, chariots, horsemen, foot soldiers).[7] The name came from a battle formation
mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata.[9] The game Chaturanga was a battle simulation game[7] which rendered
Indian military strategy of the time.[21]
Some people formerly played chess using a die to decide which piece to move. There was an unproven theory that
chess started as this dice-chess and that the gambling and dice aspects of the game were removed because of Hindu
religious objections.[22]
Scholars in areas to which the game subsequently spread, for example the Arab Abu al-Hasan 'Al al-Mas'd,
detailed the Indian use of chess as a tool for military strategy, mathematics, gambling and even its vague association
with astronomy.[23] Mas'd notes that ivory in India was chiefly used for the production of chess and backgammon
pieces, and asserts that the game was introduced to Persia from India, along with the book Kelileh va Demneh,
during the reign of emperor Nushirwan.[23]
In some variants, a win was by checkmate, or by stalemate, or by "bare king" (taking all of an opponent's pieces
except the king).
In some parts of India the pieces in the places of the Rook and Knight and Bishop were renamed by words meaning
(in this order) Boat, Horse, Elephant, or Elephant, Horse, Camel, but keeping the same moves.[17]
In early chess the moves of the pieces were:
King: as now.
Queen: one square diagonally, only.
Bishop:
In the version that went into Persia: two squares diagonally (no more or less), but could jump over a piece
between

History of chess

230

In a version sometimes found in India in former times: two squares sideways or front-and-back (no more or
less), but could jump over a piece between.
In versions found in Southeast Asia: one square diagonally, or one square forwards.
Knight: as now.
Rook: as now.
Pawn: one square forwards (not two), capturing one square diagonally forward; promoted to queen only.
Two Arab travelers each recorded a severe Indian chess rule against stalemate[24] :
A stalemated player thereby at once wins.
A stalemated king can take one of the enemy pieces that would check the king if the king moves.

Iran (Persia)

Iranian shatranj set, glazed fritware,

12th century. New York Metropolitan
[25]
Museum of Art.

Persian manuscript from the 14th century

describing how an ambassador from India
brought chess to the Persian court.

Shams-e-Tabrz
as portrayed in a
1500 painting in
a page of a copy
of Rumi's poem
dedicated to
Shams.

The Karnamak-i Ardeshir-i Papakan, a Pahlavi epical treatise about the founder of the Sassanid Persian Empire,
mentions the game of chatrang as one of the accomplishments of the legendary hero, Ardashir I, founder of the
Empire.[26] The oldest recorded game in chess history is a 10th century game played between a historian from
Baghdad and a pupil.[11]
A manuscript explaining the rules of the game called "Matikan-i-chatrang" (the book of chess) in Middle Persian or
Pahlavi still exists.
In the 11th century Shahnameh, Ferdowsi describes a Raja visiting from India who re-enacts the past battles on the
chessboard.[23] A translation in English, based on the manuscripts in the British Museum, is given below:[26]
One day an ambassador from the king of Hind arrived at the Persian court of Chosroes, and after an oriental
exchange of courtesies, the ambassador produced rich presents from his sovereign and amongst them was an
elaborate board with curiously carved pieces of ebony and ivory. He then issued a challenge:
"Oh great king, fetch your wise men and let them solve the mysteries of this game. If they succeed my master
the king of Hind will pay tribute as an overlord, but if they fail it will be proof that the Persians are of lower
intellect and we shall demand tribute from Iran."
The courtiers were shown the board, and after a day and a night in deep thought one of them, Bozorgmehr,
solved the mystery and was richly rewarded by his delighted sovereign.
(Edward Lasker suggested that Bozorgmehr likely found the rules by bribing the Indian envoys.)
The Shahnameh goes on to offer an apocryphal account of the origins of the game of chess in the story of Talhand
and Gav, two half-brothers who vie for the throne of Hind (India). They meet in battle and Talhand dies on his
elephant without a wound. Believing that Gav had killed Talhand, their mother is distraught. Gav tells his mother
that Talhand did not die by the hands of him or his men, but she does not understand how this could be. So the sages

History of chess
of the court invent the game of chess, detailing the pieces and how they move, to show the mother of the princes how
the battle unfolded and how Talhand died of fatigue when surrounded by his enemies.[27] The poem uses the Persian
term "Shh mt" (check mate) to describe the fate of Talhand.[28]
The appearance of the chess pieces had altered greatly since the times of chaturanga, with ornate pieces and chess
pieces depicting animals giving way to abstract shapes.[29] The Islamic sets of later centuries followed a pattern
which assigned names and abstract shapes to the chess pieces, as Islam forbids depiction of animals and human
beings in art.[29] These pieces were usually made of simple clay and carved stone.[29]

East Asia
China
As a strategy board game played in China, chess is believed to have been derived from the Indian Chaturanga.[30]
Chaturanga was transformed and assimilated into the game xiangqi where the pieces are placed on the intersection of
the lines of the board rather than within the squares.[9] The object of the Chinese variation is similar to Chaturanga,
i.e. to render helpless the opponent's king, sometimes known as general.[30] Chinese chess also borrows elements
from the game of Go, which was played in China since at least the 6th century BC.[30] Owing to the influence of Go,
Chinese chess is played on the intersections of the lines on the board, rather than in the squares.[30] Chinese chess
pieces are usually flat and resemble those used in checkers, with pieces differentiated by writing their names on the
flat surface.[30]
An alternative origin theory contends that chess arose from Xiangqi or a predecessor thereof, existing in China since
the 2nd century BC.[31] David H. Li, a retired accountant, professor of accounting and translator of ancient Chinese
texts, hypothesizes that general Han Xin drew on the earlier game of Liubo to develop an early form of Chinese
chess in the winter of 204203 BC.[31] The German chess historian Peter Banaschak, however, points out that Li's
main hypothesis "is based on virtually nothing". He notes that the "Xuanguai lu," authored by the Tang Dynasty
minister Niu Sengru (779847), remains the first real source on the Chinese chess variant xiangqi.[32]

Japan
A prominent variant of chess in East Asia is the game of Shogi, transmitted from India to China and Korea before
finally reaching Japan.[33] The two distinguishing features of Shogi are: 1) The captured pieces may be reused by the
captor and played as a part of the captor's forces, and 2) Pawns capture as they move, one square straight ahead.[33]

Mongolia
Chess is recorded from Mongolian-inhabited areas, where the pieces are now called:

King: - Noyon - - lord

Queen - Bers / Nohoi - / - dog (to guard the livestock)
Bishop: - Tem - - camel
Knight- Mor - - horse
Rook - Tereg - - cart
Pawn - H - - boy (the piece often showed a puppy)

Names recorded from the 1880s by Russian sources, quoted in Murray,[17] among the Soyot people (who at the time
spoke the Soyot Turkic language) include: merz (dog), tb (camel), ot (horse), l (child) and Mongolian names for
the other pieces.
The change with the Queen is likely due to the Arabic word firzn or Persian word farzn (= "vizier") being confused
with Turkic or Mongolian native words (merz = "mastiff", bar or bars = "tiger", arslan = "lion").[17]
Chess in Mongolia is now played following the usual international rules.

231

History of chess

East Siberia
Chess was also recorded from the Yakuts, Tunguses, and Yukaghirs; but only as a children's game among the
Chukchi. Chessmen have been collected from the Yakutat people in Alaska, having no resemblance to European
chessmen, and thus likely part of a chess tradition coming from Siberia.[17]

Arab world
Chess passed from Persia to the Arab world, where its name changed to Arabic shatranj. From there it passed to
Western Europe, probably via Spain.
Over the centuries, features of European chess (e.g. the modern moves of Queen and Bishop, and castling) found
their way via trade into Islamic areas. Murray's[17] sources found the old moves of Queen and Bishop still current in
Ethiopia.

Europe
Early history
Shatranj made its way via the expanding Islamic Arabian empire to
Europe and the Byzantine empire.[11] Chess appeared in Southern
Europe during the end of the first millennium, often introduced to new
lands by conquering armies, such as the Norman Conquest of
England.[12] Chess remained largely unpopular in Northern Europe but
started gaining popularity as soon as figure pieces were introduced.[12]
The sides are conventionally called White and Black. But, in earlier
Knights Templar playing chess, Libro de los
European chess writings, the sides were often called Red and Black
juegos, 1283
because those were the commonly available colors of ink when
handwriting drawing a chess game layout. In such layouts, each piece
was represented by its name, often abbreviated (e.g. "ch'r" for French "chevalier" = "knight").
The social value attached to the game seen as a prestigious pastime associated with nobility and high culture is
clear from the expensive and exquisitely made chessboards of the medieval era.[34] The popularity of chess in the
Western courtly society peaked between the 12th and the 15th centuries.[35] The game found mention in the
vernacular and Latin language literature throughout Europe, and many works were written on or about chess between
the 12th and the 15th centuries.[35] Harold James Ruthven Murray divides the works into three distinct parts: the
didactic works e.g. Alexander of Neckham's De scaccis (approx. 1180); works of morality like Liber de moribus
hominum et officiis nobilium sive super ludo scacchorum (Book of the customs of men and the duties of nobles or
the Book of Chess), written by Jacobus de Cessolis; and the works related to various chess problems, written largely
after 1205.[35] Chess terms, like check, were used by authors as a metaphor for various situations.[36] Chess was soon
incorporated into the knightly style of life in Europe.[37] Peter Alfonsi, in his work Disciplina Clericalis, listed chess
among the seven skills that a good knight must acquire.[37] Chess also became a subject of art during this period,
with caskets and pendants decorated in various chess forms.[38] Queen Margaret of England's green and red chess
sets made of jasper and crystal symbolized chess's position in royal art treasures.[36] Kings Henry I, Henry II and
Richard I of England were chess patrons.[9] Other monarchs who gained similar status were Alfonso X of Castile and
Ivan IV of Russia.[9]
Saint Peter Damian denounced the bishop of Florence in 1061 for playing chess even when aware of its evil effects
on the society.[12] The bishop of Florence defended himself by declaring that chess involved skill and was therefore
"unlike other games," and similar arguments followed in the coming centuries.[12] Two separate incidents in 13th
century London involving men of Essex resorting to violence resulting in death as an outcome of playing chess

232

History of chess

233

further caused sensation and alarm.[12] The growing popularity of the game now associated with revelry and
violence alarmed the Church.[12]
The practice of playing chess for money became so widespread during the 13th century that Louis IX of France
issued an ordinance against gambling in 1254.[34] This ordinance turned out to be unenforceable and was largely
neglected by the common public, and even the courtly society, which continued to enjoy the now prohibited chess
tournaments uninterrupted.[34]
By the mid-12th century, the pieces of the chess set were depicted as kings, queens, bishops, knights and men at
arms.[39] Chessmen made of ivory began to appear in North-West Europe, and ornate pieces of traditional knight
warriors were used as early as the mid 13th century.[40] The initially nondescript pawn had now found association
with the pedes, pedinus, or the footman, which symbolized both infantry and loyal domestic service.[39]
The following table provides a glimpse of the changes in names and character of chess pieces as they transitioned
from India through Persia to Europe:[41] [42]

A comparison of the terms for chessmen in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Latin, English,
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Catalan
Sanskrit

Arabic

Latin

English

Spanish

Persian

Italian

French

Catalan

Portuguese

Raja (King)

Shah

Malik

Rex

King

Rey

Rei

Re

Roi

Rei

Mantri (Minister)

Vazr
(Vizir)

Wazr/Firz

Regina

Queen

Dama

Rainha

Regina

Reine

Dama/Reina

Gajah (war
elephant)

Pil

Al-Fl

Episcopus/Comes/Calvus Bishop/Count/Councillor Alfil/Obispo Bispo

Alfiere

Fou

Alfil

Ashva (horse)

Asp

Fars/Hisan

Miles/Eques

Cavallo

Chevalier Cavall

Ratha (chariot)

Rokh

Tour

Padati
Piadeh
(footman/footsoldier)

Knight

Caballo

Qal`a/Rukhkh Rochus/Marchio

Rook/Margrave

Torre/Roque Torre

Torre/Rocco

Baidaq/Jondi

Pawn

Pen

Pedone/Pedina Pion

Pedes/Pedinus

Cavalo

Peo

Torre
Pe

The game, as played during the early Middle Ages, was slow, with many games lasting for days.[12] Some variations
in rules began to change the shape of the game by 1300 AD.[43] A notable, but initially unpopular, change was the
ability of the pawn to move two places in the first move instead of one.[43]
In Europe some of the pieces gradually got new names:
Fers: "queen", because it starts beside the King.
Aufin: "bishop", because its two points looked like a bishop's mitre; In French fou; and others. Its Latin name
alfinus was reinterpreted many ways.

History of chess

234

1
a

Check by pinned piece

Queen once moving two squares with jump, diagonally or straight. This right was sometimes extended to a new
queen made by promoting a pawn.
The short assize. ("assize" = "sitting".) Here the pawns started on the third rank; the queens started on d3 and d6
along with the queens' pawns; the players arranged their other pieces as they wished behind their pawns at the
start of the game. This idea did not endure.[17]
Attempts to make the start of the game run faster to get the opposing pieces in contact sooner included:
Pawn moving two squares in its first move. This led to the en passant rule: a pawn placed so that it could have
captured the enemy pawn if it had moved one square forward was allowed to capture it on the passed square. In
Italy, the contrary rule (passar battaglia = "to pass battle") applied: a pawn that moved two squares forward had
passed the danger of attack on the intermediate square. It was sometimes not allowed to do this to cover check.[44]
King jumping once, to make it quicker to put the king safe in a corner. (This eventually led to castling.)
Other sporadic variations in the rules of chess included:
Ignoring check from a piece which was covering check, as some said that in theory (in the diagram on the right),
B x K would allow R x K in reply.[17]

Origins of the modern game

The queen and bishop remained relatively weak until[12] between 1475 AD and 1500 AD, in either Spain, Portugal,
France or Italy, the queen's and bishop's modern moves started and spread, making chess close to its modern form.
This form of chess got such names as "Queen's Chess" or "Mad Queen Chess" (Italian alla rabiosa = "with the
madwoman").[45] This led to much more value being attached to the previously minor tactic of pawn promotion.[17]
Checkmate became easier and games could now be won in fewer moves.[43] [46] These new rules quickly spread
throughout Western Europe and in Spain,[47] [48] with the exception of the rules about stalemate, which were
finalized in the early 19th century.[49]
In some areas (e.g. Russia), the queen could also move like a knight.
A poem Cassa published in 1527 led to the chess rook being often renamed as "castle", and the modern shape of the
Rook chess piece; see Vida's poem for more information.
An Italian player, Gioacchino Greco, regarded as one of the first true professionals of the game, authored an analysis
of a number of composed games that illustrated two differing approaches to chess.[13] This influential work went to
some extent in popularizing chess and demonstrated the many theories regarding game play and tactics.[13]

History of chess

235

The first full work dealing with the various winning combinations was written by Franois-Andr Danican Philidor
of France, regarded as the best chess player in the world for nearly 50 years, and published in the 18th century.[13]
He wrote and published L'Analyse des checs (The Analysis of Chess), an influential work which appeared in more
than 100 editions.[13]

A woodcut drawn from Caxton's

chess book printed in England in
1474

A tactical puzzle
from Lucena's
1497 book

"Marguerite
d'Alenon et son
frre Franois
d'Angoulme
jouant aux checs"
from the book
checs amoureux,
16th century

Portrait of Franois-Andr
Danican Philidor from
Lanalyse des checs.
London, second edition,
1777

Original Staunton chess pieces by

Nathaniel Cook from 1849

Writings about the theory of how to play chess began to appear in the 15th century. The oldest surviving printed
chess book, Repeticin de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez (Repetition of Love and the Art of Playing Chess) by Spanish
churchman Luis Ramirez de Lucena was published in Salamanca in 1497.[47] Lucena and later masters like
Portuguese Pedro Damiano, Italians Giovanni Leonardo Di Bona, Giulio Cesare Polerio and Gioachino Greco or
Spanish bishop Ruy Lpez de Segura developed elements of openings and started to analyze simple endgames. In
the 18th century the center of European chess life moved from the Southern European countries to France. The two
most important French masters were Franois-Andr Danican Philidor, a musician by profession, who discovered the
importance of pawns for chess strategy, and later Louis-Charles Mah de La Bourdonnais who won a famous series
of matches with the Irish master Alexander McDonnell in 1834.[50] Centers of chess life in this period were coffee
houses in big European cities like Caf de la Rgence in Paris[51] and Simpson's Divan in London.[52]
As the 19th century progressed, chess organization developed quickly. Many chess clubs, chess books and chess
journals appeared. There were correspondence matches between cities; for example the London Chess Club played
against the Edinburgh Chess Club in 1824.[53] Chess problems became a regular part of 19th century newspapers;
Bernhard Horwitz, Josef Kling and Samuel Loyd composed some of the most influential problems. In 1843, von der
Lasa published his and Bilguer's Handbuch des Schachspiels (Handbook of Chess), the first comprehensive manual
of chess theory.

History of chess

Modern competition-style chess

Competitive chess became visible in 1834, and the 1851 London Chess tournament raised concerns about the time
taken by the players to deliberate their moves. On recording time it was found that players often took hours to
analyze moves, and one player took as much as two hours and 20 minutes to think over a single move at the London
tournament. The following years saw the development of speed chess, five-minute chess and the most popular
variant, a version allowing a bank of time to each player in which to play a previously agreed number of moves, e.g.
two hours for 30 moves. In the final variant, the player who made the predetermined number of moves in the agreed
time received additional time budget for his next moves. Penalties for exceeding a time limit came in form of fines
and forfeiture. Since fines were easy to bear for professional players, forfeiture became the only effective penalty;
this added "lost on time" to the traditional means of losing such as checkmate and resigning.[14]
In 1861 the first time limits, using sandglasses, were employed in a
tournament match at Bristol, England. The sandglasses were later
replaced by pendulums. Modern clocks, consisting of two parallel
timers with a small button for a player to press after completing a
move, were later employed to aid the players. A tiny latch called a flag
further helped settle arguments over players exceeding time limit at the
turn of the 19th century.[14]
A Russian composer, Vladimir Korolkov, authored a work entitled
Stamp of the USSR devoted to the accomplished
"Excelsior" in 1958 in which the White side wins only by making six
Estonian player and analyst Paul Keres, 1991.
[15]
consecutive captures by a pawn.
Position analysis became
particularly popular in the 19th century.[15] Many leading players were
also accomplished analysts, including Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov and Jan Timman.[15] Digital
clocks appeared in the 1980s.[14]
Another problem that arose in competitive chess was when adjourning a game for a meal break or overnight. The
player who moved last before adjournment would be at a disadvantage, as the other player would have a long period
to analyze before having to make a reply when the game was resumed. Preventing access to a chess set to work out
moves during the adjournment would not stop him from analyzing the position in his head. Various strange ideas
were attempted, but the eventual solution was the "sealed move". The final move before adjournment is not made on
the board but instead is written on a piece of paper which the referee seals in an envelope and keeps safe. When the
game is continued after adjournment, the referee makes the sealed move and the players resume.

Birth of a sport (18501945)

The first modern chess tournament was held in London in 1851 and won, surprisingly, by German Adolf Anderssen,
relatively unknown at the time. Anderssen was hailed as the leading chess master and his brilliant, energetic
attacking style became typical for the time, although it was later regarded as strategically shallow.[54] [55] Sparkling
games like Anderssen's Immortal game and Evergreen Game or Morphy's Opera game were regarded as the highest
possible summit of the chess art.[56]
Deeper insight into the nature of chess came with two younger players. American Paul Morphy, an extraordinary
chess prodigy, won against all important competitors, including Anderssen, during his short chess career between
1857 and 1863. Morphy's success stemmed from a combination of brilliant attacks and sound strategy; he intuitively
knew how to prepare attacks.[57] Prague-born Wilhelm Steinitz later described how to avoid weaknesses in one's own
position and how to create and exploit such weaknesses in the opponent's position.[58] In addition to his theoretical
achievements, Steinitz founded an important tradition: his triumph over the leading Polish-German master Johannes
Zukertort in 1886 is regarded as the first official World Chess Championship. Steinitz lost his crown in 1894 to a
much younger German mathematician Emanuel Lasker, who maintained this title for 27 years, the longest tenure of

236

History of chess

237

all World Champions.[59]

It took a prodigy from Cuba, Jos Ral Capablanca (World champion 192127),
who loved simple positions and endgames, to end the German-speaking
dominance in chess; he was undefeated in tournament play for eight years until
1924. His successor was Russian-French Alexander Alekhine, a strong attacking
player, who died as the World champion in 1946, having briefly lost the title to
Dutch player Max Euwe in 1935 and regaining it two years later.[60]
Between the world wars, chess was revolutionized by the new theoretical school
of so-called hypermodernists like Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Rti. They
advocated controlling the center of the board with distant pieces rather than with
pawns, inviting opponents to occupy the center with pawns which become
objects of attack.[61]

Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World

Chess Champion

Since the end of 19th century, the number of annually held master tournaments
and matches quickly grew. Some sources state that in 1914 the title of chess
grandmaster was first formally conferred by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Tarrasch
and Marshall, but this is a disputed claim.[62] The tradition of awarding such titles was continued by the World Chess
Federation (FIDE), founded in 1924 in Paris. In 1927, Women's World Chess Championship was established; the
first to hold it was Czech-English master Vera Menchik.[63]

Post-war era (1945 and later)

After the death of Alekhine, a new World Champion was sought in a
tournament of elite players ruled by FIDE, who have controlled the
title since then, with one interruption. The winner of the 1948
tournament, Russian Mikhail Botvinnik, started an era of Soviet
dominance in the chess world. Until the end of the Soviet Union, there
was only one non-Soviet champion, American Bobby Fischer
(champion 19721975).[64]
In the previous informal system, the World Champion decided which
challenger he would play for the title and the challenger was forced to
seek sponsors for the match.[65] FIDE set up a new system of
qualifying tournaments and matches. The world's strongest players were seeded into "Interzonal tournaments", where
they were joined by players who had qualified from "Zonal tournaments". The leading finishers in these Interzonals
would go on the "Candidates" stage, which was initially a tournament, later a series of knock-out matches. The
winner of the Candidates would then play the reigning champion for the title. A champion defeated in a match had a
right to play a rematch a year later. This system worked on a three-year cycle.[65]
World Champions Jos Ral Capablanca (left)
and Emanuel Lasker in 1925

Botvinnik participated in championship matches over a period of fifteen years. He won the world championship
tournament in 1948 and retained the title in tied matches in 1951 and 1954. In 1957, he lost to Vasily Smyslov, but
regained the title in a rematch in 1958. In 1960, he lost the title to the Latvian prodigy Mikhail Tal, an accomplished
tactician and attacking player. Botvinnik again regained the title in a rematch in 1961.
Following the 1961 event, FIDE abolished the automatic right of a deposed champion to a rematch, and the next
champion, Armenian Tigran Petrosian, a genius of defense and strong positional player, was able to hold the title for
two cycles, 19631969. His successor, Boris Spassky from Russia (19691972), was a player able to win in both
positional and sharp tactical style.[66]

History of chess

238

The next championship, the so-called Match of the Century, saw the
first non-Soviet challenger since World War II, American Bobby
Fischer, who defeated his Candidates opponents by unheard-of margins
and clearly won the world championship match. In 1975, however,
Fischer refused to defend his title against Soviet Anatoly Karpov when
FIDE refused to meet his demands, and Karpov obtained the title by
default. Karpov defended his title twice against Viktor Korchnoi and
dominated the 1970s and early 1980s with a string of tournament
successes.[67]
Karpov's reign finally ended in 1985 at the hands of another Russian
player, Garry Kasparov. Kasparov and Karpov contested five world
title matches between 1984 and 1990; Karpov never won his title
back.[68]

Current World Champion Viswanathan Anand

In 1993, Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short broke with FIDE to organize their own match for the title and formed a
competing Professional Chess Association (PCA). From then until 2006, there were two simultaneous World
Champions and World Championships: the PCA or Classical champion extending the Steinitzian tradition in which
the current champion plays a challenger in a series of many games; the other following FIDE's new format of many
players competing in a tournament to determine the champion. Kasparov lost his Classical title in 2000 to Vladimir
Kramnik of Russia.
Earlier in 1999, Kasparov as the reigning world champion played a game online against the world team composed of
more than 50,000 participants from more than 75 countries. The moves of the world team were decided by plurality
vote, and after 62 moves played over four months Kasparov won the game. The number of ideas, the complexity,
and the contribution it has made to chess theory make it one of the most important chess games ever played.[69]
The FIDE World Chess Championship 2006 reunified the titles, when Kramnik beat the FIDE World Champion
Veselin Topalov and became the undisputed World Chess Champion.[70] In September 2007, Viswanathan Anand
from India became the next champion by winning a championship tournament.[71] In October 2008, Anand retained
his title, decisively winning the rematch against Kramnik.[72]

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

"The History Of Chess" (http:/ / www. thechesszone. com/ history_of_chess). ChessZone. . Retrieved 29 March 2011.
Leibs (2004), page 92
Forbes (1860)
Robinson & Estes (1996), page34
Murray, H.J.R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN0-936317-01-9.
OCLC13472872.
[6] Davidson, Hooper & Whyld, and Golombek all give this correspondence. Bird (pp 4, 46) exchanges the bishop and rook.
[7] Meri 2005: 148
[8] Hooper and Whyld, 144-45 (first edition)
[9] Chess: Ancient precursors and related games (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
[10] Remus, Horst, "The Origin of Chess and the Silk Road" (http:/ / www. silk-road. com/ newsletter/ volumeonenumberone/ origin. html), The
Silk Road journal, The Silkroad Foundation, v.1(1), January 15, 2003.
[11] Chess: Introduction to Europe (Encyclopedia Britannica 2007)
[12] Riddler 1998
[13] Chess: Development of Theory (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
[14] Chess: The time element and competition (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
[15] Chess: Chess composition (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
[16] Gupta, K.R.; Gupta, Amita.(2006). Concise Encyclopaedia of India, Volume 3 (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=Efgu1BwmeCQC).
Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. pp. 964.
[17] A History of Chess, bottom of p.311, by H.J.R.Murray, publ. Oxford at the Clarendon Press.

History of chess
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[34]
[35]
[36]
[37]
[38]
[39]

Wilkins 2002: 46
Encyclopedia Britannica (Ninth Edition)
Hooper 1992: 74
Kulke 2004: 9
Wilkins 2002: 48
Wilkinson 1943
A History of Chess
See the chess set's page (http:/ / www. metmuseum. org/ toah/ hd/ nish/ ho_1971. 193a-ff. htm) on the Museum's website.
Bell 1979: 57
Warner & Warner 2008, p. 394-402.
Yalom 2004, p. 5.
Chess: Set design (Encyclopedia Britannica 2007)
Chinese chess (Encyclopedia Britannica 2007)
Li 1998
Banaschak: A story well told is not necessarily true - being a critical assessment of David H. Li's "The Genealogy of Chess"
Shogi (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
Vale 2001: 172
Gamer 1954
Vale 2001: 177
Vale 2001: 171
Vale 2001: 152
Vale 2001: 173

[40] Vale 2001: 151

[41] Vale 2001: 174
[42] Murray, H. J. R.: 1913
[43] Chess (History): Standardization of rules (Encyclopedia Britannica 2002)
[44] Murray, Harold James Ruthven (1952). "6: Race-Games". A History of Board-Games Other than Chess. Hacker Art Books.
ISBN0-87817-211-4.
[45] Murray (1913) p.777
[46] Davidson (1981), p. 1317
[47] Calvo, Ricardo. Valencia Spain: The Cradle of European Chess (http:/ / www. goddesschess. com/ chessays/ ricardovalencia. html).
Retrieved 10 December 2006
[48] An analysis from the feminist perspective: Weissberger, Barbara F. (2004). Isabel Rules: constructing queenship, wielding power.
University of Minnesota Press. ISBN0-8166-4164-1. OCLC217447754. P. 152ff
[49] See History of the stalemate rule.
[50] Louis Charles Mahe De La Bourdonnai. (http:/ / www. chessgames. com/ perl/ chessplayer?pid=31596) Chessgames.com. Retrieved 30
November 2006.
[51] Metzner, Paul (1998). Crescendo of the Virtuoso: Spectacle, Skill, and Self-Promotion in Paris during the Age of Revolution. Berkeley:
University of California Press. ISBN0-520-20684-3. OCLC185289629. Online version (http:/ / ark. cdlib. org/ ark:/ 13030/ ft438nb2b6/ )
[52] Bird, Henry Edward. Chess History and Reminiscences (http:/ / www. gutenberg. org/ etext/ 4902). Retrieved 10 December 2006
[53] London Chess Club. (http:/ / www. chessgames. com/ perl/ chessplayer?pid=80740) Chessgames.com. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
[54] World Title Matches and Tournaments - Chess history. (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 2006/ worldchessnetwork. com/ English/
chessHistory/ salute/ matchesTournaments/ london1851. php) worldchessnetwork.com
[55] Hartston, W. (1985). The Kings of Chess. Pavilion Books Limited. p.36. ISBN0-06-015358-X.
[56] Burgess, Graham, Nunn, John and Emms, John (1998). The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games. Carroll & Graf
Publishers. ISBN0-7867-0587-6. OCLC40209258., p. 14.
[57] Shibut, Macon (2004). Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory. Courier Dover Publications. ISBN0-486-43574-1.
OCLC55639730.
[58] Steinitz, William and Landsberger, Kurt (2002). The Steinitz Papers: Letters and Documents of the First World Chess Champion.
McFarland & Company. ISBN0-7864-1193-7. OCLC48550929.
[59] Kasparov (1983a)
[60] Kasparov 1983b
[61] Fine (1952)
[62] This is stated for example in The Encyclopaedia of Chess (1970, p.223) by Anne Sunnucks, but this is also disputed by Edward Winter
(chess historian) in his Chess Notes 5144 and 5152 (http:/ / 72. 14. 205. 104/ search?q=cache:Uv0K9qUrveUJ:www. chesshistory. com/
winter/ winter38. html+ site:chesshistory. com/ winter+ Grandmaster+ Tsar& hl=en& ct=clnk& cd=1& gl=us).
[63] Menchik at ChessGames.com (http:/ / www. chessgames. com/ perl/ chessplayer?pid=13277). Retrieved 11 December 2006
[64] Kasparov 2003b, 2004a, 2004b, 2006
[65] "Chess History" (http:/ / www. thechessplace. com/ page/ 976499). . Retrieved 2008-01-07.

239

History of chess
[66] Kasparov 2003b, 2004a
[67] Kasparov 2003a, 2006
[68] Keene, Raymond (1993). Gary Kasparov's Best Games. B. T. Batsford Ltd.. ISBN0-7134-7296-0. OCLC29386838., p. 16.
[69] Harding, T. (2002). 64 Great Chess Games, Dublin: Chess Mail. ISBN 0-9538536-4-0.
[70] Kramnik at ChessGames.com (http:/ / www. chessgames. com/ perl/ chessplayer?pid=12295). Retrieved 13 December 2006
[71] "Viswanathan Anand regains world chess title" (http:/ / in. reuters. com/ article/ sportsNews/ idINIndia-29785520070930). Reuters.
2007-09-30. . Retrieved 2007-12-13.
[72] "Anand draws 11th game, wins world chess title" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ anand-draws-11th-game-wins-world-chess-title/ 77005-5.
html?from=rssfeed). IBN Live. October 29, 2008. . Retrieved 2008-12-17.

References
Encyclopedia Britannica

"Chess: Ancient precursors and related games.". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.
"Chess: Development of Theory". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.
"Chess: The time element and competition". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.
"Chess: Chess composition". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.
"Chess (History): Standardization of rules". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.

"Chess: Set design." (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-80432/chess). Encyclopedia Britannica.

Encyclopdia Britannica. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
"Chess: Introduction to Europe" (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-80430/chess). Encyclopedia
Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
"Chinese chess" (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9024151). Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia
Britannica. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
"Shogi". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica. 2002.

WWW
Banaschak, Peter. "A story well told is not necessarily true : a critical assessment of David H. Li's The Genealogy
of Chess " (http://www.banaschak.net/schach/ligenealogyofchess.htm).

Books
Bell, Robert Charles (1979). Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations. Courier Dover Publications.
ISBN0486238555.
Bird, Henry Edward (1893). Chess History and Reminiscences. London. (Republished version by Forgotten
Books). ISBN 1-60620-897-7.
Davidson, Henry A. (1949, 1981). A Short History of Chess. McKay. ISBN0-679-14550-8. OCLC17340178.
Forbes, Duncan (1860). The History of Chess: From the Time of the Early Invention of the Game in India Till the
Period of Its Establishment in Western and Central Europe (http://books.google.com/
books?id=Oa4UAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover). London: W. H. Allen & Co.
Golombek, Harry (1977). Golombek's Encyclopedia of Chess. Crown Publishing. ISBN0-517-53146-1
Harding, Tim (2003). Better Chess for Average Players. Courier Dover Publications. ISBN0-486-29029-8.
OCLC33166445.
Hooper, David Vincent; Whyld, Kenneth (1992). The Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford University Press.
ISBN0198661649.
Hooper, David and Whyld, Kenneth (1992). The Oxford Companion to Chess, Second edition. Oxford University
Press. ISBN0-19-866164-9. OCLC25508610. Reprint: (1996) ISBN 0-19-280049-3
Kasparov, Garry (2003a). My Great Predecessors, part I. Everyman Chess. ISBN1-85744-330-6.
OCLC223602528.

240

History of chess
Kasparov, Garry (2003b). My Great Predecessors, part II. Everyman Chess. ISBN1-85744-342-X.
OCLC223906486.
Kasparov, Garry (2004a). My Great Predecessors, part III. Everyman Chess. ISBN1-85744-371-3.
OCLC52949851.
Kasparov, Garry (2004b). My Great Predecessors, part IV. Everyman Chess. ISBN1-85744-395-0.
OCLC52949851.
Kasparov, Garry (2006). My Great Predecessors, part V. Everyman Chess. ISBN1-85744-404-3.
OCLC52949851.
Kulke, Hermann; Dietmar Rothermund (2004). A History of India. Routledge. ISBN0415329205.
Leibs, Andrew (2004). Sports and Games of the Renaissance. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN
0-313-32772-6
Li, David H. (1998). The Genealogy of Chess. Premier Pub. Co. ISBN0-9637852-2-2.
Meri, Josef W. (2005). Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. ISBN0415966906.
Murray, H. J. R. (1913). A History of Chess. Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-827403-3.
Musser Golladay, Sonja, "Los Libros de acedrex dados e tablas: Historical, Artistic and Metaphysical
Dimensions of Alfonso Xs Book of Games" (http://etd.library.arizona.edu/etd/GetFileServlet?file=file:///
data1/pdf/etd/azu_etd_2444_1_m.pdf&type=application/pdf) (PhD diss., University of Arizona, 2007)
Needham, Joseph (1962). "Thoughts on The Origin of Chess" (http://www.goddesschess.com/chessays/
needham1.html).
Needham, Joseph; Ronan, Colin A. (June 1985). The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 2.
Cambridge University Press. ISBN9780521315364.
Needham, Joseph; Ronan, Colin A. (July 1986). The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 3.
Cambridge University Press. ISBN0521315603.
Robinson, Dindy & Estes, Rebecca (1996). World Cultures Through Art Activities. New Hampshire: Libraries
Unlimited. ISBN 1-56308-271-3
Vale, M. G. A. (2001). The Princely Court: Medieval Courts and Culture in North-West Europe, 1270-1380.
Oxford University Press. ISBN0199269939.
Wilkins, Sally (2002). Sports and Games of Medieval Cultures. Greenwood Press. ISBN0313317119.
Yalom, Marilyn (2004). Birth of the Chess Queen: a History (Illustrated ed.). HarperCollins. ISBN0060090642.
Firdaus (1915). The Shhnm of Firdaus (http://www.archive.org/stream/shahnama07firduoft#page/n7/
mode/2up). VII. Trans. Warner, Arthur George & Warner, Edmond. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trbner &
Co.. ISBN0415245451.

Journals
Anand, Viswanathan, "The Indian Defense" (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/
0,28804,1815747_1815707_1815674,00.html), TIME, Thursday, Jun. 19, 2008. An article on the history of chess
by the 2007-10 chess world champion.
Gamer, Helena M. (October 1954). "The Earliest Evidence of Chess in Western Literature: The Einsiedeln
Verses". Speculum (Medieval Academy of America) 29 (4): 734750. doi:10.2307/2847098. JSTOR2847098.
Gordon, Stewart (July/August 2009). "The Game of Kings" (http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/
200904/the.game.of.kings.htm). Saudi Aramco World (Houston: Aramco Services Company) 60 (4): 1823. (
PDF version (http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/pdf/2000/200904.pdf))
Riddler, Ian; Denison, Simon (February 1998). "When there is no end to a good game" (http://www.britarch.ac.
uk/ba/ba31/ba31feat.html). British Archaeology (United Kingdom: Council for British Archaeology) (31).
ISSN1357-4442
Wilkinson, Charles K (May 1943). "Chessmen and Chess" (http://www.goddesschess.com/chessays/
chessmenandchess.html). The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) New

241

History of chess
Series 1 (9): 271279. doi:10.2307/3257111. JSTOR3257111.
Wilkinson, Charles K. (May 1943). "Chessmen and Chess". The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin (The
Metropolitan Museum of Art) New Series, Vol. 1, No. 9 (9): 271279. doi:10.2307/3257111. JSTOR3257111.

External links
Origin and history of Chess, Xiangqi, Shogi and more (http://history.chess.free.fr/)
Chess. (2007). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July 30, 2007, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online (http:/
/www.britannica.com/ebc/article-80429)
"Chess," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007 (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565896_3/
Chess.html#s18) ( Archived (http://www.webcitation.org/5kwqozOV2) 2009-10-31)
Initiative group Koenigstein (http://www.mynetcologne.de/~nc-jostenge/)
Goddess Chess Chessays (http://www.goddesschess.com/chessays/chessaystoc.html)
Chess for all ages (http://www.mark-weeks.com/aboutcom/caa-hist.htm)
Alfonso X y el ajedrez - Alfonso X and Chess (http://knol.google.com/k/braulio-vzquez-campos/
alfonso-x-y-el-ajedrez/1nt2tw69bo2xt/13?hl=en#/)

Cox-Forbes theory
The Cox-Forbes theory is a long-debunked theory on the evolution of chess put forward by Captain Hiram Cox and
extended by Professor Duncan Forbes (17981868).
The theory states that a four-handed dice-chess game (Chaturaji) was originated in India in approximately 3000 BC;
and that arising from the results of certain rules, or the difficulty in getting enough players, the game evolved into a
two-handed game (Chaturanga). On account of religious and legal objections in Hinduism to gambling, the dice were
dropped from the game, making it a game purely of skill.
In Forbes' explanation, he calls the four-handed dice version Chaturanga and insists that Chaturaji is a misnomer
that actually refers to a victory condition in the game akin to checkmate. In his 1860 account, the players in opposite
corners are allies against the other team of two players. He represents this "Chaturanga" as gradually developing into
the two-player diceless form by the time it was adopted by the Persians as "Chatrang". He further asserts that this
name later became "Shatranj" after the Arabic pronunciation.
The theory was allegedly based on evidence in the Indian text Bhavishya Purana, but more recent study of the work
has shown the evidence to be weaker than previously thought. The earliest Puranas are now assigned a more
conservative date of 500 BC, rather than 3000 BC. As a result, the theory is now rejected by all serious chess
historians.
Albrecht Weber (18251901) and Dutch chess historian Antonius van der Linde (18331897) found that the Purana
quoted by Forbes did not even contain the references he claimed. While working on Geschichte und Litteratur des
Schachspiels (Berlin, 1874, two vols.), Van der Linde also found that the actual text around which Forbes had built
his entire theory (Tithitattva of Raghunandana) was actually from around AD 1500, rather than 3000 BC as claimed
by Forbes. Van der Linde thought that Forbes deliberately lied, and was furious. John Griswold White wrote in 1898,
"He did not even make good use of the material known to him." (Hooper & Whyld 1992, pp.143, 2267)

242

Cox-Forbes theory

References
Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1992), The Oxford Companion to Chess (2 ed.), Oxford: Oxford University
Press, pp.143, 2267, ISBN0-19-280049-3
The History of Chess, 1860, by Duncan Forbes [1] - complete original text
Chaturanga [2] - website debunking Cox-Forbes

References
[1] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=Oa4UAAAAYAAJ& client=firefox-a
[2] http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ chaturanga. htm

Liubo
Liubo (Chinese: ; pinyin: li b;
WadeGiles: liu po; literally "six sticks") is
an ancient Chinese board game played by
two players. For the rules, it is believed that
each player had six game pieces that were
moved around the points of a square game
board that had a distinctive, symmetrical
pattern. Moves were determined by the
throw of six sticks, which performed the
same function as dice in other race games.
The game was invented no later than the
A pair of Eastern Han Dynasty (25220 AD) ceramic tomb figurines of two
middle of the 1st millennium BCE, and was
gentlemen playing liubo
immensely popular during the Han Dynasty
(202 BCE220 CE). However, after the Han
Dynasty it rapidly declined in popularity, possibly due to the rise in popularity of the game of Go, and it eventually
became almost totally forgotten. Knowledge of the game has increased in recent years with archeological discoveries
of Liubo game boards and game equipment in ancient tombs, as well as discoveries of Han Dynasty picture stones
and picture bricks depicting Liubo players.

243

Liubo

244

History

Mural from an Easter Han Dynasty tomb at Luoyang, Henan

showing a pair of Liubo players in the foreground, the player
on the right with his right hand raised up as if about to throw
down the six throwing sticks.

It is not known when the game of Liubo originated, although

according to legend it was invented by Wu Cao (, called
Wu Zhou in the early 2nd century CE Shuowen Jiezi
dictionary), a minister to King Jie, the last king of the Xia
Dynasty, who according to traditional chronology reigned
1728 BCE 1675 BCE.[1] Although there is no archeological
or reliable documentary evidence to support the view that
Liubo dates back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BCE1046
BCE), early Chinese records do indicate that Liubo was
already a popular game by the Warring States Period (476
BCE 221 BCE). For example, the Records of the Grand
Historian records a speech made during the reign of King
Xuan of Qi (reigned 319 BCE 301 BCE) that claims that the
capital city of Linzi was so wealthy that its citizens were all
able to indulge in activities such as playing musical
instruments, cock fighting, dog racing, playing Liubo and
playing kick ball.[2]
The game of Liubo is also described in the mid 3rd century
BCE poem Summons of the Soul (Zhao Hun ) in the

Songs of Chu:
Then with bamboo dice and ivory pieces the game of Liu Bo is begun;
Sides are taken; they advance together; keenly they threaten each other.
Pieces are kinged and the scoring doubled. Shouts of five white! arise.[3]
The earliest Liubo boards to have been discovered are a pair of ornately decorated stone boards from a 4th century
BCE tomb in the royal tomb complex of the State of Zhongshan at Pingshan in Hebei.[4]
The game reached its greatest popularity during the Han
Dynasty, as is evidenced by the discovery of many examples
of Liubo boards or sets of Liubo game pieces as grave goods
in high status tombs dating to the Han Dynasty. Pottery or
wooden figurines of players with model Liubo boards have
also been discovered in some Han tombs.[5] [6] Engraved
picture stones () and moulded picture bricks ()
that were widely used to decorate tombs and temples during
the Eastern Han period (25220 CE) also frequently depict
people playing Liubo, sometimes as a small part of a complex
Eastern Han glazed pottery tomb figurines playing Liubo,
scene depicting many different activities, but sometimes as the
with six sticks laid out to the side of the game board
focal point of the scene, with the players attended by servants
and playing in the cool of a pavilion. Some picture stones and engravings on stone coffins, especially those from the
area of modern Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, show two winged immortals playing Liubo on a mountain, usually as
part of a larger scene depicting the Queen Mother of the West and various mythical animals.
After the end of the Han Dynasty the game seems to have lost its poularity, and there are no known examples of
Liubo funerary ware or depictions of Liubo playing later than the Jin Dynasty (265420). Although the game is still
occasionally referred to in some historical sources and in poetry as late as the Tang Dynasty (618907), it seems that
Liubo had been largely displaced by the game of Go. By the time of the Yuan Dynasty (12711368) all knowledge

Liubo
of the game of Liubo had been lost, and it is only with the archeological discoveries of recent years that the game has
become better known.
There is some evidence that the game of Liubo spread to beyond the confines of China. The Old Book of Tang
mentions that Tibetans enjoyed playing both the game of Go and Liubo,[7] but although ancient Tibetan Go boards
have been discovered, no examples of Tibetan Liubo boards are known.[8] The Chinese version of the Mahayana
Mahaparinirvana Sutra also mentions the playing of several games, including Liubo, which some have taken as
evidence that Liubo was transmitted to India. However, to date no examples of Liubo boards have been found
outside of China.

Equipment
Liubo boards and game equipment are often found as grave goods in tombs from the Han Dynasty. Various types
and sizes of Liubo board have been unearthed, made from a variety of materials, including wood, lacquered wood,
pottery, stone and bronze. Some of the boards are simple square slabs of stone or wood, but others are supported by
knobs at the four corners, and some are built as tables with long legs. Regardless of their size or shape, the common
feature of all Liubo boards is the distinctive pattern that is carved or painted on their surface:

All excavated boards have the angular V-shaped marks at the corners and L-shaped marks at the center of the edges,
as well as the central square and T-shaped protrusions, and most boards also have four marks (usually circular but
sometimes a decorative pattern) between the corner mark and the central square. However, on some boards each
circular mark is replaced by a straight line joining the corner mark to the corner of the inner square, and in a few
cases there is no mark between the corner and the square at all.

245

Liubo

In many tombs only the Liubo board has survived (especially if

made of stone or bronze), and it can be assumed that any
associated game pieces have decayed, whereas in other cases the
game pieces (which are often made of ivory) have survived but the
Liubo board (which is often made of wood or lacquer) has rotted
away. However, in 1973 a unique, complete set of Liubo
equipment in a lacquer box was discovered in a 2nd century BCE
tomb at Mawangdui (believed to be that of the son of the Marquis
of Dai). This Liubo set comprises the following items (the Chinese
description of the items in the inventory of grave goods that was
found in the tomb are given in brackets):[9]
1 lacquered wooden game box (45.0 45.0 17.0cm.)
[]

246

A lacquered Chinese liubo board game set excavated

from Tomb No. 3 of Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan
province, China, dated to the 2nd century BCE during
the Western Han Dynasty.

1 lacquered wooden game board (45.0 45.0 1.2cm.) []

12 cuboid ivory game pieces (4,2 2.2 2.3cm.), six black and six white []
20 ivory game pieces (2.9 1.7 1.0cm.) []
30 rod-shaped ivory counting chips (16.4cm. long) []
12 ivory throwing rods (22.7cm. long) [ (last four characters obliterated)]
1 ivory knife (22.0cm. long) []
1 ivory scraper (17.2cm. long) []
1 eighteen-sided die with the numbers "1" through "16" and characters meaning "win" and "lose" [not listed in the
inventory]
The six black and six white game pieces are the main game pieces
to be moved around the board, and similar sets of cubic or cuboid
game pieces made from ivory, jadeite or rock crystal have been
found in several other tombs. In at least one case the game pieces
are not distinguished by colour, but by having an engraving of a
tiger on the pieces of one set and an engraving of a dragon on the
pieces of the other set.[10]
The twelve long rods are two sets of the six throwing sticks that
the players use to determine their moves, and which the game is
named after (Liubo="six sticks"). Most Han stone pictures of
Six jadeite Liubo game pieces from the tomb of King
Zhao Mo of Nanyue (reigned 137 BC 122 BC)
Liubo show the players throwing sticks onto a mat between
themselves (with the Liubo board to the side of the mat), and
ceramic model Liubo sets such as the one excavated in 1972 from Lingbao in Henan province show six sticks lined
up neatly between the two players.[11]
Sets of thirty rod-shaped counting chips have also been found in association with Liubo sets from other tombs.[12]
However, the twenty ivory game pieces and the eighteen-sided die in the Mawangdui set are not typically associated
with Liubo boards in other tombs, and it is possible that they were not used for playing Liubo, but were equipment
for a different game. A similar eighteen-sided die with numbers "1" through "16", "win" and "take a drink" was
found in association with two sets of twenty copper, coin-shaped tokens (one set inscribed "Number 1" through
"Number 20", and the other set inscribed with three-character lines of poetry) in a Han tomb at Mancheng County in
Hebei. No Liubo board or Liubo game pieces were found in the tomb, and because of the inscription "take a drink"
() on one face of the die, the die and sets of tokens are supposed to have been used for a drinking game.[13]

Liubo

247

Rules
The exact rules of the game of Liubo are not known, and some of
the surviving descriptions of the game are conflicting, which
suggests that the game may have been played according to
different rules at different times or in different places. The most
complete description of the rules of Liubo occurs in a quotation
from the lost Book of Ancient Bo () in a commentary by
Zhang Zhan () to the Book of Liezi that was written during
the Jin Dynasty (265420):
Method of play: Two people sit facing each other over
a board, and the board is divided into twelve paths,
A close-up view of the board game with game pieces
from the Eastern Han tomb model set
with two ends, and an area called the "water" in the
middle. Twelve game pieces are used, which
according to the ancient rules are six white and six black. There are also two "fish" pieces, which are
placed in the water. The throwing of the dice is done with a jade. The two players take turns to throw the
dice and move their pieces. When a piece has been moved to a certain place it is stood up on end, and
called an "owl (or) ". Thereupon it can enter the water and eat a fish, which is also called "pulling a
fish". Every time a player pulls a fish he gets two tokens, and if he pulls two fish in a row he gets three
tokens [for the second fish]. If a player has already pulled two fish but does not win it is called
double-pulling a pair of fish. When one player wins six tokens the game is won.
Another, somewhat later source, The Family Instructions of Master Yan by Yan Zhitui (531591) states that there
were two variants of Liubo, "Greater Bo" () which was played with six throwing sticks, and "Lesser Bo" ()
which was played with two dice:[14]
The ancient Greater Bo used six sticks, whereas Lesser Bo used two dice. Nowadays there is no-one
who knows how to play, but in those days when it was played it used one die and twelve game pieces. It
had very little skill, and was not worth playing.
Most game historians think that Liubo was a race game, and that players moved their six games pieces around the
marks on the board. However, others consider Liubo to have been a battle game played with dice or throwing sticks.
There have been several attempts to reconstruct the rules of the game, most notably by Lien-sheng Yang, who
discusses the game as it was possibly played on TLV mirrors.[15] Yang theorizes that a players piece would start on
an L-shaped mark and try to move to a V-shaped corner mark depending on the throw of the sticks. Certain throws
would allow a player's piece to move into the center and kill the opponents piece if it was already there. Once in
the center, a piece could begin to block the enemys pieces from taking a square. For each block one would gain two
points. One could also attempt to recover ones pieces after they are blocked, and would gain three points for doing
this. If one failed to win after having blocked two men, then the opponent would gain six points and win the game.
The first player to six points would win the game. Jean-Louis Cazaux has also reconstructed similar rules for playing
Liubo.[16] An implementation of these reconstructed rules as a playable computer game has also been attempted.[17]

Liubo

248

Chupu
A variant of Liubo in which dice were used to make the moves was called Chupu () or Wumu ().[18] In
Korea the traditional game of jeopo (hanja: ) is still played, on a board that is similar to a Liubo
board.[19]

Relationship to other games

There have been attempts to relate Liubo to other board games, and in particular some Chinese scholars believe that
Xiangqi (Chinese chess) was based on Liubo.[20] Some Chinese game historians believe that Xiangqi is not related to
Western chess, but was based on Liubo, whereas others have suggested that Liubo was transmitted from China to
India during the Eastern Jin (317420), where it developed into Chaturanga, which was the ancestor to both Western
chess and Chinese chess.[21] Although many western game historians reject the claim that Xiangqi or other chess
variants derive from Liubo,[22] Jean-Louis Cazaux argues that Liubo could have been transformed from a race game
to a battle game, and it could then have become Chinese chess.[23]

Liubo patterns on other objects

Liubo mirrors
The pattern found on the surface of Liubo boards is also found on
the most common type of Han Dynasty bronze mirror, known
from their distinctive markings as TLV mirrors. There is some
debate over whether the Liubo pattern on these mirrors was simply
decorative, or whether it had a ritual significance, or whether
perhaps the mirrors doubled as portable Liubo game boards. Zhou
Zheng has pointed out that one TLV mirror dating to the reign of
Wang Mang (923) has an inscription that includes the words
"Carved with a Liubo board pattern to dispel misfortune"
([][]), which suggests that the main purpose
of the Liubo pattern on mirrors was ritual, and that the pattern had
a special significance beyond game-playing.[24]
Han dynasty bronze mirror with TLV pattern

Liubo

249

Liubo coins
The Liubo pattern is also sometimes found on the reverse of Wu Zhu coins. Such coins were not used as currency
but were probably lucky charms.[25]

Sundials
In 1897 a stone sundial was discovered in Inner Mongolia
which had been overcarved with a Liubo board pattern.[26]
The only other complete Han dynasty sundial, in the
collection of the Royal Ontario Museum, also has a Liubo
pattern carved on it. It may be that the sundials were
repurposed as Liubo boards by carving the Liubo pattern over
the original sundial markings, or it may be that the Liubo
markings were added for some unknown ritual purpose.

Divination boards
Stone sundial from Inner Mongolia overcarved with a Liubo
board pattern

In 1993 a wooden board with turtle divinition diagrams and

prognostications on one side and a Liubo diagram and
forty-five prognostications on five topics on the other side was excavated from a late Western Han tomb at Yinwan
in Donghai County, Jiangsu.[27] The Liubo diagram is too small to have been used for playing Liubo, and is covered
with the sixty terms of the sexagenary cycle which are written all along the lines of the Liubo diagram, in a similar
way that the turtle diagram on the other side of the board is filled with the sixty terms. The prognostications under
the Liubo diagram are headed with one of nine terms that correspond to the words of an enigmatic, mnemonic rhyme
about Liubo written by Xu Bochang () during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141 BCE 87 BCE); Lillian
Tseng (Zeng Lanying) argues that these are the names for particular points on the board (the two lines of the "V"
mark, the two lines of the "L" mark, the two lines of the "T" mark, the circle or line between the corner and the
central square, the outside edge of the central square, and the inside of the central square).[28]

Liubo

250

Schematic diagram of the Yinwan Han dynasty

Liubo divination diagram, showing the positions
of the sixty terms of the sexagenary cycle
(following the corrections of Zeng Lanying) and
examples of the nine board positions: A=fng
"square"; B=lin (pn ) "edge"; C=ji
(ji ) "lift"; D=do "path"; E=zhng
"stretch"; F=q (ji ) "bend"; G=q (q
) "curve"; H=chng (xun ) "long";
I=go "tall" (terms used in Xu Bochang's
rhyme given in brackets if different).

Li Xueqin has suggested that the board was used for divination by matching the day to be divined to the
corresponding sexagenary term on the Liubo diagram, and then reading off the corresponding prognostication
according to the position of the sexagenary term on the Liubo diagram.[29] However, Lillian Tseng points out that the
divination could also be done the other way round, by looking for the desired prognostication (for example an
auspicious marriage day), and then all the days on the Liubo board that were written on the position corresponding to
the term heading the prognostication would match the desired prognostication.
It has been theorized that the placement of the sixty sexagenary terms on the points of the Liubo divination diagram
indicate the possible positions for placing pieces when playing Liubo, and that the sequence of the terms across the
divination diagram reflects the path to be followed around the board when playing the game (starting at the
north-east corner and ending at the north side of the central square).[30]

Liubo

Famous Liubo players

The following is a list of famous people who
are recorded to have played Liubo:
King Mu of Zhou (reigned 977 BCE
922 BCE), who according to the
apocryphal Travels of King Mu once
played a game of Liubo with a hermit
that lasted three days.[31]
Duke Min of Song (), who in 682
BCE got into an argument with Nangong
Wan whilst playing Liubo with
him, and was killed by Nangong Wan
when he hit the duke with the Liubo
board.[32]
King Anxi of Wei (reigned
Liubo players inside an Eastern Han model pottery tower
277 BCE 243 BCE) and his
half-brother Lord Xinling of Wei (died 243 BCE). Once when the two of them were playing Liubo a
message came that the beacons on the northern border had been lit; King Anxi wanted to stop the game and
discuss the situation with his ministers, but his brother told him not to worry as it was only the king of Zhao on a
hunting trip, and so they continued playing. The king was worried and could not concentrate on the game, but
after the game was over news came that it was indeed the king of Zhao out hunting.[33]
Jing Ke (died 227 BCE), the failed assassin of Qin Shi Huang, once had an argument with Lu Goujian ()
over a game of Liubo, and had to flee for his life.[34]
Emperor Jing of Han (reigned 156 BCE 141 BCE), who when he was crown prince became angry during a
game of Liubo with the Prince of Wu, and threw the Liubo board at the prince, killing him.[35]
Liang Ji (died 159), who according to his biography was fond of playing Liubo.
Li Guangyan (761826), a Uyghur general who was presented with a girl who was trained in the arts of "song,
dance, music and Liubo".[36]
Liu Min (895-954), a Shatuo Turk and founder of the Northern Han kingdom, liked to play Liubo and gambling
games when he was young.[37]
Confucius famously did not approve of Liubo. In the Analects he grudgingly allows that playing Liubo and Go is
better than being idle,[38] and according to the apocryphal Family Sayings of Confucius he stated that he would not
play the game as it promoted bad habits.[39]

References
[1] Xu, Shen. "/06 [[[Shuowen Jiezi (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 06)] vol. 7]"] (in Chinese). (Chinese
Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26. ""
[2] Sima, Qian. "/069 [Records of the Grand Historian vol.69]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 069) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26. ""
[3] Hawkes, David (1985). The Songs of the South: An Anthology of Ancient Chinese Poems by Qu Yuan and Other Poets. Harmondsworth:
Penguin Books. p.229. ISBN0-14-044375-4.
[4] Rawson, Jessica (1996). Mysteries of Ancient China. London: British Museum Press. pp.159161. ISBN0-7141-1472-3.
[5] (Gansu Provincial Museum). " [Brief report of the excavation of three Han tombs at Mozuizi
in Wuwei]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics) 1972 (12): 916.
[6] (Henan Provincial Museum). " [The Han tomb at Zhangwan in Lingbao]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics)
1975 (11): 8081.
[7] Xu, Liu. "/196 [Old Book of Tang vol.196A]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 196) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26. ""

251

Liubo

252

[8] Hazod, Guntram (2002). "The Royal Residence Pho brang byams pa mi 'gyur gling and the Story of Srong btsan sgam po's Birth in Rgya ma"
(http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=UsC1sEKQNeYC). Tibet, past and Present: Tibetan Studies I. Proceedings of the Ninth Seminar of the
IATS, 2000. Leiden: Brill. pp.2748. ISBN 9004127755. .
[9] (Xiong Chuanxin). "3 [Discussion of the Liubo set unearthed from the No. 3 Western Han tomb at
Mawangdui]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics) 1979 (4): 3539.
[10] (Dabaotai Han Tomb Excavation Group) (1989) (in Chinese). [The Han tomb at Dabaotai in
Beijing]. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe. p.53. ISBN7-5010-0238-X.
[11] "The green-glazed liubo-playing pottery figurines" (http:/ / www. cultural-china. com/ chinaWH/ html/ en/ History2041bye5118. html).
Cultural China. . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[12] (Laixi County Culture Hall). " [The Western Han timber-chambered tomb at Daishu in Laixi
county in Shandong]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics) 1980 (12): 15.
[13] (Archeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) (1980) (in Chinese).
[Excavation report for the Han tomb at Mancheng]. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe. pp.271274.
[14] Yan, Zhitui. "/7 [The Family Instructions of Master Yan vol. 7]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 7)
(in Chinese). (Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
""
[15] Yang, Lien-sheng (June 1952). "An Additional Note on the Ancient Game Liu-po". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 15 (1): 124139.
doi:10.2307/2718275. JSTOR2718275.
[16] Cazaux, Jean-Louis (2008-01-20). "Reconstructed rules of Liubo" (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ liubo-rules. htm). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[17] "The Ancient Game of Liubo" (http:/ / liubo-game. appspot. com). 2011-04-11. . Retrieved 2011-04-19.
[18] (http:/ / pjlog. com/ viewthread. php?tid=2648)
[19] "[[Traditional Games (http:/ / gomalee. tistory. com/ 155) Play Jeopo]"]. 20 May 2011. . Retrieved 2011-09-30.
[20] "Give up Western Chess play Chinese Chess instead! (interview between Dr. Ren Gralla and Prof. David H. Li)" (http:/ / www.
chessbase. com/ newsdetail. asp?newsid=2455). ChessBase. 2005-06-15. . Retrieved 2009-06-26. "Professor Li, it seems to be that historians
from China endorse your thesis that the origins of chess can be found in China. In summary: XiangQi originates from the mysterious game
Liubo; Liubo turned into GeWu, the latter has turned into Proto-XiangQi. Peter Banaschak analysed the sources that the representatives of the
Chinese school cite, and he thinks that all those quotations from the past can be references to some game, but not necessarily to the game of
chess or XiangQi."
[21] "Liubo the Ancestor of Board Games" (http:/ / kaleidoscope. cultural-china. com/ en/ 140K2115K5502. html). Cultural China. . Retrieved
2009-06-26. "According to the research of modern board game historians, liubo is actually the ancestor of all battle board games of the world
today, such as Chinese chess, chess etc. These games all evolve from liubo."
[22] Banaschak, Peter. "A story well told is not necessarily true being a critical assessment of David H. Li's "The Genealogy of Chess"" (http:/
/ www. banaschak. net/ schach/ ligenealogyofchess. htm). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[23] Cazaux, Jean-Louis (2001). "Is Chess a Hybrid Game ?" (http:/ / www. mynetcologne. de/ ~nc-jostenge/ cazaux. pdf) (PDF). pp. 58. .
Retrieved 2009-06-26. "My idea, very speculative I must confess, is that someone could have turned this race game into a confrontation game
opposing in each side the 6 stones as Soldiers, with a notion of promotion during the course of the game, and 10 fishes as Officers. ... Also, to
divide the two sides on a battlefield, the best was probably to convert the central water into a river in the middle."
[24] (Zhou Zheng). """"" ["Geometric mirrors" should be called "Liubo pattern mirrors"]" (in Chinese).
(Archeology) 1987 (12): 11161118.
[25] "#54832: China, charm Wu Zhu coin" (http:/ / www. zeno. ru/ showphoto. php?photo=54832). Zeno Oriental Coins Database. . Retrieved
2009-06-26.
[26] (Sun Ji). " [The Togtoh sundial]" (in Chinese). (Journal of the Museum of Chinese History) 1971
(3): 7481.
[27] " [Preliminary investigation about the wooden slips from the Han tomb at Yinwan]" (in Chinese). (Cultural
Relics) 1996 (10): 6871.
[28] (Lillian Tseng). """ [Attempt to explain the "Liubo divination" wooden slip from the Han tomb at
Yinwan]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics) 1994 (8): 6265.
[29] (Li Xueqin). """ ["Liubo board divination" and geometric patterns]" (in Chinese). (Cultural Relics) 1997
(1): 4951.
[30] Cazaux, Jean-Louis. "Liubo" (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ liubo. htm). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[31] "/ [Account of King Mu of Zhou vol.5]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / ) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26. ""
[32] Sima, Qian. "/038 [Records of the Grand Historian vol.38]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 038) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
""

[33] Sima, Qian. "/077 [Records of the Grand Historian vol.77]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 077) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
"

Liubo

253

[34] Sima, Qian. "/86 [Records of the Grand Historian vol.86]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 086) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
""
[35] Sima, Qian. "/106 [Records of the Grand Historian vol.106]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 106) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
""
[36] Xu, Liu. " [Biographies chapter 111]" (http:/ / www. my285. com/ shishu/ jts/ 165. htm) (in Chinese). (Old
Book of Tang). (my285.com). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[37] Xue, Juzheng. "/135 [Old History of the FIve Dynasties vol. 135]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / 135) (in
Chinese). (Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[38] Kong, Qiu. "/ [Analects ch. 17]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / ) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26. ""
[39] "/ [Family Sayings of Confucius vol. 1]" (http:/ / zh. wikisource. org/ wiki/ / ) (in Chinese).
(Chinese Wikisource). . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
"

External links
Illustrated article on Liubo by Jean-Louis Cazaux (http://history.chess.free.fr/liubo.htm)
Pictures of Liubo artefacts on the Cultural China website (http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/
11Kaleidoscope2115.html)
Andrew West, Pictures of funerary statuettes of Liubo Players (http://babelstone.co.uk/Blog/2009/05/
lost-game-of-liubo-part-1-funerary.html)

Chaturanga
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)
This article is about the two-player ancient game Chaturanga. For the four-player version, played with dice,
see Chaturaji.
Chaturanga pieces
Raja (King)
Mantri or Senapati (Counselor or General; Queen)
Ratha (Chariot; Rook)
Gaja (Elephant; Bishop)
Asva (Horse; Knight)
Padti or Bhata (Foot-soldier; Pawn)

Chaturanga

254

1
a

Chaturanga: The position of the pieces at the start of a game.[1] Note that the Rjas do not face each other; the white
Rja starts on e1 and the black Rja on d8.
a

1
a

Ashtpada, the uncheckered 8x8 board, sometimes with special marks, on which Chaturanga was played.
Chaturanga (Sanskrit caturaga ) is an ancient Indian game that is presumed to be the common ancestor of the
games of chess, shogi, and makruk, and related to xiangqi and janggi.
Chaturanga developed in Gupta India around the 6th century. In the 7th century, it was adopted as Shatranj in
Sassanid Persia, which in turn was the form that brought chess to late-medieval Europe (see Origins of chess for
more information on the ancestry of chess.)
The exact rules of Chaturanga are not known. Chess historians suppose that the game had similar rules to those of its
successor Shatranj. In particular, there is uncertainty as to the moves of the Gaja (elephant), the precursor of the
Bishop in modern chess.

Chaturanga

255

History
Sanskrit caturaga is a bahuvrihi compound, meaning "having four limbs or parts" and in epic poetry often means
"army".[2] The name itself comes from a battle formation mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata, referring to four
divisions of an army, viz. elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry.
Chaturanga was played on an 8x8 uncheckered board, called Ashtpada [3]. The board had some special marks, the
meaning of which is unknown today. These marks were not related to chaturanga, but were drawn on the board only
by tradition. The great chess historian Murray has conjectured that the Ashtpada was also used for some old race
type dice game, perhaps similar to Chowka bhara, in which these marks had a meaning.
An early reference to an ancient Indian board game is sometimes attributed to Subandhu in his Vasavadatta (c. AD
450):
The time of the rains played its game with frogs for pieces [nayadyutair] yellow and green in color, as if
mottled by lac, leapt up on the black field squares.
The colors are not those of the two camps, but mean that the frogs have a two-tone dress, yellow and green.
Banabhatta's Harsha Charitha (c. 625) contains the earliest reference to the name Chaturanga:
Under this monarch, only the bees quarreled to collect the dew; the only feet cut off were those of
measurements, and only from Ashtpada one could learn how to draw up a Chaturanga, there was no
cutting-off of the four limbs of condemned criminals....
While there is little doubt that Ashtpada is the gaming board of 8x8 squares, the double meaning of Chaturanga, as
the four folded army, may be controversial. There is a probability that the ancestor of Chess was mentioned there.

Pieces
Raja (King) - Moves like the King in chess, as in Shatranj.
Mantri (Minister); also known as Senapati (General) - Moves one
square diagonally, like the Fers in Shatranj.
Ratha (Chariot); also spelled akata - Moves like the Rook in
chess, as in Shatranj.
Gaja (Elephant) - Three different moves are described in ancient
literature:
1. Two squares in any diagonal direction, jumping over one square,
as the Alfil in Shatranj.

Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga on an 8x8

Ashtpada.

The same move is used for the Boat in a four-handed version

of Chaturangam, Chaturaji.[4]
The Elephant in Xiangqi (Chinese chess) has the same move, but without jumping. (The name Elephant is
used for a fairy chess piece with this move: a (2, 2) leaper, but one that cannot jump over an intervening
piece.)
2. One square forward or one square in any diagonal direction
This is the same move as the Silver General in Shogi.
In Makruk (Thai chess) and Sittuyin (Burmese chess) the elephant moves in the same way.
This move was described ca. 1030 by Biruni in his India book.
3. Two squares in any orthogonal direction, jumping over one square. (In modern chess, the rook moves
orthogonally.)
A piece with such a move is called a Dabbbah [5] in some chess variants. This move was described by the
Arabic chess master al-Adli [6] ca. 840 in his (partly lost) chess work. (The Arabic word dabbbah in
former times meant a covered siege engine for attacking walled fortifications, and nowadays means "army

Chaturanga

256
tank").

The German historian Johannes Kohtz (18431918) suggests, rather, that this was the earliest move of
the Ratha. [7]
Ashva (Horse); also spelled Ashwa, Asva - Moves like the Knight in chess, as in Shatranj. (This is the distinctive
move that marks a game as a likely descendant of Chaturanga.)
Padti/Bhata (Foot-soldier); also spelled Pedati, Bhata; also known as Sainik (Warrior)Moves like the Pawn
in chess, as in Shatranj.
Al-Adli also mentions two further differences from Shatranj:
Stalemate was a win for a stalemated player. This rule appeared again in some medieval chess variations in
England ca. 1600. According to some sources, there was no stalemate, though this is improbable.
The player that is first to bare the opponent's king (capture all the pieces except the king) wins. In Shatranj this is
also a win, but only if the opponent cannot bare the player's king on the next move in return.

References
[1] "The History Of Chess" (http:/ / www. thechesszone. com/ history_of_chess). ChessZone. . Retrieved 29 March 2011.
[2] Meri 2005: 148
[3] http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ ashtapada. htm
[4] W. Borsodi, etc. (1898). American Chess Magazine (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=I_4LAAAAYAAJ& pg=RA1-PA262&
dq="Horse+ ship"#PRA1-PA262,M1). Original from Harvard University. pp.262. .
[5] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ piececlopedia. dir/ dabbabah. html
[6] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20091028083454/ http:/ / www. geocities. com/ SiliconValley/ Lab/ 7378/ aladli. htm
[7] http:/ / www. goddesschess. com/ chessays/ calvognosis2. html

Further reading

A History of Chess, H.J.R. Murray (1913), ISBN 0-936317-01-9.

The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, D.B. Pritchard (1994), ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.
The Oxford History of Board Games, David Parlett (1999) ISBN 0-19-212998-8.
Games Ancient and Oriental and How to Play Them, Edward Falkener (1892, re-issued 1961) ISBN
0-486-20739-0
Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1992), The Oxford Companion to Chess (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press,
ISBN0-19-280049-3
Davidson, Henry (1949), A Short History of Chess, McKay, ISBN0-679-14550-8 (1981 paperback)

External links
Chaturanga, from Chess Variants (http://www.chessvariants.org/historic.dir/chaturanga.html)
Software including the different historical rules variants (http://www.chaturanga.org/)

Sessa

257

Sessa
Sessa (or Sissa) was a legendary vellalar and
creatorlaskerbook of the game of chess ancestor,
chaturanga.

References
1. Edward Lasker (1959). Adventure of Chess, Dover.

The vellalar Sessa creating Chaturanga (by Brazilian artist Thiago

Cruz, 2007).

Chaturaji

258

Chaturaji
a

1
a

Chaturaji, starting position. Pieces with different colors were used for each of four players.
Chaturaji (means "four kings", also known as "Choupat", IAST Caup, IPA:[tpa]) is a four player chess-like
game. It was first described in detail circa 1030 by Biruni in his India book.[1] Originally, this was a game of chance:
the pieces to be moved were decided by rolling two dice. A diceless variant of the game was still played in India at
the close of the 19th century.

History
The ancient Indian epic Mahabharata contains a reference to a game, which could be Chaturaji:[2]
Presenting myself as a Brahmana, Kanka by name, skilled in dice and fond of play, I shall become a courtier
of that high-souled king. And moving upon chess-boards beautiful pawns made of ivory, of blue and yellow
and red and white hue, by throws of black and red dice. I shall entertain the king with his courtiers and friends.
However, there is no certainty whether the mentioned game is really a chess-like game like Chaturaji, or a race game
like Pachisi.
Captain Cox and professor Forbes put forth a theory (the Cox-Forbes theory), that Chaturaji is a predecessor of
Chaturanga and hence the ancestor of modern chess. An even stronger version of this theory was put forward by
Prof. Stewart Culin.[3] However, this theory was rejected by Murray,[1] modern scholars siding with Murray.

Rules
Piece moves

Chaturaji

259

1
a

Boat move. The boat at f6 can move to any of the four squares marked with a cross.
The game is played with pieces of four different colors as shown in the diagram. Each player has four pieces on the
back rank with four pawns in front of them on the second rank. The four pieces are king, elephant, horse and boat (or
ship in some sources). The king moves like the chess king, the elephant like the chess rook and the horse like the
chess knight. The boat corresponds to the chess bishop but has a more restricted range, like the alfil in Shatranj. The
boat moves two squares diagonally in any direction as shown in the diagram, jumping over the intervening square.
Note that this differs from most ancient chess-like games where it is the elephant which normally corresponds to the
chess bishop.
The pawn also moves as in chess, but does not have the option of an initial double-square move. Each of the four
players' pawns moves and captures in a different direction along the board, as one would expect from the initial
player's setup. For example, the red pawns which start on the g-file above move left across the board, promoting on
the a-file. Also, the pawn's promotion rules are different; one must promote to the piece that starts on the same file
(or rank) of the promotion square (king included) and one can promote only after one's piece of that type has been
captured.

Boat triumph
a

1
a

Chaturaji
Boat triumph rule. Green boat c3 can capture all other boats by moving to e5. All boats shown belong to different
players.
When a boat moves in such a way that a 2x2 square filled with boats is formed, it captures all three boats of other
players (see diagram). This rule is called boat triumph.

Dice throws
On each turn two dice are thrown. Usually oblong (four sided) stick dice were used. Players were allowed to throw
the dice in the air and catch them, exercising some control over the outcome. However, playing with cubic dice is
also possible. Pieces to be moved are determined by dice numbers (note that the stick dice didn't have 1 and 6):

1 or 5 - pawn or king
2 - boat
3 - knight
4 or 6 - elephant

On each turn two moves may be made, one for each die. The same or two different pieces may be moved, and the
player may skip one or both of his moves if desired.

Scoring
There is no check or checkmate. The king can be captured like any other piece. The goal of the game is to collect as
many points as possible. Points are scored by capturing opponents' pieces, according to this scale:

pawn - 1
boat - 2
knight - 3
elephant - 4
king - 5.

A score of 54 points is awarded to a player who manages to capture all three opponents' kings while his own king
remains on the board. This value is a sum of points of all pieces in three armies.

References
[1] Murray, H.J.R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN0-936-317-01-9.
[2] Mahabharata, Book 4, Section 1 (http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/ hin/ m04/ m04001. htm)
[3] Four-Handed Chaturanga (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ chaturanga. htm) by Jean-Louis Cazaux.

Further reading
D.B. Pritchard (1994). The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (p.48-49). ISBN 0-9524142-0-1.

External links
Chaturanga for four players (http://www.chessvariants.org/historic.dir/chaturang4.html) by Hans
Bodlaender.
Chaturaji software (http://Chaturanga.net), including multi-media encyclopedia with Cox-Forbes theory.
4-handed Chaturanga with dice (http://hem.passagen.se/melki9/4chaturanga.htm) implementation for Zillions
of Games.

260

Shatranj

261

Shatranj
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)
Shatranj (Devanagari: , Persian: )is an old
form of chess, which came to the Western world from
India. Modern chess has gradually developed from this
game.

Iranian shatranj set, glazed fritware, 12th century. New York

Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Etymology and origins

a

1
a

Shatranj: The position of the pieces at the start of a game. Note that the Shahs face each other, either in the d-file (as
shown) or the e-file.
The word shatranj is derived from the Sanskrit chaturanga
(catu="four", anga="arm"). In Middle Persian the word appears as
chatrang, with the 'u' lost due to syncope and the 'a' lost to apocope,
e.g., in the title of the text Mdayn chatrang ("Book of Chess") from
the 7th century AD. In Persian folk etymology, the word is sometimes
re-bracketed as sad ("hundred") + ranj ("worries"), which might appear
quite meaningful to players. The word was adapted into Arabic as
shatranj, and then into the Portuguese xadrez, Spanish ajedrez, and
Greek ; but English chess and check come via French checs
(Old French eschecs) from Persian ( shh = "king").

Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga on an 8x8

Ashtpada.

Shatranj

262

The game came to Persia from India in the early centuries of the Christian Era (Common Era). The earliest Persian
reference to shatranj is found in the Middle Persian book Karnamak-i Artaxshir-i Papakan, which was written
between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD (Common Era). This ancient Persian text refers to Shah Ardashir I, who ruled
from 224241, as a master of the game:[1]
By the help of Providence Ardeshir became more victorious and warlike than all, on the polo and the
riding-ground, at Chatrang and Vine-Artakhshir, and in several other arts.
However, Karnamak contains many fables and legends, and this only establishes the popularity of chatrang at the
time of its composition.[2]

Iranian shatranj
set, glazed
fritware, 12th
century. New
York
Metropolitan
Museum of
Art.

Persian manuscript from the 14th century

describing how an ambassador from India
brought chess to the Persian court.

Shams-e-Tabrz
as portrayed in a
1500 painting in
a page of a copy
of Rumi's poem
dedicated to
Shams.

During the reign of the later Sassanid king Khosrau I (531579), a gift from an Indian king (possibly a Maukhari
Dynasty king of Kannauj)[3] included a chess game with sixteen pieces of emerald and sixteen of ruby (green vs.
red).[2] The game came with a challenge which was successfully resolved by Khosrau's courtiers. This incident,
originally referred to in the Mdayn chatrang (c. 620 AD), is also mentioned in Firdausi's Shahnama (c. 1010
AD).
The rules of Chaturanga seen in India today have enormous variation, but all involve four branches (angas) of the
army: the horse, the elephant (bishop), the chariot (rook) and the foot-soldier (pawn), played on a 8x8 board.
Shatranj adapted much of the same rules as Chaturanga, and also the basic 16 piece structure. In some later variants
the darker squares were engraved. The game spread Westwards after the Islamic conquest of Persia and achieved
great popularity and a considerable body of literature on game tactics and strategy was produced from the 8th c.
onwards.
With the spread of Islam, chess diffused into the Maghreb and then to Andalusian Spain. During the Islamic
conquest of India (c.12th c.), some forms came back to India as well, as evidenced in the N. Indian term mt (mate,
derivaative from Persian mt) or the Bengali borey (pawn, presumed der. Arabic baidaq).[4] Over the following
centuries, chess became popular in Europe eventually giving rise to modern chess.

Rules

Shatranj

263

Shatranj pieces
Shah (King)
Fers or Wazr (Counsellor)
Rukh (Chariot or Rook)
"Pl" in Persian and "al-Fl" in Arabic (Elephant)
Asb (Horse in Persian) or Knight
Sarbaz (piyadeh) (Pawn)

Fers. A move diagram for the fers.

Pl, Alfil, Aufin, and similar. A move diagram for a Pl. This piece can jump over other pieces.
The initial setup in shatranj was essentially the same as in modern chess. However the position of the white shah
(king), on the right or left side was not fixed. Either the arrangement as in modern chess or as shown on the diagram
above were possible. In either case, however, the white and black shh would be on the same file (but not always in
modern India). The game was played with these pieces:
Shh (king) moves like the king in chess.
Fers (counsellor; also spelled ferz; Arabic firz, from Persian farzn ; also called Wazr) moves exactly one
square diagonally, which makes it a rather weak piece. It was renamed "queen" in Europe. Even today, the word
for the queen piece is (ferz) in Russian, vezr in Hungarian and "vazr" in Persian. It has analogues to the
guards in xiangqi and Gold Generals in shogi.
Rukh (chariot; from Persian rokh) moves like the rook in chess.
Pl, Alfil, Aufin, and similar (elephant; from Persian pl; al- is the Arabic for "the") moves exactly two squares
diagonally, jumping over the square between. Each Pl could reach only one-eighth of the squares on the board,
and because their circuits were disjoint, they could never capture one another. This piece might have had a
different move sometimes in chaturanga, where the piece is also called "elephant". The Pl was replaced by the
bishop in modern chess. Even today, the word for the bishop piece is alfil in Spanish, alfiere in Italian, "fl" in
Persian and (which means elephant) in Russian. The elephant piece survives in xiangqi with the limitations
that the elephant in xiangqi cannot jump over an intervening piece and is restricted to the owner's half of the

Shatranj
board. In janggi, its movement was changed to become a slightly further-reaching version of the horse.
Faras (horse, from Arabic; Persian asp) moves like the knight in chess.
Baidaq (from Arabic from Persian piyda, foot-soldier, by adapting the Persian word as Arabic baydiq,
which was treated as a broken plural from which was extracted an apparent singular baidaq) moves and captures
like the pawns in chess, but not moving two squares on the first move. When they reach the eighth rank, baidaqs
are promoted, but only to fers.
Pieces are shown on the diagrams and recorded in the notation using the equivalent modern symbols, as in the table
above. In modern descriptions of shatranj, the names king, rook, knight and pawn are commonly used for shah, rukh,
faras, and baidaq.
There were also other differences compared to modern chess: Castling was not allowed (it was invented much later).
Stalemating the opposing king resulted in a win for the player delivering stalemate. Capturing all one's opponent's
pieces apart from the king (baring the king) was a win, unless your opponent could capture your last piece on his or
her next move, then in most parts of the Islamic world it was a draw, but in Medina it was a win.[2]

History
Early Arabic shatranj literature
During the Golden Age of Arabic, many works on shatranj were written, recording for the first time the analysis of
opening games, chess problems, the knight's tour, and many more subjects common in modern chess books. Many of
these manuscripts are missing, but their content is known due to compilation work done by the later authors.[2]
The earliest listing of works on chess is in the Fihrist, a general bibliography produced in 377 AH (988 CE) by Ibn
al-Nadim. It includes an entire section on the topic of chess, listing:

Al-Adli's Kitab ash-shatranj ('Book of chess')

Ar-Razi's Latif fi'sh-shatranj ('Elegance in chess')
As-Suli's Kitab ash-shatranj (two volumes)
Al-Lajlaj's Kitab mansubat ash-shatranj ('Book of chess-positions or problems')
B. Aliqlidisi's Kitab majmu'fi mansubat ash-shatranj ('Collection of chess problems')

There is a passage referring to chess in a work said to be by Hasan, a philosopher from Basra who died in 728 CE.
However the attribution of authorship is dubious.

Player classification
Al-Adli as well as as-Suli introduced classifications of players by their playing strength. Both of them specify 5
classes of players:
Aliyat (or aliya), grandees
Mutaqaribat, proximes - players who could win 2-4 games out of 10 in the match against grandee. They received
odds of a pawn from grandee (better players g-, a- or h-pawn, weaker ones d- or e-pawn).
Third class - players who received odds of a fers from grandee.
Fourth class - received odds of a knight.
Fifth class - received odds of a rook.
To determine his or her class, a player would play a series or match with a player of a known class without odds. If
he won 7 or more games out of 10, he belonged to a higher class.

264

Shatranj

265

Famous players
During the reign of the Arab caliphs, shatranj players of highest class were called aliyat or grandees.[2] There were
only a very few players in this category. The most well known of them were:
Jabir al-Kufi, Rabrab and Abun-Naam were three aliyat players during the rule of caliph al-Ma'mun.
Al-Adli was the strongest player during the rule of caliph al-Wathiq. At this time he was the only player in aliyat
category.
Ar-Razi in 847 won a match against an already old al-Adli in the presence of caliph al-Mutawakkil and so
become a player of aliyat category.
As-Suli was the strongest player during the reign of caliph al-Muktafi. Ar-Razi was already dead and there were
no players of comparable strength before as-Suli appeared on the scene. In the presence of al-Muktafi he easily
won a match against a certain al-Mawardi and thus proved that he was the best player of that time. As-Suli
considered Rabrab and ar-Razi as the greatest of his predecessors.
Al-Lajlaj was a pupil of as-Suli and also a great shatranj master of his time.

Game play
Openings
a

1
a

Mujannah - Mashaikhi opening. In opening shatranj players usually tried to reach a specific position, tabiya.
Openings in shatranj were usually called tabbiyya( pl. tabbiyyaat), which can be translated as battle array.
Due to slow piece development in shatranj, the exact sequence of moves was relatively unimportant. Instead players
aimed to reach a specific position, tabiya, mostly ignoring the play of their opponent.
The works of al-Adli and as-Suli contain collections of tabiyat. Tabiyat were usually given as position on a
half-board with some comments about them. The concrete sequence of moves to reach them was not specified. In his
book Al-Lajlaj analyzed some tabiya in detail. He started his analysis from some given opening, for example
"Double Mujannah" or "Mujannah - Mashaikhi", and then continued up to move 40., giving numerous variations.

Shatranj

266

Piece values
Both al-Adli and as-Suli provided estimation of piece values in their books on shatranj. They used a monetary
system to specify piece values. For example, as-Suli gives piece values in dirhem, the currency in use in his time:[2]
Piece

Value
1 dirhem

Rook
2/3 dirhem
Knight
1/3 - 3/8 dirhem
Fers
1/4 dirhem
Alfil
1/4 dirhem
Central pawn (d-, or e-pawn)
1/6 - 1/5 dirhem
Knight's or Alfil's pawn (b-, c-, f-, or g-pawn)
1/8 dirhem
Rook's pawn (a- or h-pawn)

As-Suli also believed that the b-pawn was better than the f-pawn and King's side Alfil (on the c-file) was better than
Queen's side one (on the f-file). Furthemore, an Alfil on the c-file was better than the d-pawn and the Alfil on the
f-file was better than an e-pawn.

Mansubat
Dilaram Problem,
ca. 10th century
a

1
a

White to move and win. This is a typical example of a shatranj problem, Mansuba.
Persian chess masters composed many shatranj problems. Such shatranj problems were called mansba (pl.
mansbt). This word can be translated from Arabic as arrangement, position or situation. Mansubat were typically
composed in such a way that a win could be achieved as a sequence of checks. One's own king was usually
threatened by immediate checkmate.
One of the most famous Mansuba is the Dilaram Problem shown at the right. Black threatens immediate checkmate
by 1...Ra2 or Ra8. However, white can win with a two-rook sacrifice:

Shatranj

267
1. Rh8+ Kxh8; 2. Bf5+ Kg8; 3. Rh8+ Kxh8; 4. g7+ Kg8; 5. Nh6#. or
1. Rh8+ Kxh8; 2. Bf5+ Rh2; 3. Rxh2+ Kg8; 4. Rh8+ Kxh8; 5. g7+ Kg8; 6. Nh6#.

Note that the Alfil (bishop) moves two squares diagonally, jumping over intermediate pieces; this allows it to jump
over the white knight to deliver the discovered check from the second rook with 2.Bf5+. It was said that a nobleman
wagered (playing white) his wife Dilrm on a chess game, and this position arose, and she appealed "Sacrifice your
two Rooks, and not me."[5]

References
[1] Unknown court historian of the Sassanid Empire (before 628AD). The Karnamik-I-Ardashir, or The Records of Ardashir. http:/ / www.
fordham. edu/ halsall/ ancient/ ardashir. html. Note: Vine-Artakhsir is a reference to the game later known as Nard, a predecessor of
Backgammon.
[2] Murray, H.J.R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN0-936-317-01-9.
[3] Jean-Louis Cazaux (12 March 2004). "The Enigma of Chess birth: The Old Texts: 6th, 7th and 8th centuries" (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/
sources. htm). . Retrieved 14 July 2007.
[4] Jean-Louis Cazaux (16 June 2006). "Indian Chess Sets" (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ india. htm). . Retrieved 14 July 2007.
[5] A History of Chess, bottom of p.311, by H.J.R.Murray, publ. Oxford at the Clarendon Press.

External links
Shatranj, the medieval Arabian Chess (http://history.chess.free.fr/shatranj.htm) by Jean-Louis Cazaux.
Shatranj (http://www.chessvariants.com/historic.dir/shatranj.html) by Hans L. Bodlaender
The Time of Shatranj and the Aliyat (http://www.schemingmind.com/journalarticle.aspx?article_id=3&
page=1) by Miguel Villa.
ICC Shatranj rules (http://www.chessclub.com/help/shatranj)

Abu Bakr bin Yahya al-Suli

Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Yahya al-Suli (c. 880 946) was a nadim (boon companion) of successive Abbasid
caliphs. He was noted for his poetry and scholarship and wrote a chronicle called Akhbar al-Radi wa'l-Muttaqi,
detailing the reigns of the caliphs al-Radi and al-Muttaqi. He was a legendary shatranj (an ancestor of chess) player,
still remembered to this day.
Upon the death of al-Radi in 940, al-Suli fell into disfavour with the new ruler due to his sympathies towards Shi'a
Islam and as a result had to go into exile at Basra, where he spent the rest of his life in poverty. Al-Suli's
great-grandfather was the Turkish prince Sul-takin and his uncle the poet Ibrahim ibn al-'Abbas as-Suli.

Akhbar al-Radi wa'l-Muttaqi

Al-Suli's chronicle has long been in the shadow of more famous chronicles such as those of al-Mas'udi and
Miskawayh, perhaps because al-Suli was seen as a nadim and not a serious scholar. However, the account in
significant for offering an eyewitness account of the transition to Buyid rule. It was during al-Radi's caliphate in 936
that the position of "amir al-umara" was created, which allowed for the transfer of executive power from the caliph
to an "amir", a position that the Buyids later used to establish a new dynasty alongside the Abbasids. After this point,
the Abbasids never regained their full power. However, al-Suli's account makes it clear that not all power was
transferred to the amirs. He treats the period as a time of crisis, but not the end of the Abbasid caliphate.

Abu Bakr bin Yahya al-Suli

268

Chess
Al-Suli came to prominence as a shatranj player sometime in between 902 and 908 when he beat al-Mawardi, the
court shatranj champion of al-Muktafi, the Caliph of Baghdad. Al-Mawardi was so thoroughly beaten he fell from
favour, and was replaced by al-Suli. After al-Muktafi's death, al-Suli remained in the favour of the succeeding ruler,
al-Muqtadir and in turn ar-Radi.
Al-Suli's shatranj-playing ability became legendary and he is still considered one of the best Arab players of all time.
His biographer ben Khalliken, who died in 1282, said that even in his lifetime great shatranj players were said to
play like al-Suli. Documentary evidence from his lifetime is limited, but the endgames of some of the matches he
played are still in existence. His skill in blindfold chess was also mentioned by contemporaries. Al-Suli also taught
shatranj. His most well known pupil is al-Lajlaj ("the stammerer").
One of his most prominent achievements is his book, Kitab Ash-Shatranj (Book of Chess), which was the first
scientific book ever written on chess strategy. It contained information on common chess openings, standard
problems in middle game, and annotated end games. It also contains the first known description of the knight's tour
problem. Many later European writers based their work on modern chess on al-Suli's work. Apart from his chess
book he also wrote several historical books.

Al-Suli's Diamond
a

1
a

White to move, White wins

This ancient position is so difficult that there is no one in the world who would be able to solve it, except those I have taught to do so. I doubt
whether anyone did this before me.
This was said by al-Suli.

[1]

12th century manuscript from the library of Sultan Abdul Hamid

al-Suli created a shatranj problem called "al-Suli's Diamond" that went unsolved for over a thousand years.[2] David
Hooper and Ken Whyld studied this problem in the mid-1980s but were unable to crack it. It was finally solved by
Russian Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh.[1] [3]
As this is a shatranj, the "queen" (counsellor) is a very weak piece, able to move only a single square diagonally. It is
also possible to win in shatranj by capturing all pieces except the king.
The solution given is 1. Kb4 in Hans Ree's "The Human Comedy of Chess".

Abu Bakr bin Yahya al-Suli

269

Notes
[1] Damsky, Yakov (2005), The Book of Chess Records, Batsford, pp.166167, ISBN0-7134-8946-4
[2] Shenk, David, The Immortal Game: A History of Chess
[3] Ree, Hans (2000), The Human Comedy of Chess, Access Publishers Network

References
Robert Charles Bell (1980). Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations. ISBN 0-486-23855-5.
Leder, S. "al-Suli, Abu Bakr Muhammad." Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Edited by: P. Bearman , Th.
Bianquis , C.E. Bosworth , E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2008. Brill Online.
H.J.R. Murray (1913). A History of Chess. ISBN 0-936317-01-9.

Tamerlane chess
Tamerlane chess is a strategic board
game related to chess and derived from
shatranj. It was developed in Persia
during the reign of Timur, also called
Tamerlane (13361405). Some sources
attribute the game's invention to Timur,
but this is by no means certain. Because
Tamerlane Chess is a larger variant of
shatranj, it is also called Shatranj Kamil
(perfect chess) or Shatranj Al-Kabir
(large chess). It is distinctive in that
there are multiple varieties of pawn,
each of which promotes in its own way.

The board
Tamerlane chess starting board

A Tamerlane chess board is made up of

110 uncheckered squares arranged in a 10x11 pattern. Additional squares protrude from the left side on the ninth row
and from the right side on the second row. These extra squares are called citadels. When the opposing king occupies
a player's citadel, the game is declared a draw. No piece other than a king may occupy a citadel.
There are several ways for an opening setup to be arranged. A common one is as follows: White's side, bottom row,
from the left- Elephant, Space, Camel, Space, War Machine, Space, War Machine, Space, Camel, Space, Elephant.
Second Row from the left- rook, knight, picket, giraffe, general, king, vizir, giraffe, picket, knight, rook. Third row
from the left- pawn of pawns, pawn of war engines, pawn of camels, pawn of elephants, pawn of generals, pawn of
kings, pawn of vizirs, pawn of giraffes, pawn of pickets, pawn of knights, pawn of rooks. Black's side mirrors
white's.

Tamerlane chess

Pieces
Anglicised versions of piece names are used here.

King - Moves as a traditional King

General - Moves one square diagonally
Vizir - Moves one square horizontally or vertically
Giraffe - Moves one square diagonally and then a minimum of three squares horizontally or vertically
Picket - Moves as a Bishop in traditional chess, but must move a minimum of two squares
Knight - Moves as a knight in traditional chess
Rook - Moves as a rook in traditional chess
Elephant - Moves two squares diagonally and is unobstructed by pieces in between
Camel - Moves two diagonally and two straight, unobstructed by pieces in between
War Engine - Moves two horizontally or vertically, unobstructed by pieces in between
Pawns - Move as pawns in traditional chess, but with no initial double move or en passant capture. Every piece
(including the pawn) has a corresponding pawn. Hence; Pawn of Kings, Pawn of Vizirs, Pawn of Giraffes, etc.

Promotion rules
Upon reaching the last rank on the board, a pawn is promoted to its corresponding piece. Thus, Pawn of Giraffes
becomes a Giraffe, etc. Exceptions to this are the Pawn of Kings and Pawn of Pawns. A Pawn of Kings becomes a
Prince, which must be mated or taken before the opponent can win. It moves as a king.
When the Pawn of Pawns reaches the last rank, it stays there and cannot be taken. As soon as a situation develops
where the opponent cannot escape losing a piece to a pawn, or where a pawn may attack two opposing units at the
same time, the player must move his/her pawn to that location. Upon the second promotion of this pawn, it moves to
the starting point of the Pawn of Kings. Upon the third promotion it becomes an adventitious king, which acts as a
prince.

Other rules
When multiple kings are held, they may be captured as normal pieces. When only one king remains it must be
checkmated. Once during the game a player may exchange a checked king for another non-royal piece. A player may
move into check if he holds multiple kings. The adventitious king is the only piece that may move into a player's
own citadel. This is often done to prevent the opponent from entering.

External links

Tamerlane chess [1]

Play Tamerlane Chess [2]
Timur's Chess [3]
more details and history on Tamerlane Chess [4]

270

Tamerlane chess

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ historic. dir/ tamerlane. html

http:/ / www. pathguy. com/ chess/ Tamerlan. htm
http:/ / filer. case. edu/ org/ cwrums/ games/ tamerlane. html
http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ tamerlane. htm

Hiashatar
Hiashatar is a medieval chess variant played in Mongolia. The game is played on a 10 x 10 board. The pieces are
the same as in chess with the exception that there is an additional piece which is called the "bodyguard".[1] [2] The
game is not as popular as western chess or Shatar.

Pieces
King (noyon) - moves like the King in chess
Queen (bers) - moves like the Queen in chess
Bodyguard (hia) - moves like a Queen, but can only move one or two squares. The Bodyguard has a special
power; any piece sliding must stop its move if it moves through any square a king's move away from the
bodyguard. Any piece a king's move away from the bodyguard can only move one square. The only piece
immune to this power of the Bodyguard is the Knight.
Rook (tereg) - moves like the rook in chess
Knight (mori) - moves like the Knight in chess
Bishop (teme) - moves like the Bishop in chess
Pawn (fu) - moves like the pawn in chess except that it can make an initial triple step.

Other Rules
There is no castling
Pawns promote only to queen

References
N. Okano, Sekai-no meina shogi (World's chess games), p.40-46, chapter V. 1999.
[1] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20080703142230/ http:/ / www. geocities. com/ kisslook/ eng/ mongeng. html
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ msdisplay. php?itemid=MLhiashatar

271

Senterej

Senterej
Senterej (or Ethiopian chess) is a chess variant, the form of chess traditionally played in Ethiopia. It is the last
popular survival of shatranj.[1]

Rules
The board is not checkered, merely marked into squares; it is usually a red cloth, marked by strips of black. Each
king stands just to the right of the centerline from its player's point of view. It moves one step in any direction. At its
left stands the ferz, moving one square diagonally. (One source says it moves one step in any direction, but may only
capture diagonally. There may have been regional variations.) On their flanks stands a piece called the fil. This is the
alfil, leaping diagonally to the second square distant. Beside these stand the horses, moving as knights. In the corners
stand the rooks. The second rank is filled with pawns, which move one step forward and capture one square
diagonally forward. There is no double first move, and therefore no capture en passant. A pawn reaching the farthest
rank is promoted to ferz (one source says, to the rank of any piece already lost).
In Senterej both sides start playing at the same time without waiting for turns. The phase before first capture is called
the Mobilization Phase, or werera. Both players may move their pieces as many times as they like without concern
for the number of moves the opponent makes. During this phase the players watch each other's moves, and retract
their own and substitute others as they think best. They only start to take turns after the First Capture.
The play was much more sociable than Europe is used to, with all the bystanders (even, in the old days, slaves)
calling out their notions of useful plays and moving the pieces about to demonstrate.
The rules and customs surrounding checkmate are numerous. Dealing the fatal blow with a rook or knight was
considered inartistic. Delivering the fatal stroke with a ferz or fil is more respectable; with a combination of pawns,
even more praiseworthy. A king denuded of all pieces cannot be mated. A king with only a single piece supporting
him (pawns do not count, in this case or the previous one) can only be mated before that piece has moved seven
times.[2]

Advantages
Senterej creates randomized initial chess positions, which make the memorizing chess opening sequences far less
helpful.

References
[1] Pritchard, D. (2007). The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants. John Beasley. ISBN 978-0955516801., p. 247
[2] This account of the rules is taken from Murray, H. J. R., A History of Chess, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1913, pages 362364.

External links
Senterej, the Ethiopian Chess (http://history.chess.free.fr/senterej.htm)
Senterej Ethiopian Chess with a flying start (http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5321) by
Dr. Ren Gralla
A Note on Ethiopian Chess (http://tezeta.net/25/a-note-on-ethiopian-chess) by Dr. Richard Pankhurst
Kaiserin setzte ein Korps matt (Neues Deutschland) (http://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/143861.
kaiserin-setzte-ein-korps-matt.html) (German)

272

Lewis chessmen

273

Lewis chessmen
Lewis Chessmen

Lewis chessmen in the British Museum

Material

Walrus Ivory

Created

12th century

Discovered

Uig, Lewis in 1831

Present location

British Museum Museum of Scotland

The Lewis Chessmen (or Uig Chessmen, named after the bay where they were found) are a group of 78
12th-century chess pieces, most of which are carved in walrus ivory. Discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the
Outer Hebrides, Scotland,[1] they may constitute some of the few complete, surviving medieval chess sets, although
it is not clear if a set as originally made can be assembled from the pieces. They are owned and exhibited by the
British Museum in London, which has 67 of the original pieces, and the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, which
has the remaining 11 pieces.

Lewis chessmen

Origin
The chessmen were probably made in Norway, perhaps by craftsmen in
Trondheim, in the 12th century,[2] although some scholars have suggested
other sources in the Nordic countries.[3] During that period the Outer
Hebrides, along with other major groups of Scottish islands, were ruled by
Norway.[2]
According to Dr. Alex Woolf, director of the Institute for Medieval Studies
of the University of St. Andrews, there are a number of reasons for
believing the chess pieces probably came from Trondheim: a broken queen
piece in a similar style found in an excavation of the archbishop's palace (it
appeared the piece was broken as it was being made), the presence of
wealthy people in Trondheim able to pay craftsmen for the high-quality
pieces, similar carving in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, the excavation
in Trondheim of a kite-shaped shield similar to shields on some of the
pieces and a king piece of similar design found on Hitra Island, near the
mouth of Trondheim Fjord. Woolf has said that the armour worn by the
chess figures includes "perfect" reproductions of armour worn at the time in
Norway.[4]
Some historians believe that the Lewis chessmen were hidden (or lost) after
some mishap occurred during their carriage from Norway to wealthy Norse
"Beserker" rook, at the British Museum in
towns on the east coast of Ireland, like Dublin. The large number of pieces
London
and their lack of wear may suggest they were the stock of a trader or dealer
in such pieces.[2] Along with the chess pieces, there were 14 plain round tablemen for the game of tables and one belt
buckle, all made of ivory, making a total of 93 artifacts.[5]
Another possibility, put forward by Icelanders Gudmundur G. Thorarinsson and Einar S. Einarsson, is that the
chessmen originated in Iceland.[6] The pair claim that the most important indicator of Icelandic origins is the
presence of bishops among the Lewis Chessmen such pieces first being used in Iceland. However this is disputed
by Woolf, who stated that the use of bishops originated in England.[4]
The Icelandic hypothesis has been strongly challenged by chess historian and member of the Ken Whyld
Association,[7] Morten Lilleren, who has written an article entitled "The Lewis Chessmen Were Never Anywhere
Near Iceland!"[8]

Description
Almost all of the pieces in the collection are carved from walrus ivory, with a few made instead from whale teeth.
The 78 pieces consist of 8 kings, 8 queens, 16 bishops, 15 knights, 12 rooks and 19 pawns. The heights of the pawns
range from 3.5 to 5.8 cm while the major pieces are between 7 and 10.2 cm. Although there are 19 pawns (a
complete set requires 16), they have the greatest range of sizes of all the pieces, which has suggested that the 78
pieces might belong to at least 5 sets.[9] All the pieces are sculptures of human figures, with the exception of the
pawns, which are smaller, geometric shapes. The knights are mounted on rather diminutive horses and are shown
holding spears and shields. The rooks are standing soldiers or warders holding a shield and sword; four of the rooks
are shown as wild-eyed berserkers biting their shields with battle fury.[10] Some pieces bore traces of red stain when
found, indicating that red and white were used to distinguish the two sides, rather than the black and white used in
modern chess.[4]

274

Lewis chessmen

275
Scholars have observed that, to the modern eye, the figural pieces, with
their bulging eyes and glum expressions, have a distinct comical
character.[11] [12] This is especially true of the single rook with a worried,
sideways glance (front left of first image below) and the beserkers biting
their shields which have been called "irresistibly comic to a modern
audience."[13] It is believed, however, that the comic or sad expressions
were not intended or perceived as such by the makers to whom these images
instead displayed strength, ferocity or, in the case of the queens who hold
their heads with a hand, "contemplation, repose and possibly wisdom."[11]

Modern discovery
The chessmen were discovered in early 1831 in a sand bank at the head of
Camas Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of
Scotland. There are various local stories concerning their arrival and
modern discovery on Lewis.

The Lewis chessmen

top: king, queen, bishop
middle: knight, rook, pawn
bottom: closeup of queen (resin replicas)

Malcolm "Sprot" Macleod from the nearby township of Pennydonald

discovered the trove in a small stone kist in a dune, exhibited them briefly
in his byre and sold them on to Captain Roderick Ryrie.[14] One reported
detail, that it was a cow that actually unearthed the stash, is generally
discounted in Uig as fabrication. Malcolm Macleod's family were evicted
from Pennydonald several years later when the area was cleared to make the
farm at Ardroil.

Exhibition and ownership

They were exhibited by Ryrie at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries of

Scotland, on April 11, 1831. The chessmen were soon after split up, with 10 being purchased by Kirkpatrick Sharpe
and the others (67 chessmen and 14 tablemen) were purchased on behalf of the British Museum in London.
Kirkpatrick Sharpe later found another bishop to take his collection up to eleven, all of which were later sold to Lord
Londesborough. In 1888 they were again sold, but this time the purchaser was the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland, who donated the pieces to the Royal Museum in Edinburgh. The eleven are now on display in the Museum
of Scotland.
The pieces given to the British Museum are still located there, and most can be found in Room 42 with the
registration numbers M&ME 1831, 111.78159. Others have been lent to Scottish museums and temporary
exhibitions.[2] A range of resin or plastic replicas are popular items in the Museum shops.
The chessmen were number 5 in the list of British archaeological finds selected by experts at the British Museum for
the 2003 BBC Television documentary Our Top Ten Treasures presented by Adam Hart-Davis. They feature in the
2010 BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 Objects as number 61, in the "Status Symbols" section.
A new exhibition entitled "The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked" that includes chesspieces from both the Museum of
Scotland and the British Museum collections, along with other relevant objects, is touring Scotland in 2010/11. The
exhibition opened in Edinburgh on 21 May 2010 and proceeded to Aberdeen, Shetland and the Museum nan Eilean
in Stornoway, opening there on 15 April 2011.[15]

Lewis chessmen

276

Controversy
In 200708 a dispute arose regarding the most appropriate place to display the pieces. The issue first arose late in
2007 with calls from Scottish National Party (SNP) politicians in the Western Isles (notably Councillor Annie
Macdonald, MSP Alasdair Allan and MP Angus MacNeil) for the return of the pieces to the place they were found.
Linda Fabiani the Scottish Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture stated that "it is unacceptable that only
11 Lewis Chessmen rest at the National Museum of Scotland while the other 82 remain in the British Museum in
London". Richard Oram, Professor of Medieval and Environmental History at the University of Stirling, agreed
arguing that there was no reason for there to be more than "a sample" of the collection in London. Both points of
view have been dismissed by Margaret Hodge the UK Minister of State in the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport, writing "It's a lot of nonsense, isn't it?"[14] The local historical society in Uig, Comann Eachdraidh Uig, which
operates a registered museum near the find site featuring detailed information about the chessmen and Norse
occupation in Lewis, has indicated publicly that it has no intention of pursuing any claim to the ownership of the
pieces and does not support demands for them to be sent to Edinburgh, but would welcome short-term loans.[16]
In October 2009 twenty-four of the pieces from the London collection and six from Edinburgh began a 16-month
tour of diverse locations in Scotland. The tour was part-funded by the Scottish Government and Mike Russell, the
Minister for Culture and External Affairs stated that the Government and the British Museum had "agreed to
disagree" on their eventual fate. Bonnie Greer, the museum's deputy chairman said that she "absolutely" believed the
main collection should remain in London.[17]

A selection of some
of the other chess
pieces, with a row of
bishops at the back,
then a row of knights.

A resin
replica of
one of the
kings

Lewis chessmen in the

Museum of Scotland

The Lewis chessmen in

the British Museum

Knight in
London

Popular culture
The Harry Potter series depicts a game known as Wizard's Chess where magically animated pieces move and kill on
vocal command of the players. In the films, the pieces of the standard tabletop game are depicted using Lewis
Chessmen.

Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

Chessbase: The enigma of the Lewis chessmen (http:/ / www. chessbase. com/ newsdetail. asp?newsid=6665)
British Museum Website. (http:/ / www. britishmuseum. org/ the_museum/ news_and_press_releases/ statements/ the_lewis_chessmen. aspx)
Robinson, p. 14.
McClain, Dylan Loeb (8 September 2010), Reopening History of Storied Norse Chessmen (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2010/ 09/ 09/ arts/
09lewis. html), New York Times, , retrieved 14 September 2010 (appeared September 9, 2010 in the newspaper, page C2, New York Times)
(Robinson 2004, pp.5, 36, 5455)
Are the Isle of Lewis chessmen Icelandic? (http:/ / www. leit. is/ lewis/ ), , retrieved 14 September 2010
Ken Whyld Association (http:/ / www. kwabc. org/ Homepage-UK/ home-english. htm)
Lilleren, Morten, The Lewis Chessmen Were Never Anywhere Near Iceland! (http:/ / www. chesscafe. com/ text/ skittles399. pdf)
(ChessCafe.com, 2011)

[9] Robinson, p. 30.

[10] Robinson, pp. 28-29.
[11] Robinson, pp. 37-41.
[12] N. Stratford, The Lewis chessmen and the enigma of the hoard (The British Museum Press, 1997), p. 48.

Lewis chessmen
[13] Robinson, p. 37.
[14] Burnett, Allan (February 3, 2008) "Stalemate". Glasgow. The Sunday Herald.
[15] "Lewis Chessman exhibition opens in Stornoway museum" (http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ news/ uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13085170).
BBC. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
[16] Uig News, February 2008
[17] Cornwell, Tim (2 October 2009) "Chessmen 'will never come home'. The Scotsman. Edinburgh.

References
British Museum Website. (http://www.britishmuseum.org/the_museum/news_and_press_releases/statements/
the_lewis_chessmen.aspx)
Murray, H. J. R. (1985). A History of Chess. Oxford University Press.
Robinson, James (2004). The Lewis Chessmen. British Museum Press.
Stratford, N. (1997). The Lewis chessmen and the enigma of the hoard. The British Museum Press.
Taylor, Michael (1978). The Lewis Chessmen. British Museum Publications Limited.

External links
The British Museum's page on the chessmen (http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/
highlight_objects/pe_mla/t/the_lewis_chessmen.aspx)
National Museums Scotland's pages on the chessmen (http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/
national_museum/special_exhibitions/lewis_chessmen_tour.aspx)
A History of the World in 100 Objects, Number 61: The Lewis Chessmen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/
programmes/b00stb51)
Not Chess pieces, Not from Lewis (http://textualities.net/writers/features-a-g/chandlerg05.php)
The Isle Of Lewis Chessmen Website (http://www.isleoflewischessset.co.uk/)

277

278

Xiangqi and variants

Xiangqi
Xiangqi

Xiangqi board with pieces in their starting positions

Genre(s)

Board game

Players

Setup time

Under one minute

Playing time

Informal games: may vary from 20 minutes to several

hours
Blitz games: up to 10 minutes

Random chance None

Skill(s) required Tactics, strategy

Xiangqi
Chinese

Transcriptions
Mandarin
- Hanyu Pinyin xingq
- WadeGiles

hsiang4-ch'i2
[listen]

Min
- Hokkien POJ chhi-k
Cantonese
- Jyutping

zeong6 kei2

Xiangqi

279

Xiangqi (Chinese: ; pinyin: Xingq) is a

two-player Chinese board game in the same family as
Western chess, chaturanga, shogi, Indian chess and
janggi. The present-day form of Xiangqi originated in
China and is therefore commonly called Chinese chess
in English. Xiangqi is one of the most popular board
games in China. Besides China and areas with
significant ethnic Chinese communities, Xiangqi is also
a popular pastime in Vietnam (C tng).
The game represents a battle between two armies, with
the object of capturing the enemy's "general" piece.
Distinctive features of Xiangqi include the unique
A Xiangqi board
movement of the pao ("cannon") piece, a rule
prohibiting the generals (similar to chess kings) from
facing each other directly, and the river and palace board features, which restrict the movement of some pieces.
Its Chinese name can be treated as meaning "Image Game" or "Elephant Game":
originally, and primarily, means "elephant" and is derived from a stylized drawing of an elephant; it was
later used to mean "image", as a jiajie (re-use for another word which was pronounced the same); also,
elephant ivory was commonly used as a material for carving models.
means "board game".
Xiangqi contains features which are not in Indian chess: the river, the palace, and the placing of the pieces on the
intersections of the lines, rather than within the squares. These features may have come from an earlier Chinese
board game (perhaps a war-type game) which was also called (Xiangqi). As in an astronomical context
sometimes means "constellation" or "asterism" (i.e., in both cases, a figure made of stars), there were early Chinese
theorizings (which Harold James Ruthven Murray followed and believed) that the older Xiangqi simulated the
movements of stars and other celestial objects in the sky.

Xiangqi

280

Rules of the game

Board
Xiangqi is played on a board that is 9 lines wide by 10 lines long. In a
manner similar to the game Go (Wiq ), the pieces are played on
the intersections, which are known as points. The vertical lines are
known as files, while the horizontal lines are known as ranks.
Centered at the first through third ranks of the board is a square zone
also mirrored in the opponent's territory. The three point by three point
zone is demarcated by two diagonal lines connecting opposite corners
and intersecting at the center point. This area is known as gng, the
palace or fortress.
Dividing the two opposing sides (between the fifth and sixth ranks) is
h, the river. The river is often marked with the phrases ch
h, meaning "Chu River", and (in Traditional Chinese). hn ji,
meaning "Han border", a reference to the Chu-Han War. Although the
river provides a visual division between the two sides, only a few
pieces are affected by its presence: "soldier" pieces have an enhanced
move after crossing the river, while "elephant" pieces cannot cross.
The starting points of the soldiers and cannons are typically marked
with small crosses, but not all boards have these marks.

Xiangqi is a common pastime in Chinese cities.

Play
The pieces start in the position shown in the diagram above. Which player moves first has varied throughout history,
and also varies from one part of China to another. Some Xiangqi books state that the black side moves first; others
state that the red side moves first. Also, some books may refer to the two sides as north and south; which direction
corresponds to which color also varies from source to source. Generally, red goes first in most modern formal
tournaments.[1]
Each player in turn moves one piece from the point it occupies to another point. Generally pieces are not permitted to
move through a point occupied by another piece. A piece can be moved onto a point occupied by an enemy piece, in
which case the enemy piece is "captured" and removed from the board. A player cannot capture one of his own
pieces. Pieces are never "promoted" (converted into other pieces), although the pawn/soldier is able to move
sideways after it crosses the river.
Generally all pieces capture using their normal moves. One piece has a special capture move, as described below.

Xiangqi

The game ends when one player captures the

other's general. When the general is in danger
of being captured by the enemy player on his
next move, the enemy player is said to have
"delivered a check" (simplified Chinese:
/; traditional Chinese: /,
abbreviated (simplified Chinese: ; traditional
Chinese: ; pinyin: jingjing)) and the
general is said to be "in check". A check should
be announced. If the general's player can make
no move to prevent the general's capture, the
situation is called "checkmate" (simplified
Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ).

281

"Checkmate!" (assuming the cannon is safe) Note that the horse is not actually
needed for this to be checkmate.

Unlike Chess, in which a stalemate is a draw, in

Xiangqi, a player with no legal moves left loses. In Xiangqi, a player (often with material or positional disadvantage)
may attempt to check or chase pieces in a way that the moves fall in a cycle, forcing the opponent to draw the game.
The following special rules are used to make it harder to draw the game by endless checking and chasing (regardless
of whether the positions of the pieces are repeated or not):
The side that perpetually checks with one piece or several pieces will be ruled to lose under any circumstances
unless he or she stops the perpetual checking.
The side that perpetually chases any one unprotected piece with one or more pieces will be ruled to lose under any
circumstances unless he or she stops the perpetual chasing. Chases by generals and soldiers are allowed
however.[2]
If one side perpetually checks and the other side perpetually chases, the perpetually checking side has to stop or
be ruled to lose.
When neither side violates the rules and both persist in not making an alternate move, the game can be ruled as a
draw.
When both sides violate the same rule at the same time and both persist in not making an alternate move, the
game can be ruled as a draw.
Different sets of rules set different limits on what is considered "perpetual". For example, Club Xiangqi rules allow a
player to check/chase six consecutive times using one piece, twelve times using two pieces, and eighteen times using
three pieces before considering the check/chase a perpetual check/chase.[2]
The above rules to prevent perpetual checking and chasing are popular, but they are by no means the only rules.
There are a large number of confusing end game situations.[3]

Pieces
The pieces are flat circular disks, each
with a Chinese character on,
sometimes engraved into the surface.
The black pieces are marked with
somewhat different characters from the
corresponding red pieces; this practice
Western version of pieces
may have originated in situations
where there was only one material
available to make the pieces from and no coloring material available to distinguish the opposing armies.

Xiangqi

282

General
The generals are labelled with the Chinese character
(trad.) / (simp.) jing (general) on the black side
and (trad.) / (simp.) shui (marshal) on the red
side.
The general starts the game at the midpoint of the back
edge (within the palace). The general may move and
capture one point either vertically or horizontally, but
not diagonally. The two generals may not face each
other in the same file with no intervening pieces.
If that happens, the "flying general" () move may
be executed, in which one general may "fly" across the
board to capture the enemy general. In practice this rule
is only used to enforce checkmate. The general may not
leave the palace except when executing the "flying
general" move.

General and advisors

The Indian name "king" for this piece was changed to

"general" because China's rulers objected to their royal
title "king" or "emperor" being given to a
game-piece.[4]

Advisor
The advisors (also known as guards or ministers, and less commonly
as assistants, mandarins, or warriors) are labelled sh ("scholar",
"gentleman", "officer") for black and sh ("scholar", "official") for
red. Rarely, sets use the character for both colours.
The advisors start to the sides of the general. They move and capture one point diagonally and may not leave the
palace, which confines them to five points on the board. They serve to protect the general.
The advisor is probably derived from the mantri in Chaturanga, like the queen in Western chess.
Elephant
The elephants are labeled xing (elephant) for black and xing
(minister) for red. They are located next to the advisors. These pieces
move and capture exactly two points diagonally and may not jump
over intervening pieces (the move is described as being like the
character Tin [field]). If an elephant is blocked by an intervening
piece, it is known as "blocking the elephant's eye" (). They may not cross the river; thus, they serve as
defensive pieces.
Because an elephant's movement is thus restricted to just seven board positions, it can be easily trapped or
threatened. Typically the two elephants will be used to defend each other.
The Chinese characters for "minister" and "elephant" are homophones (Listen) and both have alternative meanings as
"appearance" or "image". However, both are referred to as elephants in the game.

Xiangqi

283

Horse

The horses are labelled m for black and m for

red in sets marked with Traditional Chinese characters
and m for both black and red in sets marked with
Simplified Chinese characters. Some traditional sets use
for both colours. They begin the game next to the
elephants. A horse moves and captures one point
vertically or horizontally and then one point diagonally
away from its former position, a move which is
traditionally described as being like the character R.
The horse does not jump as the knight does in Western
chess. Thus, if there were a piece lying on a point one
point away horizontally or vertically from the horse, then
the horse's path of movement is blocked and it is unable
to move in that direction. Note, however, that a piece two
points away horizontally or vertically or a piece a single
point away diagonally would not impede the movement
of the horse. Blocking a horse is also known as "hobbling
the horse's leg" (). The diagram on the left
illustrates the horse's movement.

The red horse may take the black horse, but

the black horse cannot take the red horse
because its movement is obstructed by
another piece

Since horses can be blocked, it is sometimes possible to

trap the opponent's horse. It is possible for one player's
horse to attack the opponent's horse while the opponent's
horse is blocked from attacking, as seen in the diagram on
the right.

Green moves are legal; red ones are illegal because another piece
is obstructing the movement of the horse

Xiangqi

284

Chariot
The chariots are labelled for black and for red in sets marked
with Traditional Chinese characters and for both black and red in
sets marked with Simplified Chinese characters. Some traditional sets
use for both colors. All of these characters are pronounced as j.
The chariot moves and captures vertically and horizontally any
distance, and may not jump over intervening pieces. The chariots begin the game on the points at the corners of the
board. The chariot is considered to be the strongest piece in the game.
The chariot is sometimes known as the "rook" by English speaking players, since it is like the rook in Western chess.
Chinese players (and others) often call this piece a "car", since that is one modern meaning of the character .
Cannon
The cannons are labelled po for black and po for red. They
are homophones. Sometimes is used for both red and black.
po means a "catapult" for hurling boulders. po means
"cannon". The sh radical of means 'stone', and the hu
radical of means 'fire'. However, both are normally referred to as
cannons in English.
In Xiangqi, each player has two cannons. The cannons start on the row
behind the soldiers, two points in front of the horses. Cannons move
like the chariots, horizontally and vertically, but capture by jumping
exactly one piece (whether it is friendly or enemy) over to its target.
When capturing, the cannon is moved to the point of the captured
piece. The cannon may not jump over intervening pieces if not
capturing another piece, nor may it capture without jumping. The piece
which the cannon jumps over is called the (trad.) / (simp.)
po ti ("cannon platform"). Any number of unoccupied spaces may
exist between the cannon and the cannon platform, or between the
cannon platform and the piece to be captured, including no spaces (the
pieces being adjacent) in both cases. Cannons are powerful pieces at
the beginning of the game when platforms are plentiful, and are used
frequently in combination with chariots to achieve checkmate.
Although cannons can be exchanged for a horse immediately from
their starting positions, this is usually not favorable, in part due to the
superiority of cannons over horses at the beginning of the game. The
two cannons, when used together, can form a check that cannot be
The long-range threat of the cannon
stopped easily. As they line up in the attack against the opposing
general, the back cannon checks the general while the front cannon,
serving as the platform, prohibits blocking for the opposing side. The opposing side can only move the general,
capture the back cannon, or block between the two cannons.

Xiangqi

285

Soldier
Each side has five soldiers, labelled z (pawn/private) for black
and bng (soldier) for red. Soldiers are placed on alternating points,
one row back from the edge of the river. They move and capture by
advancing one point. Once they have crossed the river, they may also
move (and capture) one point horizontally. Soldiers cannot move
backward, and therefore cannot retreat; however, they may still move sideways at the enemy's edge.
The soldier is sometimes known as the "pawn" by English speaking players, since it is similar to that piece in
Western chess.
Approximate relative values of the pieces
Piece

Point(s)
1

Soldier before crossing the river

23
Soldier after crossing the river
2
Advisor
2
Elephant
4.5
Horse
5
Cannon
910
Chariot

These approximate values do not take into account positional advantages. For example, the chariot at the corner in
the beginning of the game is not very useful, but it can be moved to points where it affects the game much more, for
example near the center of the board or the opponent's palace. Also, the value of a cannon drops as the game goes on
due to having fewer platforms for use in capturing, while the value of the horse increases slightly due to fewer
obstructions. Although the chariot has the highest value of 910 points, players will often in certain game scenarios
value a cannon or horse at or more than the level of a chariot due to the cannon's unique attack style. What is left on
the board is also important to the value of a piece. For example, in a mid or late game, if red still has two chariots
and black has one advisor left, that advisor is very valuable for black because it is very easy for red to checkmate
with two chariots if black does not have an advisor.
Equipment
One player's pieces are usually painted red (or, less commonly, white), and the other player's pieces are usually
painted black (or, less commonly, blue or green).
Xiangqi pieces are represented by disks marked with a Chinese character identifying the piece and painted in a
colour identifying which player the piece belongs. In mainland China, most sets still use traditional Chinese
characters (as opposed to simplified Chinese characters) for the pieces. Modern pieces are usually made of plastic,
though some sets use pieces made of wood, and more expensive sets may use pieces made of jade. In more ancient
times, many sets were simple unpainted woodcarvings; thus, to distinguish between the pieces of the two sides, most
corresponding pieces use characters that are similar but vary slightly between the two sides.

Xiangqi

286

The oldest Xiangqi piece found to date is a (chariot) piece. It is kept in the Henan Provincial Museum.

Notation
There are several types of notation used to record Xiangqi games. In each case the moves are numbered and written
with the same general pattern.
1. (first move) (first response)
2. (second move) (second response)
It is clearer but not required to write each move pair on a separate line.

Notational system 1
The book The Chess of China[5] describes a move notation in which the ranks of the board are numbered 1 to 10
from closest to farthest away, followed by a digit 1 to 9 for files from right to left. Both values are relative to the
moving player. Moves are then indicated as follows:
[piece name] ([former rank][former file])-[new rank][new file]
Thus, the most common opening in the game would be written as:
1. (32)35, (18)37

Notational system 2
A notational system partially described in A Manual of Chinese Chess[6] and used by several computer software
implementations describes moves in relative terms as follows:
[single-letter piece abbreviation][former file][operator indicating direction
of movement][new file, or in the case of purely vertical movement, number of
ranks traversed]
The file numbers are counted from each player's right to each player's left.
In case there are two identical pieces in one file, symbols + (front) and (rear) are used instead of former file
number. Direction of movement is indicated via an operator symbol. A plus sign is used to indicate forward
movement. A minus sign or hyphen is used to indicate backwards movement. A dot or period or equal sign is used to
indicate horizontal or lateral movement. If a piece (such as the horse or elephant) simultaneously moves both
vertically and horizontally, then the plus or minus sign is used rather than the period.
Thus, the most common opening in the game would be written as:
1. C2.5 H8+7
The single letter piece abbreviations are
Piece

Initial(s)

Advisor

Cannon

Chariot

R*

Elephant E
General

Horse

Soldier

*for Rook, because using C would conflict with the letter for Cannon

Xiangqi

287

Notational system 3 (unofficial, for players of Western chess)

Letters are used for files and numbers for ranks. File "a" is on Red's left and rank "1" is nearest to Red. A point's
designation does not depend on which player moves; for both sides "a1" is the lowest left point from Red's side.
[single-letter piece abbreviation][former
position][check indication][analysis]

position][capture

indication][new

Pieces are abbreviated as for system 2, except that no letter is used for the soldier.
Former position is only indicated if necessary to distinguish between two identical pieces that could have made the
move. If they share the same file, indicate which rank moves; if they share the same rank, indicate which file moves.
If they share neither rank or file then the file is indicated.
Capture is indicated by "x". No letter is used to indicate a non-capturing move.
Check is indicated by "+", double check by "++", triple check by "+++", and quadruple check by "++++".
Checkmate is indicated by "#".
For analysis purposes, bad moves are indicated by "?" and good moves by "!". These can be combined if the analysis
is uncertain ("!?" might be either but is probably good; "?!" is probably bad) or repeated for emphasis ("??" is a
disaster).
Thus, the most common opening in the game would be written as:
1. Che3 Hg8
An example of a brief game ("the early checkmate") is:
1.
2.
3.
4.

10
9
8

Cbe3 Che8
Ch6 Cb4?
Cxe7+! Cexe4??
Ce6#

Black is mated and therefore loses the game. Notice how Red's doubled cannons can't be
blocked, and that the general can't move off the file either.

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

Xiangqi

288

Gameplay
Because of the size of the board and the low number of long-range pieces, there is a tendency for the battle to focus
on a particular area of the board.

Tactics
There are several tactics common to games in the chess family, including Xiangqi. Some common ones are briefly
discussed here; see Chess tactics for more details.
Fork: When one enemy piece can attack more than one piece, they are forked.
Pin: A piece is pinned when it cannot be moved without exposing a more important piece to be captured. A
cannon can pin two pieces at once on one file or rank, and unlike in Western chess, because the horse can be
blocked it can pin pieces as well.
Skewer: A piece is skewered when it is attacked and, on moving, exposes a less important piece to be captured.
Fork
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

The horse forks the soldier and the chariot.

Pin
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

The cannon is pinned by the chariot.

Skewer

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289

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

The chariot is skewering the general and chariot. When the general moves, the chariot can be taken.
Discovered check: A discovered check occurs when an attacking piece moves so that it unblocks a line for a
chariot, cannon, and less often, the horse, to check the enemy general. The piece uncovering the check can safely
move anywhere within its powers regardless of whether the opponent has those squares under protection.
Double check: A double check occurs when two pieces simultaneously threaten the enemy general. It may or
may not be possible to block. An example of a double check that can be blocked is a chariot checking the general
and acting as a platform for a cannon situated behind. This can be blocked by moving a piece between the general
and the chariot, blocking the cannon's fire and that of the chariot as well. An example of a double check that can
not be blocked is a horse between the enemy general and a chariot. The horse can move to check the general and
uncover a check from the chariot. No piece can block because there is an attack from two directions, and both
can't be blocked at once. In either case, capturing one of the checking pieces doesn't get the general out of check
either. Sometimes a double check results in mate. Another, blockable, case of double check is when a cannon or
chariot uncovers two checks at once from two horses, but it is rare.
Particular to Xiangqi is triple check, which arises with a cannon, a chariot, and a horse or a chariot and two
horses, the latter being comparatively rare. In the first case the horse moves to give check uncovering a double
check from the chariot and the cannon, which uses the chariot as a platform. This check can't be blocked and
capturing a checking piece doesn't work either, as that would leave the general still in check from two enemy
pieces. In the second case the chariot moves to give check uncovering a double check from the two horses.
Quadruple check is also possible, arising with 2 horses, a chariot, and a cannon.
Triple check
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Xiangqi

290
a

Red's horse has moved from e5 to d7, giving check and exposing a double check from chariot and cannon.
Quadruple check
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

Red's chariot has moved from f9 to e9, giving check and exposing a triple check from cannon and both horses.
Triple check, alternate position
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

Red's chariot discovers two checks from the horses and gives check itself.

Use of pieces
Usually, the soldiers do not support each other unless the player has no better move. This is because from the initial
position, it takes a minimum of 5 moves of a soldier to allow twin soldiers to protect each other.
The two chariots are not normally lined up together as they are the most powerful pieces and in doing so, a player
risks losing one chariot to an inferior piece of the enemy. Depending on the situation, it may be advantageous to
position a chariot at one of the corners of the enemy's side of the board, where it is very difficult to dislodge, and
threatens the enemy general.
It is common to use the cannons independently to control particular ranks and files. Using a cannon to control the
middle file is often considered vital strategy, because it helps to lock certain pieces such as the advisors and
elephants in certain positions to prevent a check. The two files adjacent to the middle file are also considered

Xiangqi

291

important and horses and chariots can be used to push for checkmate here.
The two cannons on the same file is also a powerful formation. For example, the rear cannon threatens the general.
Moving a piece in front of the cannons to block the attack does not work, because then the front cannon will attack
the general.
A common defensive configuration is to leave the general at its starting position, deploy one advisor and one
elephant on the two points directly in front of the general, and to leave the other advisor and the other elephant in
their starting positions, to the side of the general. In this setup, the paired-up advisors and elephants support each
other, and the general is immune from attacks by cannons. However, with the loss of a single advisor or elephant, the
general becomes vulnerable to cannons, and this setup may need to be abandoned. The defender may move advisors
or elephants away from the general, or even sacrifice them intentionally, to ward off attack by a cannon.

Openings
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a

The most common opening pair of moves

Since the left and right flank of the starting setup are symmetrical and therefore equivalent, it is customary to always
make the first move from the right flank. Starting on the left flank is considered to be needlessly confusing.
The most common opening is to move the cannon to the central column, an opening known as (trad.) /
(simp.) dng tu po = "appropriate start cannon". The most common reply is to advance the horse on the
same flank. Together, this move-and-response is known by the rhyme (trad.) /
(simp.) dng tu po, m li tio. The notation for this is "1. (32)35, (18)37" or "1. C2.5 H8+7". See also
the diagrams to the right.
This is usually followed by the most common second move, (trad.) / (simp.) ch j"chariot sortie"in
which the first player moves a chariot forward one space (usually the right one moving the left one loses the horse,
and even if the defender manages to trap the cannon with his/her chariots, the cannon can simply take the nearest
advisor resulting in a net gain of an advisor in material for the other side and the maneuver to trap the cannon loses
time allowing the opponent to bring out other pieces).
The most common reply is to move the right advisor diagonally. shng sh. This is to prevent a series of events
that leads to the first player quickly checkmating the second.
Less common first moves include:
moving an elephant to the central column

Xiangqi
advancing the soldier on the third or seventh file
moving a horse forward
moving either cannon behind the 2nd soldier from the left or right
General advice for the opening includes rapid development of at least one chariot, because it is the most powerful
piece and the only long-range piece besides the cannon. There is a saying that only a poor player does not move a
chariot in the first three moves. It may not be a bad move to develop one horse to the edge of the board, for example,
to avoid being blocked by one of one's own soldiers that cannot advance. Usually, at least one horse should be
moved to the middle.

History
Xiangqi has a long history. Its ancestor is believed to be the Indian chess game of Chaturanga,[7] though its precise
origins have not yet been definitely confirmed; there are some indications that the game may have been played as
early as the third century BC, during the Warring States Period. (See chess in early literature and timeline of chess.)
Judging by its rules, Xiangqi was apparently closely related to military strategy in ancient China. The ancient
Chinese game of Liubo may have had an influence as well.
References to a game called Xiangqi date back to the Warring States Period; according to the first century BC text,
Shuo yuan (), it was one of Lord Mengchang of Qi's interests.[8] Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou once wrote a
book Xiang Jing in AD 569. It is believed to have described the rules of an astronomically themed game called
Xiangqi or Xiangxi (). The word Xingq is usually translated as "elephant game" or "figure game",
because the Chinese character means "elephant" and "figure"; it originated as a stylized drawing of an elephant,
and was used also to write a word meaning "figure", likely because the two words were pronounced the same. But
the name can also be treated as meaning "constellation game", and sometimes the xingq board's "river" is called the
"heavenly river", which may mean the Milky Way. For these reasons, Harold James Ruthven Murray, author of A
History of Chess, theorized that "in China it [Chess] took over the board and name of a game called in the
sense of "Constellation Game" (rendered by Murray as "Astronomical Game"), which represented the apparent
movements of naked-eye-visible astronomical objects in the night sky, and that the earliest Chinese references to
meant the Astronomical Game and not Chinese chess". previous games called xingq may have been based on
the movements of sky objects. However, the connection between and astronomy is marginal, and arose from
constellations being called merely "figures" in astronomical contexts where other meanings of "figure" were less
likely; this usage may have led some ancient Chinese authors to theorize that the game started as a simulation
of astronomy.
To support his argument, Murray quoted an old Chinese source that says that in that older Xiangqi (which modern
Xiangqi may have taken some of its rules from) the game-pieces could be shuffled, which does not happen in
chess-type Xiangqi as known now.[9] Murray also wrote that in ancient China there was more than one game called
Xiangqi.[10]
An alternative hypothesis to Murray's is that Xiangqi was patterned after the array of troops in the Warring States
era. David H. Li, for example, argues that the game was developed by Han Xin in the winter of 204 BC-203 BC to
prepare for an upcoming battle.[11] His theories have been questioned by other chess researchers, however.[12]
The earliest description of the game's rules appears in the story "Cen Shun" () in the collection Xuanguai lu
(), written in the middle part of the Tang dynasty.

292

Xiangqi

293
With the economic and cultural development during the Qing Dynasty,
Xiangqi entered a new stage. Many different schools of circles and
players came into prominence. With the popularization of Xiangqi,
many books and manuals on the techniques of playing the game were
published. They played an important role in popularizing Xiangqi and
improving the techniques of play in modern times.

Xiangqi game pieces dated to the Song Dynasty

(9601279)

A Western-style Encyclopedia of Chinese Chess Openings was not

written until 2004.

Modern play
Tournaments and leagues
Although Xiangqi has its origin in Asia, there are Xiangqi leagues and clubs all over the world. Each European
nation generally has its own governing league; for example, in Britain, Xiangqi is regulated by the United Kingdom
Chinese Chess Association. Asian countries also have nationwide leagues, such as the Malaysia Chinese Chess
Association in Malaysia.
In addition, there are also several international federations and tournaments. For example, the Chinese Xiangqi
Association hosts several tournaments every year, including the Yin Li and Ram Cup Tournaments.[13] Other
organizations include the Asian Xiangqi Federation[14] and a World Xiangqi Federation,[15] which hosts tournaments
and competitions bi-annually, though most are limited to players from member nations.

Rankings
The Asian Xiangqi Federation and its corresponding member associations also rank players in a number format
similar to the rankings of chess. The best player in China, according to the 2006 Chinese National Ratings, was Xu
Yinchuan with a rating of 2628.[16] Other strong players include Lu Qin and Hu Ronghua.
The Asian Xiangqi Federation also bestows the title of grandmaster to select individuals around the world who have
excelled at Xiangqi or have made special contributions to the game. Though there are no specific criteria for
becoming a grandmaster, the list of grandmasters is limited to fewer than a hundred people.[17]

Computers
The game-tree complexity of Xiangqi is approximately 10150, so in 2004 it was projected that a human top player
will be defeated before 2010.[18]
And in the Computer-Human Xiangqi Dual Meet in 2006, the final score was Computer 5.5 Human 4.5
Xiangqi is one of the more popular competitions at the annual Computer Olympiad.
Computer programs for playing Xiangqi show the same development trend as has occurred for international Chess:
they are usually console applications (called engines) which communicate their moves in text form through some
standard protocol. For displaying the board graphically, they then rely on a separate Graphical User Interface.
Through such standardization, many different engines can be used through the same GUI, and the GUI can also be
used for automated play of different engines against each other. Popular protocols are UCI (Universal Chess
Interface), UCCI (Universal Chinese Chess Interface), Qianhong (QH) protocol, and WinBoard/XBoard (WB)
protocol (the latter two named after the GUIs that implemented them). There now exist many dozens of Xiangqi
engines supporting one or more of these protocols, including some commercial engines.
Computer Xiangqi Programs
Chinese Chess Soul [19]

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294
NEU Chess [20]
XieXie [21]
XQ Master [22]
Hidden Lynx [23]
HOXChess [24]

Xiangqi Graphical User Interfaces

Qianhong Xiangqi [25] (QH, and UCCI through adapter)
WinBoard / XBoard [26] (WB, and QH, UCI, UCCI through adapters)
XQ Wizzard [27] (UCCI, and QH through adapter)
Computer Xiangqi Website
With many engine downloads [28] (Chinese site, but worth the effort of translation!)
Computer Xiangqi Servers
Vietson [29]
ThaiGB [30]
Ajax Chinese Chess [31]
Club Xiangqi [32]
PlayXiangqi [33]

Variations
Using a standard Xiangqi board and pieces
Blitz Chess
Each player only has around 510 minutes each (depending on rules), leading to a fast-paced game with little
or no room for thought, and moves have to be made by instinct.
Supply Chess
Similar to the Western chess variant, Bughouse Chess, this variant features the ability to re-deploy captured
pieces, similar to a rule in Shogi, Four players play two games side-by-side with a team of two playing against
another team. One teammate plays black and other plays red. Any piece obtained by capturing the opponent's
piece is given to the teammate for use in the other game. These pieces can be deployed by the teammate to
give him an advantage over the other player, so long as the piece starts on the player's own side of the board
and does not cause the opponent to be in check.
Formation
One player's pieces are jumbled up, then placed randomly on one side of the river, except for the generals and
advisors which must be at their usual positions in normal Xiangqi, and elephants must start at two of the seven
points that they could reach from their usual positions. The other player's pieces are set up to mirror the first's.
All other rules are the same as in Xiangqi.
Blind Chess
More well known in Hong Kong than in mainland China, this game uses Xiangqi's pieces and board, but does
not follow any of its rules, bearing more of a resemblance to the western game Stratego as well as the Chinese
gameLuzhanqi. The game is played on only half the Xianqi board, turned sideways to allow nine rows and five
columns. Players flip their pieces so that the characters are concealed from their opponent, and then arrange
them on their respective ends of the board. At each turn, a player can do one of three things: They may choose
to uncover a concealed piece, move one of their own pieces to an empty square (pieces can only move to an

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295
adjacent square and not diagonally regardless of its movement style in original Xiangqi), or they may choose
to capture one of their opponents pieces. There are limitations for the last option however: Each piece has a
"rank" that enables it to capture pieces beneath its rank when an enemy piece is directly next to it. In the
Taiwanese version, the rank of pieces (from highest to lowest) is: 1. General. 2. Advisor. 3. Elephant. 4.
Chariot. 5. Horse. 6. Cannon. 7. Soldier. In Hong Kong, the rank is: 1. General. 2. Chariot. 3. Horse. 4.
Cannon. 5. Elephant. 6. Advisor. 7. Soldier. In either version the Soldier is the lowest rank, but also important
as it is the only piece that can capture the enemy General. A special rule enables the cannon to capture the
same way as it does in Xiangqi by jumping over exactly one piece (whether friend or foe) landing on its target.
Because of this rule, although by rank the cannon is higher than soldier, it cannot capture a soldier even when
the soldier is placed directly next to it. The game continues until one of the players has lost all of his pieces.
Blind chess is mostly a game of luck as the player cannot choose where his pieces are set up; he can only
increase his chances by moving pieces and uncovering appropriately, calculating the odds that the uncovered
piece next to them can be friend or foe, superior or inferior. T

Using a special board and/or pieces

There are many versions of three-player Xiangqi, or "San Xiangqui" (Three Elephants Game), all played on special
boards:
San Guo Qi
"The Game of Three Kingdoms" is played on a special hexagonal board with three armies (red, blue and
green) of Xiangqi pieces vying for dominance. A Y-shaped river trisects the board into three gem-shaped
territories, each containing the grid found on one side of a Xiangqi board, but distorted to make the game
playable by three people. Each player has 18 pieces: the classical 16 of regular Xiangqi and 2 new ones which
stand on the same file as the Cannons. The new pieces have different names depending on their side: Fire
(Huo), for red, Flag (Qi) for blue, Wind (Feng) for green, and they move two spaces orthogonally, and then
one diagonally. The Generals each bear the name of the historical Chinese kingdomsShu for red, Wei for
blue, Wu for greenfrom China's Three Kingdoms Period.[34] It is likely that San Guo Qi first appeared under
the Southern Song Dynasty (9601279).[35]
San You Qi
"Three Friends Chess" was invented by Zheng Jinde from Shexian in Anhui province during the reign of the
Kangxi Emperor of Qing Dynasty (16611722). It is played on a Y-shaped board with a full army of Ziangqi
pieces set up at the end of each of the board's three wide radii. In the center of the board sits a triangular zone
with certain features (ocean, mountain, city walls) each of which are impassible by certain pieces. Two of an
army's five Soldiers are replaced by new pieces called "Fires", which move one diagonal space forward. On
the front corners of the palace are positioned two "Flag" pieces, which move two spaces forward inside their
own camp, and then one space in any direction inside an enemy camp.[35]
'Sanrenqi:"Three Men Chess" is a riverless commercial variant played on a cross-shaped board with some special
rules, including a fourth, neutral country called Han. Han has three Chariots, one Cannon, and one General named
"Emperor Xian of Han," but these pieces do not move and do not belong to any of the three players until a certain
point in the game when two player team up against the third player, who also gets to control Han (similar to player
playing their own hand, plus that of a dummy in Bridge.[35]
Si Guo Qi
"Four Kingdoms Chess" is also played on a riverless, cross-shaped board, but with four players. Because there
are no rivers, elephants may move about the board freely.[35]

Xiangqi

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

Xiangqi: Chinese Chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ xiangqi. html) at chessvariants.com
Chinese Chess Rules (http:/ / www. clubxiangqi. com/ rules/ ) at clubxiangqi.com
Asian Chinese Chess Rules (http:/ / www. clubxiangqi. com/ rules/ asiarule. htm) at clubxiangqi.com
A History of Chess, p.120, footnote 3 says that Ss-ma Kuang wrote in T'ung-kien nun in AD 1084 that Emperor Wen of Sui (541604) found
at an inn some foreigners playing a board game whose pieces included a piece called "I pai ti" = "white emperor"; in anger at this misuse of
his title he had everybody at the inn put to death.
[5] Leventhal, Dennis A. The Chess of China. Taipei, Taiwan: Mei Ya, 1978. ( getCITED.org listing (http:/ / www. getcited. org/ pub/
101996662))
[6] Wilkes, Charles Fred. A Manual of Chinese Chess. 1952.
[7] Henry Davidson, A Short History of Chess, p. 6
[8] "Facts on the Origin of Chinese Chess" (http:/ / www. banaschak. net/ schach/ origins. htm). Banaschak.net. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[9] A History of Chess, p.122, footnote 12: "In the biography of L-Ts'ai. The Emperor T'ai-Tsung (627650) was puzzled by the phrase
t'ai-tze-si-ma ('the crown-prince washes the horses') in the Zhou Wudi sanju xiangjing ('Zhou Wudi's three games
in the Xiangjing'): 'to wash the dominoes' means 'to shuffle them' in modern Chinese; ma or 'horse' is used for the pieces in a game. The phrase
probably meant 'the crown-prince shuffles the men'). He consulted Yn-Kung, who had known the phrase as a young man but had forgotten it,
and then L-Ts'ai. The latter, after a night's consideration, explained the point, and recovered the method of play of the astronomical game and
the actual position."
[10] A History of Chess, p.122: The 32nd book of the history of the T'ang dynasty (618907) said that Wu-Ti wrote and expounded a book
named San-k-siang-king (Manual of the three xiangqi's).
[11] This theory is propounded in The Genealogy of Chess
[12] "A story well told is not necessarily true being a critical assessment of David H. Li's "The Genealogy of Chess", by Peter Banaschak
(http:/ / www. banaschak. net/ schach/ ligenealogyofchess. htm). Banaschak.net. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[13] From FAQ #21: What are some of the top tournaments in the world? (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ chinfaq. html#question20),
rec.games.chinese-chess, chessvariants.com
[14] Asian Xiangqi Federation (http:/ / www. asianxiangqi. org/ ) homepage includes English translations of Asian tournament results, rules, etc.
[15] World Xiangqi Federation (http:/ / www. wxf. org/ ). Wxf.org. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[16] -- (http:/ / chess. ourgame. com/ info/ info. asp)
[17] rec.games.chinese-chess FAQ lists the International Grandmasters by country (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ chinfaq. html).
[18] Yen, Chen, Yang, Hsu, 2004, Computer Chinese Chess (http:/ / www. csie. ndhu. edu. tw/ ~sjyen/ Papers/ 2004CCC. pdf).
[19] Chinese Chess Soul (http:/ / www. chesssoul. com) Chinese Chess Computer Software
[20] NEU Chess (http:/ / www. neuchess. com/ ). NEU Chess. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[21] XieXie (http:/ / www. cc-xiexie. com/ ). Cc-xiexie.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[22] XQ Master (http:/ / www. xqmaster. com/ )
[23] Hidden Lynx A free Chinese Chess program for Windows (http:/ / mayoneez. 1g. fi/ hiddenlynx/ )
[24] HOXChess A cross platform, open source Xiangqi program (http:/ / hoxchess. googlecode. com/ ). Hoxchess.googlecode.com
(2010-03-25). Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[25] Qianhong Xiangqi (http:/ / www. jcraner. com/ qianhong/ ). Jcraner.com (2009-04-01). Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[26] WinBoard Xiangqi (http:/ / home. hccnet. nl/ h. g. muller/ XQ. html). Home.hccnet.nl. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[27] Xiangqi Wizard. Sourceforge.net. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[28] (http:/ / www. xqbase. com). Xqbase.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[29] Vietson Online Chinese Chess (http:/ / www. vietson. com/ ). Vietson.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[30] ThaiGB An Internet Chinese Chess server in Thai (http:/ / www. thaibg. com/ CCOnline/ ). Thaibg.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[31] Ajax Chinese Chess Play Chinese Chess online! (http:/ / ajaxchess. pragmaticlogic. com/ ). Ajaxchess.pragmaticlogic.com. Retrieved on
2011-10-01.
[32] Club Xiangqi A Chinese Chess server with English/Vietnamese/Chinese interface (http:/ / www. clubxiangqi. com/ ). Clubxiangqi.com
(2007-12-22). Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[33] PlayXiangqi A Xiangqi server with Open Source client and Open Server API (http:/ / www. playxiangqi. com/ ). Playxiangqi.com.
Retrieved on 2011-10-01.
[34] "The Chess Variants Pages" (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ xiangqivariants. dir/ chin3pl. html). The Game of the Three Kingdoms. .
Retrieved 31 August 2011.
[35] "Sanguo Qi (Three Kingdoms Chess) & Sanyou Qi (Three Friends Chess)" (http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ sanguoqi. htm). Another view on
Chess: Odyssey of Chess. . Retrieved 31 August 2011.

296

Xiangqi

Further reading
Lau, H. T. Chinese Chess. Tuttle Publishing, Boston, 1985. ISBN 0-8048-3508-X.
Leventhal, Dennis A. The Chess of China (http://www.banaschak.net/index.html). Taipei, Taiwan: Mei Ya,
1978. (out-of-print but can be partly downloaded)
Li, David H. First Syllabus on Xiangqi: Chinese Chess1. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 1996. ISBN
0-9637852-5-7.
Li, David H. The Genealogy of Chess. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 1998. ISBN 0-9637852-2-2.
Li, David H. Xiangqi Syllabus on Cannon: Chinese Chess2. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 1998.
ISBN 0-9637852-7-3.
Li, David H. Xiangqi Syllabus on Elephant: Chinese Chess3. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 2000.
ISBN 0-9637852-0-6.
Li, David H. Xiangqi Syllabus on Pawn: Chinese Chess4. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 2002. ISBN
0-9711690-1-2.
Li, David H. Xiangqi Syllabus on Horse: Chinese Chess5. Premier Publishing, Bethesda, Maryland, 2004. ISBN
0-9711690-2-0.
Sloan, Sam. Chinese Chess for Beginners. Ishi Press International, San Rafael, Tokyo, 1989. ISBN
0-923891-11-0.
Wilkes, Charles Fred. A Manual of Chinese Chess. 1952.
Lo, Andrew; Wang, Tzi-Cheng. "'The Earthworms Tame the Dragon': The Game of Xiangqi" in Asian Games,
The Art of Contest, edited by Asia Society, 2004. (a serious and updated reading about Xiangqi history)

External links
Learn

Rules, openings, strategy, ancient manuals (http://www.xqinenglish.com/)

An Introduction to Xiangqi for Chess Players (http://www.crockford.com/chess/xiangqi.html)
Presentation, rules, history and variants of xiangqi (http://history.chess.free.fr/xiangqi.htm)
Xiangqi: Chinese Chess (http://www.chessvariants.com/xiangqi.html) at the Chess Variant Pages
Apertures and strategy (https://sites.google.com/site/xiangqiesp/) In Spanish

Play

PlayOK -Play Xiangqi online, free! (http://www.playok.com/en/xiangqi/)

XiangQi on ChessFreaks, play online or on your mobile (http://www.chessfreaks.com/en)
Vietson Online Chinese Chess / Xiangqi Play with friends from all over the world (http://www.vietson.com/)
Play Xiangqi online against human or robot opponents, free! (http://www.boardspace.net/english/
about_xiangqi.html)
Club Xiangqi Play Chinese Chess online with or without a user fee (http://www.clubxiangqi.com/)
PlayXiangqi A free online service with Open Source client and Open Server API (http://www.playxiangqi.
com)
Software
Plays Xiangqi on your computer (http://www.jcraner.com/qianhong/)
Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) on Apple iPhone / iPod Touch (http://sites.google.com/a/clomputing.com/iphone/)

297

Encyclopedia of Chinese Chess Openings

Encyclopedia of Chinese Chess Openings

The Encyclopedia of Chinese Chess Openings (Chinese: ) is a classification of all possible
openings of Chinese chess (Xianqi), including rarely used openings. The editor of Encyclopedia of Chess Network
included the first game of the 8197 Board as the basis, to draw up the ECCO code. ECCO characteristics of the times
has numbers, due to the development of the game ECCO reference to the cut-off in 2004, the number of the system
to be known as ECCO 2004.

External links
http://www.elephantbase.net/ecco/ecco_intro.htm

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299

Banqi
Banqi

Players

Age range

Any

Setup time

< 1 minute

Playing time

5-15 minutes

Random chance

High

Skill(s) required

Tactics, Strategy

Banqi (Chinese: , or ; Pinyin: bnq, nq or mngq; ), or Half Chess, is a two-player Chinese board
game played on a 4x8 grid, or half of the Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) board. Most games last between ten and twenty
minutes, but advanced games can go on for an hour or more. Banqi is a social game, usually played for fun rather
than serious competition. A more formal version of the game may have evolved into modern Luzhanqi.

Equipment
Board
Although boards made specifically for Banqi exist, it is common
to play on one half of the Xiangqi board (using only one side of
the River).

Pieces
Banqi uses Xiangqi pieces. The backs of the pieces must be
indistinguishable from each other so the pieces cannot be
Basic 4x8 Banqi board
identified when face down. Pieces with international symbols
printed on their backs are unsuitable. Each player controls five
Soldiers, one General, and two each of the five other piece types, for a total of 16 pieces. In a typical set, one players
pieces are red, and the other players pieces are black. The characters may also differ. For more detailed descriptions
of the pieces used in this game, see the Xiangqi article.

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300

Name of piece

Number per side

Notes

General, marshal, "king"

Highest rank. Captures everything except soldiers.

shuai, jing

1
Second-highest rank in Taiwanese version.

Advisor, guard, minister*, assistant, mandarin, warrior

shi, sh

Elephant, war elephant, minister*

xing, xing

Chariot, rook, cart

Second-highest rank in Hong Kong version.

j, j

2
Horse, cavalry
m, m

2
Soldier, private, pawn

Lowest rank, except able to capture the general.

bng, z

5
Cannon, catapult

Abilities differ in Taiwanese variations.

po, po

Playing the game

The 32 pieces are shuffled and randomly allocated face-down to squares on the board. The pieces, as in Western
Chess, are placed inside the squares, rather than on the intersections as in Chinese Chess.
The first player turns up a piece to begin the game. The color of that first uncovered piece is the color he or she will
play in the game. The second player then makes a move, and the two alternate until the game is finished.
The game ends when a player cannot move, and that player is the loser. Most often, the game is lost because all of a
players pieces have been captured and so he has no pieces to move. However, it is possible for one player to
surround all of the other players remaining pieces in a manner that makes it impossible for them to move.

Rules for moves

There are three kinds of moves. A player may turn a piece face-up, move a piece, or capture an enemy piece. In some
game variants, multiple captures may be made in one turn.

Turning over a piece

Turning a piece face-up is a legal move if there are any face-down pieces on the board. Once revealed, a piece may
be moved, capture, or be captured. In some variants of Banqi, face-down pieces may also be captured.

Moving a piece
A player may only move face-up pieces of their own color.
Unlike Xiangqi, all pieces move identically: a piece may move only one square up, down, left, or right. A piece may
never move onto a square that is already occupied unless such a move is a legal capture.

Banqi
Note that all pieces capture the same way that they move, except the cannon in Taiwanese rules.

Capturing an opposing piece

A player may only capture with a face-up piece of their own color, and may only capture a face-up piece of the
opposing color. In all captures, the captured piece is removed from the board and its square is occupied by the
capturing piece.
The pieces are ranked, forming a hierarchy with the general at the top and soldiers at the bottom. Only pieces of
equal or lower rank may be captured, with one exception. For instance, a chariot may capture a horse, and the
general may capture either, but a horse cannot capture a chariot, and neither can capture the general. The one
exception concerns generals and soldiers: the general cannot capture soldiers, and soldiers can capture the general.
This reversal is reminiscent of Stratego.
In the Hong Kong version, the pieces are ranked in this order: general, chariot, horse, cannon, elephant, advisor,
soldier. This ranking reflects the approximate value of the corresponding pieces in Xiangqi (though the relative rank
of horse and cannon is arguable). All pieces capture exactly as they move: one square up, down, left, or right.
In the Taiwanese version, the ranking goes as follows: general, advisor, elephant, chariot, horse, soldier. This
ranking is based on the initial board positions of the corresponding pieces in Xiangqi, though the horse and chariot
are inexplicably swapped. Except for the cannon, pieces capture with the same motion as for movement: one square
up, down, left, or right. The cannon is not included in the ranking because it is exceptional: it captures in an unusual
way, it can capture a piece of any rank, and yet is vulnerable to capture by any piece except the soldier. A cannon
captures as in Xiangqi: it moves any distance along a single row or column of the board, jumping over exactly one
intermediate piece (called a screen). Any other squares between the cannon and its target must be empty. The color
of the screening piece does not matter; it may be friend or foe, or even face down. While a cannon may capture any
piece, it must jump a screen to do so. Since a cannon must jump to capture, it cannot capture a piece in an adjacent
square.
There are many other variations on the cannon capture rule that may add variety if desired:
One variation gives cannons the ability to capture soldiers and other cannons directly, without jumping over a
screen. In other words, the cannon acts like the other pieces, ranking between horse and soldier, but with the
added ability of capturing any piece by catapulting.
Another popular variation allows the attempted capture of a face-down piece, which if it can be captured is done
so. If the piece cannot be captured due to its rank or color, then it is left face-up, and no movement takes place.
A popular variation with children, allows multiple captures on the same turn for already exposed pieces as well as
face-down pieces as long as they are successful.
A variation that may change the strategy is that the cannon can not use a face down piece for a screen but can
capture multiple pieces in a single turn. The cannon can not capture face down pieces in this variant.

Stalemate
A stalemate threat occurs when one player forces an endless cycle of moves. In a typical stalemate, the instigator
repeatedly attacks, but cannot capture, an enemy piece. The legality of stalemating varies by culture:
Some players consider stalemate illegal. This is consistent with the rules of Chinese Chess, which require the
instigator to cease the continual attack, else the victim wins.
Some players consider stalemate a legal strategy. The ability to instigate a stalemate in an otherwise losing game
is one of the ways that skill can overcome luck, since the victim must accept either a drawn game or the loss of a
piece. Handling a stalemate situation requires skill for the winning player, as well the necessity of heading off
a potential stalemate adds spice to an otherwise overwhelming victory. And deciding whether you can still win,
even without that piece, requires great expertise.

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Banqi
Games in which stalemate is allowed tend to produce much more even games many a lopsided game is turned
into an interesting match by the surrender of a piece to avoid a stalemate.

Strategy
Early Action - Under Taiwanese rules, playing first is a slight disadvantage. If you turn up a cannon, the
opponent can turn up next to it with a high likelihood of capturing the cannon and no risk of losing his piece to
the cannon. If you turn up anything else, the opponent can turn over a piece one hop away. If he finds a cannon, it
can take your piece, but no matter what it is, your piece can't immediately take his. By convention, the new
challenger plays first to give the previous games loser a slight advantage.
Chance - It is difficult to form strategy early on, since all pieces are hidden. This is a disadvantage to experienced
players, who cannot follow a formulaic win strategy.
Royalty - Incidentally, the life of the general is not the point of this game; the game does not end because of the
generals death. In fact, both generals usually die long before the end of the game. The game ends only when one
player has no legal move. Banqi is often a game of attrition.
Soldiers - Since there are five opposing soldiers, the mighty general is perversely vulnerable, and frequently the
general turns out to be worthless in the face of a soldier front. This vulnerability makes the second-highest rank,
chariots in Hong Kong or advisors in Taiwan, the most powerful pieces in many games.
It is often advantageous to search out and destroy the enemy soldiers, which the opponent may overlook as less
valuable pieces. Once the enemy soldiers are eliminated, the general can roam free across the field in relative
safety, vulnerable only to attacks by cannons and the opposing general.
Cannons - Under Taiwanese rules, the cannon has devastating potential if it is well placed behind a shield of
strong allied pieces. Given such position, a cannon can be stronger than either general or advisor, especially if the
opposing general and/or advisors have limited lateral mobilitythat is, if they cant sidestep a cannon attack. On
the other hand, the opponent has plenty of pieces that can capture the cannon if only they can get next to it, so a
poorly placed Cannon is usually short-lived. Most players will readily sacrifice a horse, chariot, or elephant to
capture a cannon.
Hidden Pieces - Play is often directed by the face-down pieces. Pieces are vulnerable in a dead-end tunnel (a
sequence of empty squares one square wide, surrounded by face-down pieces), in which there is no escape from a
pursuing enemy piece.
If there is enough space between you and the attacker, you will have time to turn up some face-down pieces
before the attacker closes on you. If you get to an open area at least 2 x 2 in size, you can use that rotation
space to dodge a single enemy piece by sidestepping. You can sometimes create a rotation space by turning up
a smaller enemy piece on the inside corner of a bend in the tunnel, or you might be able to punch through a
wall of the tunnel to reach an open area on the other side.
It is often important to keep track of what pieces are still face-down. Usually this is done by checking both the
graveyard for dead pieces and the playing field for live pieces; by the process of elimination you can figure
out what must still remain.
Resignation - A player may simply resign if the game seems lopsided.
Attrition - Exchanging equal pieces is usually to the advantage of the player who is ahead. When winning by a
sufficient margin, even disadvantageous trades can accelerate victory if chosen carefully.
Objective - Often, the move that will win most quickly (or break an impending stalemate) gives away the most
valuable piece. Such moves are often overlooked.
Evasion - Some players derive pleasure from making it as difficult as possible for the opponent to actually coerce
the win. Others make a game of seeing how many opposing pieces they can capture before their demise. Some
just resign when defeat becomes evident, and start a new game.

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303

Parity - Parity is important, especially in the end game. In situations where only an opposing King and pawn are
left with one space between, turn order invariably determines the winner. The pawn's move will produce a
stalemate, while the King's move will result in his inevitable capture.
Pinning - It is fairly easy to pin a piece against the edge of the board. Frequently, being pinned or not is the
difference between defeat and stalemate.

External links
Introduction to one variant of Banqi [1]

Software
Banqi Blue for Android [2]
Chinese Dark Chess for Android [3]

References
[1] http:/ / woodpress. org/ banqi/
[2] https:/ / market. android. com/ details?id=com. mct. banqiblue2011
[3] https:/ / market. android. com/ details?id=com. xidea. ChineseDarkChess& hl=en

Giog
Giog is a game played by two to four players. It can either be played for fun or as a serious competition. It contains a
considerable amount of luck, strategic and psychological elements.

Giog
Players

2 to 4

Age range

Any

Setup time

< 1 minute

Playing time

5-10 minutes

Random chance Medium

Skill(s) required Tactics, Psychology

Equipment
Like Banqi, Giog uses Xiangqi Pieces. For Giog, it is important that the backs as well as the rims of the pieces be
indistinguishable from each other so the pieces cannot be identified when face down. There are seven piece types in
the game: Pawns, Cannons, Horses (or Knights), Chariots (or Rooks), Advisors (or Elephants), Guards, Generals (or
Kings), respectively shown in the figure below. There are altogether 32 pieces and 2 colors. Let's say the colors are
Red and Black.

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304

Set Up
All players help to scramble the 32 pieces face down and distribute the pieces evenly to themselves. If the number of
players is three, the winner of the previous game or a volunteer receives 12 pieces and the other two players receive
10 pieces each. Like a Mahjong game, each player arranges his/her pieces into one line with half of the pieces on top
of the other half. Figure below shows how 3 players arrange their pieces.

The Ranking of Pieces

The ranking of pieces in Giog is identical to Banqi's ranking. That is, in ascending order:
Pawns < Cannons < Horses < Chariots < Advisors < Guards < Generals.
The exceptions are: firstly, a black piece is always inferior than a red piece of the type.
Black < Red.
For example, Red Horse wins Black Horse. And also, Pawns are inferior than Generals.

Determining the Order of players

Each of the players now reveals (turns up) any one lower piece not in his/her own profile. He/she then places the
revealed piece face up on top of the other face down piece. The ranking of the 4 revealed pieces determines the order
of the players who revealed them. Should there be a tie among some players, they apply the same procedures again
by revealing more lower pieces until the order is finally determined.

Choosing and collecting pieces

The first player (who revealed or subsequently revealed the strongest piece in the previous process) starts to choose
his pieces. He/she may only choose his pieces starting from a left or right head duo in any player's profile. He/she
therefore has as many choices as twice the number of players. Following the first player, the second, third and fourth
players consecutively collect their pieces, two at one time. The process is repeated until no piece (4-player game), 2
pieces (3-player game), 8 pieces (2-player game) are remained. These pieces are kept face down at a side and do not
enter the game. Figure below shows John, having revealed a Black general starts to collect his first two pieces from
no. 1 position. Kate who reveals a Red Guard collects the no. 2 duo. John misses the Black General but is consoled
by the Red Guard at no. 7.

Playing the game

The first player plays his pieces first. He/she or any player who starts a new round may play the following 6 valid
combinations of a same color:
"Liab": Single. Any piece.
"Dui": Double. Any 2 identical pieces.
"Giog": A triple of a certain combination:
1 Chariot + 1 Horse + 1 Cannon
1 Cannon + 1 Advisor + 1 Guard
1 General + 1 Guard + 1 Advisor
"Sam Mui": 3 identical pieces.
"Si Mui": 4 identical pieces.
"Wu Mui": 5 identical pieces.
Each of the other players must play the same number of pieces. A player may play any pieces regardless of color or
rank if he/she does not have the above valid combinations. The ranking of "Liab" is as before. Bear in mind that

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305
Black < Red. The ranking of "Dui" is same as the ranking of "Liab". The ranking of "Giog" is as follows:
Chariot, Horse, Cannon < Cannon, Advisor, Guard < General, Guard, Advisor.
The ranking of "Sam Mui", "Si Mui" and "Wu Mui" are according to color, since only pawns are possible to form
them.
The player who played the strongest combinations of a same type (as what the round-starter played) wins that round.
If there is a tie, the round-starter always wins, or the order of players determines the winner. For example, if the first
and fourth player play the same combinations, first player wins unless fourth player is the round-starter. The winner
of a round collects the won pieces and starts a new round. The game is played until all pieces are exhausted. The
winner will go to the player who wins most pieces.

Beheading the Cock

It is forbidden to play a General in the first or last round, either as a single piece or as part of a valid or non-valid
combination. If a player is forced or tricked to play a general in the first or last round, then it is said that a cock is
beheaded, and that player is considered the ultimate loser of the game even if he wins most pieces.

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Shogi and variants

Shogi
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)

Shogi

A shogi game being played with a magnetic traveling set. Captured pieces in the tray (bottom-center) can be dropped on the board by the capturing
player.
Genre(s)

Board game

Players

Age range

5+

Setup time

< 2 minutes

Playing time

30 mins. to 2 hours (typically)

Random chance

None

Skill(s) required

Tactics, Strategy

Shogi ( shgi, generals' chess) ( /oi/), also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game in the
same family as Western chess, chaturanga, and Chinese Xiangqi, and is the most popular of a family of chess
variants native to Japan. Shgi means general's (sh ) boardgame (gi ).
The earliest predecessor of the game, chaturanga, originated in India in the 6th century, and was brought to Japan
sometime in the 10th to 12th centuries, where it spawned a number of variants. Shogi in its present form was played
as early as the 16th century, while a direct ancestor without the "drop rule" was recorded from 1210 in a historical
document Nichreki, which is an edited copy of Shchreki and Kaichreki from the late Heian period (ca. 1120).
According to ChessVariants.com, "Perhaps the enduring popularity of Shogi can be attributed to its 'drop rule'; it was
the first chess variant wherein captured pieces could be returned to the board to be used as one's own. David
Pritchard credits the drop rule to the practice of 16th century mercenaries who switched loyalties when capturedno
doubt as an alternative to execution."[1]

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307

Game equipment
Two players, Sente (Black) and Gote
(White), play on a board composed of
rectangles in a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by 9
files (columns). The rectangles are
undifferentiated by marking or color. The
board is almost always made of rectangles;
square boards are very uncommon.
Each player has a set of 20 wedge-shaped
pieces of slightly different sizes. Except for
the kings, opposing pieces are differentiated
only by orientation, not by marking or color.
From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful), the pieces are:
1 king
1 rook
1 bishop
2 gold generals
2 silver generals
2 knights

A traditional shgi-ban (shogi board) displaying a set of koma (pieces). The pieces
on the far side are turned to show their promoted values. The stands on either side
are komadai used to hold captured pieces. The board itself is raised for the comfort
of players seated on tatami mats (background), and is hollowed underneath to
produce a pleasing sound when the pieces are moved.

2 lances
9 pawns
Several of these names were chosen to correspond to their rough equivalents in international chess, and not as literal
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name written on its surface in the form of two kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese), usually
in black ink. On the reverse side of each piece, other than the king and gold general, are one or two other characters,
in amateur sets often in a different colour (usually red); this side is turned face up during play to indicate that the
piece has been promoted. The pieces of the two players do not differ in colour, but instead each faces forward,
toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.
It has been claimed that the Japanese characters have deterred people from learning shogi. This has led to
"Westernized" or "international" pieces, which replace the characters with iconic symbols. However, partially
because the traditional pieces are already iconic by size, with more powerful pieces being larger, most Western
players soon learn to recognize them, and Westernized pieces have never become popular.
Following is a table of the pieces with their Japanese representations and English equivalents. The abbreviations are
used for game notation and often to refer to the pieces in speech in Japanese.

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308

Closeup of shogi pieces. Top: +R, R, K

(reigning), K (challenging), B, +B. Bottom: +L,
L, +S, S, G, N, +N, p, +p.

English name

Image

Kanji

Rmaji

Meaning

Abbreviations

King
(reigning)

sh

king general

King
(challenging)

gyokush

jeweled general

gyoku

Rook

hisha

flying chariot

hi

Promoted rook
("Dragon")

ry

dragon king

+R or * ry

Bishop

kakugy

angle mover

Promoted
bishop
("Horse")

Gold general
("Gold")

kaku

ryma or ryme dragon horse

+B

uma

kinsh

gold general

kin

Silver general
("Silver")

ginsh

silver general

gin

Promoted silver

narigin

promoted silver

+S ()

Knight

keima

cassia horse

kei

Promoted knight

narikei

promoted cassia

+N ( or )

Lance

kysha

incense chariot

Promoted lance

nariky

promoted incense +L ( or )

Pawn

fuhy

foot soldier

Promoted pawn
("tokin")

tokin

reaches gold

+p (or ) to

ky

fu

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309

* The kanji is a simplified form of .

English speakers sometimes refer to promoted bishops as horses and promoted rooks as dragons, after their Japanese
names, and generally use the Japanese term tokin for promoted pawns. Silver generals and gold generals are
commonly referred to simply as silvers and golds.
The characters inscribed on the reverse sides of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink, and are
usually cursive. The characters on the backs of the pieces that promote to gold generals are cursive variants of
'gold', becoming more cursive (more abbreviated) as the value of the original piece decreases. These cursive forms
have these equivalents in print: for promoted silver, for promoted knight, for promoted lance, and for
promoted pawn (tokin). Another typographic convention has abbreviated versions of the unpromoted ranks, with a
reduced number of strokes: for a promoted knight (), for a promoted lance (), and the as above for a
promoted silver, but for tokin.

Setup and gameplay

Each player sets up his pieces facing his opponent.
In the rank nearest the player he places:

The king is placed in the center file.

The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king.
The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general.
The two knights are placed adjacent to each silver general.
The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is

The starting setup of a game of shogi.

L N S G K G S N L

or

In the second rank, each player places:

The bishop in the same file as the left knight.
The rook in the same file as the right knight.
In the third rank, the nine pawns are placed one to each file.
Traditionally, even the order of placing the pieces on the board is determined. There are two recognized orders,
ohashi and ito.[2] Placement sets pieces with multiples (generals, knights, lances, pawns) from left to right in all
cases, and follows the order:

King
Gold generals
Silver generals
Knights

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310

In Ito, the player now places pawns

Lances
Bishop
Rook
In Ohashi, the player now places pawns
The players alternate taking turns, with one player taking Black and playing first. The terms "Black" and "White" are
used to differentiate the two sides, but there is no actual difference in the color of the pieces. For each turn a player
may either move a piece which is already on the board (and potentially promote it, capture an opposing piece, or
both) or else "drop" a piece that has already been captured onto an empty square of the board. These options are
detailed below.
Professional games are timed as in International Chess, but professionals are never expected to keep time in their
games. Instead a timekeeper is assigned, typically an apprentice professional. Time limits are much longer than in
International Chess (9 hours a side plus extra time in the prestigious Meijin title match), and in addition byyomi
(literally "second counting") is employed. This means that when the ordinary time has run out, the player will from
that point on have a certain amount of time to complete every move (a byyomi period), typically upwards of one
minute. The final ten seconds are counted down, and if the time expires the player to move loses the game
immediately. Amateurs often play with electronic clocks that beep out the final ten seconds of a byyomi period,
with a prolonged beep for the last five.

Movement and capture

Most shogi pieces can only move to an adjacent square. A few may move across the board, and one jumps over
intervening pieces.
Every piece blocks the movement of all other non-jumping pieces through the square it occupies. However, if a piece
occupies a legal destination for an opposing piece, it may be captured by removing it from the board and replacing it
with the opposing piece. It is not possible for the capturing piece to continue beyond that square on that turn.
It is common to keep captured pieces on a wooden stand (or komadai) which is traditionally placed so that its bottom
left corner aligns with the bottom right corner of the board from the perspective of each player. It is not permissible
to hide pieces from full view. This is because captured pieces, which are said to be in hand, have a crucial impact on
the course of the game.
The knight jumps, that is, it passes over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, without an effect on either. It is
the only piece to do this.
The lance, bishop, and rook are ranging pieces: They can move any number of squares along a straight line limited
only by intervening pieces and the edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by
removing it from the board and replacing it with the moving piece. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece
must stop short of that square; if the friendly piece is adjacent, the moving piece may not move in that direction at
all.
All pieces but the knight move either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. These directions cannot be combined
into a single move; one direction must be chosen.
Normally when a player moves a piece, he/she snaps it to the board with the ends of the fingers of the same hand.
This makes a sudden sound effect, bringing the opponent to the attention of the piece. This is also true for capturing
and dropping pieces. On a traditional shogi ban, the pitch of the snap is deeper, delivering a more subtle effect.

Shogi

311

King
A King can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

The king

Rook
A rook can move any number of free squares along any one of the four orthogonal directions.

|
|
The rook

Bishop
A bishop can move any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonal directions.

The bishop

Because they cannot move orthogonally, the opposing unpromoted bishops can only reach half the squares of the
board, unless they are captured and then dropped by the opposing player.

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312

Gold general
A gold general can move one square orthogonally, or one square diagonally forward, giving it six possible
destinations. It cannot move diagonally backward.

The gold general

Silver general
A silver general can move one square diagonally or one square directly forward, giving it five possibilities.

The silver general

Because an unpromoted silver can retreat more easily than a promoted one (see below), it is very common to leave a
silver unpromoted at the far side of the board.

Knight
A knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one
square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward destinations. It cannot move to
the sides or backwards.

The knight

The knight is the only piece that ignores intervening pieces on the way to its destination. It is not blocked from
moving if the square in front of it is occupied, but neither can it capture a piece on that square.

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313

It is often useful to leave a knight unpromoted (see below) at the far side of the board. However, since a knight
cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote when it lands on one of the two far ranks and would
otherwise be unable to move further.

Lance
A lance can move any number of free squares directly forward. It cannot move backward or to the sides.

The lance

It is often useful to leave a lance unpromoted (see below) at the far side of the board. However, since a lance cannot
move backward or to the sides, it must promote if it arrives at the far rank.

Pawn
A pawn can move one square directly forward. It cannot retreat.

The pawn

Since a pawn cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote (see below) if it arrives at the far rank.
However, in practice, a pawn is promoted whenever possible, for the most part.
Unlike the pawns of international chess, shogi pawns capture the same way they otherwise move, directly forward.
There are two restrictive rules for where a pawn may be dropped. (See below.)

Promotion
A player's promotion zone is the far third of the board, the three ranks occupied by the opposing pieces at setup. If a
piece moves across the board and part of that path lies within the promotion zone, that is, if it moves into, out of, or
wholly within the zone, but not if it is dropped(see below), then that player may choose to promote the piece at the
end of the turn. Promotion is indicated by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the character for the
promoted rank.
If a pawn or lance reaches the far rank or a knight reaches either of the two farthest ranks, it must promote, as it
would otherwise have no legal move on subsequent turns. A silver general never needs to promote, and it is often
advantageous to keep a silver general unpromoted; it is easier, for example, to extract an unpromoted silver from

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behind enemy lines, whereas a promoted silver, with only one line of retreat, can be easily blocked.

A player's promotion zone (green)

When captured, pieces lose their promoted status. Otherwise promotion is permanent.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. Each piece promotes as follows:
A silver general, knight, lance, or pawn replaces its normal power of movement with the power of a gold general.
A rook or bishop keeps its original power of movement and gains the power to move one square in any direction,
like a king. This means that a promoted bishop is able to reach any square on the board, given enough moves.
A king or a gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.

Promoted rook
A promoted rook (dragon king, Ryuou) may move as a rook or as a king, but not as both on the same turn.

The dragon king

Promoted bishop
A promoted bishop ("dragon horse Ryuuma") may move as a bishop or as a king, but not as both on the same turn.

The dragon horse

Shogi

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play under the
capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece on the board, a player may take a piece that had
been previously captured and place it, unpromoted side up, on any empty square, facing the opposing side. The piece
is now part of the forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece, nor does dropping within the promotion zone result in immediate promotion.
However, either capture or promotion may occur normally on subsequent moves by the piece.
A pawn, knight, or lance may not be dropped on the far rank, since it would have no legal move on subsequent turns.
Similarly, a knight may not be dropped on the penultimate rank.
There are two other restrictions when dropping pawns:
1. A pawn cannot be dropped onto the same file (column) as another unpromoted pawn controlled by the same
player (promoted pawns do not count). A player who has an unpromoted pawn on every file is therefore unable to
drop a pawn anywhere. For this reason it is common to sacrifice a pawn in order to gain flexibility for drops.
2. A pawn cannot be dropped to give an immediate checkmate. However, other pieces may be dropped to give
immediate checkmate, a pawn that is already on the board may be advanced to give checkmate, and a pawn may
be dropped so that either it or another piece can give checkmate on a subsequent turn.
It is common for players to swap bishops, which oppose each other across the board. This leaves each player with a
bishop "in hand" to be dropped later, and gives an advantage to the player with the stronger defensive position.

Checkmate and winning the game

When a player makes a move such that the opposing king could be captured on the following turn, the move is said
to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get the king out of check (which is necessary whenever possible[3] ), the checking move is also checkmate
(tsumi ) and effectively wins the game. The losing player should resign out of courtesy at this point, although in
practice this rarely happens, as a player will concede defeat as soon as loss is inevitable.
To give the warning "check!" in Japanese, one says "te!" (). However, this is an influence of international
chess and is not required, even as a courtesy.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.
In professional and serious amateur games, a player who makes an illegal move loses immediately.
There are two other possible, if uncommon, ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and impasse
( jishgi).
If the same game position occurs four times with the same player to play, the game is considered a draw. (This used
to be that it happened if a sequence caused repetition thrice.)[4] For two positions to be considered the same, the
pieces in hand must be the same as well as the positions on the board. However, if this occurs with one player giving
perpetual check, then that player loses.
The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens, the winner is decided as follows: Each
rook or bishop scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces except kings score 1 point each.
(Promotions are ignored for the purposes of scoring.) A player scoring fewer than 24 points loses. (If neither player
has fewer than 24, the game is no contesta draw.) Jishgi is considered an outcome in its own right rather than no
contest, but there is no practical difference.
As this impasse generally needs to be agreed on for the rule to be invoked, a player may refuse to do so, on the
grounds that he/she could gain further material or position before an outcome has to be decided. If that happens, one
player may force jishgi upon getting his king and all his pieces protected in the promotion zone.[5]

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316

In professional tournaments the rules typically require drawn games to be replayed with colours (sides) reversed,
possibly with reduced time limits. This is rare compared to chess and xiangqi, occurring at a rate of 1-2% even in
amateur games. The 1982 Meijin title match between Nakahara Makoto and Kato Hifumi was unusual in this regard,
with jishgi in the first game (only the fifth draw in the then 40-year history of the tournament), a game which lasted
for an unusual 223 moves (not counting in pairs of moves), with an astounding 114 minutes spent pondering a single
move, and sennichite in the sixth and eighth games. Thus this best-of-seven match lasted ten games and took over
three months to finish; Black did not lose a single game and the eventual victor was Kat at 4-3.

Player ranking and handicaps

Amateur players are ranked from 15 ky to 1 ky and then from 1 dan and upwards; this is the same terminology as
many other arts in Japan. Professional players operate with their own scale, from professional 4 dan and upwards to
9 dan for elite players.[6] Amateur and professional ranks are offset (with amateur 4 dan being equivalent to
professional 6 kyu).[7]
Games between players of disparate strengths are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces are removed from the setup, and in exchange White plays first. Note that the missing pieces are not
available for drops and play no further part in the game. The imbalance created by this method of handicapping is
not as strong as it is in international chess because material advantage is not as powerful in shogi.
Common handicaps, in increasing order of severity, include:

Left lance
Bishop
Rook
Rook and left lance
Two pieces: Rook and bishop
Four pieces: Rook, bishop, and both lances
Six pieces: Rook, bishop, both lances and both knights

Other handicaps are also occasionally used. The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not
universally agreed upon, with several systems in use.
If a jishgi occurs in a handicap game, the removed pieces are counted as if White had them in play, or available for
drops.[8]

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. It is not used in Japanese-language
texts, as it is no more concise than kanji.
A typical move might be notated P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P for Pawn. (There is also L
lance, N knight, S silver, G gold, B bishop, R rook, K king, as above.) Promoted pieces are indicated by a + in front
of the letter: +P is a tokin (promoted pawn).
Following the abbreviation for the piece is a symbol for the type of move: for a simple move, x for a capture, or *
for a drop. Next is the square on which the piece lands. This is indicated by a numeral for the file and a lowercase
letter for the rank, with 1a being the top right corner (as seen by Black) and 9i being the bottom left corner. This is
based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, square 2c is
"2" in Japanese.
If a move entitles the player to promote, then a + is added to the end if the promotion was taken, or an = if it was
declined. For example, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without promoting.

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317

In cases where the piece is ambiguous, the starting square is added to the letter for the piece. For example, at setup
Black has two golds which can move to square 5h (in front of the king). These are distinguished as G6i-5h (from the
left) and G4i-5h (from the right).
Moves are numbered per player's move, unlike chess which counts each pair of moves as one move. For example,
the start of a game might look like this:
1.
3.
5.
7.

P-7f
P-2f
P-2e
Sx8h

2.
4.
6.
8.

P-3d
G-3b
Bx8h+
S-2b

In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Strategy and tactics

Shogi is similar to chess but has a much larger game tree complexity because of the use of drops.[9] However, like
chess, the game can be divided into the opening, middle game and endgame, each requiring a different strategy. The
opening consists of arranging one's defenses and positioning for attack, the mid game consists of attempting to break
through the opposing defenses while maintaining one's own, and the end game starts when one side's defenses have
been compromised.

History
"The world's first chess variant Chaturanga arose in India in approximately the seventh century AD. From there it
migrated both westward and northward, mutating along the way."[1] "The western branch became Shatranj in Arabia
and Orthodox Chess in Europe. The northern branch became Xiangqi in China and Changgi in Korea."[1] "Sometime
in the 10th to 12th centuries, 'chess' crossed the channel to Japan where it spawned a number of interesting
variants."[1] "One of these was called 'Small Shogi'."[1] "Eventually, Small Shogi (though it went through many
forms) won out over the larger variants and is now referred to simply as 'Shogi'."[1] "It is certain that Shogi in its
present form was played in Japan as early as the 16th century."[1]
It is not clear when chess was brought to Japan. The earliest generally accepted mention of shogi is Shin Saru
Gakuki () (10581064) by Fujiwara Akihira. The oldest archaeological evidence is a group of 16 shogi
pieces excavated from the grounds of Kfuku-ji in Nara Prefecture. As it was physically associated with a wooden
tablet written on in the sixth year of Tenki (1058), the pieces are thought to date from that period. These simple
pieces were cut from a writing plaque in the same five-sided shape as modern pieces, with the names of the pieces
written on them.
The dictionary of common folk culture, Nichreki () (ca. 12101221), a collection based on the two works
Shchreki () and Kaichreki (), describes two forms of shogi, large (dai) shogi and small (sh)
shogi. These are now called Heian shogi (or Heian small shogi) and Heian dai shogi. Heian small shogi is the version
on which modern shogi is based, but the Nichreki states that one wins if one's opponent is reduced to a single king,
indicating that drops had not yet been introduced. According to Kji Shimizu, chief researcher at the Archaeological
Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, the names of the Heian shogi pieces keep those of chaturanga (general,
elephant, horse, chariot and soldier), and add to them the five treasures of Buddhism (jade, gold, silver, katsura tree,
and incense).
Around the 13th century the game of dai shogi developed, created by increasing the number of pieces in Heian shogi,
as was sho shogi, which added the rook, bishop, and drunken elephant from dai shogi to Heian shogi. Around the
15th century, the rules of dai shogi were simplified, creating the game of chu shogi in a form close to the modern
game. It is thought that the rules of standard shogi were fixed in the 16th century, when the drunken elephant was

Shogi
removed from the set of pieces. However, there is no clear record of when drops were introduced.
In the Edo period, shogi variants were greatly expanded: tenjiku shogi, dai dai shogi, maka dai dai shogi, tai shogi,
and taikyoku shogi were all invented. However, it is thought that these were only played to a very limited extent.
Both standard shogi and go were promoted by the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1612, the shogunate passed a law giving
endowments to top shogi players (Meijin ()). During the reign of the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune,
castle shogi tournaments were held once a year on the 17th day of Kannazuki, corresponding to November 17, which
is Shogi Day on the modern calendar.
The title of meijin became hereditary in the hashi and It families until the fall of the shogunate, when it came to be
passed by recommendation. Today the title is used for the winner of the Meijin-sen competition, the first modern
title match. From around 1899, newspapers began to publish records of shogi matches, and high-ranking players
formed alliances with the aim of having their games published. In 1909, the Shogi Association () was
formed, and in 1924, the Tokyo Shogi Association () was formed. This was an early incarnation of
the modern Japan Shogi Association (), founded in 1997.
In 1935, meijin Sekine Kinjir stepped down, and the rank of meijin came to be awarded to the winner of a Meijin
title match ( meijin-sen). Yoshio Kimura () became the first Meijin under this system in 1937. This
was the start of the shogi title matches (see titleholder system). After the war other tournaments were promoted to
title matches, culminating with the Ry title match ( ry-sen) in 1988 for the modern line-up of seven.
About 200 professional shogi players compete. Each year, the title holder defends the title against a challenger
chosen from knockout or round matches.
The closest cousin of Shogi in the Chaturanga family is Makruk of Thailand. Not only the similarity in distribution
and movements of the pieces but also the names of Shogi pieces suggest intimacy between Shogi and Makruk by its
Buddhist symbolism (Gold, Silver, Cassia and Incense), which isn't recognised in Chinese chess at all. In fact,
Chinese chess and its East Asian variants are far remoter relatives than Makruk. Though some early variants of
Chaturanga more similar to Shogi and Makruk are known to have been played in Tang Dynasty China, they are
thought to have been extinguished in Song Dynasty China and in East Asia except in Japan probably owing to the
popularity of Chinese chess.

Tournament Play
In 1996, Yoshiharu Habu won all seven titles; in 2008 he held four. In 2006, the Shogi Association admitted women
to the ranks of professionals ().
Since the 1990s, shogi has grown in popularity outside Japan, particularly in the People's Republic of China, and
especially Shanghai. The January 2006 edition of Kindai Shogi () states that there are 120,000 shogi
players in Shanghai. The game has been relatively slow to spread to countries where Chinese characters are not in
common use.

Computer shogi
Shogi has the highest game complexity of all popular chess variants. Therefore, Shogi is the hardest of the popular
chess variants in terms of programming the computer to beat the highest rated player. Computers have steadily
improved in playing shogi since the 1970s. In 2007, champion Yoshiharu Habu estimated the strength of the 2006
world computer shogi champion Bonanza at the level of 2-dan shoreikai. Tools used by shogi programmers are the
GUI Shogidokoro, shogi server Floodgate and the annual computer tournaments. The Japan Shogi Association
prohibits professionals from playing computers in public without prior permission. After some 35 years of
development, a computer finally beat a professional player on October 12, 2010, when the top ranked female
champion Ichiyo Shimizu was beaten by the Akara2010 system in a game lasting just over 6 hours.[10] Highest rated
player on Shogi Club 24 is computer program Ponanza, rated 3211.[11] On July 24 2011, computer Shogi programs

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319

Bonanza and Akara crushed the amateur team of Kosaku and Shinoda in 2 games. The allotted time for the amateurs
was 1 hour and then 3 minutes per move. The allotted time for the computer was 25 minutes and then 10 seconds per
move.[12]

Shogi video games

Hundreds of video games were released exclusively in Japan for several consoles.

Notes
[1] ChessVariants.com (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogi. html)
[2] The Japanese-language page Shogi Pineapple (http:/ / shogi-pineapple. com/ bbs/ mibbs. cgi?mo=p& fo=beginner& tn=0006) indicates the
two orders; ohashi is depicted on the left and ito on the right. See also the page from Lucky Dogs Games (http:/ / www. luckydog. pwp.
blueyonder. co. uk/ games/ shogi/ index. htm)
[3] http:/ / lists. topica. com/ lists/ shogi/ read/ message. html?sort=a& mid=812767402
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

YouTube - How to play Shogi() -Lesson#15- Repetition("Sen-nichi-te") (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=7SZpI_a4aC0)
http:/ / www. shogi. net/ arc/ shogi-l/ shogi_rules. txt
http:/ / www. shogi. net/ arc/ shogi-l/ shogi_ranking. txt
Title offset illustration (http:/ / web-japan. org/ kidsweb/ archives/ news/ 04-12/ image/ kyudan. gif)
- The Basic Rules, par. 2 (http:/ / eric. macshogi. com/ shogi/ handicap/ handicap-intro. html)

[9] Hitoshi Matsubara, Reijer Grimbergen. "Differences between Shogi and western Chess from a computational point of view". Proceedings:
Board Games in Academia.
[10] http:/ / search. japantimes. co. jp/ cgi-bin/ nn20101012x3. html
[11] "Computer program Ponanza highest rated player on Shogi Club 24" (http:/ / www. shogidojo. com) (in Japanese). Shogi Club 24. .
[12] "Shogi computer programs crush Amateurs" (http:/ / www. asahi. com/ shougi/ topics/ TKY201108020334. html) (in Japanese). The Asahi
Shimbun. 2 August 2011. .

References
Bibliography
SHOGI Magazine (70 issues, January 1976 - November 1987) by The Shogi Association (edited by George
Hodges)
Shogi for Beginners (1984) by John Fairbairn
Guide to Shogi openings: Shogi problems in Japanese and English (1983) by Aono Teruichi, translated by John
Fairbairn
Better Moves for Better Shogi (1983) by Aono Teruichi, translated by John Fairbairn ISBN 4-87187-999-2
The Art of Shogi (1997) by Tony Hosking
Habu's Words (2000) by Habu Yoshiharu, translated by Takahashi Yamato and Tony Hosking
Classic Shogi (2006) by Tony Hosking
The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (1994) by David Pritchard, ISBN 0-9524142-0-1

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320

External links
Shogi (http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Board_Games/Abstract/Battle_Games/Shogi/) at the Open Directory
Project
Shogi play site, with almost all Shogi variants available for online play (http://shogitter.com/)
Presentation, rules, history of shogi (http://history.chess.free.fr/shogi.htm)
Micro-Shogi (http://www.kolumbus.fi/geodun/shogi.htm)
Shogi.Net (http://www.shogi.net/shogi.html)
Reijer Grimbergen's Shogi Page (http://www.teu.ac.jp/gamelab/SHOGI/shogipage.html)
Ricoh Shogi Page (http://www.ricoh.co.jp/SHOGI/index_e.html)
An Introduction to Shogi for Chess Players (http://www.crockford.com/chess/shogi.html)
Photos from international shogi tournament Tendo, Japan 2008 (http://depositfiles.com/files/06htzgcug)
Turn Based Shogi on GoldToken (http://goldtoken.com/games/play?rules=Shogi)
Shogipedia (http://wiki.81squareuniverse.com/)
Japanese Chess (http://www.japanesechess.org/) Flash file with an AI to play against.

Shogi strategy and tactics

Shogi, or Japanese Chess, is similar to chess but has a much larger
game tree complexity because of the use of drops.[1] However, like
chess, the game can be divided into the opening, middle game and
endgame, each requiring a different strategy. The opening consists of
arranging one's defenses and positioning for attack, the mid game
consists of attempting to break through the opposing defenses while
maintaining one's own, and the end game starts when one side's
defenses have been compromised.
The basic tactics of Shogi are similar to those of chess, involving forks,
pins, removing the defender and other techniques, all of which are
considered very strong when used effectively.

Opening

The starting setup of a game of shogi

The opening of shogi is generally slower than that of chess, due to the larger board and less mobile pieces. But since
a quick offense will leave a player's home territory open to drop attacks as soon as pieces are exchanged, the aim of
the opening is to build up defenses for the king, typically by moving the king to the side in a castle with three
generals.[2] Leaving a king on its original square ( igyoku or "sitting king") is a particularly dangerous
position.[3]
Both players can move the rook pawn forward, or, more commonly, advance the pawn above and to the right of the
bishop. The former is known as a rook opening and the latter a bishop opening. With a bishop opening, it's common
to exchange bishops by having one capture the other. This allows each player to put their newly captured bishop into
play anywhere on the board. However, it is not advantageous to exchange bishops if your opponent has a better
defensive setup, or more lines of attack.
Openings are also classified as static rook ( ibisha) openings, where the offense is supported by the rook in
its original position, and ranging rook ( furibisha) openings, where the rook moves to the center or left of
the board to support an attack there, typically with the idea of allowing the opponent to attack while arranging a
better defense and aiming for a counterattack. However, as the most powerful piece on the board, the rook invites

Shogi strategy and tactics

attack, and in most cases, especially for weaker players, it is a good idea to keep the king well away from the rook.[3]
Many common opening attacks involve advancing a silver, and ideally a pawn, along a file protected by the rook.
This is the climbing silver attack.[3] Because silvers have more possibilities for retreat, while golds better defend
their sides, silvers are generally considered superior as attacking pieces, and golds superior as defensive pieces. It is
common practice to defend the king with three generals, two golds and a silver.
Because defense is so important, and because shogi pieces are relatively slow movers, the opening game tends to be
much longer in shogi than in International Chess,[3] commonly with a dozen or more moves to shore up defenses
before the initial attack is made. There are several strong defensive fortifications known as castles. There are many
variations and types of castles which can be used, but it is essential to understand which ones are useful in the
current situation and how to compensate for its weak points.

The Yagura castle

The Yagura castle ( Yagura gakoi) is considered by many to
be the strongest defensive position in shogi.[3] It has a strongly
protected king; a well fortified line of pawns; and the bishop, rook, and
a pawn all support a later attack by the rook's silver or knight. It is
notoriously difficult to break down with a frontal assault, though it is
weaker from the side. It is typically used against static rook openings
that involve advancing the rook's pawn. However, one's opponent may
just as easily adopt this defense, giving neither side an advantage.
There is a good deal of flexibility in the order of moves when building
the Yagura defense, and the possibilities will not be listed here. The
The Yagura castle (defensive position)
only point to keep in mind is that the generals should move diagonally,
not directly forward.[3] However, there is a strong intermediate position
called the kani ("crab").[3] It has the three pawns on the left side advanced to their final Yagura positions, and on the
second rank all four generals are lined up next to the bishop, which is still in its starting position: |B|G|S|G|S|
bishop-gold-silver-gold-silver. The king is moved one square to the left, behind the middle silver.
While forming the castle, the rook's pawn is often advanced two squares in preparation for a climbing rook assault on
the opposing king. Another common preparation is to advance the adjacent silver's pawn square, allowing passage
for both the rook's silver and knight. These offensive moves are not properly part of the castle, but the two-square
pawn advance must be carried out early if there is to be room for it, and so it is often done while still castling.[3]
A common attack against the Yagura defense is to advance the rook's knight directly forward, defended by the rook
and with a pawn in hand, to attack the fortifications on either side of the castled king.[3] If the defender has answered
a lance's pawn advance on that side, a pawn may be dropped where the edge pawn had been. If the defending silver
has moved or is not yet in position, a pawn may be dropped there.

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Shogi strategy and tactics

322

The Mino castle

A defensive position that is considered easier for beginners, but still
popular with professionals, is the Mino castle ( Min gakoi).
The King is placed in a safe position, while the three generals work
well to back each other up. This is sometimes used when a player
chooses a bishop opening rather than the rook-pawn opening.
The Mino castle takes six moves to complete, not necessarily in this
order:

The Mino castle (defensive position)

1. Move the rook to the left side of the board, preferably to the sixth
file. This move must be first.
2. Move the king to where the rook started, 3 moves.
3. Move the right-side silver general up one space, so it is now adjacent to the king.
4. Move the left-side gold general diagonally up and right so that it is protected by the other gold general, which has
not yet moved.
5. (Optional) Move the edge pawn one square forward; two is even better. This gives king an escape route at the end
game.
6. (Optional) Move the fourth file pawn one square forward. This makes it harder for the most direct threat-mate on
the castle to be made.

The Anaguma castle

A third defense often used in professional Shogi is the Anaguma
(, Japanese for "badger"), commonly called the "bear in the
hole" castle in English ( Anaguma gakoi). This castle can be
executed on either side of the board, i.e. either by a player utilizing the
ranging rook strategy or by a player employing the static rook strategy.
The end-result will place the king in the corner square where the lance
started, defended by two gold generals and one silver.
One suggested strategy for a rook-side castle is:
1. Move the rook to the sixth or seventh file.
2. Move the king to the rook's starting square.

The Anaguma or "bear in the hole" castle

(defensive position)

3. Move the lance up one square, then move the king to the lance's starting square.
4. Move the silver general up and right.
5. Move both gold generals to the castle for additional defense.

Middle game
Professional shogi players tend to evaluate the 'flow' of the game, that is, the sequence of moves leading to the
current position and its likely development, much more than chess players.[4]
Because pawns attack head on, and cannot defend each other, they tend to be lost early in the game, providing
ammunition for such attacks. Dropping a pawn behind enemy lines, promoting it to a "tokin" (gold general), and
dropping a second pawn immediately behind the "tokin" so that they protect each other makes a strong attack; it
threatens the opponent's entire defense, but provides little value to the opponent if the attack fails and the pieces are
captured.

Shogi strategy and tactics

Players raised on International Chess often make poor use of drops,[3] but dropping is half the game. If a player has
more than a couple of captured pieces in hand, it is likely that dropping attacks are being overlooked. However, it is
wise to keep a pawn in hand, and often to exchange pieces if necessary to get one. Compared with International
Chess players, shogi players are more likely to sacrifice pieces, even powerful ones, if the resulting capture can be
dropped back into play for a specific purpose.
Attacking pieces can easily become trapped behind enemy lines, as the opponent can often drop a pawn on a
protected square to cut off the line of retreat. For this reason, rooks, which can retreat in only one direction, are
commonly kept at a safe distance in the early parts of the game, and used to support attacks by weaker pieces.
However, once the game has opened up, a promoted rook is an especially deadly piece behind enemy lines.
Advancing a lance pawn can open up the side of the board for attack. Therefore, when a player first advances a lance
pawn, it is common, though not obligatory, for the opponent to answer by advancing the opposing pawn, in order to
avoid complications later in the game. It also allows the king to escape if attacked from the side.

End game
The collapse of one side's defense marks the beginning of the end game. Once a player has broken through the
enemy lines, the opponent's king can be easily trapped by its own pieces. A common last-ditch defensive tactic is to
open the pawn line to allow the king to escape. Kings are more difficult to checkmate in the open, especially if the
opponent does not have many ranged pieces in play.
In the endgame, it comes down to a race over who can checkmate the opponent first. A tactic known as speed
counting plays an important role in the endgame. By counting the number of moves until checkmate (assuming the
opponent doesn't get to move) for both Black and White, this will help to influence decisions on whether to attack or
defend. A simple mistake can change the flow of the game drastically. Among this, there are many other delicate
factors to look out for within the endgame, including sacrificial attacks and traps.

References
[1] Hitoshi Matsubara, Reijer Grimbergen. "Differences between Shogi and western Chess from a computational point of view". Proceedings:
Board Games in Academia.
[2] Jonathan Schaeffer, Martin Mller, Yngvi Bjrnsson (2003). Computers and games: third international conference, CG 2002, Edmonton,
Canada, July 25-27, 2002: revised papers. Springer. pp.175.
[3] Shogi for Beginners, John Fairbairn, 1984.
[4] Ito Takeshi, Matsubara Hitoshi, R. Grimbergen (2004). "A Cognitive Science Approach to Shogi Playing Processes (2)-Some Results on Next
Move Test Experiments". Transactions of Information Processing Society of Japan 45 (5): 14811492.

Bibliography
Shogi for Beginners (1984) by John Fairbairn. An introduction.
Guide to Shogi openings: Shogi problems in Japanese and English (1983) by Aono Teruichi, translated by John
Fairbairn
Better Moves for Better Shogi (1983) by Aono Teruichi, translated by John Fairbairn ISBN 4-87187-999-2
The Art of Shogi (1997) by Tony Hosking
Habu's Words (2000) by Habu Yoshiharu, translated by Takahashi Yamato and Tony Hosking
Classic Shogi (2006) by Tony Hosking
Lightning Speed Endgame Technique (http://gamelab.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/SHOGI/TANIGAWABOOK/
tanigawabookmain.html) (1988) by Koji Tanigawa. Advanced strategy.
SHOGI Magazine (70 issues, January 1976 - November 1987) by The Shogi Association (edited by George
Hodges)

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Shogi strategy and tactics

External links
Ricoh Shogi Club (http://www.ricoh.co.jp/SHOGI/index_e.html)

History of shogi
Arrival in Japan
It is not clear when the ancestral chess-type game that later developed into shogi was brought to Japan. This is in
contrast to the game of go, which was almost certainly brought to Japan in or around the Nara period, since a go
board is stored in the treasury of Shsin (). There are tales that relate that it was invented by Yuwen Yong of
Northern Zhou, and that Kibi Makibi () brought it back after visiting the country of Tang, but both these
tales are likely to have been invented at the start of the Edo period by those keen to make a name for themselves as
authorities on shogi.
There are several theories about when shogi spread to Japan, but the earliest plausible date is around the 6th century.
It is thought that the pieces used in the shogi of the time were not the current five-sided pieces, but three-dimensional
figures, as were used in Chaturanga. This parallels the changes in chess pieces, which are more representational and
less abstract than those made earlier. However, a large problem with this theory is that as pieces in this form have
never been found, let alone stored in the treasury of Shsin, there is little physical evidence supporting it.
Another theory gives a later date, stating that shogi was brought to Japan after the start of the Nara period. but as
these games are different from shogi, for example in that pieces are placed on the intersections of lines, serious
doubts about this theory remain. The games of makruk from Thailand and Cambodia and sittuyin from Myanmar
have an elephant which moves in the same way as the silver general. Sittuyin also has the practice of dropping
pieces. From the Song Dynasty through the Ming Dynasty, China sent great trade convoys through the southern
islands and all around the Indian Ocean and also traded with Japan, so elements of South Asian chess could have
reached Japan.
See also the history of chess.

Shogi in the Heian period

One of the oldest documents indicating the existence of shogi is Kirinsh (), written by Fujiwara Yukinari
() (972 - 1027), a seven-volume work which contains a description of how to write the characters used for
shogi pieces, but the most generally accepted opinion is that this section was added by a writer from a later
generation. Shin Saru Gakuki () (1058 - 1064), written by Fujiwara Akihira also has passages relating to
shogi, and is regarded as the earliest document on the subject.
The oldest archaeological evidence is a group of 16 shogi pieces excavated from the grounds of Kfuku-ji in Nara
Prefecture, and as a wooden writing plaque written on in the sixth year of Tenki (1058) was found at the same time,
the pieces are thought to be of the same period. The pieces of the time appear to have been simple ones made by
cutting a writing plaque and writing directly on the surface, but they have the same five-sided shape as modern
pieces. As "Shin Saru Gakuki", mentioned above, is of the same period, this find is backed up by documentary
evidence.
The dictionary of common folk culture, Nichreki (), which it is estimated was created between 1210 and
1221, a collection based on the two works Shchreki () and Kaichreki (), thought to have been
written by Miyoshi Tameyasu (), describes two forms of shogi, large (dai) shogi and small (sh) shogi. So
as not to confuse these with later types of shogi, in modern times these are called Heian shogi (or Heian small shogi)
and Heian dai shogi. Heian shogi is the version on which modern shogi is based, but it is written that one wins if

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History of shogi
one's opponent is reduced to a single king, apparently indicating that at the time there was no concept of pieces in the
hand.
The pieces used in these variants of shogi consist of those used in Heian shogi: the king, gold general, silver general,
knight, lance, and pawn, and those used only in Heian great shogi: the copper general, iron general, side mover,
tiger, flying dragon, free chariot and go between. According to Kji Shimizu, chief researcher at the Archaeological
Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, the names of the Heian shogi pieces keep those of chaturanga (general,
elephant, horse, chariot and soldier), and add to them the five treasures of Buddhism (jewel, gold, silver, katsura tree,
and incense). There is also a theory by Yoshinori Kimura that while chaturanga was from the start a game simulating
war, and thus pieces were discarded once captured, Heian shogi involved pieces kept in the hand.

The development of medieval shogi

In games around the world related to shogi, there have been changes in the rules with the passage of time, such as
increasing the abilities of the pieces or their numbers, as winning strategies have been discovered, and the Japanese
game of shogi is no exception to this.
Around the 13th century, the game of dai shogi, created by increasing the number of pieces in Heian shogi, was
played, and the game of sho shogi, which adds the rook, bishop and drunken elephant from dai shogi to Heian shogi.
Around the 15th century, as the rules of dai shogi had become too complicated, they were simplified, creating the
game of chu shogi, which is close to the modern game. It is thought that the rules of modern shogi were fixed in the
16th century, when the drunken elephant was removed from the set of pieces. According to Shoshgi Zushiki
(), a set of shogi rules published in 1696, during the Ganroku period, it states that the drunken elephant
piece was removed from the game of sho shogi by Emperor Go-Nara during the Tenmon period (1532 - 1555), but
whether or not this is true is not clear.
As many as 174 shogi pieces have been excavated from the Ichijdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, which are
thought to be from the latter half of the 16th century. Most of these pieces are pawns, but there is also one drunken
elephant, leading to the hypothesis that in this period variations of shogi with and without the drunken elephant
existed side by side.
One point of note in the history of this family of games is that it was during this period that the unique rule in
Japanese shogi was developed whereby captured pieces (pieces in the hand) could be returned to the board. It is
thought that the rule of pieces in the hand was proposed around the 16th century, but there is also a theory that this
rule existed from the time of Heian sho shogi.
In the Edo period, more types of shogi with yet more pieces were proposed: tenjiku shogi, dai dai shogi, maka dai
dai shogi, tai shogi (also called "dai shogi", but termed "tai shogi" to avoid confusing the two) and taikyoku shogi.
However, it is thought that these forms of shogi were only played to a very limited extent.

Modern shogi
Modern shogi (hon shogi), like go, was officially approved by the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1612, the shogunate
passed a law giving endowments to shogi players including Kan Sansa () (Hon'inb Sansa ())
and Shkei () (who was given the name hashi Shkei () after his death). These iemotos (families
upholding the tradition of go or shogi) gave themselves the title of go-dokoro () (literally, places of go) and
shogi-dokoro (), places of shogi. The first O-hashi Shu-kei received fifty koku of rice and five men. In the
Kan'ei period (around 1630), the "castle shogi" () tournament, where games were played before a shogun,
was held. During the time of the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, a system was established where the castle
shogi tournament was held once a year on the 17th day on Kannazuki, and today the corresponding day in the
modern calendar, November 17, has been designated Shogi Day.

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History of shogi
The Meijin (), who were the iemotos of shogi, were paid endowments. Over the reign of the shogunate, the title
of meijin became a hereditary title of the hashi family and one of its branches, and the It family. Today the title of
meijin is still used, for the winner of the Meijin-sen competition. It became a tradition for shogi players inheriting the
title of meijin to present a collection of shogi puzzles to the shogunate government.
A number of genius shogi players emerged who were not hereditary meijin. It Kanju () was born in the
mid-Edo period, and showed promise as a potential meijin, but died young and never inherited the title (which was
bestowed on him posthumously). Kanju was a skilled composer of shogi puzzles, and even today his collection of
puzzles "Shogi Zuk" () is well known as one of the greatest works of its kind. In the late Edo period,
Amano Sho () came to prominence. As he was one of the "Arino group" of amateur shogi players, the rank
of meijin was out of his reach, but he was feared for his skill, being said to have "the ability of a 13-dan player", and
was later termed a kisei () (literally, wise man or master of shogi). More than a few count Sho as one of the
greatest shogi players in history.

Newspaper shogi and the formation of shogi associations

After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the three shogi families were no longer paid endowments, and the iemoto
system in shogi lost its power. The lines of the three families ended, and the rank of meijin came to be bestowed by
recommendation. The popularity of amateur shogi continued in the Meiji period, with shogi tournaments and events
held all over Japan, and "front-porch shogi" (), played wherever people gathered, in bath houses or barber's
shops. However, it is thought that, with the exception of a handful of high-ranking players at the end of the 19th
century, it was impossible to make a living as a professional shogi player during this period.
From around 1899, newspapers began to publish records of shogi matches, and high-ranking players formed
alliances with the aim of having their games published. In 1909, the Shogi Association () was formed,
and in 1924, the Tokyo Shogi Association () was formed, with Sekine Kinjir (), a
thirteenth-generation meijin, at its head. This was an early incarnation of the modern Japan Shogi Association
(), founded in 1997.

The meijin system and title matches

In 1935, Sekine Kinjiro- stepped down from the rank of meijin, which then came to be conferred based on ability in
the short term, rather than recommendation as before. The first Meijin title match ( meijin-sen) (known
officially at the time as the Meijin Kettei Kisen ()) was held over two years, with Yoshio Kimura
() becoming the first Meijin in 1937. This was the start of the shogi title matches (see titleholder system).
Later, in 1950, the Kudan title match ( kudan-sen) (9-dan title match) (renamed the Jdan title match (
jdan-sen) (10-dan title match) in 1962) and the sh title match ( sh-sen) (King title match) were founded.
The za-sen () tournament was started in 1953 and became a title match in 1983. In 1960 the i title match
( i-sen) was founded, and later the Kisei-sen () in 1962, and the Ki-sen ( ki-sen) in 1974. The
Jdan-sen was changed to become the Ry title match ( ry-sen) in 1988, completing the modern line-up of
seven title matches.

The ages of yama and Habu

It was considered to be nearly impossible to hold all the titles at once, but in 1957, Kz Masuda took all three of the
titles which existed at the time (Meijin, Kudan and sh), to become a triple champion (). However, another
player later took these three titles from Masuda, and went on in 1959 to take the newly founded titles of i and
Kisei, to become a quintuple champion () - Yasuharu yama (). yama went on to defend these
titles for six years, a golden age which became known as the "yama age". yama reached a total of 80 title holding
periods, an unprecedented achievement at the time, when there were fewer titles than at present.

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History of shogi
After the number of titles increased to seven in 1983, it was believed to be impossible to hold all of them at once, but
in 1996, Yoshiharu Habu became the first septuple champion (), beginning an age known as the "Habu age".
Since then, there has never been a time when he was without a title, and he has amassed a total of over 70 title
holding periods (71 at October 2008).

The birth of the women's game

While there are both men and women among the ranks of professional shogi players, no woman player has yet won
through the pro qualifier leagues ( shinshin kishi shreikai) to become an officially certified
professional player ( kishi). This served to slow the spread of the game among women, and to overcome the
problem, the system of professional woman shogi players ( jory kishi) was introduced.
In 1966, Akiko Takojima () left the pro-qualifier leagues at the 1-dan level and became the first
professional woman shogi player. However, at the time women's contests were not held, and so her only work as a
professional was giving shogi lessons. In 1974, the first women's contest, the Women's Meijin Title Match
( jory meijin-sen), was held, which Takojima won, becoming the first woman meijin. 1974 is often
considered to be the year in which women's shogi began, and indeed the Ladies Shogi Professional Organization
( jory kishi kai) celebrates "anniversary parties" counting from this year.
At present there are more than 50 professional women players, and as well as the Women's Meijin title match, there
is also the Women's sh Title Match (), the Women's i Title Match (), the yama Meijin
Cup
KurashikiTka
Title
Match
(),
the
Ladies'
Open
Tournament
(), and the Kajima Cup, a total of six competitions. In addition, each of the
standard professional tournaments has a women's section, in which the top women in each tournament compete.

Trends in the world of amateur shogi

Shogi is also well-known among the general public (amateurs). Two different rating systems based dan and kyu
ranks are used, one for amateurs and one for professionals, with the highest ranks at amateur level, 4-dan or 5-dan,
being equivalent to 6-kyu at the professional level. In the past, there were games between amateurs and
professionals, but these were generally special match-ups organised by newspapers or magazines, or instructional
games at events or shogi courses.
However, sometimes there are amateurs with an ability to rival professionals, some of whom earn a living as
shinken-shi (), gamblers playing for stakes. Motoji Hanamura () made enough to live on as a
shinken-shi, before taking the entrance exam and turning professional in 1944. He later challenged Yasuharu yama
in the meijin-sen, but did not manage to take the title of meijin from him. Jmei Koike () was another
shinken-shi, who beat one professional after another in special matches, and won the title of amateur meijin twice in
a row, putting him ahead of the crowd in the amateur world. Later, due in part to the instigation of yama, the then
chairman of the general assembly of the Japanese Shogi Association (), a vote was held on whether to
accept Koike among their ranks, but there were concerns about his behaviour, and the vote went against him.
Although he never became a professional, after his death, television programmes and books telling his story were
produced, and he now has more fans all over Japan than when he was alive.
In recent times, the gap in ability between strong amateurs and professionals continues to diminish, and there are
even official professional tournaments in which those with the best results in amateur shogi contests
() can take part. Some amateurs, including Tsuneyoshi Kobayashi (), Takashi
Amano (), Hirukawa (), Kiriyama (), Masaki End (), Masakazu Hayasaki
() and Atsumoto Yamada () have been called "pro killers", and recently two young players,
Yukio Kat () and Tru Shimizukami () have been making waves in the amateur world.

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History of shogi
The number of players who have left the pro qualifier leagues and gone on to have success as amateurs has
increased. Shji Segawa () retired from the qualifier leagues due to age restrictions, but went on to
compete as an amateur in professional matches. His performance in the Ginga title match (, ginga-sen) was
particularly notable, and at one point he won over 70% of his matches with professionals. Sekawa submitted a
petition requesting entry to the professional ranks to the Japan Shogi Association, and was granted exceptional
permission to take the entrance exam. He is the first person to become a professional after retiring from the pro
qualifier leagues.
In 2006, the Shogi Association officially admitted the entrance of amateurs and women professionals to the ranks of
professionals (), and announced details of an entrance exam for the 4-dan level (entering the "free class"
() level of the professional ranking league ()) and the third-level pro qualifier league
(). Unless exceptional permission is granted, applicant normally need to have experience in the
pro qualifier leagues, and cannot become professionals if they have retired from the leagues, but given the reforms
taking place in the Association, it would be by no means unlikely if another Shji Segawa were to appear.

The spread of shogi outside Japan

The game of shogi has developed independently inside Japan, and its pieces are differentiated by Japanese characters
written on them, factors which have impeded the spread of the game outside Japan. By way of comparison, the game
of go has spread internationally for a combination of many reasons, including the facts that it originated in China, its
rules are (more or less) unified at an international level, it is played using black and white stones, and that it does not
resemble games unique to another country (as is the case with shogi, which is one of many games resembling chess).
However, in the 1990s, efforts to make shogi popular outside Japan began in earnest. It has grown to be particularly
popular in the People's Republic of China, and especially Shanghai. The January 2006 edition of Kindai Shogi
() states that Shanghai has a shogi population of 120,000 people. The game has been relatively slow to
spread to countries where Chinese characters are not in common use, although attempts have been made to aid
adoption by replacing the names of pieces with symbols indicating how they move.

Changes in the shogi population

According to the "Leisure White Paper" () by the Japanese Productivity Center for Socio-Economic
Development (), the "shogi population" (the number of people of 15 years or over who
play at least one game of shogi a year) fell from 16.8 million in 1985 to 9 million in 2004, and 8.4 million in 2006,
and is continuing to fall gradually.
During the above period, in which the shogi population fell by a half, shogi has often appeared in the general media,
for example Yoshiharu Habu's achievement of taking all seven titles in one year (1996), the airing of the NHK TV
novel Futarikko () (1996), the reporting of the affair between Makoto Nakahara () and Naoko
Hayashiba (), Shji Segawa taking the professional entrance exam (2005), and the debate about the
management of the meijin-sen being passed to a different body (2006). However, none of these led to the birth of a
"shogi boom", and in some cases unfavourable media reports accelerated the decline in the number of shogi fans.
The number of 10 to 19 year olds playing go is said in the "Leisure White Paper" above to have increased due to the
story "Hikaru no Go", serialised in Weekly Shnen Jump. (The overall go population is decreasing.) However, the
2006 Leisure White Paper reports that go is most popular among those in their 60's, while shogi is most popular
between those aged 10 to 19.
From around 1996, internet shogi programs such as Java Shogi (Java) and The Great Shogi
(), which allow users to play games over the internet without the need for an actual shogi set,
grew to be widely used. At present, many games are played using services such as Shogi Club 24 (24),
Kindai Shogi Dojo () and Yahoo! Japan Games.

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History of shogi

329

Computer shogi
Computers have steadily improved in playing shogi since the 1980s. Champion Habu estimated the strength of the
2006 world computer shogi champion Bonanza at the level of 2 dan shoreikai. Tools to help shogi programmers are
Shogidokoro, annual computer tournaments and the Floodgate shogi server. The Japan Shogi Association restricts
professionals from playing computers.

Current title holders

In Japan, some 200 professional shogi players, all members of Japan Shogi Association, compete in seven title
tournaments. The winner of the previous year defends the title against a challenger chosen from knockout or round
matches.
Current title holders
2010 67th Meijin Yoshiharu Habu won over Hiroyuki Miura 4-0
2009 22nd Ry Akira Watanabe won over Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-0
2009 80th Kisei

Yoshiharu Habu won over Kazuki Kimura 3-2

2010 50th i

Akihito Hirose

2009 57th za

Yoshiharu Habu won over Takayuki Yamasaki 3-0

2010 58th sh

Toshiaki Kubo

won over Yoshiharu Habu 4-2

2009 34th Ki

Toshiaki Kubo

won over Yasumitsu Sat 3-2

won over Kichi Fukaura 4-2

References
This article was translated from the history section of the Japanese Wikipedia shogi article, retrieved on
September 17, 2006.

Meijin

330

Meijin
Meijin () is one of the seven titles in Japanese professional shogi, and is the most prestigious title, along with
Ryu-oh.
The word "meijin" means "an excellent person" in a certain field. ("mei"() = excellent, artful) ("jin"() = person)
The Meijin institution started in the 17th century (Edo period), but the person who assumed the Meijin position was
selected by succession.
In the 1930s, Kinjiro Sekine (13th Meijin) made a courageous decision. He abandoned his Meijin position and
proposed the institution of a tournament. Since 1937, the Meijin title has been given to the person who wins the
Meijin Championship each year.
The preliminary round of the Meijin tournament is called "Rank Tournament" (Jun-i Sen ) and involves five
league classes (A, B1, B2, C1, C2). The top three players of the C2 league are promoted to next year's C1 league.
The top two of the C1, B2, B1 leagues are promoted to next year's B2, B1, and A leagues, respectively. Only the
winner of the A-Class league can challenge the Meijin title holder. Therefore, at least five years experience of
Rank-Tournament-league is needed for challenging for the title of Meijin after one's professional debut.
The player that wins four games out of seven first in the championship will become the new Meijin title holder.

Honorary Meijin
Honorary Meijin (Permanent Meijin, Eiseimeijin ) title is given to a person who won Meijin Championship
five times.

(1st - 13th : in succession)

14th Honorary Meijin : Yoshio Kimura
15th Honorary Meijin : Yasuharu Oyama
16th Honorary Meijin : Makoto Nakahara
17th Honorary Meijin : Koji Tanigawa
18th Honorary Meijin : Toshiyuki Moriuchi
19th Honorary Meijin : Yoshiharu Habu

Winners
Year

Winner

Score

Opponent

1935 Yoshio Kimura

-1937
1940

Yoshio Kimura

4-1

Doi Ichitaroh

1942

Yoshio Kimura

4-0

Kanda Tatsunosuke

Yoshio Kimura

no match

Yoshio Kimura

no match

1947

Masao Tsukada

4-2

Yoshio Kimura

1948

Masao Tsukada

4-2

Yasuharu Oyama

1949

Yoshio Kimura

3-2

Masao Tsukada

1950

Yoshio Kimura

4-2

Yasuharu Oyama

1951

Yoshio Kimura

4-2

Kozoh Masuda

1952

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Yoshio Kimura

Meijin

331
1953

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Kozoh Masuda

1954

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Kozoh Masuda

1955

Yasuharu Oyama

4-2

Takashima Kazukiyo

1956

Yasuharu Oyama

4-0

Hanamura Motoji

1957

Kozoh Masuda

4-2

Yasuharu Oyama

1958

Kozoh Masuda

4-2

Yasuharu Oyama

1959

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Kozoh Masuda

1960

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Hifumi Katoh

1961

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Maruta Yuzoh

1962

Yasuharu Oyama

4-0

Tatsuya Futakami

1963

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Kozoh Masuda

1964

Yasuharu Oyama

4-2

Tatsuya Futakami

1965

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Michiyoshi Yamada

1966

Yasuharu Oyama

4-2

Kozoh Masuda

1967

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Tatsuya Futakami

1968

Yasuharu Oyama

4-0

Kozoh Masuda

1969

Yasuharu Oyama

4-3

Michio Ariyoshi

1970

Yasuharu Oyama

4-1

Rensho Nada

1971

Yasuharu Oyama

4-3

Kozoh Masuda

1972

Makoto Nakahara

4-3

Yasuharu Oyama

1973

Makoto Nakahara

4-0

Hifumi Katoh

1974

Makoto Nakahara

4-3

Yasuharu Oyama

1975

Makoto Nakahara

4-3

Nobuyuki Ouchi

1976

Makoto Nakahara

4-3

Kunio Yonenaga

1977

blank

1978

Makoto Nakahara

4-2

Keiji Mori

1979

Makoto Nakahara

4-2

Kunio Yonenaga

1980

Makoto Nakahara

4-1

Kunio Yonenaga

1981

Makoto Nakahara

4-1

Kiyozumi Kiriyama

1982

Hifumi Katoh

4-3

Makoto Nakahara

1983

Koji Tanigawa

4-2

Hifumi Katoh

1984

Koji Tanigawa

4-1

Hidemitsu Moriyasu

1985

Makoto Nakahara

4-2

Koji Tanigawa

1986

Makoto Nakahara

4-1

Yasuharu Oyama

1987

Makoto Nakahara

4-2

Kunio Yonenaga

1988

Koji Tanigawa

4-2

Makoto Nakahara

1989

Koji Tanigawa

4-0

Kunio Yonenaga

1990

Makoto Nakahara

4-2

Koji Tanigawa

1991

Makoto Nakahara

4-1

Kunio Yonenaga

Meijin

332
1992

Makoto Nakahara

4-3

Michio Takahashi

1993

Kunio Yonenaga

4-0

Makoto Nakahara

1994

Yoshiharu Habu

4-2

Kunio Yonenaga

1995

Yoshiharu Habu

4-1

Taku Morishita

1996

Yoshiharu Habu

4-1

Toshiyuki Moriuchi

1997

Koji Tanigawa

4-2

Yoshiharu Habu

1998

Yasumitsu Satoh

4-3

Koji Tanigawa

1999

Yasumitsu Satoh

4-3

Koji Tanigawa

2000

Tadahisa Maruyama 4-3

Yasumitsu Satoh

2001

Tadahisa Maruyama 4-3

Koji Tanigawa

2002

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-0

Tadahisa Maruyama

2003

Yoshiharu Habu

Toshiyuki Moriuchi

2004

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-2

Yoshiharu Habu

2005

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-3

Yoshiharu Habu

2006

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-2

Koji Tanigawa

2007

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-3

Masataka Goda

2008

Yoshiharu Habu

4-2

Toshiyuki Moriuchi

2009

Yoshiharu Habu

4-3

Masataka Goda

2010

Yoshiharu Habu

4-0

Hiroyuki Miura

References
Japan Shogi Association : Meijin Tournament [1]
[1] http:/ / www. shogi. or. jp/ kisenhyo/ meizin. html

4-0

Ryu-oh

333

Ryu-oh
Ryu-oh or Ry (, lit. "Dragon King") is the name of a promoted
piece in shogi, a Japanese professional shogi tournament, and the title
of its winner.
The basic meaning of "Ryu-oh" is a "promoted rook". It can move as
either a rook (hisha , lit. flying chariot") or a king (gyokush
, lit. "jade general") during a turn, and is one of the most powerful
pieces in shogi.
"Ryu-oh" also refers to the annual Ryu-oh Tournament (Ry-sen
) organized by Yomiuri Shimbun as well as the title awarded to
its winner. The Ryu-oh Tournament, which is one of seven Japanese
shogi title matches, was first held in 1988. It comprises preliminary
The dragon king
tournaments in six classes and one final. The final tournament, which
determines the challenger, involves competitions among eleven players
(the top five players from 1st class, top two from 2nd class, and the top four from 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes). The
first player to win four out of seven championship games becomes the new titleholder.
Cash prizes are 32,000,000 for the winner of championship and new Ryu-oh titleholder, and 8,000,000 for the
loser (approximately US$320,000 and $80,000 respectively). Additional compensation includes 14,500,000 for the
previous titleholder and 7,000,000 for the challenger (approximately US$145,000 and $70,000).
Among the seven rankings in the professional shogi titleholder system, Ryu-oh and Meijin are the most prestigious
designations.

Honorary Ryu-oh
Honorary Ryu-oh ("Eisei Ryu-oh" = Permanent Ryu-oh) is the title given to a player who won the championship five
times in a row or seven times.[1]
Akira Watanabe won the championship five times in a row from 2004 to 2008, which makes him the first honorary
Ryu-oh.

Winners
Year

Winner

Score

Opponent

1988

Akira Shima

4-0

Kunio Yonenaga

1989

Yoshiharu Habu

4-3

Akira Shima

1990

Koji Tanigawa

4-1

Yoshiharu Habu

1991

Koji Tanigawa

4-2

Taku Morishita

1992

Yoshiharu Habu

4-3

Koji Tanigawa

1993

Yasumitsu Sato

4-2

Yoshiharu Habu

1994

Yoshiharu Habu

4-2

Yasumitsu Sato

1995

Yoshiharu Habu

4-2

Yasumitsu Sato

1996

Koji Tanigawa

4-1

Yoshiharu Habu

1997

Koji Tanigawa

4-0

Keiichi Sanada

Ryu-oh

334
1998

Takeshi Fujii

4-0

Koji Tanigawa

1999

Takeshi Fujii

4-1

Daisuke Suzuki

2000

Takeshi Fujii

4-3

Yoshiharu Habu

2001

Yoshiharu Habu

4-1

Takeshi Fujii

2002

Yoshiharu Habu

4-3

Takashi Abe

2003

Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-0

Yoshiharu Habu

2004

Akira Watanabe

4-3

Toshiyuki Moriuchi

2005

Akira Watanabe

4-0

Kazuki Kimura

2006

Akira Watanabe

4-3

Yasumitsu Sato

2007

Akira Watanabe

4-2

Yasumitsu Sato

2008

Akira Watanabe

4-3

Yoshiharu Habu

2009

Akira Watanabe

4-0

Toshiyuki Moriuchi

References
[1] () (http:/ / www. shogi. or. jp/ osirase/ qa. html#kisen)

External links
(http://www.shogi.or.jp/kisenhyo/ryuuou.html), Ry Tournament: Japan Shogi
Association (Japanese)
21 (http://live.shogi.or.jp/ryuou/), 21st Ry Tournament website (Japanese)

Computer shogi

335

Computer shogi
Computer shogi is a field of artificial intelligence concerned with the creation of computer programs which can play
shogi. The research and development of shogi software has been carried out mainly by freelance programmers,
university research groups and private companies.

Game complexity
Shogi has the distinctive feature of reusing captured pieces. Therefore shogi has a higher branching factor than other
chess variants. The computer has more positions to examine because each piece in hand can be dropped on many
squares. This gives shogi the highest number of legal positions and the highest number of possible games of all the
popular chess variants. The higher numbers for shogi mean it is harder to reach the highest levels of play. The
number of legal positions and the number of possible games are 2 measures of shogis Game complexity.
Game

Board Size

Legal Positions

Possible Games

Average Game Length

Chess

64

1047

10123

80

Xiangqi 90

1048

10150

95

Shogi

1071

10226

110

81

Computers versus humans

In the 1980s, due to the immaturity of the technology in such fields as programming, CPUs and memory, computer
shogi programs took a long time to think, and often made moves for which there was no apparent justification. These
programs had the level of an amateur of kyu rank.
In the first decade of the new millennium, computer shogi has taken large steps forward in software and hardware
technology. In 2007 champion Yoshiharu Habu estimated the strength of the 2006 world computer shogi champion
Bonanza. He wrote in the Nikkei Newspaper evening edition on March 26, 2007 about the match between Bonanza
and the 2006 Ryuo Champion Watanabe. Yoshiharu Habu rated Bonanzas game at the level of 2 dan shoreikai.[1]
In particular, computers are most suited to brute-force calculation, and far outperform humans at the task of finding
ways of checkmating from a given position, which involves many fewer possibilities. In games with time limits of
10 seconds from the first move, computers are becoming a tough challenge for even professional shogi players. With
the past steady progress of shogi computers as a guide of the future, the prediction is even computers with a large
handicap will be unbeatable in the future. Larry Kaufman, one of the strongest western shogi players said in 2008,
In 10 years I predict a computer will be able to give lance handicap (kyo-ochi) to the Meijin.[2]

Bonanza Vs Watanabe
The Japan Shogi Association (JSA) started restricting professionals from playing computers in 2005. In 2007, the
JSA granted permission to one professional to play one game against a computer. The Japan Shogi Association gave
reigning Ryuo Champion Watanabe permission to compete in a showdown against the reigning World Computer
Shogi Champion Bonanza on 21 March 2007. Daiwa Securities sponsored the match. Hoki Kunihito wrote Bonanza.
The computer was an Intel Xeon 2.66GHz 8 core with 8 gigabytes of memory and 160-gigabyte hard drive. The
game was played with 2 hours each and 1 minute byo-yomi per move after that. Those conditions favor Watanabe
because longer time limits mean there are fewer mistakes from time pressure. Longer playing time also means
human players can make long-term plans beyond the computers calculating horizon. The 2 players were not at the
same playing level. Watanabe was 2006 Ryuo Champion and Bonanza was at the level of 2 dan shoreikai.[1]

Computer shogi
Bonanza was a little stronger than before due to program improvements and a faster computer. Watanabe prepared
for a weaker Bonanza as Watanabe studied old Bonanza game records.
Bonanza moved first and played fourth file rook anaguma as Watanabe expected. Watanabe thought some of
Bonanzas moves were inferior. However, Watanabe deeply analyzed these moves thinking that maybe the computer
saw something that Watanabe did not see.[3] Watanabe commented after the game that he could have lost if Bonanza
had played defensive moves before entering the endgame. But the computer choose to attack immediately instead of
taking its time (and using its impressive endgame strategies) which cost it the match. Bonanza resigned after move
112. Hidetchi reviews this game.[4]
After Bonanzas loss Watanabe commented on computers in his blog, I thought they still had quite a way to go, but
now we have to recognize that theyve reached the point where they are getting to be a match for professionals.
Ryuo champion Akira Watanabe clarifies his position on computers playing shogi. Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper
quoted Akira Watanabe on June 27, 2008. Watanabe said "I think I'll be able to defeat shogi software for the next 10
years". Another indication Bonanza was far below the level of professional Watanabe came 2 months after the match
at the May 2007 World Computer Shogi Championship. Bonanza lost to the 2007 World Computer Shogi Champion
YSS. Then YSS lost to amateur Kato Yukio in a 15-minute game.

Akara vs Shimizu
The Computer program Akara defeated the womens Osho champion Shimizu Ichiyo. Akara contained 4 computer
engines, Gekisashi, GPS Shogi, Bonanza and YSS. Akara ran on a network of 169 computers. The 4 engines voted
on the best moves. Akara selects the move with the most votes. If there is a tie vote then Akara selects Gekisashis
move. Researchers at the University of Tokyo and the University of Electro-Communications developed Akara.
Shimizu moved first and resigned in 86 moves after 6 hours and 3 minutes. Shimizu said she was trying to play her
best as if she was facing a human player. She played at the University of Tokyo on 11 October 2010. The allotted
thinking time per player is 3 hours and 60 seconds byoyomi. 750 fans attended the event. This is the second time
since 2005 that the Japan Shogi Association granted permission to a professional to play a computer, and the first
victory against a female professional. However, a computer has never defeated a male professional under standard
time controls. Hidetchi reviews this game.[5]
Akara aggressively pursued Shimizu from the start of the game. Akara played with a ranging rook strategy and
offered an exchange of bishops. Shimizu made a questionable move partway though the game, and Akara went on to
win.[6] Ryuo champion, Akira Watanabe, criticized Shimizus game. On 19 November 2010, the Daily Yomiuri
quoted Watanabe. Watanabe said, "Ms. Shimizu had plenty of chances to win".[7]

Annual CSA tournament exhibition games

The winners of CSA tournaments played exhibition games with strong players. These exhibition games started in
2003.[8]

336

Computer shogi

337

Year

Program

Human

Handicap

Time

Byoyomi Winner

2003

IS Shogi

Pro 5 Dan Katsumata 2 Piece Handicap 25 Min None

Computer

2004

YSS

Pro 5 Dan Katsumata Rook

25 Min None

Computer

2005

Gekisashi

Pro 5 Dan Katsumata Bishop

25 Min None

Computer

2006

Bonanza

Yukio Kato

None

15 Min 30 Sec

Human

2007

YSS

Yukio Kato

None

15 Min 30 Sec

Human

2008

Tanase Shogi Yukio Kato

None

15 Min 30 Sec

Computer

2008

Gekisashi

Shimizugami Toru

None

15 Min 30 Sec

Computer

2009

GPS Shogi

Amateur champion

None

1 hour

Canceled

1 min

In each succeeding year, the human competition was stronger to match the stronger programs. Kato Yukio was the
Asahi Amateur Meijin champion. Shimizugami Toru was the Amateur Meijin champion. The current winning
program does not play humans in public tournaments or on a game server such as the Shogi Club 24. Therefore, its
strength relative to humans is unknown.

Computers Bonanza and Akara beat Amateurs Kosaku and Shinoda

On July 24 2011, there was a two game amateur versus computer match. Two computer Shogi programs beat a team
of two amateurs. One amateur, Mr. Kosaku, was a Shoreikai three Dan player. The other amateur, Mr. Shinoda, was
the 1999 Amateur Ryuo. The allotted time for the amateurs was main time 1 hour and then 3 minutes per move. The
allotted time for the computer was main time 25 minutes and then 10 seconds per move.[9] [10] [11]
Game

Computer

Sente (first)

Gote (second)

Moves

Computer
Time

Amateur
Time

Bonanza

Kosaku &
Shinoda

Bonanza

93

24 min 41 sec

2 hours 2 min

Akara

Akara

Kosaku &
Shinoda

150

25 min 54 sec

1 hour 42 min

Hardware

Winner

17 processors, 132 cores, 300 Bonanza

GB
Intel Xeon W3680 with 6
cores

Akara

Programmer tools
Shogidokoro[12] is a graphical user interface (GUI) that calls a program to play shogi and displays the moves on
a board. Shogidokoro was created in 2007. Shogidokoro uses the Universal Shogi Interface (USI). The USI is an
open communication protocol that Shogi programs use to communicate with a user interface. USI was designed
by Norwegian computer chess programmer Tord Romstad in 2007. Tord Romstad based USI on Universal Chess
Interface (UCI). UCI was designed by computer chess programmer Stefan Meyer-Kahlen in 2000. Shogidokoro
can automatically run a tournament between 2 programs. This helps programmers to write shogi programs faster
because they can skip writing the user interface part. It is also useful for testing changes to a program.
Shogidokoro can be used to play Shogi by adding a Shogi engine to shogidokoro. Some engines that will run
under shogidokoro are Blunder, GPS Shogi, Laramie, Lightning, ponanza, Spear, Ssp and TJshogi. Bonanza can
also run with an adapter (u2b).
WinBoard/XBoard and BCMShogi are other GUIs that support Shogi. This support was added to WinBoard in
2007 by H.G. Muller. WinBoard uses its own protocol (Chess Engine Communication Protocol) to communicate
with engines, but can connect to USI engines through the UCI2WB adapter. Engines that can natively support
WinBoard protocol are Shokidoki, TJshogi, GNU Shogi and Bonanza.[13] Unlike Shogidokoro, WinBoard is open
source, and also available under Linux as XBoard. BCMShogi[14] is a graphical user interface for the USI

Computer shogi

338

protocol and the WinBoard shogi protocol.

Floodgate[15] is a computer shogi server for computers to compete and receive ratings. Programs running under
Shogidokoro can connect to Floodgate. The GPS team created Floodgate. Floodgate started operating
continuously in 2008. The most active players have played 4,000 games. From 2008 to 2010, 167 players played
28,000 games on Floodgate. Humans are welcome to play on Floodgate.

Floodgate Annual Highest Rating

Date

Program

May 23, 2011 Bonanza_expt

Rating
3054

The annual computer vs computer world shogi championship[16] is organized by the Computer Shogi
Association (CSA) of Japan. The computers play automated games through a server. Each program has 25
minutes to complete a game. The first championship was in 1990 with 6 programs. In 2001, it grew to 55
programs. The championship is broadcast on the Internet. At the 19th annual CSA tournament, 4 programs (GPS
Shogi, Otsuki Shogi, Monju and KCC Shogi) that had never won a CSA tournament defeated 3 of the previous
years strongest programs (Bonanza, Gekisashi and YSS).[17] The top three winners of the 2010 CSA tournament
are Gekisashi, Shueso and GPS Shogi.[18]
In 2011, Bonkras won the CSA tournament with 5 wins out of 7 games. Bonkras ran on a computer with 3
processors containing 16 cores and 6 gigabytes of memory. Bonanza won second place on a computer with 17
processors containing 132 cores and 300 gigabytes of memory. Shueso won third place. The 2010 CSA
winner, Gekisashi, won fourth place. Ponanza won fifth place. GPS Shogi won 6th place on a computer with
263 processors containing 832 cores and 1486 gigabytes of memory.[19] [20]

Computer shogi programs

Components of computer shogi programs:
Opening book : An opening book of moves puts the program in a good position and saves time. The problem is
professionals do not always follow an opening sequence as in chess but make different moves to create good
formation of pieces.
Search algorithm : The Search algorithm that looks ahead more deeply in a sequence of moves allows the
program to better evaluate a move. The search is harder in shogi than in chess because of the larger number of
possible moves. A program will stop searching when it reaches a stable position. The problem is many positions
are unstable because of the drop move.
Endgame : The endgame starts when the king is attacked and ends when the game is won. In chess there are
fewer pieces which leads to perfect play by endgame databases. In shogi pieces can be dropped so there are no
endgame databases. A Tsumeshogi solver is used to quickly find mating moves.
Computer shogi programs that have played at the annual World Computer Shogi Championships:
Bonanza won first place the first time it was entered in the championships in 2006. Programmer Kunihito Hoki
was living in Canada.
YSS won in 1997, 2004 and 2007. YSS won 2nd place in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 3rd place in 1994.
Programmer is Hiroshi Yamashita. YSS entered the first time in the 1991 tournament.
IS Shogi won in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003. Yasushi Tanase was part of the Tokyo University team that wrote IS
Shogi.
Tanase shogi won 2nd place in 2007 and 2008 also written by Yasushi Tanase.
Gekisashi won 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2010. The Gekisashi team is led by Yoshimasa Tsuruoka.
KCC Shogi came in second place in 2005 and is from North Korea.

Computer shogi

Shogi Kakinoki won 2nd place in 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1996 and written by Yoshikazu Kakinoki.
Kiwame won in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and written by Shinichirou Kanazawa.
Shogi Kanazawa won in 1996 and in 1999 also written by Shinichirou Kanazawa.
Morita Shogi won in 1991 and written by Kazurou Morita.
Shotest won 3rd place in 1998, 1999 and written by British programmer Jeff Rollason.
Spear a free program written by Reijer Grimbergen has won 9th place of 24 in the 2009 upper division contest.
GPS Shogi is free software written by students of the University of Tokyo and won in 2009.

Computer Shogi programs that play in video game systems:

Habu Meijin no Omoshiro Shgi plays on the Super Famicom.

Clubhouse Games includes Shogi plays on the Nintendo DS.
Shotest Shogi plays on the Xbox.
List of shogi video games.

GNU Shogi is a free software program by the Free Software Foundation that plays Shogi.

Restrictions
On 18 September 2005 a Japan Shogi Association professional 5 dan played shogi against a computer. The game
was played at the 29th Hokkoku Osho-Cup Shogi Tournament in Komatsu, Japan. The Matsue National College of
technology developed the computer program Tacos. Tacos played first and chose the static rook line in the opening.
Professional Hashimoto followed the opening line while changing his bishop with the bishop of Tacos. Tacos had a
good development with some advantages in the opening and middle game even until move 80. Many amateur
players expected Tacos to win. However, professional Hashimoto defended and Tacos played strange moves. Tacos
lost.[21]
On 14 October 2005, the Japan Shogi Association banned professional shogi players from competing against a
computer.[22] The Japan Shogi Association said the rule is to preserve the dignity of its professionals, and to make
the most of computer shogi as a potential business opportunity. The ban prevents the rating of computers relative to
professional players. Since 2005, the Japan Shogi Association has permitted one game between a male professional
and a computer.

Milestones
2005, At the Amateur Ryo tournament, program Gekisashi defeated Eiji Ogawa in a 40 minute game of the first
knock out round.
2005, Program Gekisashi defeated amateur 6-dan Shinoda Masato in a 40 minute exhibition game.
2007, Highest rating for a computer on Shogi Club 24 is 2744 for YSS.[23]
2008 May, computer program Tanase Shogi beat Asahi Amateur Meijin title holder Kato Yukio. 75 moves played
in 15 minute exhibition game.
2008 May, computer program Gekisashi beat Amateur Meijin Shimizugami Toru. 100 moves played in 15 minute
exhibition game.[24]
2008 November, Gekisashi beat Amateur Meijin Shimizugami in a 1 hour game with 1 minute byoyomi.[25]
2010 October, first time a computer beat a Shogi champion. Akara beat the womens Osho champion Shimizu in 6
hours and 3 minutes.
2011 May, Highest rated player on Shogi Club 24 is computer program Ponanza, rated 3211.[26]

339

Computer shogi

Notes
[1] Yoshiharu, Habu (2007-03-27). "Yoshiharu Habu rates computer at the level of 2 dan shoreikai" (http:/ / lists. topica. com/ lists/ shogi/ read/
message. html?sort=d& mid=812686165& start=1928). Shogi-L mailing list. . Retrieved 2008-11-13.
[2] Kaufman, Larry (2008-05-07). "Computer with a lance handicap will beat a Meijin" (http:/ / lists. topica. com/ lists/ shogi/ read/ message.
html?sort=d& mid=813103510& start=2563). Shogi-L mailing list. . Retrieved 2008-08-12.
[3] "Watanabe comments on his game with Bonanza" (http:/ / lists. topica. com/ lists/ shogi/ read/ message. html?mid=812678696& sort=d&
start=1965). .
[4] Hidetchi. "Famous Shogi Games: Bonanza Vs Watanabe (Mar. 21st, 2007)" (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=H1YrSkDxXYQ) (video).
.
[5] Hidetchi. "Famous Shogi Games: Shimizu Vs Akara (Oct. 11th, 2010)" (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=lUnbzhnDIvA) (video). .
[6] "Shogi computer beats female champ Shimizu" (http:/ / blog. chess. com/ view/ shogi-computer-beats-female-champ-shimizu). The Mainichi
Newspapers. 12 October 2010. .
[7] "Will shogi software beat male pros?" (http:/ / www. yomiuri. co. jp/ dy/ national/ T101118005564. htm). The Daily Yomiuri. 19 November
2010. .
[8] Reijer Grimbergen. "Report on the Annual Computer Shogi Championships" (http:/ / www. teu. ac. jp/ gamelab/ SHOGI/ articlesmain. html).
.
[9] "The University of Electro-Communications" (http:/ / entcog. c. ooco. jp/ entcog/ event/ event2011_comvshum. html) (in Japanese). 3 August
2011. .
[10] "Shogi programs crush Amateurs" (http:/ / www. asahi. com/ shougi/ topics/ TKY201108020334. html) (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. 2
August 2011. .
[11] "Museum of Abstract Strategy Games" (http:/ / www. nakajim. net/ index.
php?-) (in Japanese). 3 August 2011. .
[12] "Shogidokoro Shogi Graphical User Interface" (http:/ / www. geocities. jp/ shogidokoro/ index. html) (in Japanese). .
[13] "WinBoard for Shogi" (http:/ / home. hccnet. nl/ h. g. muller/ shokidoki. html). .
[14] "BCMShogi Shogi Graphical User Interface" (http:/ / home. arcor. de/ Bernhard. Maerz/ BCMShogi/ ). .
[15] "Floodgate is a computer shogi server for computers" (http:/ / wdoor. c. u-tokyo. ac. jp/ shogi/ logs/ LATEST/ players-floodgate. html) (in
Japanese). .
[16] "Computer Shogi Association" (http:/ / www. computer-shogi. org/ index_e. html). .
[17] Reijer Grimbergen. "Upset at the 19th CSA Computer Shogi Championship" (http:/ / www. teu. ac. jp/ gamelab/ SHOGI/ CSA2009/ 19csa.
html). .
[18] "Winners of 2010 CSA tournament" (http:/ / www. computer-shogi. org/ wcsc20/ index_e. html). .
[19] "Winners of 2011 CSA tournament" (http:/ / www. computer-shogi. org/ wcsc21/ index_e. html). .
[20] "Teams in 2011 CSA tournament" (http:/ / www. computer-shogi. org/ wcsc21/ team. html) (in Japanese). .
[21] "Hashimoto vs Tacos in 2005" (http:/ / www. jaist. ac. jp/ rccg/ menu/ topic. htm). .
[22] "Shogi pros warned not to play computers" (http:/ / search. japantimes. co. jp/ member/ member. html?nn20051016a4. htm). .
[23] Hiroshi Yamashita. "Computer Shogi Program YSS On Shogi Club 24" (http:/ / www32. ocn. ne. jp/ ~yss/ 24rating. html) (in Japanese). .
[24] Reijer Grimbergen. "Exhibition Games at the 18th CSA Computer Shogi Championships" (http:/ / www. teu. ac. jp/ gamelab/ SHOGI/
CSA2008/ 18csa. html). .
[25] "Gekisashi beat Amateur Meijin Champion in a 1 hour game" (http:/ / www. computer-shogi. org/ kifu/ gpw2008/ vs_shimizugami. sjis.
csa). .
[26] "Computer program Ponanza highest rated player on Shogi Club 24" (http:/ / www. shogidojo. com) (in Japanese). .

External links
Computer versus Human Shogi Events (http://www.junichi-takada.jp/computer_shogi/comvshuman.html) in
Japanese

340

Shogi variant

Shogi variant
Many variants of shogi have been developed over the centuries, ranging from some of the largest chess-type games
ever played to some of the smallest. A few of these variants are still regularly played, though none are nearly as
popular as shogi itself.
The drop rule, often considered the most notable feature of shogi, is absent from most shogi variants, which therefore
play more like other forms of chess, with the board becoming less crowded as pieces are exchanged.

Predecessors of modern shogi

Some form of chess had almost certainly reached Japan by the 9th century, if not earlier, but the earliest surviving
Japanese description of the rules of chess dates from the early 12th century, during the Heian period. Unfortunately,
this description does not give enough information to play the game, but this has not stopped people from trying to
reconstruct this early form of shogi, which is usually referred to as Heian shogi (). Piece movements were
as in modern shogi, but there was no rook or bishop. The board appears to have been 98 or 88. The setup is
unknown, but can reasonably be assumed to have been the same as in modern shogi (minus the rook and bishop, and
minus a gold general in the 88 case), but possibly the pawns started on the second rank rather than the third. It can
safely be assumed that the game was played without drops.
By the 16th century the game had taken a form closer to the modern game: it was played on a 99 board with the
same setup as in modern shogi except that an extra piece (a drunken elephant) stood in front of the king. This form of
the game is known as sho shogi (), which means "little shogi". (While 99 may not seem 'little', it was
smaller than the other shogi variants prevalent at the time.) The drunken elephant was eliminated by the Emperor
Go-Nara (reign 1526-1557), and it is assumed that the drop rule was introduced at about the same time, giving rise to
shogi as we know it today.

Large-board variants
There are a number of shogi variants played on boards larger than 99. These variants are all quite old, and were
probably all played without drops. It is thought that the really huge games (dai shogi and up) were never really
played to any significant extent and were devised merely so that the creators could have the fun of inventing
enormous games, amazing their friends and confounding their enemies. However, the games up to Tenjiku shogi at
least appear to be quite playable, assuming one has the time.[1]
The same 12th century document which describes the Heian form of shogi also describes a variant played on a
1313 board, which is now called Heian dai shogi (). As with the smaller Heian shogi, the rules for this
game have not been completely preserved.
The most popular large-board variant is chu shogi (), played on a 1212 board. The name means middle
shogi, and the game is sometimes so called in English. Chu shogi has existed since at least the 14th century; there are
earlier references, but it's not clear that they refer to the game as we now know it. Chu shogi is best known for a very
powerful piece called the lion, which moves like a king but twice per turn. The game was still commonly played in
Japan in the early 20th century, but has now largely died out. It has, however, gained some adherents in the West.
The main reference work in English is the Middle Shogi Manual by George Hodges.
Other large medieval shogi variants were wa shogi (1111, possibly played with drops), dai shogi (, "great
shogi", 1515), tenjiku shogi (, literally "Indian shogi", but probably meant in the sense of "exotic shogi",
1616), dai-dai shgi (, "great great shogi", 1717), maka dai-dai shgi (, "ultra great great
shogi", 1919) and tai shogi (, "grand shogi", 2525). These variants date back at least to the 17th century.
Tai shogi was thought to be the world's largest chess variant, but recently records of an even larger variant, taikyoku
shogi (, "ultimate shogi", 3636), was discovered.

341

Shogi variant

342

The most recent large board variant is k shgi ( or "wide (elephant) chess", 1919), which is
played on a Go board and incorporates elements of Chinese chess. Ko shogi is unusual for the interdependence of its
pieces and the complex rules of promotion.

Modern variants
These are some of the new and old shogi variants which have been invented. Time will show which if any of the
many recently-invented variants stand the test of usage and competition from other games, and stay in use.

Small variants
name

board
size

pieces
each

when invented

invented by

notes

Bushi
Shogi[2]

12

2000?

Georg Dunkel

The pieces are cubes, and move only by being rotated and set
another face up.

Gufuu
Shogi[3]

23

2000?

Georg Dunkel

The players have a king each, & 2 shared pieces.

Nana
shogi[4]

33

1998/2001

Georg Dunkel

The pieces are cubes, and each piece's power and moves varies
according to which of its 6 sides is up.

Dbutsu
shgi

34

recently

Madoka Kitao

Children's game. Dbutsu shgi (official site, rules, in Japanese)

[5]
. Also sold as "Let's Catch the Lion!"

Micro shogi

45

modern, before
1982

Oyama Yasuharu?

Minishogi

55

c. 1970

Shigenobu Kusumoto

Kyoto shogi

55

c. 1976

Tamiya Katsuya

Judkins
shogi

66

before April
1998

Paul Judkins of Norwich,

England

Whale shogi

66

12

1981

R. Wayne Schmittberger
of USA

All pieces named after cetaceans.

Tori shogi

77

16

late 18th
century

hashi Sei

All pieces named after birds. Uses the drop rule. One of the more
popular shogi variants

Yari shogi

79

14

1981

Christian Freeling,
Netherlands

Heian shogi

88 or
98

16 or 18

c. 1120 or
before

Standard-size variants

He actually may have rediscovered it instead of inventing it.

Comparatively popular.

early form of shogi

Shogi variant

343

name

board
size

pieces
each

when
invented

Sho shogi

99

21

16th century

Cannon
shogi

99

20

February
1998

Hasami
shogi

99

9 or 18

invented by

notes

Ancestor of modern shogi.

Peter Michaelsen

Shogi plus xiangqi-type cannons.

Like ludus latrunculorum. Not much like shogi.

Hand shogi 99

19 pieces early 1997

Annan
shogi

99

20

Unashogi

99

20

John William Brown,

Lewisville, Arizona

Starts with 10 pieces each side in hand.

A Korean variation of standard shogi where pieces gain the powers

of the pieces behind them. Popular in Japan.
1994

Edward Jackman

Starts with all pieces in hand.

Large variants
name

board
size

pieces
each

when invented

Okisaki shogi

1010

22

c. 1996

Wa shogi

1111

27

Chu shogi

1212

46

early 14th century?

Heian dai shogi

1313

34

early 14th century

Dai shogi

1515

65

about AD 1230

Tenjiku shogi

1616

76

15th or 16th century

Dai-dai shgi

1717

96

15th or 16th century

Maka-dai-dai
shgi

1919

96

15th century

K shgi

1919

90

turn of the 18th century

Hishigata shogi

1919

39

2005 or a bit before

Tai shogi

2525

177

15th century

Taikyoku shogi

3636

209

around the mid 16th

century

invented by

notes

Masayuki
Nakayachi
All pieces are named after animals.

Based partly on xiangqi & projectile weapons.

Sean Humby

maka-dai-dai shogi with fewer pieces & different start

[6]
setup

Shogi variant

344

Three- and four-player variants

name

board size

pieces each when invented

invented by

notes

Sannin shogi 777 hexagonal 18

circa 1930

Tanigasaki Jisuke three-person shogi

Yonin shogi

1993

Ota Mitsuyasu

99

four-person shogi

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

See http:/ / www. cs. caltech. edu/ ~mvanier/ hacking/ gnushogi/ gnushogi_17. html
http:/ / www. kolumbus. fi/ geodun/ bushi/ bushi. htm
http:/ / www. kolumbus. fi/ geodun/ gufuu/ gufuu. htm
http:/ / www. kolumbus. fi/ geodun/ nana/ nana3. htm
http:/ / doubutsushogi. jp
http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shogivariants. dir/ hishigata. html Hishigata shogi

External links
Shogi Variants Program (http://www.netspace.net.au/~trout/)
International Chu Shogi Ladder (http://www.shogi.net/chu-ladder/)
Richard's Play-By-EMail Server (http://www.gamerz.net/pbmserv/) - supports many shogi variants and chess
variants.
Shogi variants (http://history.chess.free.fr/shogivar.htm) (French)

Micro shogi
Microshogi ( gofun maka shgi "5-minute (scarlet) poppy chess") is a modern variant of shogi
(Japanese chess), with very different rules for promotion, and depromotion. Kerry Handscomb of NOST (knights Of
the Square Table) gave it this English name. Although not confirmed, he credits its invention to the late Oyama
Yasuharu, a top level shogi player. The game was invented before 1982.

Rules of the game

The game is identical to standard shogi with the following exceptions.

Game equipment
Two players play on a board ruled into a grid of 5 ranks (rows) by 4 files (columns).
The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 5 wedge-shaped pieces. The pieces are of slightly different
sizes. From largest to smallest (or most to least powerful) they are:

1 king
1 bishop
1 gold general
1 silver general
1 pawn

Micro shogi

345

Setup
4

c
P d

K e

Each side places his pieces in the following positions, pointing toward the opponent. For more information click here
[1]
.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the right corner

The bishop is placed in the adjacent file to the king.
The gold general is placed adjacent to the bishop.
The silver general is placed adjacent to the gold general in the left corner.

That is, the first rank is |S|G|B|K|.

In the second rank, each player places the pawn in the same file as the king.

Promotion
Unlike standard shogi, microshogi has no promotion zone. Instead, a piece promotes when it captures, and
promotion is mandatory. When a promoted piece captures, it demotesthat is, it is flipped back over to show its
original unpromoted value.
Promotion values are entirely different from standard shogi:

A king does not promote: K

A silver general becomes a lance and vice versa: S L
A bishop becomes a tokin (T) and vice versa: B T
A gold general becomes a rook and vice versa: G R
A pawn becomes a knight and vice versa: P N

Thus when a lance, tokin, rook, or knight makes a capture, it reverts back to its former state.
A knight which reaches one of the two far ranks is trapped, as is a pawn which captures and thus promotes there.
Likewise, a pawn that reaches the far rank is trapped, as is a knight which captures there. A lance is also trapped at
the far rank, but can escape if it captures there and thus demotes to a silver. A silver which captures in the far rank
and therefore promotes to a lance is trapped.
Any trapped piece may be captured and returned to play as part of the opposing army.
A tokin moves the same way as a golden general.

Micro shogi

Drops
Drops are similar to standard shogi, except that:
A player may drop a piece with either side facing up.
Except for dropping in the far rank, there are no other restrictions when dropping pawns. That is, a player may
have two unpromoted pawns on the same file, and a pawn can be dropped to give immediate checkmate.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Shogi: Japanese Chess [3]
Chessvariants.com [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ poppysh. html
[2] http:/ / www. shogi. net/ shogi. html
[3] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shogi. html

Minishogi
Minishogi (5 gogo shgi "5V chess" or "55 chess") is a
modern variant of shogi (Japanese chess). Shigenobu Kusumoto of
Osaka, Japan, invented or rediscovered the game c. 1970. The rules are
identical to those of standard shogi, except that it is played with a
reduced number of pieces on a 5x5 board, and each player's promotion
zone consists only of the rank farthest from the player.

Rules of the game

Minishogi is identical to standard shogi with the following exceptions:

Game equipment
Two players play on a board ruled into a grid of 5 ranks (rows) by 5
files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 6 wedge-shaped pieces. The pieces are of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest
(or most to least powerful) they are:

1 king
1 rook
1 bishop
1 gold general
1 silver general
1 pawn

These are identical to the standard pieces of the same names.

346

Minishogi

347

Setup
Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, from the perspective of Black, pointing toward the
opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the left corner file.

The gold general is placed in the adjacent file to the king.
The silver general is placed adjacent to the gold general.
The bishop is placed adjacent to the silver general.
The rook is placed in the right corner, adjacent to the bishop.

That is, the first rank is |K|G|S|B|R|.

In the second rank, each player places the pawn in the same file as the king.

Promotion and drops

These are as in standard shogi, except that the promotion zone is the farthest rank away from you. Pieces promote as
they do in shogi. You can drop like you do in shogi as well.

External links
Minishogi [1] at chessvariants.com
Website of the Japanese Minishogi Association [2] (in Japanese, but contains game records which can be
understood without knowing Japanese)
Mini Shogi [3] 6x5 Mini Shogi iPhone software

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ minishog. html
[2] http:/ / www. geocities. co. jp/ Playtown-Spade/ 8662/
[3] http:/ / www. cascadiagames. com/ game_minishogi. html

Kyoto shogi

348

Kyoto shogi
Kyoto shogi ( kyto shgi "Kyoto chess") is a modern variant of shogi (Japanese chess). It was invented
by Tamiya Katsuya c. 1976.
Kyoto shogi is played like standard shogi, but with a reduced number of pieces on a 55 board. However, the pieces
alternately promote and demote with every move, and the promotion values are entirely different from standard
shogi.

Rules of the game

Game equipment
Two players play on a board ruled into a grid of 5 ranks (rows) by 5 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated
by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 5 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful) they are:
1 king

1 gold general
1 silver general
1 tokin
1 pawn
Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

White king

sh

Black king

gyokush

Rook/pawn

hifu

Silver-general/bishop

ginkaku

Gold-general/knight

kinkei

Lance/tokin

kyto

The names of the pieces combine their promoted and unpromoted values, and are puns in Japanese for words with
the same pronunciations but different kanji. For example, the lance/tokin is homonymous with the name of the city
Kyoto, and provides the name of the game.

Setup

Setup

Kyoto shogi

349

T a

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king (K) is placed in the center file.

The gold general (G) is placed in the adjacent files to the right of the king.
The silver general (S) is placed in the adjacent files to the left of the king.
The tokin (T) is placed in the left corner.
The pawn (P) is placed in the right corner.

That is, the first rank is |T|S|K|G|P|.

Promotion
There is no promotion zone in Kyoto shogi. Every time a piece makes a move it alternately promotes and reverts to
its unpromoted state. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its
promoted rank; demotion is effected by turning the piece back.
The promotion rules and values are reminiscent of microshogi and entirely different from standard shogi:

A king cannot promote: K

A tokin (T) promotes to a lance and vice versa: T L
A silver general promotes to a bishop and vice versa: S B
A gold general promotes to a knight and vice versa: G N
A pawn promotes to a rook and vice versa: P R

Movement and capture

A piece is allowed to move, capture or be dropped in a manner that will prevent it from moving on a subsequent
turn, which is illegal in standard shogi. For example, a rook can move onto the farthest rank, becoming a pawn and
unable to move further. Such pieces may be captured as any other.

Drops
A captured piece may be dropped with either side facing up.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Benri Shogi (in Chinese) [1]
Shogi: Japanese Chess [3]

Kyoto shogi

350

References
[1] http:/ / shogi. hk/

Judkins shogi
Judkins shogi ( Jadokensu shgi "Judkins chess") is a modern variant of shogi (Japanese
chess), however it is not Japanese. Credit for its invention has been given to Paul Judkins of Norwich, UK, prior to
April 1998.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's king.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a
board ruled into a grid of 6 ranks (rows) by 6 files (columns). The squares
are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 7 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes.
From largest to smallest (most to least powerful) they are:

1 king
1 rook
1 bishop
1 gold general
1 silver general
1 knight

Setup

1 pawn
Most of the English-language names are chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are one or
two other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to
indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead
each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece
during play.
Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game with their Japanese representation:

Judkins shogi

351

Piece

Kanji

King (reigning)

Rmaji

[] [sh]

Unicode

Hiragana

Meaning

738b [5c06] []

king

King (challenging) [] gyoku[sh]

7389 [5c06] []

jade general

Rook

[] hi[sha]

98db [8eca] []

flying chariot

Promoted rook

[] ry[]

7adc [738b] []

dragon king

Bishop

[] kaku[gy]

89d2 [884c] []

angle mover

Promoted bishop

[] uma (ryma) [7adc] 99ac () dragon horse

Gold general

[] kin[sh]

91d1 [5c06] []

gold general

Silver general

[] gin[sh]

9280 [5c06] []

silver general

Promoted silver

6210 9280

promoted silver

Knight

[] kei[ma]

Promoted knight

Pawn

[]

Promoted pawn

[] to[kin]

narigin

6842 [99ac] []

laurelled horse

narikei

6210 6842

promoted laurel

fu[hy]

6b69 [5175] []

foot soldier

3068 [91d1] []

reaches gold

English speakers sometimes refer to promoted bishops as horses and promoted rooks as dragons, after their Japanese
names, and generally use the Japanese name tokin for promoted pawns. Silver generals and gold generals are
commonly referred to simply as silvers and golds.
The characters inscribed on the backs of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink, and are usually
cursive. The characters on the backs of the pieces that promote to gold generals are cursive versions of 'gold',
becoming more cursive (more abbreviated) as the value of the original piece decreases. These abbreviated characters
have these equivalents in print: for promoted silver, for promoted knight, for promoted lance, and for
promoted pawn (tokin). Another convention has abbreviated versions of the original characters, with a reduced
number of strokes: for promoted knight, for promoted lance, with promoted silver the same as above, and
for tokin.

Setup
6

K a
P b

c
d

P
K

e
G

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

Judkins shogi

The king is placed in the left corner file.

The gold general is placed in the adjacent file to the king.
The silver general is placed adjacent to the gold general.
The knight is placed adjacent to the silver general.
The bishop is placed adjacent to the knight.
The rook is placed adjacent to the bishop in the right corner.

That is, the first rank is |K|G|S|N|B|R|.

In the second rank, each player places the pawn in the same file as the king on the far left side.

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a
single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or dropping
a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the king, gold general, silver general and pawn.
Jumping piece
The knight can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either.
Ranging pieces
The bishop and rook can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the
board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board.
A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the two farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawn and beyond
(that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including moves
into, out of, or wholly within the zone, but not including drops (see below), then that player may choose to promote
the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of
its promoted rank.

352

Judkins shogi

353

Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece
promotes as follows:
A king or gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.
A silver general, knight or pawn, when promoted, loses its normal movement and gains the movement of a gold
general.
A bishop or rook, when promoted, keeps its normal movement and gains the ability to move one square in any
direction (like a king). This means the bishop is now able to reach any square on the board, given enough moves.
If a pawn or knight reaches the furthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no legal move on
subsequent turns. For the same reason, a knight reaching the penultimate rank must be promoted.
When captured, pieces lose their promoted status.

Individual pieces
Following are diagrams that indicate the movement of each piece. Pieces are pared with their promotion and those
with a grey heading start out in the game; promoted pieces have a blue heading.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

King (reigning)
Step: The king can step one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal. The king general goes to the
superior player.

King (challenging)

Step: The king can step one square

in any direction, orthogonal or
diagonal. The jeweled general goes
to the inferior player.

Gold General
Step: The gold general can step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

The gold general does not promote.

Silver General
Step: The silver general can step one square in one of the
four diagonal directions; or, one square straight forward,
giving it five possibilities.

Promoted Silver

Knight

Step: The promoted silver can step

one square in one of the four
orthogonal directions; or, one square
diagonally forward, giving it six
possibilities.

Promoted Knight

Judkins shogi

354

Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate between

orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward
plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion,
ignoring any intervening piece. That is, it has a choice of
two forward destinations. A knight that reaches one of the
two furthest ranks must promote.

Step: The promoted knight can step

one square in one of the four
orthogonal directions; or, one square
diagonally forward, giving it six
possibilities.

Bishop
Range: The bishop can move any number of free squares
along any of the four diagonal directions.

Dragon Horse

Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted

bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.

Range: The dragon horse can move

any number of free squares along
any of the four diagonal directions.
Step: It can step one square in any of
the four orthogonal directions.

Rook

Dragon King

Range: The rook can move any number of free squares

along any of the four orthogonal directions.

Range: The dragon king can move

any number of free squares along
any of the four orthogonal
directions. Step: It can step one
square in any of the four diagonal
directions.

Pawn
Step: The pawn can step one square forward. A pawn that
reaches the furthest rank must promote. There are
restrictive rules for where a pawn may be dropped (see
below).

Tokin

Step: The token can step one square

in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in Judkins shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a
piece he has previously captured and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the
forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
Pieces that are dropped in the promotion zone do not promote as a result: Promotion requires that piece make a
normal movement on a subsequent turn, as detailed under "Promotion", above. Pieces that are promoted when
captured lose that promotion; they are unpromoted when dropped back on the board.
A pawn or knight may not be dropped on the furthest rank, since it would have no legal move on subsequent turns.
Similarly, a knight may not be dropped on the penultimate rank.

Judkins shogi
There are two restrictions when dropping pawns:
A pawn cannot be dropped into the same file (vertical column) as another unpromoted pawn controlled by the same
player. (A tokin, or promoted pawn, does not count as a pawn when considering this drop restriction.)
A pawn cannot be dropped directly in front of the opponent's king, if the opponent would have no way to prevent his
king being captured on the next move. In other words, a pawn cannot be dropped to give immediate mate.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move, such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get it out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king wins the game. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi). 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. For two positions to be considered the same, the
pieces in hand must be the same, as well as the position on the board.
The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the winner is decided as follows: each
rook or bishop scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces (except kings) score 1 point each.
Promotions are ignored for the purposes of scoring. A player scoring less than 12 points loses. If both players have at
least 12 points, then the game is no contest.
Games which are no contest are usually counted as draws in amateur tournaments, but in professional style
tournaments the rules may require the game to be replayed with colors reversed (possibly with reduced time limits).

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game. Note that the pieces
removed at the beginning play no further part in the game - they are not available for drops. The imbalance created
by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in chess, because material advantage is not as powerful in
Judkins shogi as in chess.
Common handicaps, in increasing order of size, are as follows:
Remove White's bishop
Remove White's rook
Two pieces: remove White's rook and bishop
Other handicaps are also occasionally used. The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not
universally agreed upon.

355

Judkins shogi

356

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. Minor variations are made for
Judkins shogi.
A typical example is P-6d. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, N = knight, S = silver, G = gold, B
= bishop, R = rook, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a tokin (promoted
pawn). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move, x
for a capture, or * for a drop. Next is the designation for the square 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 6f being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on
Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is
denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, Nx5c= indicates a knight capturing on 5c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. For example, if Black has two golds (one was
captured and dropped) which can be moved to the square 5e in front of the king, and these are distinguished as
C6e-5d (moving the left one) and C4e-5d (moving the right one).
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1. P-1c
2. P-1d

P-6d
P-6c

In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

External links
Chessvariants.com [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ judkin. html

Whale shogi

357

Whale shogi
Whale Shogi ( kujira shgi) is a modern variant of shogi (Japanese chess). It is not, however, Japanese: it
was invented by R. Wayne Schmittberger of the United States in 1981. The game is similar to Judkins shogi, but
with more pieces, and all the pieces are named after a type of whale.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's white whale.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 6 ranks (rows) by
6 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 12 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful) they are:

1 white whale (W)

1 porpoise (P)
1 humpback (H)
1 grey whale (G)
1 narwhal (N)
1 blue whale (B)
6 dolphins (D)

Each piece has its initial written on its face. On the reverse side of the porpoise is another letter (K for 'killer whale'),
often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that the piece has
been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a
wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.
Because this is a Western shogi variant, and kanji for the whales are difficult even for the Japanese, the pieces use
Latin letters rather than kanji.

Setup
1

W G

H a

D b

c
d
D

D e

G W

This is the starting setup of a game of whale shogi, from the perspective of Black.
Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:
The white whale is placed just left of center.

Whale shogi

358

The porpoise is placed in the adjacent file to the right of the white whale.
The humpback is placed in the left corner.
The grey whale is placed between the white whale and the humpback.
The narwhal is placed adjacent to the porpoise.
The blue whale is placed adjacent to the narwhal in the right corner.

That is, the first rank is:

H G W P N B

In the second rank, the six dolphins are placed one in each file.

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a
single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or dropping
a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ).
Some pieces are capable of more than one kind of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on
the direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the white whale, porpoise, humpback, narwhal, blue whale and killer whale.
Jumping piece
The narwhal can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either,
but only directly forward.
Ranging pieces
The grey whale and killer whale can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the
edge of the board. The dolphin can, too, but only on the back rank. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be
captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and
cannot bypass a piece that is 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.

Whale shogi

359

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces with a grey heading start out in the game; those with a
blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

White Whale ( hakugei)

Step: The white whale can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Porpoise ( nezumi iruka)

Step: The porpoise can move one square orthogonally sideways.

The porpoise promotes to a killer whale upon capture.
Narwhal ( ikkaku)

Jump: The narwhal can jump to the second square directly forward; or,
Step: It can move one square directly backward or sideways.
Blue Whale ( shironagase kujira)

Whale shogi

360

Step: The blue whale can step one square directly forward or backward, or one square diagonally forward, giving
it four possibilities.
Grey Whale ( koku kujira)
|
|
G

Range: The grey whale can move any number of free squares directly forward or diagonally backward.
Killer Whale ( shachi)

Range: The killer whale can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can move one square in any diagonal direction.
Humpback Whale ( zat kujira)

Step: The humpback can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions, or directly backward.
Dolphin ( iruka)

Whale shogi

361

Step: The dolphin can step one square forward; or,

Range: It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward, but only if it is in the farthest rank.

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in whale shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a
piece he has previously captured and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the
forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
A porpoise cannot be dropped as such. When captured, the porpoise promotes to a killer whale and can only be
dropped as a killer whale.
There are three restrictions when dropping dolphins:
A dolphin may not be dropped on the furthest rank, even though it has a legal move on subsequent turns.
A dolphin cannot be dropped into the same file (vertical column) as two other dolphins controlled by the same
player. For this reason, one may sacrifice a dolphin in order to gain flexibility for drops.
A dolphin cannot be dropped if the opponent would have no way to prevent his white whale being captured on the
next move. In other words, a dolphin cannot be dropped to give immediate mate.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's white whale could be captured on the following move, the
move is said to give check to the white whale; the white whale is said to be in check. If a player's white whale is in
check and no legal move by that player will get the white whale out of check, the checking move is also mate, and
effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's white whale wins the game. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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. For two positions to be considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the
same, as well as the position on the board.
The game reaches an impasse if both white whales have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither
player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the winner is decided as
follows: each grey whale scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces (except white whales) score 1
point each. Promotions are ignored for the purpose of scoring. A player scoring less than 14 points loses. If both
players have at least 14 points, then the game is no contest.

Whale shogi

362

Games which are no contest are usually counted as draws in amateur tournaments, but if a professional-style
tournament is to be played the rules may require the game to be replayed with colors reversed (possibly with reduced
time limits).

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game. Note that the pieces
removed at the beginning play no further part in the gamethey are not available for drops. The imbalance created
by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in chess, because material advantage is not as powerful in
whale shogi as in chess.
Common handicaps, in increasing order of size, are as follows:

Remove White's grey whale

Remove White's humpback
Remove White's porpoise
Remove White's porpoise and grey whale
Two pieces: remove White's porpoise and humpback

Three pieces: remove White's porpoise, humpback and grey whale

Other handicaps are also occasionally used. The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not
universally agreed upon.

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. This notation is modified for use in
whale shogi in the letters used to name the pieces.
A typical example is P-f6. The first letter represents the piece moved: D = dolphin, B = blue whale, N = narwhal, G
= grey whale, H = humpback, P = porpoise, W = white whale. The promoted porpoise is simply K = killer whale.
The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move, x for a
capture, or * for a drop. Next is the designation for the square on which the piece lands. This consists of a lowercase
letter representing the file and a number representing the rank, with a1 being the top right corner (as seen from
Black's point of view) and f6 being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is the reverse of
Japanese convention.)
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. For example, if Black has two humpbacks (one
was captured and dropped) which can be moved to the square h5 in front of the White whale, and these are
distinguished as Hi6-h5 (moving the left one) and Gi4-h5 (moving the right one).
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1. D-e4
2. D-d4
3. D-d3

D-c3
N-b3
Dxd3

In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Whale shogi

363

Paulowich Whale Shogi

This variant invented by David Paulowich in 2005 uses a 7x7 board and includes a new extra piece, the Pacific
Northern Right Whale (A). It moves as a minor Gray Whale in that instead of sliding, it moves only one square, but
also directly forwards or diagonally backwardsin other words, just like a dog in tenjiku shogi. It can be captured
and dropped and all other Whale Shogi rules are the same.

Setup
1

W A

H a

D b

c
d
e
D

A W

B g

External links
Shogi Net [2]
chessvariants.com [1]
Whale Shogi [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com
[2] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ whale. html

Tori shogi

364

Tori shogi
Tori shgi ( or , 'bird chess') is a variant of shogi (Japanese chess) attributed to hashi Sei in the
late 18th century. The game is played on a 77 board and uses the drop rule; it's the only Japanese variant to do so.
This is one of the more popular shogi variants.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's phoenix.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 7 ranks (rows) by
7 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 16 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (or most to least
powerful) they are:

1 phoenix
1 falcon
2 cranes
2 pheasants
2 quails (a left and a right)
8 swallows

In line with the bird theme, each piece is named after a different kind of bird.
Each piece has its name in the form of a kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces is another
character, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black) and are usually cursive; this reverse side is
turned up to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. (The quail are different: on one side is the
character for "quail", while on the other is the character for left or right; some people will play with the "left"/"right"
side up instead of the "quail" side up.)
The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward,
toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.
Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game in English and Japanese:
Piece

Kanji

Romaji

Abbreviation

Phoenix

ootori, h

Ph

Falcon

taka,

Fa

*Mountain Hawk Eagle

kumataka, sh +Fa

Crane

tsuru, kaku

Cr

Pheasant

kiji, chi

Pt

Quail (right and left)

uzura, jun

Q (RQ & LQ)

Swallow

tsubame, en

Sw

*Wild goose

kari, gan

+Sw

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365

The first pronunciation of each piece is the Japanese pronunciation, while the second is the Sino-Japanese
pronunciation. The promoted pieces (*) are usually called eagle and goose in English.

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the setup of the pieces. Black pieces are in bold face in the first diagram, and bigger in
the second, and move first:
RQ Pt

Cr

Ph

Cr

Pt

LQ

Fa
Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw
Sw

Sw

Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw Sw
Fa
LQ Pt Cr Ph Cr Pt RQ

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or
dropping a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ).
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:

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366

Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the phoenix, falcon, crane, and the 8 swallows on each side.
Limited ranging piece
The eagle can move along a limited number (2) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain directions.
Other than the limited distance, it moves like ranging pieces (see below).
Jumping pieces
The pheasant and goose can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no
effect on either.
Ranging pieces
The quail and eagle can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the
board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board.
A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the two farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's falcon and beyond.
If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, but
not including drops (see below), then that player must promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected
by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board (see above).
Only two pieces promote, as follows:
A falcon promotes to an eagle.
A swallow promotes to a goose.
When captured, pieces lose their promoted status.

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces with a grey heading start out in the game; those with a
blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square or has a limited range

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Tori shogi

367

Phoenix
Step: The phoenix can step one square in any
direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

The phoenix is the "royal" or "objective" piece.

Falcon
Step: The falcon can step one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal except directly backwards.

Eagle

Range: The eagle can move any number of free

squares diagonally forward or directly
backward; or, Limited range: It can move one or
two squares diagonally backward; or,

Step: It can step one square directly forward or

sideways.

Crane
Step: The crane can move one square in the four
diagonal directions; or, It can move one square
orthogonally forward or backward. That is, it can
move to any of the six adjacent squares ahead or
behind it, but not directly to the side.

Pheasant

Jump: The pheasant can jump to the second

square directly forward; or, Step: It can move
one square diagonally backward.

Because of its unusual movement, a

pheasant can only reach half the
squares on the board.

Left Quail

Right Quail

Range: The left quail can move any number of free

squares directly forward or diagonally backward to
the right; or, Step: It can move one square diagonally
backward to the left.

Range: The right quail can move any number of

free squares directly forward or diagonally
backward to the left; or, Step: It can move one
square diagonally backward to the right.

Swallow

Goose

Step: The swallow can step one square forward.

Jump: The goose can jump to the second square

directly backward or diagonally forward.

Tori shogi

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in tori shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a
piece he has previously captured and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the
forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
Pieces that are dropped in the promotion zone do not promote as a result: Promotion requires that piece make a
normal movement on a subsequent turn, as detailed under "Promotion", above. Pieces that are promoted when
captured lose that promotion; they are unpromoted when dropped back on the board.
There are three restrictions when dropping swallows:
A swallow may not be dropped on the furthest rank, since it would have no legal move on subsequent turns.
A swallow cannot be dropped into the same file (vertical column) as two other unpromoted swallows controlled by
the same player. (A goose, or promoted swallow, does not count as a swallow when considering this drop
restriction.)
A swallow cannot be dropped where the opponent would have no way to prevent his phoenix being captured on the
next move. In other words, a swallow cannot be dropped to give immediate mate.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's phoenix could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the phoenix; the phoenix is said to be in check. If a player's phoenix is in check and no legal
move by that player will get the phoenix out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the
game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check. This is not a rule in itself, but arises from the repetition rule.

Repetition
The rule for repetition ( sennichite) in tori shogi is that if the same position occurs three times with the same
player to play by repetition of moves, the player starting the sequence must vary the move. For two positions to be
considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the same, as well as the position on the board.[1]

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's phoenix wins the game. In practice this 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 (but fairly uncommon) way for a game to end is impasse ( jishgi).
The rules for impasse and tournaments are of modern origin and may be ignored for traditional game play.
The game reaches an impasse if both phoenixes have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither
player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the winner is decided as
follows: each falcon scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces (except phoenixes) score 1 point
each. Promotions are ignored for the purposes of scoring. A player scoring less than 17 points loses. If both players
have at least 17 points, then the game is no contest.
Games which are no contest are usually counted as draws in amateur tournaments, but in professional style
tournaments the rules may require the game to be replayed with colors reversed (possibly with reduced time limits).

368

Tori shogi

369

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game. Note that the pieces
removed at the beginning play no further part in the gamethey are not available for drops. The imbalance created
by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in chess, because material advantage is not as powerful in tori
shogi as in chess.
Common handicaps, in increasing order of size, are as follows:

Remove White's left quail

Remove White's falcon
Two pieces: remove White's falcon and left quail
Three pieces: remove White's falcon and both quails

Other handicaps are also occasionally used. The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not
universally agreed upon.

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
tori shogi.
A typical example is Sw-6d. The first letter represents the piece moved: Sw = swallow, Q = quail, Pt = pheasant, Cr
= crane, Fa = falcon, Ph = phoenix. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter, as +Sw for a goose
(promoted swallow). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an
ordinary move, x for a capture, or * for a drop. Next is the designation for the square 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 7g being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares
is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square
2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a move requires the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was
taken. For example, SWx4a+ indicates a swallow capturing on 4a and promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. For example, if Black has a crane at both 3c
and 5c, which can be moved to the square 4b in front of the phoenix, then these are distinguished as Cr5c-4b
(moving the left one) and Cr3c-4b (moving the right one). Optionally, a prefix may be added to the quail to
distinguish the left quail from the right quail, LQ and RQ, when the left quail appears to the right of the right quail.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1. Swx3c
2. Fax5e
3. Cr-5f

Swx5e
Fax3c
Q-1b

In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Tori shogi

370

References
[1] Rules for Tori Shogi (http:/ / www. shogi. net/ rjhare/ tori-shogi/ tori-intro. html#rules) by Roger Hare

External links
Shogi Net (http://www.shogi.net/shogi.html)
Shogi.net/tori shogi (http://www.shogi.net/rjhare/tori-shogi/tori-intro.html)
Online play on Little Golem (http://www.littlegolem.net)

Yari shogi
Yari shogi ( yari shgi, spear chess, where 'spear' is another name for the lance piece) is a modern variant of
shogi (Japanese chess), however it is not Japanese. It was invented in 1981 by Christian Freeling of the Netherlands.
This game accentuates shogis intrinsically forward range of direction by giving most of the pieces the ability to
move any number of free squares orthogonally forward like a shogi lance. The opposite is true of promoted pieces
which can move backward with the same power.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's general.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a
board ruled into a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by 7 files (columns). The
squares are undifferentiated by markings or color.
Each player has a set of 14 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different
sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least powerful) they are:

1 general
2 yari rooks
2 yari bishops
2 yari knights
7 pawns

Most of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough

equivalents in Western chess, rather than as translations of the Japanese
names.

Setup

Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On
the reverse side of some pieces are one or two other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of
black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two
sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing
side. This shows who controls the piece during play.

Yari shogi

371

Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game with their Japanese representation:
Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Hiragana

Meaning

General

sh

general

Yari rook

[]

ky hi[sha]

[]

incense flying chariot

Rook

[]

hi[sha]

[]

flying chariot

ky kaku[gy]

[]

incense angle mover

Yari bishop []
Yari gold

[] nariky kaku[gy] [] promoted incense angle mover

Yari knight []

ky kei[ma]

[]

incense laurelled horse

Yari gold

nariky kei

promoted incense laurel

Pawn

[]

fu[hy]

[]

foot soldier

Yari silver

[]

ky gin[sh]

[]

incense silver general

Setup
7

YR YN YN G YB YB YR a
b
P

d
e

YR YB YB G YN YN YR i

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

g
h

The general is placed in the center file.

The two yari bishops are placed in the adjacent two files to left of the general.
The two yari knights are placed in the two adjacent files to the right of the general.
The two yari rooks are placed in the far corners.

That is, the first rank is:

YR YB YB G YN YN YR

In the third rank, the seven pawns are placed one in each file.

Yari shogi

Gameplay
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a
single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or dropping
a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception, in that it is not required to move in a straight line.
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must promote.
This applies to the pawn, yari knight, yari bishop and yari rook upon reaching the farthest rank, and to the yari knight
upon reaching either of the two farthest ranks.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
The king and pawn move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving
piece may not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
Jumping piece
The yari knight can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If
an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A
ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the yari rook, yari bishop and yari knight.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and
beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including
moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, but not including drops (see below), then that player may choose to
promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the
name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece
promotes as follows:
A general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.

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A yari bishop or yari knight loses its normal movement and gains the ability to move one square orthogonally
forward or sideways, diagonally forward and any number of free squares orthogonally backward.
A pawn, when promoted, keeps its normal movement and gains the ability to move one square diagonally forward
or any number of free squares backward.
A yari rook, when promoted, keeps its normal movement and gains the ability to move any number of free
squares backward.
If a yari bishop, yari knight or pawn reaches the farthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no
legal move on subsequent turns. When captured, pieces lose their promoted status.

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces are paired with their promotion. Pieces with a grey
heading start out in the game; those with a blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
Notation
Steps to an adjacent square
Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

General
Step: The general can step one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal.

The general is the "royal" or "objective" piece.

Yari Knight
Jump: The yari knight jumps at an angle intermediate
between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square
forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single
motion, ignoring any intervening piece; or, Range: It can
move any number of free squares straight forward.

Yari Gold

Range: The yari gold can move any

number of free squares directly
backward. Step: It can step one square
directly forward or sideways; or, one
square diagonally forward.

A yari knight that reaches the farthest rank must promote.

Yari Rook
Range: The yari rook can move any number of free squares
orthogonally forward or sideways.

Rook

Range: The rook can move any number

of free squares along any of the four
orthogonal directions.

Yari Bishop

Yari Gold

Yari shogi

374

Range: The yari bishop can move any number of free

squares directly forward; or, Step: It can move one square
diagonally forward.

A yari bishop that reaches the farthest rank must promote.

Range: The yari gold can move any

number of free squares directly
backward. Step: It can step one square
directly forward or sideways; or, one
square diagonally forward.

Pawn
Step: The pawn can step one square forward. A pawn that
reaches the farthest rank must promote.
There are restrictive rules for where a pawn may be dropped
(see below).

Yari Silver

Range: The yari silver can move any

number of free squares directly
backward; or, Step: It can move one
square forward, orthogonally or
diagonally.

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in yari shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a
piece he has previously captured and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the
forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
Pieces that are dropped in the promotion zone do not promote as a result: Promotion requires that piece make a
normal movement on a subsequent turn, as detailed under "Promotion", above. Pieces that are promoted when
captured lose that promotion; they are unpromoted when dropped back on the board.
A pawn, yari knight, or yari bishop may not be dropped on the farthest rank, since it would have no legal move on
subsequent turns.
A pawn cannot be dropped into the same file (vertical column) as another unpromoted pawn controlled by the same
player. (A yari silver, or promoted pawn, does not count as a pawn when considering this drop restriction.) A player
who has an unpromoted pawn on every file is therefore unable to drop a pawn anywhere. For this reason, it is
common to sacrifice a pawn in order to gain flexibility for drops.
Unlike shogi, a pawn can be dropped when the opponent would have no way to prevent his general being captured
on the next move. In other words, a pawn can be dropped to give immediate mate.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's general could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the general; the general is said to be in check. If a player's general is in check and no legal move
by that player will get the general out of check, the checking move is also a mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's general wins the game. In practice this 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.)

Yari shogi
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
If the same position occurs three times with the same player to play, then the game is no contest. (Recall, however,
the prohibition against perpetual check.) For two positions to be considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the
same, as well as the position on the board.
The game reaches an impasse if both generals have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither
player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the winner is decided as
follows: each yari rook or yari bishop scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces (except generals)
score 1 point each. Promotions are ignored for the purposes of scoring. A player scoring less than 26 points loses. If
both players have at least 26 points, then the game is no contest.
Games which are no contest are counted as draws in tournament style games.

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game. Note that the pieces
removed at the beginning play no further part in the game - they are not available for drops. The imbalance created
by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in chess, because material advantage is not as powerful in yari
shogi as in chess.
Common handicaps, in increasing order of size, are as follows:

Remove White's left yari bishop

Remove White's left yari rook
Two pieces: remove White's left yari rook and left yari bishop
Four pieces: remove White's yari rooks and yari bishops
Six pieces: remove White's yari rooks, yari bishops and yari knights

Other handicaps are also occasionally used. The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not
universally agreed upon.

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. It has been modified for use in yari
shogi.
A typical example is P-7f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, YN = yari knight, YB = yari
bishop, YR = yari rook, G = general. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a yari silver
(promoted pawn). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary
move, x for a capture, or * for a drop. Next is the designation for the square 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 7i being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on
Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is
denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, YNx7c= indicates a yari knight capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. For example, in the initial position Black has

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376

two yari bishops which can be moved to the square 5h, and these are distinguished as YB6i-5h (moving the left one)
and YB5i-5h (moving the right one).
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1. P-7f
2. P-2f

P-3d
YB-3b

In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Strategy and tactics

Drops are the most serious departure from Western chess. They entail a different strategy, with a strong defensive
position being much more important. A quick offense will leave a player's home territory open to drop attacks as
soon as pieces are exchanged. Because pawns attack head on, and cannot defend each other, they tend to be lost early
in the game, providing ammunition for such attacks. Dropping a pawn behind enemy lines, promoting, and dropping
a second pawn behind it so they protect each other is a strong attack; it threatens the opponent's entire defense, but
provides little of value if the attack fails and the pieces are captured.
Players raised on Western chess often make poor use of drops, and dropping is half the game. If a player has more
than a couple captured pieces in hand, it is likely that dropping attacks are being overlooked. However, it is wise to
keep a pawn in hand, and often to exchange pieces if necessary to get one.
Attacking pieces can easily become trapped behind enemy lines, as the opponent can often drop a pawn in a
protected square to cut off a line of retreat. For this reason, yari rooks are commonly kept at a safe distance in the
early parts of the game, and are used to support attacks by weaker pieces.
There are various ranging yari rook openings, where the yari rook moves to the center or left of the board to support
an attack. However, as the most powerful piece on the board it invites attack, and it is a good idea to keep your
general well away from your yari rook.
Advancing a yari rook pawn can open up the side of the board for attack. Therefore, when a player first advances a
yari rook pawn, it is usual for the opponent to answer by advancing the opposing pawn, in order to avoid
complications later in the game.

External links
Chessvariants.com / yari shogi [1]
MindSports / yari shogi [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ ms. dir/ yarishogi. html
[2] http:/ / mindsports. nl/ index. php/ side-dishes/ more-games-by-cf?start=5

Heian shogi

Heian shogi
Heian shgi ( "Heian era chess") is a predecessor of modern shogi (Japanese chess). Some form of chess
almost certainly reached Japan by the 9th century, if not earlier, but the earliest surviving Japanese description of the
rules dates from the early 12th century (c. 1120, during the Heian period). Unfortunately, this description does not
give enough information to actually play the game, but this has not stopped people attempting to reconstruct this
early form of shogi.

Rules of the game

Piece movements were as in modern shogi, but there was no rook or bishop. The board appears to have been 98 or
88. The setup is unknown, but can reasonably be assumed to have been the same as in modern shogi (minus the
rook and bishop, and minus a gold general in the 88 case), although it's possible that the pawns started on the
second rank rather than the third. It can safely be assumed that the game was played without drops. This article
outlines a fairly complete set of rules that can make the game playable in modern times.

Objective
The objective of the game is to either capture your opponent's king or all the other pieces.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White ( sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 8 or 9 ranks (rows)
by 8 or 9 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 16 or 18 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to
least powerful) they are:

1 king
1 or 2 gold generals
2 silver generals
2 knights
2 lances
8 or 9 pawns

Most of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are two other
characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that
the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is
shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.
Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game with their Japanese representation.

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378

Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Unicode

Abbreviation

Meaning

King

gyokush 7389 5c06

jade general

Gold general

kinsh

91d1 5c06

gold general

Silver general

ginsh

9280 5c06

silver general

Knight

keima

6842 99ac

laureled horse

Lance

kysha

9999 8eca

incense chariot

Pawn

fuhy

6b69 5175

foot soldier

Silver generals and gold generals are commonly referred to simply as silvers and golds, parallel to their
abbreviations in Japanese.
The characters inscribed on the backs of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink. All pieces except
the king and gold general promote to gold.

Setup
Below is the board setup for a 9x9 board. Smaller boards, of size 9x8, 8x9, or 8x8, can be obtained from this size
board by removing the e-row (-row), the sixth column, or both.

L a
b

d
e

g
h

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the center file or left of center.

The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king or one to its right.
The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general or gold general and king.
The two knights are placed adjacent to each silver general.
The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is |L|N|S|G|K|G|S|N|L| or |L|N|S|K|G|S|N|L|.

In the third rank, the eight or nine pawns are placed one in each file.

Heian shogi

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
If a lance or pawn, which cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must
be promoted upon reaching the farthest rank. This also applies to the knight upon reaching either of the two farthest
ranks.
The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the king, gold general, silver general and pawn.
Jumping piece
The knight can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either.
Ranging piece
The lance can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If an
opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A ranging
piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.
Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement.
- Steps to a square.
- Leaps to a square (jumping over any intervening piece).
- Ranging movement (may cross any number of empty squares).

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380

King
Step: The king can step one square in
any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

Gold General

Knight

Lance
Range: The lance can move any
number of free squares straight
forward. A lance that reaches the
farthest rank must promote.

Silver General
Step: The silver general can step one
square in one of the four diagonal
directions; or, one square straight
forward, giving it five possibilities.

Step: The gold general can step one square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.

Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and

diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one square diagonally
forward, in a single motion, ignoring any intervening piece. That is, it has a
choice of two forward destinations. A knight that reaches one of the two
farthest ranks must promote.

Pawn

Step: The pawn can step one square forward. A pawn that reaches the farthest
rank must promote.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and
beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including
moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone then that player may choose to promote the piece at the end of the turn.
Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece
promotes as follows:
A king or a gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.
A silver general, knight, lance or pawn, when promoted, loses its normal movement and gains the movement of a
gold general.
If a pawn, knight or lance reaches the farthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no legal
move on subsequent turns. For the same reason, a knight reaching the penultimate rank must be promoted.

Heian shogi

381

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get the king out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king or all of the other pieces (bare king) wins the game. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.)
The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

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.
A typical example is P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, L = lance, N = knight, S = silver, G
= gold, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a tokin (promoted pawn). 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 square 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 8h or 9h being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese
convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by
2 in Japanese.)
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, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. For example, in the initial position Black may
have two golds which can be moved to the square 5g in front of the king, and these are distinguished as G6h-5g
(moving the left one) and G4h-5g (moving the right one).
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1. P-7e
2. P-2e

P-3d
G-3b

Heian shogi

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Chessvariants.com/heian shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ heian. html

Sho shogi
Sh Shgi ( 'small chess') is a 16th century form of shogi (Japanese chess), and the immediate predecessor
of the modern game. It was played on a 9x9 board with the same setup as in modern shogi, except that an extra piece
stood in front of the king: A 'drunk elephant' that promoted into what was effectively a second king. (While 9x9 may
not seem 'small', it was smaller than the other shogi variants prevalent at the time.) The drunk elephant was
eliminated by the Emperor Go-Nara (reigned 1526-1557), and it is assumed that the drop rule was introduced at
about the same time, giving rise to shogi as we know it today.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's king and crown prince (if present) or all other pieces.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by
9 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 21 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful) they are:

1 king
1 drunken elephant
1 rook
1 bishop
2 gold generals
2 silver generals
2 knights
2 lances
9 pawns

Most of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are two other
characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that
the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is
shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.

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383

Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game with their Japanese representation:
Piece
King (reigning)

Kanji

Rmaji
sh

Abr.

Meaning
royal general

King (challenging)

gyokush

jade general

Drunken Elephant

suiz

drunken elephant

Crown prince

taishi

crown prince

Rook

hisha

flying chariot

Promoted rook

ry

dragon king

Bishop

kakugy

angle mover

Promoted bishop

ryma

dragon horse

Gold general

kinsh

gold general

Silver general

ginsh

silver general

Promoted silver

narigin

promoted silver

Knight

keima

laureled horse

Promoted knight

narikei

promoted laurel

Lance

kysha

incense chariot

Promoted lance

nariky

promoted incense

Pawn

fuhy

foot soldier

Promoted pawn

tokin

reaches gold

English speakers sometimes refer to promoted bishops as horses and promoted rooks as dragons, after their Japanese
names, and generally use the Japanese name tokin for promoted pawns. Silver generals and gold generals are
commonly referred to simply as silvers and golds.
The characters inscribed on the backs of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink, and are usually
cursive. The characters on the backs of the pieces that promote to gold generals are cursive versions of 'gold',
becoming more cursive (more abbreviated) as the value of the original piece decreases. These abbreviated characters
have these equivalents in print: for promoted silver, for promoted knight, for promoted lance, and for
promoted pawn (tokin). Another convention has abbreviated versions of the original characters, with a reduced
number of strokes: for promoted knight, for promoted lance, with promoted silver the same as above, and
for tokin.

Sho shogi

384

Setup
9

L a

R
P

DE
P

e
f

DE
S

R
G

g
h

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the center file.

The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king.
The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general.
The two knights are placed adjacent to each silver general.
The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is |L|N|S|G|K|G|S|N|L|.

In the second rank, each player places:
The bishop in the same file as the knight on the player's left.
The rook in the same file as the knight on the player's right.
The drunken elephant in the same file as the king.
In the third rank, the nine pawns are placed one in each file.

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.
Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).

Sho shogi
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
If a lance or pawn, pieces that cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it can no longer move, it
must promote.
Some pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the king, drunken elephant, gold general, silver general and the 9 pawns on each side.
Jumping piece
The knight can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either.
Ranging piece
The bishop and rook can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the
board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board.
A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and
beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including
moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, then that player may choose to promote the piece at the end of the
turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece
promotes as follows:
A king or a gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.
A silver general, knight, lance or pawn, when promoted, loses its normal movement and gains the movement of a
gold general.
A drunken elephant, bishop or rook, when promoted, keeps its normal movement and gains the ability to move
one square in any direction (like a king). This means the bishop is now able to reach any square on the board,
given enough moves.
If a pawn, knight or lance reaches the farthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no legal
move on subsequent turns.

385

Sho shogi

386

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces are paired with their promotion. Pieces with a grey
heading start out in the game; those with a blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
- Steps to a square.
- Leaps to a square (jumping over any intervening piece).
- Ranging movement (may cross any number of empty squares).
King
Step: The king can step one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal. The challenger moves first.

The king does not promote.

Drunken Elephant
Step: The drunken elephant can step one square in any
direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except directly
backward.

Crown Prince

Step: The crown prince can step

one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal.
The crown prince effectively
doubles as a second king, and
must also be captured to win if
present.

Rook

Dragon

Range: The rook can move any number of free

squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.

Range: The dragon can move

any number of free squares
along any of the four orthogonal
directions. Step: It can move
one square in any diagonal
direction.

Bishop
Range: The bishop can move any number of free
squares along any of the four diagonal directions.

Horse

Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted

bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.

Range: The horse can move any

number of free squares along
any of the four diagonal
directions. Step: It can move
one square in any orthogonal
direction.

Gold General
The gold general does not promote.

Step: The gold general can step one square in one of

the four orthogonal directions; or,one square
diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.

Sho shogi

387
Silver General

Step: The silver general can step one square in one of

the four diagonal directions; or, one square straight
forward, giving it five possibilities.

Promoted Silver General

Knight
Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate
between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one
square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in
a single motion, ignoring any intervening piece. That
is, it has a choice of two forward destinations. A
knight that reaches the farthest rank must promote.

Step: The promoted knight can

step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or,
one square diagonally forward,
giving it six possibilities.

Promoted Lance

Pawn
Step: The pawn can step one square forward. A pawn
that reaches the farthest rank must promote.

Promoted Knight

Lance
Range: The lance can move any number of free
squares straight forward. A lance that reaches the
farthest rank must promote.

Step: The promoted silver

general can step one square in
one of the four orthogonal
directions; or,one square
diagonally forward, giving it six
possibilities.

Step: The promoted Lance can

step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or,
one square diagonally forward,
giving it six possibilities.

Tokin

Step: The tokin can step one

square in one of the four
orthogonal directions; or, one
square diagonally forward,
giving it six possibilities.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king or crown prince could be captured on the following
move, the move is said to give check to the king or crown prince; the king or crown prince is said to be in check. If a
player's king or crown prince (sole one in play) is in check and no legal move by that player will get the king or
crown prince out of check, the checking move is also mate, and can effectively win the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king and crown prince (if present) or all other pieces (bare king or bare crown
prince) wins the game (unless the bared player immediately follows this baring by baring his own opponent, in
which case it's a draw). In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.)

Sho shogi

388

The game reaches an impasse if either kings or crown princes have advanced into their respective promotion zones
and neither player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

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.
A typical example is P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, L = lance, N = knight, S = silver, G
= gold, B = bishop, R = rook, DE = drunken elephant, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the
letter. e.g., +P for a tokin (promoted pawn). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type
of move: - for an ordinary move and x for a capture. Next is the designation for the square 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 9i being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating
squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example,
the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess. For example, the start of a game might look like this:
1.
2.
3.
4.

P-7f
P-2f
P-2e
Sx8h

P-3d
G-3b
Bx8h+
S-2b

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Chessvariants.com/Sho shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ shoshogi. html

Cannon shogi

389

Cannon shogi
Cannon shogi is a modern variant of shogi (Japanese chess). It was invented by Peter Michaelsen in February 1998.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's king.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote),
play on a board ruled into a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by 9 files
(columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 20 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly
different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least powerful)
they are:

1 King
1 Rook
1 Bishop
1 Gold cannon
1 Silver cannon
1 Copper cannon
1 Iron cannon
2 Gold generals
2 Silver generals
2 Knights
2 Lances
5 Pawns

Cannon shogi setup

Most of the English names correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as translations of the
Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are two or
three other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to
indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead
each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece
during play. The game is often played with "Westernized" (or "international") pieces, which replace the kanji with
more intuitive symbols, such as pictorial icons.
Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to.

Cannon shogi

390

Piece
White king (king)

Kanji

Rmaji
sh

Promotes to

Black king (jade general)

gyokush

Rook (flying chariot)

hisha

ry, dragon king

Bishop (angle mover)

kakugy

ryma, Dragon horse

Gold cannon

kinh

narikinh, Flying gold cannon

Silver cannon

ginh

nariginh, Flying silver cannon

Copper cannon

dh

naridh, Flying copper cannon

Iron cannon

tetsuh

naritetsuh, Flying iron cannon

Gold general

kinsh

Silver general

ginsh

narigin, Promoted silver

Knight (laurelled horse)

keima

narikei, Promoted laurel

Lance (incense chariot)

kysha

nariky, Promoted incense

Pawn (foot soldier)

fuhy

tokin, Equivalent to gold

English speakers sometimes refer to promoted bishops in shogi and its variants as horses and promoted rooks as
dragons, after their Japanese names, and generally use the Japanese name tokin for promoted pawns. Silver generals
and gold generals are commonly referred to simply as silvers and golds.
The characters on the backs of the pieces that promote to gold generals are cursive versions of 'gold', becoming
more cursive (more abbreviated) as the value of the original piece decreases. These abbreviated characters have these
equivalents in print: for promoted silver, for promoted knight, for promoted lance, and for promoted
pawn (tokin). Another convention has abbreviated versions of the original characters, with a reduced number of
strokes: for promoted knight, for promoted lance, with promoted silver the same as above, and for
tokin.

Setup

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391

L a

GC SC B

R CC IC
P

e
f

B SC GC

IC CC R
K

g
h

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing towards the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the center file.

The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king.
The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general.
The two knights are placed adjacent to each silver general.
The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is |L|N|S|G|K|G|S|N|L|.

In the second rank, each player places:
The gold cannon in the same file as the gold general on the players left.
The silver cannon in the same file as the silver general on the players left.
The iron cannon in the same file as the gold general on the players right.
The copper cannon in the same file as the silver general on the players right.
The bishop in the same file as the knight on the player's left.
The rook in the same file as the knight on the player's right.
In the third rank, the five pawns are placed in the same files as the lances, silver generals and king.

Cannon shogi

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'Black' and 'White' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a
single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or dropping
a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece in the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
Pawn
The pawn moves and captures a single square forwards or sideways, like the soldier of Korean chess (janggi). It
promotes (optionally) to a tokin (gold general) when making a move that begins or ends in the last 3 ranks of the
board.
Lance
The lance has the same move as in shogi. It may move any number of empty squares forwards (i.e.: in the same file),
capturing the first opposing piece it encounters. The lance promotes (optionally) to a gold general when ending a
move in the second or third last ranks of the board. If ending its move in the final rank it must promote.
Knight
The knight has the same move as its equivalent in shogi. It may move one square forward followed by one square
diagonally forward to a square that is either empty or occupied by an opposing piece, jumping over any intervening
piece of either side in the first square. If landing on a square occupied by an opposing piece that piece is captured.
The knight promotes (optionally) to a gold general when ending a move in the third last rank of the board. If ending
its move on either of the final two ranks it must promote.
Silver General
The silver general is the same as in shogi. It moves and captures a single square forwards or diagonally in any
direction. It promotes (optionally) to a gold general when making a move that begins or ends in the last 3 ranks of
the board.
Gold General
The gold general is the same as in shogi. It moves and captures a single square diagonally forwards or orthogonally
in any direction. It does not promote.
Bishop
The bishop is identical to that in shogi. It may move any number of empty squares in any diagonal direction,
capturing the first opposing piece it encounters. The bishop may optionally promote to a dragon horse when
beginning or ending a move in one of the final 3 ranks on the board. As a dragon horse it may either move as a
bishop or move one square orthogonally.

392

Cannon shogi
Rook
The rook is the same as in shogi. It may move any number of empty squares in any orthogonal direction, capturing
the first opposing piece it encounters. The rook may optionally promote to a dragon king when beginning or ending a
move in one of the final 3 ranks on the board. As a dragon king it may move either as a rook or one square
diagonally.
Gold Cannon
The gold cannon moves as a rook, by sliding any number of empty squares along a row or column, but can capture
an enemy only if there is another piece (of either side) in between. Thus to capture the gold cannon leaps over the
intervening piece and lands on the enemy piece, like a cannonball. This is the same move and capture as the cannon
(Pao) of Chinese chess (xiangqi). The gold cannon may promote (optionally) if it begins or ends its move in one of
the last 3 ranks of the board. On promotion it becomes a flying gold cannon. As a flying gold cannon it may move
orthogonally over whole rows and is able to leap one piece while moving. Additionally, it can move one square
diagonally, or move or capture two squares diagonally, by leaping an adjacent piece.
Silver Cannon
The silver cannon captures in the same way as the gold cannon, but can only move by leaping over an intervening
piece, called a screen. This is the move and capture of the cannon of Korean chess (janggi). The silver cannon may
promote (optionally) if it begins or ends its move in one of the last 3 ranks of the board. On promotion it becomes a
flying silver cannon. As a flying silver cannon it has the same powers as the flying gold cannon. It may therefore
move orthogonally over whole rows and is able to leap one piece while moving. It can also move one square
diagonally, or move or capture two squares diagonally, by leaping an adjacent piece.
Copper Cannon
The copper cannon moves as a bishop, by sliding any number of empty squares in a diagonal direction, but can
capture an enemy only if there is another piece (of either side) in between. Thus to capture the copper cannon leaps
over the intervening piece and lands on the enemy piece, like a cannonball. This is the same move and capture as the
gold cannon, but in a diagonal rather than orthogonal direction. The copper cannon may promote (optionally) to a
flying copper cannon if it begins or ends its move in one of the last 3 ranks of the board. As a flying copper cannon it
gains the power to move diagonally over whole rows to leap one piece while moving. Additionally, it can move one
square orthogonally, or move or capture two squares orthogonally, by leaping an adjacent piece.
Iron Cannon
The iron cannon captures in the same way as the copper cannon, but can only move by leaping over an intervening
piece, called a screen. The iron cannon may promote (optionally) to a flying iron cannon if it begins or ends its move
in one of the last 3 ranks of the board. As a flying iron cannon it has the same powers as the flying copper cannon. It
may therefore move diagonally over whole rows and is able to leap one piece while moving. It can also move one
square orthogonally, or move or capture two squares orthogonally, by leaping an adjacent piece.
King
The king has the same move as in shogi. It may move one square in any direction.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and
beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including
moving into, out of, or wholly within the zone, but not including drops (see below), then that player may choose to
promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the

393

Cannon shogi

394

name of its promoted rank.

Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is captured and removed from the board.
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must be
promoted. This applies to the lance, upon reaching the farthest rank, and to the knight upon reaching either of the
two farthest ranks.
When captured, pieces lose their promoted status.

Movement diagrams
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces are paired with their promotion. Pieces with a gray
heading start out in the game; those with a blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square

Jumps over an adjacent square, bypassing an intervening piece

Jumps to a distant square, bypassing an intervening piece

Must jump an intervening piece in order to capture

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Must jump an intervening piece in order to move or capture

King (reigning)
The king can move one square in any
direction.

King (challenging)

The king can move one square in any direction. The

player with the black king makes the first move
unless White accepts a handicap.

Rook

Dragon

The rook can move any number of free

squares along any of the four orthogonal
directions.

The dragon can move any number of free squares

along any of the four orthogonal directions. It can
move one square in any diagonal direction.

Bishop

Horse

Cannon shogi

395

The bishop can move any number of free

squares along any of the four diagonal
directions.

Because it cannot move orthogonally, an

unpromoted bishop can only reach half the
squares on the board.

The horse can move any number of free squares

along any of the four diagonal directions. It can also
move one square in any orthogonal direction.

Gold Cannon

Flying Gold Cannon

The gold cannon can move any number of

squares along any of the four orthogonal
directions but must jump at least one piece
to capture.

The flying gold cannon can move any number of

squares along any of the four orthogonal directions
but must jump at least one piece to capture. It may
also jump one piece while moving on any row and
may move one or two squares diagonally, jumping
the adjacent square to reach the second.

Silver Cannon

The flying silver cannon has the same powers of

movement as the flying gold cannon.

Copper Cannon

Flying Copper Cannon

The flying copper cannon can move any number of

squares along the four diagonal directions but must
jump at least one piece to capture. It may also jump
one piece while moving on any row and may move
one or two squares orthogonally, jumping the
adjacent square to reach the second.

Iron Cannon

Flying Silver Cannon

The silver cannon can move any number of

squares along any of the four orthogonal
directions but must jump at least one piece
to move or capture.

The copper cannon can move any number

of squares along the four diagonal
directions but must jump at least one piece
to capture.

Flying Iron Cannon

Cannon shogi

396

The iron cannon can move any number of

squares along the four diagonal directions
but must jump at least one piece to move or
capture.

The flying iron cannon has the same powers of

movement as the flying copper cannon.

Gold General
The gold general does not promote.

Silver General
The silver general can step one square in
one of the four diagonal directions; or, one
square straight forward, giving it five
possibilities.

Promoted Silver General

Promoted Knight

The promoted knight can step one square in one of

the four orthogonal directions; or, one square
diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.

Lance
The lance can move any number of free
squares straight forward. A lance that
reaches the farthest rank must promote.

Knight
The knight jumps one square forward plus
one square diagonally forward, ignoring
any intervening piece. That is, it has a
choice of two forward destinations. A
knight that reaches one of the two farthest
ranks must promote.

The promoted silver general can step one square in

one of the four orthogonal directions; or, one square
diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.

Promoted Lance
The promoted lance can step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Pawn
The pawn can step one square forward or
sideways, giving it three possibilities.

Tokin
The tokin can step one square in one of the four
orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

The gold general can step one square in

one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
one square diagonally forward, giving it six
possibilities.

Cannon shogi

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in cannon shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece on the board, a player can take a piece he
has previously captured and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the forces
controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
Pieces that are dropped in the promotion zone do not promote as a result: Promotion requires that piece make a
normal movement on a subsequent turn, as detailed under "Promotion", above.
A knight, or lance may not be dropped on the farthest rank, since it would have no legal move on subsequent turns.
Similarly, a knight may not be dropped on the penultimate rank.
Unlike in shogi, there are no restrictions when dropping pawns: a pawn can be dropped into the same file (vertical
column) as another unpromoted pawn controlled by the same player. Also a pawn can be dropped to check the
opponent's king, if the opponent would have no way to prevent his king being captured on the next move. In other
words, a pawn can be dropped to give immediate mate.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get the king out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king wins the game. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.) For two positions to be considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the
same, as well as the position on the board.
The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the winner is decided as follows: each
rook, bishop and cannon scores 5 points for the owning player, and all other pieces (except kings) score 1 point each.
Promotions are ignored for the purposes of scoring. A player scoring less than 38 points loses. If both players have at
least 38 points, then the game is no contest.
Games which are no contest are usually counted as draws in amateur tournaments, but in professional style
tournaments the rules typically require the game to be replayed with colors reversed (possibly with reduced time
limits).

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Cannon shogi

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game. Note that the pieces
removed at the beginning play no further part in the game - they are not available for drops. The imbalance created
by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in chess, because material advantage is not as powerful in
shogi as in chess.

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.
A typical example is P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, L = lance, N = knight, S = silver, G
= gold, GC = gold cannon, SC = silver cannon, IC = iron cannon, CC = copper cannon, B = bishop, R = rook, K =
king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a tokin (promoted pawn). The designation of
the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move, x for a capture, or * for a
drop. Next is the designation for the square 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 9i being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which,
however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.
In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Nature of the Game

With the introduction of the cannons of Chinese and Korean chess, as well as their diagonal counterparts, the
inventor wanted to add a new dimension to the classical game of shogi. With a pawn array similar to the one used in
Chinese and Korean chess, the opening game tends to be much more tactical and explosive than in ordinary shogi.
Not only because of their high number, the cannons dominate play more than in xiangqi and janggi. Because of the
drops, they are more mobile and dangerous in all phases of the game. They may be weakened a little on board, as
more and more pieces are captured and kept in hand, but may still be very useful when dropped on the board again,
or when other pieces are dropped in front of them.
The Pawns move and capture sideways as well as forwards, because the inventor thought that they needed some
compensation, being only 2x5 against 2x15 officers.

398

Cannon shogi

399

External links
Shogi: Cannon Shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shogivariants. dir/ cannonshogi. html

Hasami shogi
Hasami shogi ( hasami shgi, sandwiching chess) is a variant of shogi (Japanese chess).

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture five or eight (as agreed upon before the game) of your opponents pieces.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by
9 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 9 wedge-shaped pieces or pawns (foot soldiers).
Each pawn has its name in the form of two Japanese characters marked on its face (). On the reverse side of each
pawn is the abbreviated character for tokin (), often in a different color (e.g., red instead of black). Black plays
with pawns and White plays with tokins.

Setup
9

Each side places his or her pieces in the nearest rank, one piece per file.

Hasami shogi

400

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a piece onto an empty square of the board.

Movement and capture

Each piece moves as a rook in chess, that is, any number of empty squares along a straight line in any orthogonal
direction, limited only by the edge of the board. 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. If one of the opponents pieces lie between a pair of the players pieces (horizontally or vertically), then the
opponents piece is captured and removed from the board. Multiple pieces may be captured if all of the squares
between the attacking player's pieces are occupied by the opponent's pieces. This is called a custodian capture. If a
piece is moved between two of the opponent's pieces, it is not captured.

Dai hasami shogi

Dai hasami shogi is a variant of hasami shogi. It is the same as hasami shogi except that each player starts the game
with 18 pieces occupying the two nearest ranks. Because most shogi sets only have 18 pawns total, this game is
usually played with black and white Go stones.

This is how the setup will appear. A portion of a Go board is

used
in this illustration.

A similar game is Mak-yek played in Siam (and Malaysia under the name Apit-sodok) with the same goal, on an 8x8
board, but the 16 stones of each player are placed on the first and third row. The moves are the same, but the capture
is custodian and also by intervention. Intervention capture is the opposite of custodian. If a stone moves between two
enemy stones, it captures both stones.
There is a hexagonal variant for Hasami Shogi, called Take invented in 1984 by Mike Woods. Curiously, there is an
old Roman game, called Latrunculi seemly very similar to Hasami Shogi, but the exact rules are not known.

Hasami shogi

External links

Shogi Net [2]

Shogi: Japanese Chess [3]
chessvariants.com / hasami shogi [1]
Dai hasami shogi [2]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ hasami. html
[2] http:/ / www. di. fc. ul. pt/ ~jpn/ gv/ hasami. htm

Hand shogi
Hand shogi ( te shgi, hand chess) is a variant of shogi (Japanese chess), however it is not Japanese. It was
invented in early 1997 by John William Brown of Lewisville, AR, USA. The name hand comes from the fact that
each player starts the game with most of their pieces in hand and that each round of a match plays like the hand of a
card game.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to win two consecutive hands. The objective of each hand is to capture your opponent's
king.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 9 ranks (rows) by
9 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 19 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful) they are:

1 king
1 tycoon
1 shogun
2 gold generals
2 silver generals
1 pard
1 onager
1 hasty
2 knights
2 lances
5 soldiers

Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of each knight two other
characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that
the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is
shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.
The game is often played with "Westernized" (or "international") pieces, which replace the kanji with more intuitive

401

Hand shogi

402

symbols, such as pictorial icons.

Setup
9

SO

PD

SO

SO SO SO

c
d
e
f

SO SO SO

SO

PD

SO

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:
The king is placed in the center file.
The two gold generals are placed two files from the king.
That is, the first rank is | | |G| |K| |G| | |.
In the second rank, each player places:
The pard in the same file as the king.
A soldier in the same files as the golden generals.
In the third rank, the three remaining soldiers are placed in the three center files.
All remaining pieces are held in hand.

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a
single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece, displacing (capturing) an opposing piece or dropping
a captured piece onto an empty square of the board. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
If a lance, which cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must remain
there until captured.
The movement categories are:

Hand shogi

403

Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the king, gold general, silver general and the 5 soldiers on each side.
Limited ranging pieces
The tycoon and shogun can move along a limited number (3) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain
directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either. These are the knight, onager and hasty.
Ranging piece
The lance can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If an
opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A ranging
piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's soldiers and
beyond (that is, the opponent's territory at setup). If a knight crosses the board and into the promotion zone then that
player must promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves,
revealing the name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a knight has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. The knight,
when promoted, loses its normal movement and gains the movement of a gold general.
When captured, knights lose their promoted status.

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces with a grey heading start out in the game; those with a
blue heading only appear on the board after promotion.
Notation
Steps to an adjacent square or has limited range
Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Hand shogi

404

King
Step: The king can step one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal.

Pard
Jump: The pard jumps to the
second square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal.

Pd

Gold General
Step: The gold general can step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Silver General
Step: The silver general can
step one square in one of the
four diagonal directions; or,
one square straight forward,
giving it five possibilities.

Knight
Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate
between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one
square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a
single motion, ignoring any intervening piece. That is, it
has a choice of two forward destinations. A knight that
reaches one of the two furthest ranks must promote.

Promoted Knight

Step: The promoted knight can

step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or,
one square diagonally forward,
giving it six possibilities.

Lance
Range: The lance can move any number of free squares
straight forward. A lance that reaches the furthest rank
is stuck there until captured.

+N

Tycoon
Limited range: The tycoon can
move one to three squares
along one of the four diagonal
directions.

Shogun
Limited range: The shogun can move one to three
squares along one of the four orthogonal directions.

Jump: The onager can jump to

the second square in one of the
four orthogonal directions.

Sh

Hasty

Soldier

Onager

Hand shogi

Jump: The hasty can jump to the second square in one

of the four diagonal directions.

405

Step: The soldier can step one

square forward or sideways.

So

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in hand shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. Add to this the fact that each player starts the game with ten pieces in hand. On
any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a piece he has previously captured or has in
hand and place it on any empty square, facing the opponent. The piece is now part of the forces controlled by that
player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
A drop cannot capture a piece; that requires an additional move.
A knight cannot be dropped into the promotion zone.
A lance may not be dropped on the furthest rank, since it would have no legal move on subsequent turns.
A soldier cannot be dropped into the same file (vertical column) as another soldier controlled by the same player. A
player who has an soldier on every file is therefore unable to drop a soldier anywhere.
A hasty or onager must be dropped so that it gives check (see below).

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get the king out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the hand.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king wins the hand. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a hand to end: repetition and impasse.
If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play, then the hand is a draw. (Recall, however, the
prohibition against perpetual check.) For two positions to be considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the
same, as well as the position on the board.
The hand reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material. If this happens then the hand is a draw.

Hand shogi

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.
A typical example is S-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: SO = soldier, L = lance, N = knight, S = silver,
G = gold, PD = pard, O = onager, H = hasty, T = tycoon, SH = shogun, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added
in front of the letter. e.g., +N for a promoted knight. The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating
the type of move: - for an ordinary move, x for a capture, or * for a drop. Next is the designation for the square 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 9i being the bottom left corner. (This
method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of
letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a move forces the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken.
For example, Nx7c+ indicates a knight capturing on 7c and promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

External links
Chessvariants.com/hand shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ shogivariants. dir/ handshogi. html

406

Annan shogi

407

Annan shogi
Annan shogi (Japanese: annan shgi) also called Korean shogi, is a variant of shogi (Japanese chess).
Annan shogi is a popular shogi variant in Japan.

Gameplay
The game is played as standard shogi, except that, when a piece has a friendly piece on the square directly behind it,
it has the movement of that piece instead of its own. A variant rule is that a piece may move like any friendly piece
that protects it. The setup is somewhat different from standard shogi.
The game should not be confused with Korean chess, a variant of chess that is played in Korea, but which resembles
xiangqi (Chinese chess) rather than shogi.

Setup
9

L a

R
P

External links
The rules of Annan Shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / piccoro. ezdns. jp/ rule/ index. html

P
P

P
P

c
d
e

P
P

B
L

f
P

R
S

g
h

Unashogi

Unashogi
Unashogi is a variant of shogi (Japanese chess), invented in late 1994 by Edward Jackman and based on Unachess
by Jeff Miller.

Rules
Same as standard Shogi except:
1. The board is initially empty and each player has the normal complement of 20 pieces in reserve.
2. During a turn, a player must do one of three things:
place a piece from the reserve on an empty square on the board
move a previously placed piece to an empty square
move a piece to a square occupied by an opposing piece, capturing it.
3. A player may not make a capture until her/his own king is on the board. Your pieces have no real power of check
on the opposing king until your own king is placed. Your opponent can legally place his or her king right next to
your promoted Rook if your king is still in hand. There is no additional rule governing when you must enter your
king. If a piece is checking the opposing king, but the friendly king has not been placed, that is called
quasi-check. A player is under no compulsion to move out of quasi-check.

Variations
Pieces do not promote unless their king has been placed. This is strongly recommended.
Pieces do not promote unless the enemy king has been placed.

Sources
Unashogi on www.chessvariants.org [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ diffsetup. dir/ unachess. html#unashogi

408

Wa shogi

Wa shogi
Wa shogi (, wa shgi, peaceful chess) is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess) in which all of the
pieces are named for animals. It is played either with or without drops.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's crane king.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 11 ranks (rows)
by 11 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 27 wedge-shaped pieces, of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least
powerful) they are:
1 crane king

1 cloud eagle
1 flying falcon
1 swallows wings
1 treacherous fox
1 running rabbit
1 violent wolf
1 violent stag
1 flying goose
1 flying cock
1 strutting crow
1 swooping owl
1 blind dog
1 climbing monkey
1 liberated horse
1 oxcart
11 sparrow pawns

Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji marked on its face. On the reverse side of each piece (other than
crane kings, cloud eagles and treacherous foxes) are two other characters, often in a different color (e.g., red instead
of black); this reverse side is turned up to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the
two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the
opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.

Setup

409

Wa shogi

410

11

10

11

10

7
VS

CE
SP

LH CM SO FC

SP

SP

CK VW FG SC BD OC a
SW

SP RR

SP

SP

SP

TF SP

FF

SP

SP c

SP

d
e
f
g

SP
SP

SP
FF

SP TF

SP
SP

SP

SP

SW

OC BD SC FG VW CK

RR SP

h
SP

SP

CE
VS

i
j

FC SO CM LH k

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The crane king is placed in the center file.

The violent wolf is placed in the adjacent file to the left of the crane king.
The violent stag is placed in the file to the right of the crane king.
The flying goose is placed in the file to the left of the violent wolf.
The flying cock is placed in the file to the right of the violent stag.

The strutting crow is placed in the file to the left of the flying goose.
The swooping owl is placed in the file to the right of the flying cock.
The blind dog is placed in the file to the left of the strutting crow.

Wa shogi
The climbing monkey is placed in the file to the right of the swooping owl.
The oxcart is placed in the corner file to the left of the blind dog.
The liberated horse is placed in the corner file to the right of the climbing monkey.
That is, the first rank is |OC|BD|SC|FG|VW|CK|VS|FC|SO|CM|LH|.
In the second rank, each player places:
The swallows wings in the same file as the crane king.
The flying falcon in the same file as the blind dog.
The cloud eagle in the same file as the climbing monkey.
In the third rank, each player places:
The treacherous fox in the same file as the flying goose.
The running rabbit in the same file as the flying cock.
Nine sparrow pawns are placed in the remaining files.
In the fourth rank, each player places:
A sparrow pawn in the same file as the treacherous fox.
A sparrow pawn in the same file as the running rabbit.

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.
Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ).
If an oxcart or sparrow pawn, which cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it can no longer
move, it must promote.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the crane king, violent wolf, violent stag, blind dog, climbing monkey, flying goose, flying
cock, strutting crow, swooping owl and the 9 sparrow pawns on each side.
Limited ranging piece
The liberated horse and cloud eagle can move along a limited number (2 or 3) of free (empty) squares along a
straight line in a certain directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).

411

Wa shogi

412

Jumping piece
The treacherous fox can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If
an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A
ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the cloud eagle, flying falcon, running rabbit, swallows wings, liberated horse and oxcart.

Promotion
A player's promotion zone consists of the three farthest ranks, at the original line of the opponent's treacherous fox,
running rabbit and beyond. If a piece crosses the board within the promotion zone, including moves into, out of, or
wholly within the zone then that player may choose to promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is effected
by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves.

Individual pieces
Below are diagrams indicating each piece's movement. Pieces are paired with their promotion. Pieces with a grey
heading start out in the game; those with a blue heading only appear on the board after promotion. Pieces with an
asterisk ("*") only appear as promoted pieces.
Notation

Steps a limited number of squares

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Crane King kakugyoku

Cloud Eagle unj

Wa shogi

413

Step: The crane king can step one

square in any direction, orthogonal or
diagonal.

Ranging: The cloud eagle can move any number

of free squares directly forward or backward.
Limited range: It can move one, two or three
squares diagonally forward.

Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways

or diagonally backward.

Treacherous Fox inko, onko

Step: The treacherous fox can move
one square in the four diagonal
directions; or, it can move one square
orthogonally forward or backward.
Jump: It can jump to the second square
in those directions.

The treacherous fox does not promote.

Flying Falcon hiy

Range: The flying falcon can move any
number of free squares along any of the
four diagonal directions. Step: It can
step one square forward.

*Tenacious Falcon keiy

Range: The tenacious falcon can move any number of

free squares in the two forward diagonal directions; or, it
can move any number of free squares directly forward or
backward. Step: It can move one square orthogonally
sideways.

Range: The running rabbit can move

any number of free squares straight
forward. Step: It can step one square in
one of the four diagonal directions; or,
one square straight backward.

Running Rabbit sto

Step: The treacherous fox can move one square in the

four diagonal directions; or, it can move one square
orthogonally forward or backward. Jump: It can jump to
the second square in those directions.

Violent Wolf mr

Treacherous fox inko, onko

*Bear's Eyes ygan

Wa shogi

414

Step: The violent wolf can step one

square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Step: The bears eyes can step one square in any

direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

Violent Stag mroku

Step: The violent stag can step one
square in one of the four diagonal
directions; or, one square straight
forward, giving it five possibilities.

*Roaming Boar gycho

Step: The roaming boar can step one square in any

direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except directly
backward.

Blind Dog mken

Step: The blind dog can step one
square orthogonally sideways, directly
backward, or diagonally forward.

Violent Wolf mr

Step: The violent wolf can step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Climbing Monkey ten

Step: The climbing monkey can step
one square directly forward or
backward, or one square diagonally
forward, giving it four possibilities.

Violent Stag mroku

Step: The violent stag can step one square in one of the
four diagonal directions; or, one square straight forward,
giving it five possibilities.

Flying Goose ganhi

Step: The flying goose can step one
square directly forward or backward, or
one square diagonally forward, giving
it four possibilities.

Swallow's Wings enu

Range: The swallow's wings can move any number of

free squares orthogonally sideways. Step: It can move
one square orthogonally forward or backward.

Flying Cock keihi

Step: The flying cock can step one
square orthogonally sideways or
diagonally forward.

*Raiding Falcon eny

Range: The raiding falcon can move any number of free

squares orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally
forward. Step: It can step one square orthogonally
sideways.

Swallow's Wings enu

*Gliding Swallow engy

Wa shogi

415

Range: The swallow's wings can move

any number of free squares
orthogonally sideways. Step: It can
move one square orthogonally forward
or backward.

Range: The gliding swallow can move any number of

free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.

Strutting Crow uk

Flying Falcon hiy

Step: The strutting crow can step one

square directly forward or diagonally
backward, giving it three possibilities.

Range: The flying falcon can move any number of free

squares along any of the four diagonal directions. Step: It
can step one square forward.

Swooping Owl shigy

Step: The swooping owl can step one
square directly forward or diagonally
backward, giving it three possibilities.

Cloud Eagle unj

Ranging: The cloud eagle can move any number

of free squares directly forward or backward.
Limited range: It can move one, two or three
squares diagonally forward.

Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways

or diagonally backward.

Liberated Horse fma

Range: The liberated horse can move
any number of free squares along the
forward orthogonal. Limited range: It
can step one or two squares directly
backward.

*Heavenly Horse temma

Jump: The heavenly horse jumps at an angle intermediate
between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one
square forward plus one square diagonally forward; or,
one square backward plus one square diagonally
backward in a single motion, ignoring any intervening
piece.

Oxcart gissha

*Plodding Ox sengy

Wa shogi

416

Range: The oxcart can move any

number of free squares straight
forward. An oxcart that reaches the
furthest rank must promote.

Step: The plodding ox can step one square in any

direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

Sparrow Pawn jakufu

Step: The sparrow pawn can step one
square forward. A sparrow pawn that
reaches the furthest rank must
promote.

*Golden Bird kinch

Step: The golden bird can step one square in one of the
four orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Drops
Main article: Shogi, Drops
Descriptions of wa shogi from historical texts make no mention that drops were ever used; however, many people in
modern times enjoy playing this game with drops. The rules pertaining to drops are usually based on modern shogi.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's crane king could be captured on the following move, the move
is said to give check to the crane king; the crane king is said to be in check. If a player's crane king is in check and no
legal move by that player will get the crane king out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins
the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's crane king wins the game. In practice this 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.) For two positions to be considered the same, the pieces in hand must be the
same, as well as the position on the board.
The game reaches an impasse if both crane kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither
player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

Wa shogi

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
wa shogi.
A typical example is SP-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: SP = sparrow pawn, OC = oxcart, LH =
liberated horse, CM = climbing monkey, BD = blind dog, SO = swooping owl, SC = strutting crow, FC = flying
cock, FG = flying goose, VS = violent stag, VW = violent wolf, RR = running rabbit, TF = treacherous fox, SW =
swallows wings, FF = flying falcon, CE = cloud eagle and , CK = crane king.
Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter e.g., +SP for a golden bird (promoted sparrow pawn).
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 square 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
11k being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which,
however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, FFx7c= indicates a flying falcon capturing on 7c
without promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant. This can only apply to golden birds.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

Modern rules
In modern rules, Wa Shogi is played with drops. All other rules as the same as original rules.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Shogi.net / Wa shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. shogi. net/ rjhare/ wa-shogi/ wa-intro. html

417

Chu shogi

Chu shogi
Ch shgi ( 'mid (sized) chess') is a board game native to Japan. It is similar to modern shogi (sometimes
called Japanese chess) in its rules and game play. Its name means "mid-sized shogi", from a time when there were
three sizes of shogi variants in regular use. Chu shogi seems to have been developed in the early 14th century as a
derivative of dai shogi ("large shogi"). There are earlier references, but it is not clear that they refer to the game as
we now know it. With fewer pieces than dai shogi, the game was considered more exciting. It was still commonly
played in Japan in the early 20th century, especially in Kyoto, but now has largely died out. It has, however, gained
some adherents in the West. The main reference work in English is the Middle Shogi Manual by George Hodges.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king and, if present, the crown prince, which counts as a
second king. Alternatively, if the player has only the king or crown prince, together with an unpromoted gold
general, it suffices to capture all the other pieces, leaving a bare king or a bare crown prince, whereupon the player
wins and the game ends early. Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after capture.

Game play
Two players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The pieces are not differentiated by color; the
traditional chess terms "Black" and "White" are only used to indicate who plays first, and to differentiate the sides
during discussions of the game.) A move consists of moving a piece either to an empty square on the board or to a
square occupied by an opposing piece, thus capturing that piece; and optionally of promoting the moving piece, if all
or part of its move lies in the promotion zone.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 12 ranks (rows)
and 12 files (columns). The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color, unlike a Western chess board.
Each player has a set of 46 pieces of 21 different types, and each piece has its name written on it in Japanese kanji.
The writing is typically in black. On the reverse side of most pieces there are characters to indicate the piece's
promoted rank, typically written in red. The pieces are wedge-shaped and their orientation indicates which player
they belong to, as they point toward the opposing side. The pieces are of slightly different sizes; from largest to
smallest (most to least powerful) they are:

418

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419

1 King
1 Free king
1 Lion
2 Dragon kings
2 Dragon horses
2 Rooks
2 Bishops
1 Kirin
1 Phoenix
1 Drunk elephant
2 Blind tigers
2 Ferocious leopards
2 Gold generals
2 Silver generals
2 Copper generals
2 Vertical movers
2 Side movers
2 Reverse Chariots
2 Lances
2 Go-betweens
12 Pawns

Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if

they promote, the pieces they promote to.
Initial setup with the full name in kanji on each piece.
Names are rough translations that have
become somewhat standardized in English. Pieces are listed alphabetically by their English name.
The promotions apply only to pieces which start out with the ranks in the left-most column, that is, pieces with these
ranks written in black; promoted pieces with those same ranks written in red may not promote further. Pieces which
only appear upon promotion, that is, names which only occur written in red, are marked with an asterisk. The king,
free king, and lion do not promote.

Pieces
Piece name

Kanji

Romaji

Abbrev.

Promotion

bishop

kakugy

dragon horse

blind tiger

mko

flying stag

copper general

dsh

side mover

*crown prince

taishi

(promoted drunk elephant)

dragon horse

ryma1

horned falcon

dragon king

ry

soaring eagle

drunk elephant

suiz

crown prince

ferocious leopard

mhy

bishop

*flying ox

higy

(promoted vertical mover)

*flying stag

hiroku

(promoted blind tiger)

*free boar

honcho

(promoted side mover)

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420
free king

honn1

go-between

chnin

drunk elephant

gold general

kinsh

rook

*horned falcon

kaku

(promoted dragon horse)

king (challenging)

gyokush

king (reigning)

sh

kirin

kirin

lion

lance

kysha

white horse

lion

shishi

pawn

fuhy

tokin (gold general2)

phoenix

free king

reverse chariot

hensha1

whale

rook

hisha

dragon king

side mover

gy

free boar

silver general

ginsh

vertical mover

*soaring eagle

hij

(promoted dragon king)

*tokin2

tokin

(promoted pawn)

vertical mover

shugy

flying ox

*whale

keigei

(promoted reverse chariot)

*white horse

hakku1

(promoted lance)

The names of , , , and are irregular. The regular forms ryme, hon, hansha, and
hakuku are also seen.
2

In many accounts of chu shogi, a pawn is described as promoting to gold; the special name tokin for a
promoted pawn is in these descriptions restricted to standard shogi. Note that this is simply a naming
convention and makes no difference in the movement of the piece.
Below is a diagram showing the setup of the players pieces. The board setup is symmetrical: the way one player
sees their own pieces is the same way that the opposing player sees their pieces.

Setup
12

11

10

FL

DE

FL

RC

SM VM

BT Ph

Kr BT

RC b

DH DK FK Ln DK DH R VM SM c
p

GB

GB

d
e
f
g

GB
p

GB
p

h
p

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421
SM VM

RC

FL

DH DK Ln FK DK DH R VM SM j

BT Kr

Ph BT

DE

B
S

RC k
FL

Setup legend
Abbreviation

Name

Abbreviation

Name

Abbreviation

Name

bishop

FL

ferocious leopard

pawn

BT

blind tiger

gold general

Ph

phoenix

copper general

GB

go-between

rook

DE

drunk elephant

king

RC

reverse chariot

DH

dragon horse

Kr

kirin

silver general

DK

dragon king

lance

SM

side mover

FK

free king

Ln

lion

VM

vertical mover

Promotion
The promotion zone is the 'enemy camp', the farthest four ranks of the board, which are mostly occupied by the
opposing player's pieces when the board is first set up. When a promotable piece makes a move within the promotion
zoneincluding entering, leaving, or moving entirely within the zone,it has the option of "promoting" to a more
powerful rank. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted
rank. Promotion is not mandatory if the unpromoted piece could move further on a later turn, and in some cases it
may be beneficial to leave the piece unpromoted. Promotion is permanent and promoted pieces may not revert to
their original rank. If a piece is not promoted upon entering the promotion zone, then it may not promote on the next
turn unless it makes a capture, with the exception of pawns: If a pawn does not promote once entering the promotion
zone, then it may not promote until it reaches the farthest rank.
Many promoting pieces promote to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a promoted
piece cannot then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a drunk elephant promotes to a crown
prince. However, while a go-between can promote to a drunk elephant, it does not further promote to a crown prince
later. Rather, it remains a drunk elephant for the rest of the game. This should be obvious from the game pieces,
which only have two sides.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. See below.
If a pawn or lance reaches the furthest rank, it must promote, since it would otherwise have no legal move on
subsequent turns.

Chu shogi

Piece movement
An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece, that is, by another piece controlled by the moving player.
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The lion is the sole exception, in that it is not required to move in a straight
line.
As stated earlier, this game is based on dai shogi and all of the pieces of this game can be found in dai shogi. The
eight types of pieces that were removed all promoted to gold generals, which made for comparatively dull game
play.
If a pawn or lance, which cannot retreat or move aside, advances across the board until it reaches the other side, it
must promote.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.
The step movers are the king, drunk elephant, blind tigers, ferocious leopards, the generals, go-betweens, and the 12
pawns of each side. Only the king and crown prince can potentially move in all eight directions.
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either. These are the lion, the kirin, the phoenix, the horned falcon and the soaring eagle. Only the lion can jump in
all directions.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight orthogonal or diagonal line, limited only by the
edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from
the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the free king, dragon king, dragon horse, rook, bishop, vertical mover, side mover, reverse
chariot, lance, and all those pieces which do not appear in the initial setup. Only the free king can range along all
eight directions.
Lion move (multiple capture)
The lion has a double-capture ability, called a 'lion move', as to a lesser extent do the soaring eagle and horned falcon
(promoted dragon king and dragon horse). The details of these powerful moves are described for the lion below.
Individual pieces
Following are diagrams that indicate the movement of each piece. Pieces are listed roughly in order, from front to
back rows, with pieces making similar moves paired. Pieces with a grey heading start out in the game; those with a
blue heading only appear on the board as a promoted piece.

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423

Notation

Steps to an adjacent square

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

igui (capture without moving)

Go-Between chnin (promotes to drunk elephant)

Step
The go-between steps one square directly forward or backward.
Side Mover gy (promotes to free boar)

Range
The side mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Step
It can step one square directly forward or backward.
Bishop kakugy (promotes to dragon horse)

Range
The bishop can move any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonals.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Dragon Horse ryma (promotes to horned falcon)

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424

Range
The dragon horse can move any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonals; or,
Step
It can take one step in any direction.
Lance kysha (promotes to white horse)

Range
The lance can move any number of free squares directly forward. It cannot return and must promote upon
reaching the farthest row.
Blind Tiger mko (promotes to flying stag)

Step
The blind tiger can take one step in any direction except directly forward.
Copper General dsh (promotes to side mover)

Step
The copper general can take one step to any of the three squares ahead of it, or else directly backward, giving
it four possibilities.
Gold General kinsh (promotes to rook)
Promoted Pawn tokin

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425

Step
The gold general can take one step orthogonally, one else step diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.
The promoted pawn has a different symbol in some game sets, but moves identically.
Kirin kirin (promotes to lion)

Jump
The kirin can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions. Or,
Step
It can take one step diagonally.
Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.
Free King honn

Range
The free king can move any number of free squares along any one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal
directions.
Flying Ox higy (promoted vertical mover)

Range
The flying ox can move any number of free squares forwards, backwards, or diagonally, but not directly to the
side.
Whale keigei (promoted reverse chariot)

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426

Range
The whale can move any number of free squares directly forwards, backwards, or along either rear diagonal.
King gyokush, sh

Step
The king can take one step in any direction.
Pawn fuhy (promotes to tokin)

Step
The pawn can only step one square directly forward.
It must promote upon reaching the farthest rank of the board.
Vertical Mover shugy (promotes to flying ox)

Range
The vertical mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally, either forward or backward; or,
Step
It can take one step directly sideways.
Rook hisha (promotes to dragon king)

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427

Range
The rook can move any number of free squares along any one of the four orthogonals.
Dragon King ry (promotes to soaring eagle)

Range
The dragon king can move any number of free squares along any one of the four orthogonals; or,
Step
It can take one step in any direction.
Reverse Chariot hensha (promotes to whale)

Ranging
The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward.
Ferocious Leopard mhy (promotes to bishop)

Step
The ferocious leopard can take one step to any of the three squares ahead or three squares behind it, but not
directly to either side.
Silver General ginsh (promotes to vertical mover)

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428

Step
The silver general can take one step diagonally, or else directly forward, giving it five possibilities.
Drunk Elephant suiz (promotes to crown prince)

The drunk elephant can take one step in any direction except directly backward.
Phoenix h (promotes to free king)

Jump
The phoenix can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions. Or,
Step
It can take one step orthogonally.
Flying Stag hiroku (promoted blind tiger)

Range
The flying stag can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or,
Step
It can take one step in any direction.
Free Boar honcho (promoted side mover)

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429

Range
The free boar can move any number of free squares diagonally or to the side, but not directly forward or
backward.
White Horse hakku (promoted lance)

Range
The white horse can move any number of free squares directly backwards, forwards, or along either forward
diagonal.
Crown Prince taishi (promoted drunk elephant)

Step
The crown prince can take one step in any direction, like a king.
If a crown prince is in play, it must be captured along with the king.
The next three pieces have special movements that involve the ability to move and even capture twice
per turn.
Horned Falcon kaku (promoted dragon horse)

Soaring Eagle hij (promoted dragon king)

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430

Range

The horned falcon can move any number of free squares along a
straight line in any direction except directly forwards.

Lion move

The soaring eagle can move any number of free squares along a
straight line in any direction except the forward diagonals.

It can step or jump up to two squares along a line directly

forward, potentially capturing two pieces. This power includes
igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not moving off the
orthogonal.

Range

Lion move
It can step or jump up to two squares along either forward
diagonal, potentially capturing two pieces. This power includes
igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not moving off the
diagonal.

Lion shishi

Area move/double capture

The lion can take a step in any direction up to twice per turn. It can continue after a capture on the first step, potentially capturing two pieces
per turn. It can change directions after the first step, so that it can reach the squares that a knight jumps to in Western chess.

By returning to its starting square with the second step, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving. This is called
igui "stationary feeding". It can step to an adjacent empty square and back without capturing anything; this leaves the board unchanged,
effectively passing a turn (jitto). Jitto may prove useful in endgame situations; it is traditionally indicated by tapping the lion and leaving it in place.

Jump
The lion can jump anywhere that it could step to on an empty board; that is, anywhere within a distance of two squares. This is equivalent to
jumping in any of the eight diagonal or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a knight in Western chess.

Lion vs. lion

Some game rules state that a lion cannot capture another lion unless certain criteria are met. These rules are designed to keep the lions in
play:

1. A lion can always capture an adjacent lion.

2. It can always capture a non-adjacent lion (on a "" square) that is unprotected.(1)
3. It may only capture a non-adjacent protected lion if it first captures another piece so that it is then adjacent (double capture), and then only if the
other piece is something other than a pawn or go-between.
4. Finally, if one player captures a lion with a non-lion, the opponent cannot then capture a lion on the next move with anything but another lion
(as a player may have such a second lion by promoting a kirin), and this may only be done if the rules listed above are met.

Chu shogi

431

(1) Lion, note on protection: This may involve so-called "hidden protectors". The attacking lion is ignored when
determining whether the defending lion is protected. That is, it doesn't matter if the attacking lion blocks the line of
protection: if the attacking lion could be captured upon taking the defending lion, then the defending lion is
considered to be protected.[1] For example, in the diagram below, the black lion is directly protected by the black
pawn, so, since the two lions are not adjacent, red cannot capture black. Similarly, even though the black lion
occupies the line of protection between the red bishop and the red lion, it could be captured by the red bishop if it
were to take the red lion, so it is not allowed to do so. (This is the case even if the red bishop is tied down protecting
the red king, and would not actually be used to capture the black lion.)

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's only remaining royal (king or crown prince) could be captured
on the following move, the move is said to give check; the king or crown prince is said to be in check. If a player's
king or crown prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get it out of check, the checking move is also
mate, and effectively wins the game.
Unlike Western chess, a player need not move out of check in chu shogi, and indeed may even move into check.
Although obviously not often a good idea, a player with more than one royal may occasionally sacrifice one of these
pieces as part of a gambit.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check. This is not a rule in itself, but arises from the repetition rule.

Repetition
A player may not make a move if the resulting position is one that has previously occurred in the game with the same
player to move. Note that certain pieces have the ability to pass in certain situations (a Lion, when at least one square
immediately adjacent to it is unoccupied, a Horned Falcon, when the square immediately in front of it is unoccupied,
and a Soaring Eagle, when one or both of the two squares immediately diagonally in front of it are unoccupied).
Such a pass move leaves the position unchanged, but it does not violate the repetition rule, as it will now be the turn
of the other player to move. Of course, two consecutive passes are not possible, as the first player will see the same
position as before.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's sole remaining king or crown prince wins the game. A player who has only
one piece left (a bare king or bare crown prince) loses automatically if his opponent has a gold in play which is
neither promoted to rook, nor promoted from a pawnthat is, unless he can bare his opponent in the next move (in
which case the result is a draw).[2] In practice these winning conditions are rarely fulfilled, 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.)

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432

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strengths are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces are removed from the setupin exchange, a few of White's pieces may be moved up to fill in the
gaps and protect the weaker pieces, and White plays first.[3] [4] Lions can also be handicapped by having Black's
kirin promoted for a second lion, and, for a third, swapping Black's phoenix for White's kirin and promoting the
latter.[5]
The imbalance created by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in international chess because material
advantage is not as powerful in chu shogi as it is in chess.
The handicaps detailed in the Middle Shogi Manual, in increasing order of size, are as follows:

Copper General

Two Lions

Three Lions

Silver General

Two Lions and a Copper

General

Three Lions and One Piece: Three Lions and a Free King

Blind Tiger

Two Lions and a Silver

General

Three Lions and Two Pieces: Three Lions, a Free King and a Dragon King

Ferocious
Leopard

Two Lions and a Ferocious

Leopard

Three Lions and Three Pieces: Three Lions, a Free King, a Dragon King and a Rook

Gold General

Two Lions and a Gold

General

Three Lions and Four Pieces: Three Lions, a Free King, a Dragon King, a Rook and a
Vertical Mover

Side Mover

Two Lions and a Side Mover

Vertical Mover

Two Lions and a Vertical

Mover

Rook

Three Lions and Five Pieces: Three Lions, a Free King, a Dragon King, a Rook, a
Vertical Mover and a Side Mover

Other handicaps may be used, such as Free King, or Free King and Dragon King.

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 modifications have been made for chu shogi.
A typical example is p-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved (see setup above). Promoted pieces have a +
added in front of the letter, for example +p for a tokin (promoted pawn). 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
square 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 12l being the bottom left corner.
(This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals
instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, px7d= indicates a pawn capturing on 7d without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
When a 'Lion', 'Horned Falcon' or 'Soaring Eagle' captures by 'igui' (that is, without moving), the square of the piece
being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol '!'. For example, a Lion
on 8c capturing a piece on 9d would be shown as Lnx!9d.
When a piece makes a double capture with 'Lion' powers both captures are shown in the order that they were made.
For example, a Lion on 3g, capturing a piece on 3h and then capturing another on 2i, would be represented by

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433

Lnx3hx2i.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

Variations
Heisei Chu Shogi setup
12

11

10

FL
B
R
p

DE

BT

FL
B

DH DK FK Ln DK DH R

BT

GB

GB

d
e
f
g

GB
p

p
R
B

FL

GB
p

h
p

DH DK Ln FK DK DH R
BT
G

BT
K

DE

i
j

k
FL

One modern variant of Chu Shogi, called Heisei Chu Shogi (),[6] is played on a more open board. Forty
percent of the pieces are set aside at setup and held in reserve, and once during the game a player may drop one of
these on an empty square adjacent to a friendly piece. Captured pieces do not come back into play, and the rest of the
game is played as in regular Chu.
The set-aside pieces are the Lances, Coppers, Silvers, Side Movers, Vertical Movers, Reverse Chariots, Kyrin, and
Phoenix. As with dropped pieces in standard shogi, the piece may not be dropped on a square from where it cannot
move (e.g. a Lance in the far rank). If dropped into the promotion zone, the piece may promote immediately or on
any subsequent move in the promotion zone.

References
[1] If your attacking Lion is positioned directly between the opposing Lion, and another opposing piece, such that if your Lion were to be
removed from the board, then the opposing Lion would be protected, then the opposing Lion is considered to be protected, and so may not be
captured under the conditions of this rule (the "Hidden Protector"). The rules of the European Chu Shogi tournament (http:/ / www. colina.
demon. co. uk/ chulib/ rules. en. html#double-capture)
[2] The Bare King rule. If there are only three pieces left on the board, and one of the pieces is a Gold General (not a Tokin and not a Rook that
has been promoted from a Gold General), then the player with the Gold General has won the game. The rules of the European Chu Shogi
tournament (http:/ / www. colina. demon. co. uk/ chulib/ rules. en. html#AEN14) (3).
[3] Chu Shogi Handicaps and Grades (http:/ / www. colina. demon. co. uk/ chuhand. html)
[4] German Chu Shogi Association (http:/ / www. chushogi. de/ strategy/ chu_strategy_handicap. htm)
[5] Richard's Play-by-eMail rules for ChuShogi (http:/ / www. gamerz. net/ pbmserv/ chushogi. html)
[6] Heisei Chu Shogi (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ external. php?itemid=ChuShogi)

Chu shogi

External links
Chu Shogi page (http://www.shogi.net/rjhare/chu-shogi/chu-intro.html)
Chu Shogi strategy etc. (http://www.luckydog.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/games/shogi/chu.htm)
German Chu Shogi Association (GCSA) (http://www.chushogi.de) with many reports and games to replay
online
Presentation of Chu Shogi (http://history.chess.free.fr/chushogi.htm)
SDIN Chu Shogi (http://sdin.jp/en/browser/board/chushogi/) - Play Chu Shogi in real time vs human players
or AI
Chess Variants Game Courier (http://play.chessvariants.org/pbm/index.html) - Play Chu Shogi via web page,
with email notifications when it's your move.
Richard's Play-by-eMail Server (http://www.gamerz.net/pbmserv/) - Play Chu Shogi via web page or email
your commands to the server, with email notifications when moves have been made in the game you're playing

Heian dai shogi

Heian dai shogi (Japanese: 'Heian (Era) large chess') is an early large board variant of shogi (Japanese
chess) as it was played in the Heian period. The same 12th century document which describes the Heian form of
shogi also describes this variant. Unfortunately, this description does not give enough information to actually play
the game, but this has not stopped people from attempting to reconstruct this early form of shogi. A fairly complete
and playable reconstruction is outlined here.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponent's king or to capture all the other pieces, leaving a bare king.
Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after capture.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 13 ranks (rows)
by 13 files (columns) for a total of 169 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 34 wedge-shaped pieces of 13 different types. In all, the players must remember 13 different
moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (most to least powerful) they are:

1 king
2 flying dragons
2 gold generals
2 silver generals
1 side mover
2 copper generals
2 iron generals
2 fierce tigers
2 free chariots
1 go between

2 knights
2 lances
13 pawns

434

Heian dai shogi

435

Many of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of each piece (other than
kings and gold generals) are one or two other characters, often in a different color (e.g., red instead of black); this
reverse side is turned up to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not
differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This
shows who controls the piece during play.

Setup
13

12

11

10

13

12

11

10

FC

FD

FT
P

SM
P

P
GB

FT
P

FD FC b
P

c
d
e
f
g
h
i

GB

Heian dai shogi

436
P

FC

FD

FT
I

SM
G

FT
G

FD FC

Each side places his pieces in the positions shown below, pointing toward the opponent.
In the rank nearest the player:

The king is placed in the center file.

The two gold generals are placed in the adjacent files to the king.
The two silver generals are placed adjacent to each gold general.
The two copper generals are placed adjacent to each silver general.
The two iron generals are placed adjacent to each copper general.
The two knights are placed adjacent to each iron general.
The two lances are placed in the corners, adjacent to each knight.

That is, the first rank is

L N I C S G K G S C I N L

or

In the second rank, each player places:

The side mover in the same file as the king.
The fierce tigers in the same files as the silver generals.
The flying dragons in the same files as the knights
The free chariots in the same files as the lances.
In the third rank, the thirteen pawns are placed one in each file.
In the fourth rank, the go between is placed in the same file as the side mover.

Game play
Two players alternate in making a move, with Black moving first. (The pieces are not differentiated by color; the
traditional chess terms "Black" and "White" are only used to indicate who plays first, and to differentiate the sides
during discussions of the game.) A move consists of moving a piece either to an empty square on the board or to a
square occupied by an opposing piece, thus displacing (capturing) that piece; and optionally of promoting the
moving piece, if all or part of its move lies in the promotion zone.

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece, that is, by another piece controlled by the moving player.
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The knight is an exception in that it does not move in a straight line.
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must promote.
This applies to the pawn, lance and knight upon reaching the furthest rank.

Heian dai shogi

Some pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the king, generals, fierce tiger, go between and the 13 pawns on each side.
Jumping piece
The knight can jump, that is, it can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight orthogonal or diagonal line, limited only by the
edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from
the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the flying dragon, side mover, free chariot and lance.

Promotion
The promotion zone is the 'enemy camp', the farthest three ranks of the board, which are mostly occupied by the
opposing player's pieces when the board is first set up. When a promotable piece makes a move within the promotion
zoneincluding entering, leaving, or moving entirely within the zone,it has the option of "promoting" to a more
powerful rank. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted
rank. The characters inscribed on the backs of the pieces to indicate promoted rank may be in red ink. Promotion is
not mandatory if the unpromoted piece could move further on a later turn, and in some cases it may be beneficial to
leave the piece unpromoted. Promotion is permanent and promoted pieces may not revert to their original rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves until it is removed from the board. Each piece
promotes as follows:
A king or a gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.
A flying dragon, when promoted, keeps its normal movement and gains the ability to move one square in any
direction (like a king). This means the flying dragon is now able to reach any square on the board, given enough
moves.
All other pieces, when promoted, lose their normal movement and gain the movement of a gold general.
If a pawn, knight or lance reaches the furthest rank, it must be promoted, since it would otherwise have no legal
move on subsequent turns.

437

Heian dai shogi

438

Individual pieces
Following are diagrams that indicate the movement of each piece. Pieces are listed roughly in order, from nearest to
furthest rows.
It should be noted to players of chu shogi and dai shogi that the copper general and iron general move differently in
this game from how they move in the other two games.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Piece Kanji Rmaji

King gyokush

Text description of piece movement.

Image description of
piece movement.

Step: The king can step one square

in any direction, orthogonal or
diagonal.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one square in one of the four
orthogonal directions; or, one square diagonally forward, giving it
six possibilities.

Silver General ginsh

Step: The silver general can take

one step diagonally, or else directly
forward, giving it five possibilities.

Copper General dsh

Iron General tessh

Step: The copper general can take one step in any of the four
orthogonal directions.

Step: The iron general can step one

square in one of the three forward
directions; or, one square sideways,
giving it five possibilities.

Knight keima
Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate between
orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one
square diagonally forward, in a single motion, ignoring any
intervening piece. That is, it has a choice of two forward
destinations. A knight that reaches the furthest rank must promote.
Side Mover gy

Lance kysha

Range: The lance can move any

number of free squares directly
forward. It cannot return and must
promote upon reaching the farthest
row.
Fierce Tiger mko

Heian dai shogi

439

Range: The side mover can move any number of free squares
orthogonally sideways. Step: It can step one square directly forward.

Range: The fierce tiger can step one

square along any of the four
diagonal directions.

Flying Dragon hiry

Range: The flying dragon can move any number of free squares
along any one of the four diagonals.

Free Chariot hansha

Because it cannot move orthogonally, it can only reach half the

squares on the board.

Ranging: The free chariot can move

any number of free squares directly
forward or backward.

Pawn fuhy
The pawn can only step one square directly forward. It must promote
upon reaching the farthest rank of the board.

Go Between chnin

Step: The go between steps one

square directly forward or
backward.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get it out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king or all the other pieces (bare king) wins the game unless the opponents
bare king can bare the players king on the next move, in which case the game is a draw. In practice this winning
condition 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.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.)
The game reaches an impasse if both kings have advanced into their respective promotion zones and neither player
can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

Heian dai shogi

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 modifications have been made for heian dai shogi.
A typical example is P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved: P = pawn, L = lance, N = knight, GB = go
between, FC = free chariot, FT = fierce tiger, I = iron, C = copper, SM = side mover, S = silver, G = gold, FD =
flying dragon, K = king. Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter, for example +P for a promoted pawn.
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 square 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 13m being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention,
which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in
Japanese.)
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, Nx7c= indicates a knight capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
Chessvariants.org/heian dai shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shogivariants. dir/ heiandai. html

440

Akuro

441

Akuro
Akuro ( akur) or Evil Wolf is a piece in some variants of the Japanese board game Shogi. There are typically
two akuro at the beginning of the game. They can step one square orthogonally sideways or forward, or diagonally
forward.

The following shogi variants have akuro:

Dai shogi Akuro promotes to Gold General ( kinsh).
Dai dai shogi Akuro does not promote.
Maka dai dai shogi Akuro promotes to Free wolf ( honr).
Tai shogi Akuro does not promote.
Taikyoku shogi. Akuro promotes to Venomous wolf ( dokur)

Cultural references
In the Doctor Who episode Gridlock, a poster appears in the background with the kanji . The characters here
allude to the theme of Bad Wolf, which appeared in almost all of the 2005 episodes as a hint to the events of the
finale.
The primary antagonist in the 2011 Nintendo DS game Okamiden is named Akuro, and his final form is a dark wolf.

Dai shogi
Dai shgi (, 'large chess') is a board game native to Japan. It is similar to standard shogi (sometimes called
Japanese chess) in its rules and game play. Dai shogi is only one of several large board shogi variants. Its name
means large shogi, from a time when there were three sizes of shogi games. Early versions of dai shogi can be traced
back the end of the Heian period about AD 1230.

Rules of the game

Other than the additional pieces, and the often weaker promotions, the rules of dai shogi are thought to have
corresponded very closely to those of chu shogi.

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king and, if present, the crown prince, which counts as a
second king; or to capture all the other pieces leaving a bare king or bare crown prince. Unlike standard shogi, pieces
may not be dropped back into play after capture.

Game play
Two players alternate, making a move with Black moving first. (The pieces are not differentiated by color; the
traditional chess terms "Black" and "White" are only used to indicate who plays first, and to differentiate the sides
during discussions of the game.) A move consists of moving a piece either to an empty square on the board or to a
square occupied by an opposing piece, thus capturing that piece; and optionally of promoting the moving piece, if all
or part of its move lies in the promotion zone.

Dai shogi

442

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 15 ranks (rows)
and 15 files (columns) with a total of 225 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color, unlike a
Western chess board.
Each player has a set of 65 pieces of 29 different types. In all, a player must remember 36 different moves. Each
piece has its name written on it in Japanese kanji. The writing is typically in black. On the reverse side of most
pieces there are characters to indicate the piece's promoted rank, typically written in red. The pieces are
wedge-shaped and their orientation indicates which player they belong to, as they point toward the opposing side.
The pieces are of slightly different sizes, from largest to smallest (most to least powerful) they are:

1 King

2 Violent oxen

2 Cat swords

1 Free king

2 Flying dragons

2 Vertical movers

1 Lion

1 Drunken elephant

2 Side movers

2 Dragon kings

2 Blind tigers

2 Reverse Chariots

2 Dragon horses

2 Ferocious leopards

2 Lances

2 Rooks

2 Gold generals

2 Knights

2 Bishops

2 Silver generals

2 Evil wolfs

1 Kirin

2 Copper generals

2 Iron generals

1 Phoenix

2 Angry boars

2 Stone generals

2 Go betweens

15 Pawns

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the initial setup of the board.
15

14

13

12

11

10

Dai shogi

443

15

14

13

12

11

10

St

St

RC

CS
VO

R
p

FL
AB

FD SM VM
p

BT DE BT
EW Ph

B
p

Ln

FL

Kr EW

DH DK FK DK DH
p

GB

CS
AB

B
p

RC b
VO

VM SM FD
p

c
R

GB

f
g
h
i

GB
p
R

FD SM VM
VO

RC
L

AB
CS

St

GB
p

EW Kr

DH DK FK DK DH

FL
I

Ln

Ph EW

BT DE BT
S

j
p

AB

VM SM FD

FL
S

VO
CS

St

m
RC n

Legend
AB: angry boar

B: bishop

BT: blind tiger

C: copper general

CS: cat sword

DE: drunken elephant

DH: dragon horse

DK: dragon king

EW: evil wolf

FD: flying dragon

FK: free king

FL: ferocious leopard

GB: go-between

G: gold general

I: iron general

K: king

Kr: kirin

L: lance

Ln: lion

N: knight

p: pawn

Ph: phoenix

R: rook

RC: reverse chariot

S: silver general

SM: side mover

St: stone general

VM: vertical mover

VO: violent ox

Dai shogi

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece, that is, by another piece controlled by the moving player.
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The lion and knight are exceptions in that they do not move, or are not required
to move, in a straight line.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.
The step movers are the king, drunken elephant, blind tiger, ferocious leopard, generals, angry boar, cat sword, evil
wolf, go between and the 15 pawns on each side.
Limited ranging pieces
The violent ox and flying dragon can move along a limited number (2) of free (empty) squares along a straight line
in certain directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces. See below.
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either. These are the lion, kirin, phoenix and knight.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight orthogonal or diagonal line, limited only by the
edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from
the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the free king, dragon king, dragon horse, rook, bishop, vertical mover, side mover, reverse
chariot and lance. Only the free king can range along all eight directions.
Lion moves (multiple captures)
The lion has sequential multiple-capture ability, called a 'lion move', as do the soaring eagle and horned falcon
(promoted dragon king and dragon horse) to a lesser extent. The details of these powerful moves are described for
the lion below.

Promotion
The promotion zone is the 'enemy camp', the farthest five ranks of the board, which are mostly occupied by the
opposing player's pieces when the board is first set up. When a promotable piece makes a move within the promotion
zoneincluding entering, leaving, or moving entirely within the zoneit has the option of "promoting" to a more
powerful rank. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted
rank. Promotion is not mandatory if the unpromoted piece could move further on a later turn, and in some cases it
may be beneficial to leave the piece unpromoted. Promotion is permanent and promoted pieces may not revert to

444

Dai shogi

445

their original rank.

Many promoting pieces promote to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a promoted
piece cannot then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a gold promotes to a rook. However,
while several pieces can promote to gold, they do not further promote to a rook later. Rather, they remain a gold for
the rest of the game. This should be obvious from the game pieces, which only have two sides.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. See below.
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it reaches the other side, it must promote.
This applies to the pawn, stone general, iron general, knight and lance.

Individual pieces
Following are diagrams that indicate the movement of each piece. Pieces are listed in order, from back to front rows,
from the center out. Pieces are paired with their promotion and those with a grey heading start out in the game;
promoted pieces have a blue heading. Pieces with an asterisk ("*") only appear on the board as a promoted piece.
Names are rough translations that have become somewhat standardized in English.
Notation

Steps to an adjacent square or has a limited range

Jumps to a non-adjacent square, bypassing any intervening piece

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

igui (capture without moving)

King (reigning) sh
Step: The king can step one square in
any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
The king general goes to the superior
player.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

King (challenging) gyokush

Step: The king can step one square
in any direction, orthogonal or
diagonal. The jeweled general goes
to the inferior player.

Rook hisha
Range: The rook can move any
number of free squares along any of
the four orthogonal directions.

Silver General ginsh

Vertical Mover shugy

Dai shogi

446

Step: The silver general can step one

square in one of the four diagonal
directions; or, one square straight
forward, giving it five possibilities.

Range: The vertical mover can move

any number of free squares
orthogonally forward or backward.
Step: It can step one square
orthogonally sideways.

Copper General dsh

Step: The copper general can step one
square directly forward or backward,
or one square diagonally forward,
giving it four possibilities.

Side Mover gy
Range: The side mover can move
any number of free squares
orthogonally sideways. Step: It can
move one square orthogonally
forward or backward.

Iron General tessh

Step: The iron general can move one
square forward, orthogonally or
diagonally, giving it three
possibilities. An iron general that
reaches the furthest rank must
promote.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Knight keima
Jump: The knight jumps at an angle
intermediate between orthogonal and
diagonal, amounting to one square
forward plus one square diagonally
forward, in a single motion, ignoring
any intervening piece. That is, it has a
choice of two forward destinations. A
knight that reaches the furthest rank
must promote.

Step: The gold general can step one

square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Stone General sekish

Step: The stone general can step one
square diagonally forward, giving it
two possibilities. A stone general can
only reach a fraction of the board. A
stone general that reaches the furthest
rank must promote.

Gold General kinsh

Lance kysha

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

*White Horse hakku

Dai shogi

447

Range: The lance can move any

number of free squares straight
forward. It must promote upon
reaching the farthest row.

Range: The white horse can move

any number of free squares directly
forward or backward; or, it can
move any number of free squares
diagonally forward.

Drunken Elephant suiz

Step: The drunken elephant can step
one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal, except
directly backward.

Blind Tiger mko

Step: The blind tiger can step one
square in any direction except
orthogonally forward.

*Crown Prince taishi

Step: The crown prince can step one
square in any direction, orthogonal
or diagonal.
If your opponent has a crown prince
in play, both it and the king must be
captured to win.

*Flying Stag hiroku

Range: The flying stag can move
any number of free squares directly
forward or backward. Step: It can
move one square sideways or along
one of the four diagonals.

Ferocious Leopard mhy

Step: The ferocious leopard can step
to any of the six squares ahead or
behind it, but not directly to the side.

Bishop kakugy
Range: The bishop can move any
number of free squares along any of
the four diagonal directions. Because
it cannot move orthogonally, an
unpromoted bishop can only reach
half the squares on the board.

Cat Sword myjin

Step: The cat sword can move one
square in one of the four diagonal
directions. Because it cannot move
orthogonally, an unpromoted cat
sword can only reach half the squares
on the board.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Reverse Chariot hensha

*Whale keigei

Dai shogi

448

Range: The reverse chariot can move

any number of free squares directly
forward or backward.

Range: The whale can move any

number of free squares directly
forward or backward; or; it can
move any number of free squares
diagonally backward.

Lion shishi
Area move/double capture: The lion can step one square in any direction up to twice in a turn. It can change directions after
its first step, and is not restricted to following one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions. That is, it can also step to
one of the in-between squares that a knight jumps to in Western chess. It can continue after a capture on the first step,
potentially capturing two pieces on each turn. By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an
adjacent square without moving. This is called igui "stationary feeding". A similar move without capturing leaves
the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn. Jump: The lion can jump anywhere within two squares. This is
equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a knight in
Western chess. The lion does not promote.

Phoenix h
Step: The phoenix can step one square
in one of the four orthogonal
directions.

Free King honn

Jump: It can jump to the second

square in one of the four diagonal
directions.

Range: The free king can move any

number of free squares along any
one of the eight orthogonal or
diagonal directions.

Kirin kirin
Step: The kirin can step one square in
one of the four diagonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions.
Because of its unusual movement, an
unpromoted kirin can only reach half
the squares on the board.

Lion shishi
See Lion above for text description.

Dai shogi

449
Evil Wolf akur

Step: The evil wolf can step one

square orthogonally sideways or
forward, or diagonally forward.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Angry Boar shincho

Step: The angry boar can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Violent Ox mgy
Limited range: The violent ox can
move one or two squares along one of
the four orthogonal directions.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Free King honn

Range: The free king can move any
number of free squares along any one
of the eight orthogonal or diagonal
directions.

The free king does not promote.

Dragon King ry
Range: The dragon king can move
any number of free squares along any
of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can move one square in any
diagonal direction.

*Soaring Eagle hij

Range: The soaring eagle can move
any number of free squares in a
straight line in any direction except
the forward diagonals.

Lion move: It can move or jump one

or two squares along either forward
diagonal, potentially capturing two
pieces. This power includes igui and
skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not
moving off the diagonal.

Dragon Horse ryme

*Horned Falcon kaku

Dai shogi

450

Range: The dragon horse can move

any number of free squares along any
of the four diagonal directions.

Step: It can move one square in any

orthogonal direction.

Range: The horned falcon can move

any number of free squares in a
straight line in any direction except
directly forwards.
Lion move: It can move or jump one
or two squares along a line directly
forward, potentially capturing two
pieces. This power includes igui and
skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not
moving off the orthogonal.

Range: The bishop can move any

number of free squares along any of
the four diagonal directions. Because
it cannot move orthogonally, an
unpromoted bishop can only reach
half the squares on the board.

Dragon Horse ryme

Range: The dragon horse can move

any number of free squares along
any of the four diagonal directions.

Step: It can move one square in any

orthogonal direction.

Vertical Mover shugy

Range: The vertical mover can move
any number of free squares
orthogonally forward or backward.
Step: It can step one square
orthogonally sideways.

*Flying Ox higy
Range: The flying ox can move any
number of free squares along one of
the four diagonal directions; or, it
can move any number of free
squares orthogonally forward or
backward.

Side Mover gy

*Free Boar honcho

Range: The side mover can move any

number of free squares orthogonally
sideways. Step: It can move one
square orthogonally forward or
backward.

Bishop kakugy

Range: The free boar can move any

number of free squares along one of
the four diagonal directions, or along
either orthogonal sideways.

Dai shogi

451
Flying Dragon hiry

Limited range: The flying dragon can

move one or two squares along one of
the four diagonal directions.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Rook hisha
Range: The rook can move any
number of free squares along any of
the four orthogonal directions.

Dragon King ry
Range: The dragon king can move
any number of free squares along
any of the four orthogonal
directions.

Step: It can move one square in any

diagonal direction.

Pawn fuhy
Step: The pawn can only step one
square directly forward. It must
promote upon reaching the farthest
rank of the board.

Gold General kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one
square in one of the four orthogonal
directions; or, one square diagonally
forward, giving it six possibilities.

Go Between chnin
Step: The go between can move one
square orthogonally forward or
backward.

Drunk Elephant suiz

Step: The drunken elephant can step
one square in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal, except
directly backward.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's only remaining royal (king or crown prince) could be captured
on the following move, the move is said to give check; the king or crown prince is said to be in check. If a player's
king or crown prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get it out of check, the checking move is also
mate, and effectively wins the game.
Unlike Western chess, a player need not move out of check in dai shogi, and indeed may even move into check.
Although obviously not often a good idea, a player with more than one royal may occasionally sacrifice one of these
pieces as part of a gambit.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Dai shogi

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's sole remaining king or crown prince wins the game. In practice this rarely
happens, as a player will resign when checkmated, as otherwise when loss is inevitable.
A player who has only one piece left (a bare king or bare crown prince) loses unless he can bare or mate his
opponent in the next move.
A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)
There are two other possible (but fairly uncommon) ways for a game to end: repetition ( sennichite) and
impasse ( jishgi).
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.)
The game reaches an impasse if both kings, or crown princes have advanced into their respective promotion zones
and neither player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

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 modifications have been made for dai shogi.
A typical example is P-8f. The first letter represents the piece moved (see setup above). Promoted pieces have a +
added in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a gold general (promoted pawn). 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
square 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 15o being the bottom left
corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese
numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
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, Nx7d= indicates a knight capturing on 7d without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
When a 'Lion', 'Horned Falcon' or 'Soaring Eagle' captures by 'igui' (that is, without moving), the square of the piece
being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol '!'. For example, a Lion
on 8c capturing a piece on 9d would be shown as LNx!9d.
When a piece makes a double capture with 'Lion' powers, both captures are shown in the order that they were made.
For example, a Lion on 3g, capturing a piece on 3h and then capturing another on 2i, would be represented by
LNx3hx2i.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

452

Dai shogi

453

External links

Shogi.net/Dai Shogi [1]

Dai shogi games with problems etc. [2]
SDIN Dai Shogi [3] - Play Dai Shogi in real time vs human players or AI
Richard's Play-by-eMail Server [4] - Play Dai Shogi via web page or email your commands to the server, with
email notifications when moves have been made in the game you're playing.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. shogi. net/ rjhare/ dai-shogi/ dai-intro. html

http:/ / www. luckydog. pwp. blueyonder. co. uk/ games/ shogi/ dai. htm
http:/ / sdin. jp/ en/ browser/ board/ daishogi/
http:/ / www. gamerz. net/ pbmserv/

Tenjiku shogi
Tenjiku shogi ( tenjiku shgi, or tenjiku dai shgi "exotic chess") is a large-board variant of
shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the 15th or 16th century and was based on the earlier chu shogi,
which itself was based on dai shogi.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king and, if present, the crown prince, which counts as a
second king. Unlike standard shogi, captured pieces may not be dropped back into play by the capturing player.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board composed of squares in a grid of 16
ranks (rows) by 16 files (columns) with a total of 256 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
A pair of dots may be placed just beyond the fifth rank on each side to mark the promotion zones and aid in the
initial setup of the two camps.
Each player has a set of 78 wedge-shaped pieces of 36 types. In all, the players must remember 45 moves for these
pieces. The pieces are of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (roughly most to least powerful) they are:

1 King

1 Lion hawk

2 Silver generals

1 Great general

1 Lion

2 Copper generals

1 Vice general

2 Dragon kings

2 Vertical movers

2 Rook generals

2 Dragon horses

2 Side movers

2 Bishop generals

2 Rooks

2 Reverse chariots

1 Free eagle

2 Bishops

2 Vertical soldiers

1 Free king

1 Kirin

2 Side soldiers

2 Soaring eagles

1 Phoenix

2 Lances

2 Horned falcons

1 Drunken elephant

2 Knights

2 Water buffalos

2 Blind tigers

2 Iron generals

4 Chariot soldiers

2 Ferocious leopards

2 Dogs

2 Fire demons

2 Gold generals

16 Pawns

Tenjiku shogi

454

Several of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of one or two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are
two or three other characters, often in a different color such as red; this reverse side is turned up to indicate that the
piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is
shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece 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 an
*asterisk are only available with promotion.
Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Abbrev.

Promotes to

Bishop

kakugy

dragon horse

Bishop general

kakush

BG

vice general

Blind tiger

mko

BT

flying stag

Chariot soldier

shahei

CS

heavenly tetrarch

Copper general

dsh

side mover

*Crown prince

taishi

CP

Dog

inu

multi general

Dragon horse

ryme

DH

horned falcon

Dragon king

ry

DK

soaring eagle

Drunk elephant

suiz

DE

crown prince

Ferocious leopard

mhy

FL

bishop

Fire demon

kaki

FD

*Flying ox

higy

FO

*Flying stag

hiroku

FS

*Free boar

honcho

FB

Free eagle

honj

FE

Free king

honn

FK

free eagle

Gold general

kinsh

rook

Great general

taish

GG

*Heavenly tetrarch

shitenn

HT

Horned falcon

kaku

HF

bishop general

Iron general

tessh

vertical soldier

King (Black)

gyokush

King (White)

sh

Kirin

kirin

Kr

lion

Knight

keima

side soldier

Lance

kysha

white horse

Lion

shishi

Ln

lion hawk

Lion hawk

shi, shitaka LH

Tenjiku shogi

455
*Multi general

suish

MG

Pawn

fuhy

gold general

Phoenix

Ph

free king

Reverse chariot

hensha

RC

whale

Rook

hisha

dragon king

Rook general

hish

RG

great general

Side mover

gy

SM

free boar

Side soldier

hei

SS

water buffalo

Silver general

ginsh

vertical mover

Soaring eagle

hij

SE

rook general

Vertical mover

shugy

VM

flying ox

Vertical soldier

shuhei

VS

chariot soldier

Vice general

fukush

VG

Water buffalo

suigy

WB

fire demon

*Whale

keigei

*White horse

hokku

WH

The promotions can be summarized as series of promotion chains, as follows. Within each block below, a piece
(except the kings) promotes to the piece above it. Pieces at the top of each block do not promote (and if in italics,
and with an *asterisk, as stated before, these appear only upon promotion). Note that pieces may only promote once.
For example, a gold general promotes to a rook, and a rook promotes to a dragon king, but a gold general promoted
to a rook cannot promote a second time to a dragon king. This is clear from the equipment, for each piece only has
two sides.
Jeweled general

*Crown prince

King general

Drunk elephant

Vice general

Great general

Bishop general

Rook general

Horned falcon

Soaring eagle

Dragon horse

Dragon king

Bishop

Rook

Ferocious leopard Gold general

Pawn

Fire demon

*Heavenly tetrarch

Water buffalo

Chariot soldier

Side soldier

Vertical soldier

Knight

Iron general

Free eagle

Free king

Lion

Phoenix

Kirin

Lion hawk

Tenjiku shogi

456
*Free boar

*Flying ox

Side mover

Vertical mover

Copper general

Silver general

*Multi general

*Flying stag

Dog

Blind tiger

*White horse

*Whale

Lance

Reverse chariot

Setup
The initial setup of the board is as follows. See below for a description of the types of moves involved.
Color coding

Range-jumping pieces

Ranging pieces (move of free eagle not clear)

Multiple-capture pieces (move of lion-hawk not clear)

Jumping pieces

Pieces which are restricted to stepping moves

Burning pieces (the fire demons)

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

Tenjiku shogi

457

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

FL

DE

FL

CS

CS

BT

Ph

FK

Ln

Kr

BT

VS

DH DK WB FD

SM VM

HF

SE

RC
SS

FE LH FD WB DK DH

BG RG VG GG RG BG
p

CS CS

SE HF
p

RC b

VS

VM SM d

SS

f
g
h
i
j

D
p

SM VM

HF

SE

SE HF

VM SM m

SS

DH DK WB FD LH FE FD WB DK DH

VS

CS

CS

FL

VS

RC
L

BG RG GG VG RG BG

BT

Kr

Ln

FK

Ph

BT

DE

k
p

CS CS
C

FL

SS

RC o
N

Legend
B: Bishop

BG: Bishop General

BT: Blind Tiger

C: Copper General

CS: Chariot Soldier

D: Dog

DE: Drunk Elephant

DH: Dragon Horse

DK: Dragon King

FD: Fire Demon

FE: Free Eagle

FK: Free King

FL: Fierce Leopard

G: Gold General

GG: Great General

HF: Horned Falcon

I: Iron General

K: King

Kr: Kirin

L: Lance

LH: Lion Hawk

Ln: Lion

N: Knight

p: Pawn

Ph: Phoenix

R: Rook

RC: Reverse Chariot

RG: Rook General

S: Silver General

SE: Soaring Eagle

SM: Side Mover

SS: Side Soldier

VG: Vice General

VM: Vertical Mover

VS: Vertical Soldier

WB: Water Buffalo

Tenjiku shogi

Game play
Two players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The pieces are not differentiated by color; the
traditional chess terms "Black" and "White" are only used to indicate who plays first, and to differentiate the sides
during discussions of the game.) A move consists of moving a piece either to an empty square on the board or to a
square occupied by an opposing piece, thus capturing that piece; and optionally of promoting the moving piece, if all
or part of its move lies in the promotion zone. Each of these options is detailed below.
Despite the large size of the board and number of pieces, tenjiku shogi games are often quicker than smaller shogi
variants because of the higher average power of the pieces. Good use of the fire demons can make for a short game.
Unlike many shogi variants, the very first move can have a very profound effect on the outcome of the game, and
indeed it is sometimes wondered whether playing first is an automatic win, barring any mistakes.

Movement and capture

Tenjiku shogi pieces that occur in chu shogi move as they do in that game.
An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece, that is, by another piece controlled by the moving player. The one exception to this is the unique burn of the
fire demon.
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The vice general, fire demon, lion, and knight are exceptions, in that they do
not move, or are not required to move, in a straight line.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction. The movement categories are:
Step movers and limited range movers
Some pieces are limited to moving one square at a time. If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving
piece may not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.
The step movers are the king, drunk elephant, blind tiger, ferocious leopard, gold general, silver general, copper
general, iron general, dog, and pawn. Other pieces may step in certain directions, but move differently in other
directions.
Other pieces have a limited range of two squares along a straight line. The water buffalo, chariot soldier, vertical
soldier, and side soldier may move one or two squares in certain directions. They can only move to the second
square if the first is unoccupied. They may capture on either square, but must stop where they capture.
Area movers
The lion, lion hawk, bishop general, and fire demon may take multiple (2 to 3) steps in a single turn. These do not
have to be in a line, so these pieces can potentially reach every square within two or three steps of the starting
square, not just squares along one of the diagonals or orthogonals. Such moves are also useful to get around
obstructions. An area mover must stop where it captures.
Jumping pieces
Some pieces can jump, or in the case of the knight can only jump: They pass over an intervening piece, whether
friend or foe, with no effect on either. These are the free eagle, lion, soaring eagle, horned falcon, tetrarch, kirin,
phoenix, and knight. (The lion hawk has this ability in some versions of the game.) These jumps all have a range of
two squares: that is, the first square is passed over, and the piece lands (and captures) on the second. The knight

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Tenjiku shogi
jumps between the diagonals and orthogonals, and the lion (and lion hawk) may do so.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight orthogonal or diagonal line, limited only by the
edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from
the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the great general, vice general, rook general, bishop general, free eagle, soaring eagle, horned
falcon, free king, water buffalo, chariot soldier, fire demon, lion hawk, dragon king, dragon horse, rook, bishop,
vertical mover, side mover, reverse chariot, vertical soldier, side soldier and lance.
Range jumping pieces
A few powerful pieces may jump over any number of pieces, friend or foe, along a diagonal or orthogonal, but only
when making a capture. These are the great general, vice general, rook general, and bishop general.
However, they may only jump over other pieces of lower rank, whether friend or foe. None may jump a king or
crown prince of either side. The relevant ranking is:
1.
2.
3.
4.

King, crown prince

Great general
Vice general
Rook general, bishop general

That is, bishop and rook generals cannot jump any other range-jumping piece.
Some descriptions of the game do not limit this ability to moves making a capture. However, most mention that these
pieces have two types of move, ranging and range jumping, suggesting that the capture rule may have been
mistakenly omitted.
Multiple captures
The lion, soaring eagle, horned falcon, and in some rule variants the lion hawk, have sequential multiple-capture
abilities, called "lion moves". The fire demon can "burn" multiple pieces simultaneously. These unusual moves are
described below.
Other
The heavenly tetrarch cannot move to an adjacent square, and has other idiosyncrasies; the fire demon 'burns'
adjacent pieces. This is best described below.
Repeated board positions
A player is not allowed to make a move that would return the board to a previous position, with the same player to
move. This rule prevents games from entering into a repeated loop.

Promotion
Tenjiku shogi pieces that occur in chu shogi promote as they do in that game, with the exceptions of the lion and free
king, which do not promote in chu shogi.
A player's promotion zone consists of the five far ranks, at the original line of the opponent's pawns and beyond. As
a promotable piece ends a move within the promotion zoneincluding moves entering, leaving, or moving entirely
within the zone,it has the option of "promoting" to a more powerful rank. (Pieces which take multiple steps per
move may promote by crossing into the promotion zone and back out again.) Promotion is effected by turning the

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Tenjiku shogi
piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promotion is not mandatory if the unpromoted
piece could move further on a later turn, and in some cases it may be beneficial to leave the piece unpromoted.
Promotion is permanent and promoted pieces may not revert to their original rank.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. See above for what each piece promotes to and
below for how they move.
The king, great general, vice general, free eagle, lion hawk, and fire demon do not promote, nor can already
promoted pieces promote further.
If a piece which cannot retreat or move to the side advances to the far rank, so that it would otherwise have no
further legal move, it is forced to promote. These pieces are the pawn, knight, iron general, and lance. Similarly, a
knight reaching the penultimate rank must promote.
If a piece does not promote when it first has the opportunity, it may not promote on its subsequent turn unless it
captures or is forced to promote. Thereafter it may promote normally.

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, yellow for jumps, and orange for ranging jumps.
Notation

Jumps to this square, bypassing any intervening piece.

Steps a limited number of squares along a straight line.

Steps within an area, not restricted to a straight line. Must stop upon capture.

Jumps to this square, then continues as a step mover.

Steps a limited number of squares within an area, and may capture more than once.

igui (capture without moving). Counts for two steps.

May jump directly to this square, or reach it through a multiple move.

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

Jumps to this square, then continues as a range mover.

Jumps along a straight line, crossing any number of squares. In TSA rules, it may only jump when making a capture, otherwise it moves as a
ranging piece. According to Japanese Wikipedia, it may always jump.

Burns any adjacent enemy pieces wherever it stops (background color indicates movement).

460

Tenjiku shogi

461

Individual pieces
Pieces are arranged in this section so that, if they promote, they promote into the piece above them. Piece names with
a grey background are present at the start of the game; those with a blue background only appear with promotion.
Jeweled general (inferior player's king) gyokush

Step: The king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Note: The king can move into check at any time.
King general (superior player's king) sh

Step: The king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Note: The king can move into check at any time.
Vice general fukush
The vice general may make either a range-jumping move or an area move on any one turn.

Range jump: When making a capture, the vice general can jump any number of lower-ranking pieces along any
one diagonal. Otherwise it ranges without jumping.
It cannot jump a king, crown prince, great general, or another vice general.

Tenjiku shogi

462

Area move: The vice general can step in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, up to three times in one turn. That
is, it can step in another direction after its first or second step. It need not take all three steps. It must stop when it
captures.
It can return to the square it started from, allowing the player to "skip" a turn.
Bishop general kakush

Range jump: When making a capture, the bishop general can jump any number of lower-ranking pieces along any
diagonal. Otherwise it ranges without jumping.
It cannot jump a king, crown prince, or another range-jumping general.
Horned falcon kaku

Range: The horned falcon can move any number of free squares along any directio except directly forwards.
Lion move: It can step twice, or jump two squares, directly forward, capturing up to two pieces. This power
includes igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion").
Dragon horse ryme
The dragon horse moves as either a bishop or a king.

Range: It can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions.

Step: It can move one square in any orthogonal direction.

Bishop kakugy

Tenjiku shogi

463

Range: The bishop can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Ferocious leopard mhy

Step: The leopard can step one square in the four diagonal directions, or directly forward or backward, giving it
six directions of movement.
That is, it can move to any of the six adjacent squares ahead or behind it.
Fire demon kaki
The fire demon may either make a range move or an area move on any one turn. In addition, it has the power to
"burn".

Range: It can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions, or directly forward or backward.
Note: The Shgi Zushiki and Sho Shgi Zushiki state that it moves like the water buffalo; that is,
diagonally and to the sides.

Tenjiku shogi

464

Area move: It can step in any direction up to three times per turn. It can change direction after its first or second
step, and it need not take all three steps. However, unlike the lion, it must stop when it captures.
It can return to the square it started from, allowing the player to "skip" a turn, but does not have the lion
power of igui.

Burn: Wherever the fire demon stops, all adjacent opposing pieces except fire demons are removed from the
board, in addition to any piece on the square it lands on. That is, a fire demon can capture up to eight pieces per
turn (one it displaces, and seven it burns on adjacent squares).
Passive burn: Any piece stopping next to an opposing fire demon is removed from the board (after making its
capture, if any). Such suicide moves do not count as a turn for the stationary player: The fire demon passively
burns opposing pieces that land on adjacent squares without using up a turn.
Conflict between fire demons: When one fire demon lands next to another, it is the only the moving piece that is
immolated. The stationary fire demon survives, as do all other adjacent pieces. (These are the TSA rules. In Colin
Adam's book, the stationary fire demon survives the suicide move, but all other adjacent enemy pieces are
immolated.)
Water buffalo suigy

Range: The water buffalo can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions, or orthogonally
sideways.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.
Note: Since a piece promotes when its move is finished, the water buffalo does not burn surrounding pieces upon
promotion to fire demon.
Side soldier hei

Range: The side soldier can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward.
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Knight keima

Tenjiku shogi

465

Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square
forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward
destinations. It ignores any intervening piece on the way to its destination.
Since a knight cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote when it reaches one of the two far ranks.
Free eagle honj
Move according to Edo-era sources:

Range: The free eagle can move any number of free squares in any direction.
Double move: It can move twice as a cat-sword (one square in any diagonal direction).
Based on descriptions of the lion having a triple king move, it is thought that the double cat-sword move includes
jumping a piece.
Move in English-language sources

Range: The free eagle can move any number of free squares in any of the eight directions, orthogonal or diagonal.

Jump: It can jump to the second square in any orthogonal direction.

Note: If the two cat-sword moves are required to be in different directions, as one of the Edo sources appears to
state, and are interpreted as a jump to the second square rather than two actual steps, this is the result.
Free king honn
The free king moves like a queen in Italian chess.

Tenjiku shogi

466

Range: The free king can move any number of free squares in any of the eight directions, orthogonal or diagonal.
Phoenix h

Step: The phoenix can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Free boar honcho

Range: The free boar can range any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly to either side, giving it six directions of movement.
Side mover gy

Range: The side mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways.
Step: It can move one square directly forward or backward.
Copper general dsh

Tenjiku shogi

467

Step: The copper general can move one square directly forward or backward, or one square diagonally forward,
giving it four directions of movement.
Multi general suish

Range: The multi general can move any number of free squares directly forward or diagonally backward, giving it
three directions of movement.
Dog inu

Step: The dog can move one square directly forward, or diagonally backward, giving it three directions of
movement.
White horse hokku

Range: The white horse can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally
forward, giving it four directions of movement.
Lance kysha

Tenjiku shogi

468

Range: The lance can move any number of free squares directly forward, giving it only one direction of
movement.
Since a lance cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote when it reaches the far rank.
Crown prince taishi

Step: The crown prince can move one square in any direction.
Note: The crown prince can move into check at any time.
Drunk elephant suiz

Step: The drunken elephant can move one square in any direction except directly backward, giving it seven
directions of movement.
Great general taish

Range jump: When making a capture, the great general can jump any number of lower-ranking pieces in any one
of the eight directions. Otherwise it ranges without jumping.
It cannot jump a king, crown prince, or another great general.
Rook general hish

Tenjiku shogi

469

Range jump: When making a capture, the rook general can jump any number of lower-ranking pieces along any
orthogonal. Otherwise it ranges without jumping.
It cannot jump a king, crown prince, or another range-jumping general.
Soaring eagle hij

Range: The soaring eagle can move any number of free squares in any direction except diagonally forward.
Lion move: It can step twice, or jump two squares, diagonally forward, capturing up to two pieces. This power
includes igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion").
Dragon king ry
The dragon king moves as either a rook or a king.

Range: It can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can move one square in any diagonal direction.
Rook hisha

Tenjiku shogi

470

Range: The rook can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Gold general kinsh

Step: The gold general can step one square in the four orthogonal directions, or diagonally forward, giving it six
directions of movement.
It cannot move diagonally backward.
Pawn fuhy

Step: A pawn can step one square directly forward.

Since a pawn cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote when it reaches the far rank. However, in
practice, pawns are promoted whenever possible.
Heavenly tetrarch shitenn
The tetrarch cannot move to any adjacent square, and is not blocked from moving by pieces on those squares, but it
can capture such pieces without moving.

!
!

Igui: It can capture a piece on any adjacent square without moving. (See "Lion" above.)
Range: It can move any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonals or along the orthogonal file,
skipping any intervening piece on the adjacent square. (It is not a range jumper and cannot jump any other piece.)
Limited range: It can move two or three squares orthogonally sideways. Although it skips any intervening piece
on the first square, it cannot jump a piece on the second square. If it captures on the second square, it must stop

Tenjiku shogi

471
there.
Note: Western sources do not have the orthogonal range move.

In English this piece is usually pluralized as 'Heavenly Tetrarchs', though this could refer to all four tetrarchs (the
Four Heavenly Kings).
Chariot soldier shahei

Range: The chariot soldier can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions, or directly
forward or backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares sideways.
Vertical soldier shuhei

Range: The vertical soldier can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Iron general tessh

Step: The iron general can move one square forward, either orthogonally or diagonally, giving it three directions
of movement.
Since an iron general cannot move backward or to the sides, it must promote when it reaches the far rank.
Lion hawk shi
The lion hawk can either move as a bishop, or "like" a lion. There is disagreement as to how like a lion it was
intended to be.
According to Japanese Wikipedia, and "Modern" Western move:

Tenjiku shogi

472

! !
!

Range: The lion hawk can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions.
Lion move: It can move as a lion, with the jump, igui, and multiple-capture abilities. (See below for details.)
Move according to TSA rules:

Range: The lion hawk can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions.
Area move: It can step in any direction up to twice per turn. That is, it can change directions after its first step,
and it need not take both steps. This allows it to "skip" a turn. However, it must stop when it captures, and cannot
take a second piece, nor may it jump.
Lion shishi
The lion has a special movement ability commonly called a 'lion move' or 'lion power'. It is shown here in two
diagrams for clarity.

Tenjiku shogi

473

Double move: The lion can step in any direction, and capture, up to twice in a turn. This move is equivalent to
two turns for a king.

Unlike area movers, the lion can continue after a capture on the first step, capturing up to two pieces on each
turn.
By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving.
This is called igui "stationary feeding".

It can also do the same to an empty square, without capturing anything. This is traditionally indicated by
tapping the lion and leaving it in place.

A lion next to the promotion zone can make a similar move into and out of the zone, promoting without
appearing to move.

Jump: A lion can jump anywhere within a distance of two squares: That is, anywhere it could reach in two step
moves on an empty board, though of course it cannot land on a square occupied by a friendly piece. This is
equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a
knight in Western chess, or,
Note: The restrictions when capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in tenjiku shogi.
Kirin kirin

Step: The kirin can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Note: Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.
Flying ox higy

Tenjiku shogi

474

Range: The flying ox can move any number of free squares along any one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly forward or backward, giving it six directions of movement.
Vertical mover shugy

Range: The vertical mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Silver general ginsh

Step: The silver general can move one square in the four diagonal directions, or directly forward, giving it five
directions of movement.
Flying stag hiroku

Range: The flying stag can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward.
Step: It can move one square in any direction.
Blind tiger mko

Tenjiku shogi

475

Step: The blind tiger can move one square in any direction except directly forward, giving it seven directions of
movement.
Whale keigei

Range: The whale can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally
backward, giving it four directions of movement.
Reverse chariot hensha

Range: The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward, giving it two
directions of movement.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move, such that the opponent's only remaining king or crown prince could be captured on the
following move, the move is said to give check; the king or crown prince is said to be in check. If a player's last king
or crown prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get it out of check, the checking move is also mate,
and effectively wins the game.
Unlike Western chess, a player need not move out of check in tenjiku shogi, and indeed may even move into check.
Although obviously not often a good idea, a player with more than one royal 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.

Tenjiku shogi

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's sole remaining king or crown prince wins the game. In practice this rarely
happens, as a player will typically 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.)
Repetition ( sennichite) is not allowed.
The game reaches an impasse ( jishgi) if all kings and crown princes have advanced into their respective
promotion zones and neither player can hope to mate the other or to gain any further material.

Handicaps
Games between players of disparate strength are often played with handicaps. In a handicap game, one or more of
White's pieces is removed before the start of play, and White plays the first move of the game.
Alternatively, a strong piece of one player may be removed in exchange for one or more of the other players weaker
pieces.

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 modifications have been made for tenjiku shogi.
A typical example is P-8g. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added
in front of the letter. e.g., +P for a promoted pawn. 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 square 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 16p being the bottom left corner. (This method of
designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For
example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a lion, horned falcon, soaring eagle or Heavenly Tetrarch captures by igui, or the fire demon burns, the square of
the piece being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol !. A piece
moving next to a fire demon (suicide move) is followed by a *. If a double or triple capture is made, than subsequent
captures are added after the first 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, Nx7d= indicates a knight capturing on 7d without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.
In handicap games White plays first, so Black's move 1 is replaced by an ellipsis.

Notes on disputed moves

Lion hawk
The Shogi Association (TSA) rules interpreted "like a lion" to mean that the lion hawk did not have the full
lion powers of jump and double capture, but only a two-step area move. This interpretation was never made on
Japanese sites, and has largely been abandoned in the West as well. Giving the lion hawk full lion powers
brings the piece more into line with the rest of the game, though both versions are playable.
Free eagle

476

Tenjiku shogi
Western sources give the free eagle the move of a free king plus the ability to jump to the second square along
an orthogonal.
Japanese Wikipedia states
"it cannot jump on the diagonals, but can jump pieces on the orthogonals." The diagram shows an orthogonal
range jump, but the free eagle does not appear in the ranking list of range-jumping pieces.
However, the Edo-era Sho Shgi Zushiki states that it moves "as a free king or
two times as a cat sword in two directions", which could be taken as requiring the piece to finish on one of the
orthogonals, if not exactly a jump; while elsewhere in the Sho Shgi Zushiki and in the Shgi Zushiki it says
that 12 "in addition to moving
as a free king, it can make a cat-sword move (one square in one of the four diagonals) twice", which has no
such implication, but which Japanese Wikipedia says is thought to mean a jump.
Fire demon
TSA rules state that if you move your fire demon next to an opposing fire demon, only your fire demon is
immolated; all other adjacent pieces survive. A few computer programs and books stipulate that other adjacent
pieces are immolated as well, with only the opposing fire demon surviving, but this interpretation is not widely
followed. Both variants are playable.
Japanese Wikipedia states only that "When a
fire demon moves next to a fire demon, the moving piece is burnt," without mentioning the fate of surrounding
pieces.
Edo-era sources differ in whether the orthogonal ranging move is along the rank or the file of the board.
Western sources have it move along the file, but moving along the rank would be more in keeping with the fire
demon being a promoted water buffalo.
Heavenly tetrarch
Western sources do not have the ranging move along the orthogonal. However, the Sho Shgi Zushiki states it
moves "as a chariot soldier, also the eight neighboring squares
without moving and taking two or three steps outside the periphery", and this is consistent with it being a
promoted chariot soldier.
Range-jumping generals
TSA rules state that the range-jumping generals cannot capture an equal or higher-ranking piece, not just that
they cannot jump over them. This gives a huge advantage to Black, so that Black can win every game if played
right, but is not supported by Japanese sites and has been largely abandoned in the West as unplayable.

External links

Shogi Net [2]

CP Adams's book on tenjiku tactics [1]
CP Adams's Tenjiku shogi wiki [2]
Gamerz.net/tenjiku shogi [3]
History.chess/tenjiku shogi [4]
Tenjiku shogi games and problems [5]
21. Century Tenjiku shogi [6] (Dead!)

477

Tenjiku shogi

478

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

http:/ / www. colina. demon. co. uk/ tenjiku. pdf

http:/ / colina. demon. co. uk:5001
http:/ / www. gamerz. net/ pbmserv/ tenjikushogi. html
http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ tenjikushogi. htm
http:/ / www. luckydog. pwp. blueyonder. co. uk/ games/ tenjiku/
http:/ / www. iget. me. uk/ tenjiku/ index. htm

Dai dai shogi

Daidai shgi ( 'huge chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the
15th century and is based on the earlier Dai shogi. Apart from its size, the major difference is in the range of the
pieces and the promotion by capture rule. It is the smallest board variant to use this rule.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective is to capture the opponent's king. Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play
after being captured.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gte), play on a board composed of squares in a grid of 17 ranks (rows)
by 17 files (columns) with a total of 289 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 96 wedge-shaped pieces of 64 different types. In all, the players must remember 68 different
moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes, from largest to smallest (or roughly most to least powerful) they
are:

1 King (King general/Jeweled general)

1 Blue dragon

1 Neighboring king

1 Free king

1 White tiger

1 Blind monkey

1 Rushing bird

1 Right chariot

2 Ferocious leopards

1 Free demon

1 Left chariot

2 Evil Wolves

1 Free dream-eater

1 Phoenix

2 Violent bears

1 Water buffalo

1 Kirin

1 Right general

1 Dragon king

1 Poisonous snake

1 Left general

1 Dragon horse

1 Old kite

2 Gold generals

1 Square mover

2 Violent oxen

2 Silver generals

1 Racing chariot

1 Flying dragon

2 Copper generals

1 Rook

1 Enchanted fox

2 Iron generals

1 Bishop

1 Old rat

2 Wood generals

1 Golden bird

1 Enchanted badger

2 Stone generals

1 Great dragon

1 Flying horse

2 Angry boars

1 Standard bearer

1 Prancing stag

1 Cat sword

1 Fragrant elephant

2 Savage tigers

2 Reverse chariots

1 White elephant

1 Hook mover

2 Lances

1 Lion

1 Long-nosed goblin

2 Side movers

1 Lion dog

1 Northern barbarian

1 Vertical mover

1 Dove

1 Southern barbarian

2 Howling Dogs

1 She-devil

1 Eastern barbarian

17 Pawns

Dai dai shogi

479

1 Western barbarian

Many of the English-language names are chosen to correspond to their rough equivalents in Western chess, not
necessarily as translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two Japanese characters marked on its face. On the reverse side of some
pieces are one or two other characters, often in a different color (e.g., red instead of black); this reverse side is used
to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but
instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the
piece during play.
Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to.
Table of pieces
Relatively few pieces promote (or demote) in dai dai shogi. A few pieces (*asterisked) only appear upon promotion.
Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Abbrev.

Promotes to

Jeweled general

gyokush K

King general

sh

Angry boar

shincho

AB

Bishop

kakugy

Blind monkey

men

BM

mountain witch

Blue dragon

seiry

BD

Cat sword

myjin

CS

dragon horse

Copper general

dsh

Dove

kyhan

Do

Dragon horse

ryme

DH

Dragon king

ry

DK

Eastern barbarian

ti

Ea

lion

Enchanted badger

henri

EB

dove

Enchanted fox

henko

EF

she-devil

Evil wolf

akur

EW

Ferocious leopard

mhy

FL

Flying dragon

hiry

FD

dragon king

Flying horse

barin

FH

free king

Fragrant elephant

kz

FE

Free demon

honki

Fr

Free king

honn

FK

Free dream-eater

honbaku

FT

*Furious fiend

funjin

FF

Gold general

kinsh

Golden bird

kinshi

GB

Great dragon

dairy

GD

*Great elephant

taiz

GE

Dai dai shogi

480
Hook mover

kgy

HM

Howling dog

kiken

HD

Iron general

tessh

Kirin

kirin

Kr

great dragon

Lance

kysha

Left chariot

sasha

LC

Left general

sash

LG

Lion

shishi

Ln

furious fiend

Lion dog

komainu

LD

great elephant

Long-nosed goblin

tengu

Lo

*Mountain witch

sambo

MW

Neighboring king

kinn

NK

standard bearer

Northern barbarian

hokuteki

No

fragrant elephant

Old kite

kotetsu

OK

long-nosed goblin

Old rat

rso

OR

wizard stork

Pawn

fuhy

Phoenix

Ph

golden bird

Poisonous snake

dokuja

Po

hook mover

Prancing stag

yroku

PS

square mover

Racing chariot

ssha

Ra

Reverse chariot

hensha

Rv

Right chariot

usha

RC

Right general

ush

RG

Rook

hisha

Rushing bird

gych

RB

free demon

Savage tiger

mko

ST

She-devil

yasha

SD

Side mover

gy

SM

Silver general

ginsh

Southern barbarian

namban

So

white elephant

Square mover

hgy

Sq

Standard bearer

zenki

SB

Stone general

sekish

St

Vertical mover

shugy

VM

Violent bear

my

VB

Violent ox

mgy

VO

Water buffalo

suigy

WB

free dream-eater

Western barbarian

seij

We

lion dog

White elephant

hakuz

WE

Dai dai shogi

481
White tiger

byakko

WT

*Wizard stork

senkaku

WS

Wood general

mokush W

The first kanji of Howling Dog is not supported by Unicode. It is a combined and .

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same
way the opposing player will see their pieces.
Board layout
HD
p

HD
p

LC SM VO AB EW VB FL ST SB ST FL VB EW AB VO SM RC
BD FE

No We

VM

EF

WB

Rv OK

Ln OR PS

CS

Ph

SD Ra DH

Fr

FK LG

Lo

St

GB

GD

NK

St

FH

Ea

So WE WT

EB

Kr RB FD BM LD

RG FT DK

Sq

Po

Rv

Dv HM

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally correct.) A move consists of moving a piece
on the board and potentially promoting the piece. Each of these options is detailed below.

Promotion
Unusually for a large-board shogi variant, only a minority of pieces (20 of 64) are able to promote. The rule for
promotion in these larger games is different from smaller board variants.
A piece promotes at the end of its first move to make a capture. Promotion has the effect of changing how the piece
moves (see the table above for what each piece promotes to), and is effected by turning the piece over after it moves,
revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promotion for pieces able to do so is both compulsory and permanent.
This is very different from smaller shogi variants, where pieces promote when they cross a promotion zone (the
enemy camp), and where promotion is optional. The dots on the dai dai shogi board that would represent promotion
zones in other games only function as placement guides for the initial setup of the two camps.
Most promoting pieces promote to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a promoted
piece cannot then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a lion promotes to a furious fiend.
However, while an eastern barbarian promotes to a lion on its first capturing move, it does not further promote to a
furious fiend on its second. Rather, it remains a lion for the rest of the game. This should be obvious from the game
pieces, which only have two sides.
If a piece which is only able to move forward (a pawn, lance, stone general, wood general, or iron general) reaches
the far rank, it is unable to move further and must remain there until captured.

Dai dai shogi

Movement and capture

An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The lion, lion dog, and furious fiend are exceptions, in that they do not move,
or are not required to move, in a straight line.
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must remain
there until captured. This applies to the pawn, lance, stone general, wood general, and iron general.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
Limited ranging pieces
Some pieces can move along a limited number (2, 3, or 5) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain
directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either. These are the lion, kirin, phoenix, and possibly the poisonous snake.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If
an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A
ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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.
Hook moves (changing tack)
The hook mover and long-nosed goblin (tengu) can move any number of squares along a straight line, as a normal
ranging piece, but may also abruptly change tack left or right by 90 at any one place along the route, and then
continue as a ranging piece. Turning a corner like this is optional.
The range covered by a hook move is the equivalent of two moves by a rook, or two moves by a bishop, depending
the piece. However, a hook move is functionally a single move: The piece cannot capture twice in one move, nor
may it capture and then move on. It must stop before an intervening piece (unless it first changes direction to avoid
it), and must stop when it captures, just like any other ranging piece. It can only change direction once per move.

482

Dai dai shogi

483

Lion moves (multiple captures)

The lion, lion dog, and furious fiend have sequential multiple-capture abilities, called "lion moves". The details of
these powerful moves are described for the lion, below.

Individual pieces
In the diagrams below, the different types of moves are coded by symbol and by color: Blue for step moves, yellow
for jumps, green for multiple capture, and gray for range moves, as follows:
Notation

Steps a limited number of squares along a straight line.

Jumps to this square, bypassing any intervening piece.

Igui (capture without moving). Counts as two steps.

May jump directly to this square, or reach it through a multiple-step move.

Ranges along a straight line, crossing any number of empty squares

May turn 90 at this square.

Piece names with a grey background are present at the start of the game; the four with a blue background only appear
with promotion.
King (challenging) gyokush

Step: The king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Promoting piecesLong-nosed goblin tengu

Hook move: The tengu can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, then
(optionally) make a 90 turn and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular diagonal direction.
It may only change directions once per move.

Step: It can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.

Dai dai shogi

484
Old kite kotetsu
Two different movements claimed for the old kite

English sources
This is how Japanese describes the move in tai shogi. The two games normally have the same moves.

Limited range: The old kite can step one or two squares in one of the four orthogonals.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward.

Japanese Wikipedia

Range: The old kite can move any number of free squares diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can step one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Either way, the old kite promotes to a tengu (above).
Great elephant taiz

Japanese Wikipedia

Range: The great elephant can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions, or
diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move up to two free squares along either of the forward diagonals.

Dai dai shogi

485

English-language sources
First limited range: The great elephant can move up to five free squares directly sideways or diagonally backward.
Second limited range: It can move up to three free squares directly forward or backward, or diagonally forward.
The great elephant does not exist except as a promoted lion dog (below).
Lion dog komainu

!
!

!
!
!

Japanese Wikipedia

Lion move/triple capture: The lion dog can make a three-step lion move along any one of the eight orthogonal or
diagonal directions. That is, unlike the lion itself, but like the soaring eagle and horned falcon, it is restricted to
moving along a straight line and cannot move to the in-between squares. This lion power includes jumping, igui,
and skipping a turn.

A piece may be captured on all three steps.

The lion dog may capture a piece on the first and second square, and then retreat to the first square. Or it may
snatch a piece off the first square as in normal igui. (Note however that it may not then continue in the opposite
direction: it is restricted to one orthogonal or diagonal.)
It may jump to the second square, and then continue to the third square, capturing up to two pieces. Or it may
jump directly to the third square.

It is not required to take all three steps.

As it finishes a capturing move, the lion dog promotes to a great elephant (above).

Dai dai shogi

486

English-language sources

Limited range: The lion dog may move up to three squares in any direction.
(This makes the promotion to great elephant beneficial, rather than a demotion as it is in the version above.)
As it finishes a capturing move, the lion dog promotes to a great elephant (above).
Western barbarian seij

Limited range: The western barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Step: It can step one square directly forward or backward, or diagonally forward.
The western barbarian promotes to a lion dog (above).
Fragrant elephant kz

Range: The fragrant elephant can move any number of free squares along either of the forward diagonals.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares along any of the other directions (orthogonally, or diagonally
backwards).
Northern barbarian hokuteki

Dai dai shogi

487

Limited range: The northern barbarian can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
The northern barbarian promotes to a fragrant elephant (above).
Free dream-eater honbaku

Japanese Wikipedia

Range: The free dream-eater can move any number of free squares in the two forward diagonal directions,
directly forward, or directly backward.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.

English-language sources
English-language sources show ranging moves along all four diagonals.
Japanese Wikipedia only describes the piece this way for taikyoku shogi, which generally has different
movements from dai-dai shogi.
Water buffalo suigy

Range: The water buffalo can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions, or orthogonally
sideways.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.

Dai dai shogi

488
The water buffalo promotes to a free dream-eater (above).
Free king honn
The free king moves like a queen in Western chess.

Range: The free king can move any number of free squares in any of the eight directions, orthogonal or diagonal.
Flying horse barin

Limited range: The flying horse can step one or two squares diagonally forward.
Step: It can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
The flying horse promotes to a free king (above).
Mountain witch sambo

Range: The mountain witch can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly backward; or,
Step: It can step one square directly forward.
The mountain witch does not exist except as a promoted blind monkey (below).
Blind monkey men

Dai dai shogi

489

Step: The blind monkey can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions or either orthogonal sideways.
The blind monkey promotes to a mountain witch (above).
Dove kyhan

First limited range: The dove can move one to five squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
Second limited range: It can step one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Enchanted badger henri

Limited range: The enchanted badger can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
The enchanted badger promotes to a dove (above).
Dragon horse ryme
The dragon horse moves as either a bishop or a king.

Dai dai shogi

490

Range: The dragon horse can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can step one square in any diagonal direction.
Cat sword myjin

Step: The cat sword can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.
The cat sword promotes to a dragon horse (above).
Racing chariot ssha

Range: The racing chariot can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can step one square diagonally behind.
Nothing promotes into a racing chariot, but it was included here due to the symmetry of its move with that of the
square mover (right).
In several English sources the name of this piece is mistranslated as "side chariot".
Golden bird kinshi

Dai dai shogi

491

Range: The golden bird can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward.
1st limited range: It can move one to three squares along any one of the four diagonals.
2nd limited range: It can move one or two squares directly sideways.
Phoenix h

Step: The phoenix can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions.
The phoenix promotes to a golden bird (above).
Non-promoting piecesBishop kakugy

Range: The bishop can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally or promote, a bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Left chariot sasha

Dai dai shogi

492

Range: The left chariot can move any number of free squares straight forward, or along the forward left or rear
right diagonals.
Step: It can step one square directly backward.
White tiger byakko

Range: The white tiger can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward, or along the forward
left diagonal.
Limited range: It can step one or two squares directly sideways.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward to the right.
Side mover gy

Range: The side mover can move any number of free squares directly sideways.
Step: It can move one square directly forward or backward.
Howling Dog kiken

Dai dai shogi

493

Range: The howling dog can move any number of free squares directly forward.
Step: It can step one square directly backwards.
Violent ox mgy

Limited range: The violent ox can move one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Angry boar shincho

Step: The angry boar can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Left general sash

Step: The left general can move one square in any direction except directly left. It is called the left general
because it guards the left side of the board.
Gold general kinsh

Dai dai shogi

494

Step: The gold general can step one square in the four orthogonal directions, or diagonally forward, giving it six
directions of movement.
It cannot move diagonally backward.
Silver general ginsh

Step: The silver general can move one square in the four diagonal directions, or directly forward, giving it five
directions of movement.
Copper general dsh

Step: The copper general can move one square directly forward or backward, or one square diagonally forward,
giving it four directions of movement.
Iron general tessh

Step: The iron general can move one square forward, either orthogonally or diagonally, giving it three directions
of movement.
An iron general that reaches the far rank is trapped.
Stone general sekish

Dai dai shogi

495

Step: The stone general can step one square diagonally forward, giving it two possibilities.
A stone general that reaches the far rank is trapped.
King (reigning) sh

Step: The king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Hook mover kgy

Hook move: The hook mover can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions,
then (optionally) make a 90 turn and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular orthogonal direction.
It may only change directions once per move.
Poisonous snake dokuja
Two different movements claimed for the poison snake

English sources

Jump: The poisonous snake can jump to the second square directly forward or diagonally backward.
Step: It can step one square to either side.

Dai dai shogi

496

Japanese Wikipedia
Japanese Wikipedia gives the same move for this piece in both daidai shogi and tai shogi, unlike the old kite.

Limited range: The poisonous snake can step one or two squares directly forward or to either side.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward or directly backward.
Either way, the poisonous snake promotes to a hook mover (above).
Furious fiend funjin

Lion move: The furious fiend can move as a lion anywhere within a two-square distance, including jumps, double
capture, igui, and passing a turn.

Limited range: It can move (but not jump) up to three free squares along one of the eight diagonals or
orthogonals.
The furious fiend does not exist except as a promoted lion (below).
Lion shishi

Double move: The lion can step in any direction, and capture, up to twice a turn. The two steps do not need to be
in the same direction, so this move is equivalent to two turns of a king. As a piece does not promote until its turn
ends, an unpromoted lion has a chance for a double capture.

By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving.
This is called igui "stationary feeding".
Jump: A lion can jump anywhere within a distance of two squares: That is, anywhere it could reach in two
step-moves on an empty board, though of course it cannot land on a square occupied by a friendly piece. This is
equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a
knight in Western chess.

Dai dai shogi

497
A jump can be made in place, effectively passing a turn without moving. This is traditionally indicated by
tapping the lion and leaving it in place.
As it finishes a capturing move, the lion promotes to a furious fiend (above).
Eastern barbarian ti

English-language sources

Limited range: The eastern barbarian can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
(Japanese Wikipedia only attributes this move to the piece in taikyoku shogi, which generally has different
moves from dai-dai shogi.)

Japanese Wikipedia

Limited range: The eastern barbarian can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.
Step: It can step one square directly to the right.
(This makes the eastern and western barbarians asymmetrical, unlike the symmetrical northern and southern
barbarians. However, )
The eastern barbarian promotes to a lion (above).
White elephant hakuz

Range: The white elephant can move any number of free squares diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two square in one of the other six diagonal or orthogonal directions.
Southern barbarian namban

Dai dai shogi

498

Limited range: The southern barbarian can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
The southern barbarian promotes to a white elephant (above).
Free demon honki

Japanese Wikipedia

Range: The free demon can move any number of free squares in the two forward diagonal directions, or directly
sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares directly forward or backward.

English-language sources
English-language sources show ranging moves along all four diagonals.
Japanese Wikipedia only describes the piece this way for taikyoku shogi, which generally has different
movements from dai-dai shogi.
Rushing bird gych

Range: The rushing bird can move any number of free squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except
directly backwards.

Dai dai shogi

499
The rushing bird promotes to a free demon (above).
Standard bearer zenki

Range: The standard bearer can move any number of free squares along any of the three forward directions
(diagonal or orthogonal).
Limited range: It can step one or two squares along any of the other directions (orthogonally sideways, diagonally
backwards, or directly backwards).
Neighboring king kinn

Step: The neighbor king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal [except directly
backwards?].
Note: English-language sources state that the neighbor king can step in any direction except directly
backward, like the drunk elephant in other shogi variants. However, Japanese Wikipedia only describes the
piece this way for taikyoku shogi, which generally has different movements from dai-dai shogi.
The neighboring king promotes to a standard bearer (above).
Wizard stork senkaku

Range: The wizard stork can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly forward; or,
Step: It can step one square directly backward.
The wizard stork does not exist except as a promoted old rat (below).
Note: Japanese Wikipedia does not show the forward move for this piece in dai dai shogi, though it does have
it in other versions of the game. This may be an error, as it would be unsymmetrical with the mountain witch,
and it would make this the only piece that moves differently in dai dai and maka dai dai shogi.
Old rat rso

Dai dai shogi

500

Limited range: The old rat can move one or two squares along a forward diagonal or the rear orthogonal, giving it
three directions of movement.
The old rat has the same move as the enchanted fox (see below), but the old rat promotes to a wizard stork (above).
She-devil yasha

First limited range: The she-devil can move one to five squares along one of the four orthogonal directions.
Second limited range: It can step one or two squares along one of the four diagonal directions.
Enchanted fox henko

Limited range: The enchanted fox can move one or two squares along a forward diagonal or the rear orthogonal,
giving it three directions of movement.
This is the same move as the old rat (see above), but the enchanted fox promotes to a she-devil (above).
Dragon king ry
The dragon king moves as either a rook or a king.

Dai dai shogi

501

Range: The dragon king can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions.
Step: It can step one square in any orthogonal direction.
Flying dragon hiry

Step: The flying dragon can move one or two squares along one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted flying dragon can only reach half the squares on the
board.
The flying dragon promotes to a dragon king (above).
Square mover hgy

Range: The square mover can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can step one square on either forward diagonal.
Prancing stag yroku

Dai dai shogi

502

Limited range: The prancing stag can move one or two squares directly sideways.
Step: It can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions, or directly forward.
It cannot move directly backwards.
The prancing stag promotes to a square mover (above).
Great dragon dairy

Range: The great dragon can move any number of free squares directly to the side.
1st limited range: It can move one to three squares along any one of the four diagonals.
2nd limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.
This is the description in English-language sources and also how Japanese Wikipedia describes the great
dragon as a promoted kirin. However, Japanese Wikipedia describes the starting great dragon as moving as
shown in tai shogi. Promoted pieces move the same as their unpromoted namesakes, so one of these is in
error. The weight of the evidencethe English-language sources, half of Japanese Wikipedia descriptions,
and symmetry with the golden birdpoint to the description given here.
Kirin kirin

Step: The kirin can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.
The kirin promotes to a great dragon (above).
Rook hisha

Dai dai shogi

503

Range: The rook can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Right chariot usha

Range: The right chariot can move any number of free squares straight forward, or along the forward right or rear
left diagonals.

Step: It can step one square directly backward.

Blue dragon seiry

Range: The blue dragon can move any number of free squares directly to either side, or along the forward right
diagonal.
Limited range: It can step one or two squares directly forward or backward.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward to the left.
Vertical mover shugy

Dai dai shogi

504

Range: The vertical mover can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward.
Step: It can move one square directly sideways.
Reverse chariot hensha

Range: The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward, giving it two
directions of movement.
Lance kysha

Range: The lance can move any number of free squares directly forward, giving it only one direction of
movement.
A lance that reaches the far rank is trapped.
Violent bear my

Dai dai shogi

505

Limited range: The violent bear can move one or two squares diagonally forward, or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways.
Right general ush

Step: The right general can step one square in any direction except directly right. It is called the right general
because it guards the right side of the board.
Ferocious leopard mhy

Step: The leopard can step one square in the four diagonal directions, or directly forward or backward, giving it
six directions of movement.
That is, it can move to any of the six adjacent squares ahead or behind it.
Evil wolf akur

Step: The evil wolf can step one square orthogonally sideways or forward, or diagonally forward.
Savage tiger mko
?

English-language sources

Limited range: The savage tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward.

Japanese Wikipedia

Limited range: The savage tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally
forward.

Dai dai shogi

506
Wood general mokush

Limited range: The wood general can move one or two squares along a forward diagonal.
A wood general that reaches the far rank is trapped.
Pawn fuhy

Step: A pawn can step one square directly forward.

A pawn that reaches the far rank is trapped.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king could be captured on the following move, the move is
said to give check to the king; the king is said to be in check. If a player's king is in check and no legal move by that
player will get the king out of check, the checking move is also a mate, and effectively wins the game.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king wins the game. In practice this rarely happens; a player will resign when
loss is inevitable and the king will be taken on the opponent's next move (as in International Chess) because of the
tradition that it is seen as an embarrassment to lose.
A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)
If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play (sennichite), 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
dai dai shogi.
A typical example is P-8g. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added
in front of the letter. (e.g., +BM for a mountain witch (promoted blind monkey). 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 square 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 17q being the
bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses
Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a lion captures by 'igi, the square of the piece being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is
preceded by the symbol '!'. If a double capture is made, than it is added after the first capture.

Dai dai shogi

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, CSx7c= indicates a cat sword capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

Notes
'Sho Shogi Zushiki', Nishzawa Teijin, 1694

External links
Shogi Net (http://www.shogi.net/shogi.html)
history.chess/Daidai shgi (http://history.chess.free.fr/daidaishogi.htm)
DaiDai Shogi games and strategy. (http://www.luckydog.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/games/shogi/daidai.htm)

Maka dai dai shogi

Warning: This article is based on Western descriptions, which contain many errors. Eventually it should be
verified with Japanese Wikipedia, which references the Edo-era sources.
Maka daidai shgi ( or 'ultra-huge chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese
chess). The game dates back to the 15th century and is based on dai dai shogi and the earlier dai shogi. The three
Edo-era sources are not congruent in their descriptions of the pieces not found in smaller games. Apart from its size
and number of pieces, the major difference from these smaller games is the "promotion by capture" rule. A more
compact modern proposal for the game is called hishigata shogi.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective is to capture the opponent's king or emperor. If a prince is in play, it too must be captured. Unlike
standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after being captured.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board composed of squares in a grid of 19 ranks (rows)
by 19 files (columns) with a total of 361 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 96 wedge-shaped pieces of 50 different types. In all, the players must remember 74 different
moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes, from largest to smallest (or roughly most to least powerful) they
are:

507

Maka dai dai shogi

508

1 King

2 Old rats

2 Evil Wolves

1 Hook mover

1 Right chariot

2 Iron generals

1 Capricorn

1 Left chariot

2 Stone generals

1 Free king

2 Vertical movers

2 Reverse chariots

2 Dragon kings

2 Side movers

2 Lances

2 Dragon horses

1 Phoenix

2 Earth generals

2 Rooks

1 Kirin

2 Go betweens

2 Bishops

2 Donkeys

2 Blind bears

2 Side fliers

2 Knights

1 Chinese cock

1 Lion

1 Drunken elephant

1 Old monkey

1 Lion dog

2 Blind tigers

2 Angry boars

1 She-devil

2 Ferocious leopards

2 Cat swords

1 Wrestler

1 Reclining dragon

1 Coiled serpent

1 Guardian of the Gods

2 Gold generals

1 Dark spirit

1 Buddhist devil

2 Silver generals

1 Deva

2 Violent oxen

2 Copper generals

19 Pawns

2 Flying dragons

2 Tile generals

Many of the English-language names are chosen to correspond to their rough equivalents in Western chess, not
necessarily as translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two Japanese characters marked on its face. On the reverse side of some
pieces are one or two other characters, often in a different color (e.g., red instead of black); this reverse side is used
to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but
instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the
piece during play.
Table of pieces
Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to. Of the 50 kinds of
pieces, 21 promote to gold, 26 promote to new pieces (though some move like starting pieces, e.g. the free cat moves
like a bishop, the free iron & gopher like a reverse chariot); and 3 do not promote (free king, dragon king, and
dragon horse).

Maka dai dai pieces (arranged by setup position)

Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Promotes to

King

gyokush *Emperor

jizai tenn

Deva

daiba

*Teaching king

ky

Dark spirit

mumy

*Buddhist spirit

hsei

Gold general

kinsh

*Free gold

honkin

Silver general

ginsh

*Free silver

hongin

Copper general

dsh

*Free copper

hond

Iron general

tessh

*Free iron

hontetsu

Tile general

gash

*Free tile

honga

Stone general

sekish

*Free stone

honseki

Earth general

dosh

*Free earth

hondo

Lance

kysha

Gold

Maka dai dai shogi

509
Drunken elephant

suiz

*Prince

ji

Blind tiger

mko

*Free tiger

honko

Ferocious leopard

mhy

*Free leopard

honpy

Coiled serpent

banja

*Free serpent

honja

Reclining dragon

gary

*Free dragon

honry

Chinese cock

waikei

*Wizard stork

senkaku

Old monkey

koen

*Mountain witch

sambo

Cat sword

myjin

*Free cat

honmy

Reverse chariot

hensha

Gold

Lion

shishi

*Furious fiend

funshin

Kirin

kirin

*Great dragon

dairy

Phoenix

*Golden bird

kinshi

Evil wolf

akur

*Free wolf

honr

Blind bear

my

*Free bear

hony

Angry boar

shincho

*Free boar

honcho

Old rat

rso

*Bat

kmori

Lion dog

komainu

Gold

Wrestler

rikishi

Gold

Guardian of the Gods

kong

Gold

Buddhist devil

rasetsu

Gold

She-devil

yasha

Gold

Flying dragon

hiry

Gold

Violent ox

mgy

Gold

Knight

keima

Gold

Donkey

roba

Gold

Free king

hnn

Capricorn

makatsu

Gold

Hook mover

kgy

Gold

Dragon king

ry

Dragon horse

ryme

Bishop

kakugy

Gold

Vertical mover

shugy

Gold

Side flier

hi

Gold

Side mover

gy

Gold

Left chariot

sasha

Gold

Right chariot

usha

Gold

Rook

hisha

Gold

Pawn

fuhy

Gold

Maka dai dai shogi

510
Go between

chnin

*Free goer

honnin

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same
way the opposing player will see their pieces.
Board layout

Board layout

GB
p
R

LC SM SF VM

Dn

RV

AB
CS

St

p
B

BB

FD BD

CC
T

DH DK Ca FK HM DK DH

VO

OR

GB

W LD GG SD FD

EW Kr Ln
Co

Ph

EW
FL RD

DS

VO

Dn

N
AB

OR
CS

Legend
AB: Angry Boar

B: Bishop

BB: Blind Bear

BD: Buddhist Devil

BT: Blind Tiger

C: Copper General

Ca: Capricorn

CC: Chinese Cock

Co: Coiled Serpent

CS: Cat Sword

Dv: Deva

DE: Drunk Elephant

DH: Dragon Horse

DK: Dragon King

Dn: Donkey

DS: Dark Spirit

E: Earth General

EW: Evil Wolf

FD: Flying Dragon

FK: Free King

FL: Ferocious Leopard

G: Gold General

GB: Go-between

GG: Guardian of the Gods

HM: Hook Mover

I: Iron General

K: King

Kr: Kirin

L: Lance

LC: Left Chariot

LD: Lion Dog

Ln: Lion

N: Knight

OM: Old Monkey

OR: Old Rat

p: Pawn

Ph: Phoenix

R: Rook

RC: Right Chariot

RD: Reclining Dragon RV: Reverse Chariot

OM
C

VM SF SM RC

BB

FL BT DE BT
Dv

S: Silver General

St

RV
E

Maka dai dai shogi

511
SD: She-devil

SF: Side Flier

St: Stone General

SM: Side Mover

T: Tile General

VM: Vertical Mover

VO: Violent Ox

W: Wrestler

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally correct.) A move consists of moving a piece
on the board and potentially promoting the piece. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

Most pieces in the game move in a unique manner. The kings, drunken elephants, blind tigers, ferocious leopards,
reclining dragons, Chinese cocks, old monkeys, evil wolves, generals, angry boars, cat swords, coiled serpents, dark
spirits, Devas, go betweens and pawns only move one square at a time. If an opponent's piece occupies a square that
is a possible destination for the moving piece, the opponent's piece may be captured by placing the moving piece on
that square, and removing the opponent's piece from the board. If a friendly piece (that is, a piece controlled by the
same player) occupies the square, the moving piece may not move in that direction.
The lion dog, she-devil, wrestler, guardian of the Gods, Buddhist devil, violent ox, flying dragon and old rat can
move along a limited number of free squares in certain directions.
The lion, kirin, phoenix, donkey and knight jump, that is, they can move over any intervening piece, whether friend
or foe.
The free king, dragon king, dragon horse, chariots, rook, bishop, side flier, movers and lance can move any number
of squares 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 square, and removing it from the board. 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 hook mover and Capricorn can move any number of squares along a straight line, then any number of squares
along a perpendicular straight line limited by the edge of the board. If an opponent's piece intervenes, it may be
captured by moving to that square, and removing it from the board. 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. Although they have the ability to move in two directions in one move, they are not required to. These
pieces cannot move unless they make a capture.
The pawn, lance, stone general, iron general, and knight can only move forward. Therefore if one reaches the
furthest rank (or the furthest two ranks in the case of the knight), it is unable to move further, it must remain there
until captured.
Pieces move 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, ). The lion and knight are
exceptions.

Maka dai dai shogi

First rank
King
The king can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Deva [1]
The Deva can move one square orthogonally left.
It can move one square diagonally forward.
It can move one square diagonally backward to the right.
Dark spirit [2]
The dark spirit can move one square orthogonally right.
It can move one square diagonally forward.
It can move one square diagonally backward to the left.
Gold general
A gold general can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
One square diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.
It cannot move diagonally backward.
Silver general
A silver general can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
One square straight forward, giving it five possibilities.
Copper general
The copper general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or
It can move one square diagonally forward.
Iron general
The iron general can move one square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Tile general
The tile general can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
Stone general
The stone general can move one square diagonally forward.
Because it cannot move orthogonally or backward, a stone general can only reach less than half the squares on
the board.
Earth general and go-between
The earth general and go-between can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
These pieces and their promotions have the same range of movement, thus it is unnecessary to give them
separate names. The only differences are the names and placement on the starting setup.
Lance
A lance can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.

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Second rank
Drunken elephant
The drunken elephant can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally
backward.
Blind tiger
The blind tiger can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.
Ferocious leopard
The ferocious leopard can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Coiled serpent [3]
The coiled serpent can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally backward.
Reclining dragon [4]
The reclining dragon can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions or diagonally backward.
Chinese cock [5]
The Chinese cock can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward; or diagonally forward.
Old monkey [6]
The old monkey can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions or orthogonally backward.
Cat sword
The cat sword can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.
Reverse Chariot
The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Third rank
Lion
The lion can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal; one or two times in one turn. That is, it
can move in another direction after its first move.
It can capture on each move.
It can return to the square it started from after its first move, allowing the player to "skip" a turn.
It can capture one piece on any adjacent square without moving ("igi") during a turn.
It can jump over an adjacent square and onto the second square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
It can also jump at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal; amounting to one square
orthogonally forward, sideways or backward plus one square diagonally in that direction, in a single motion.
The restrictions for capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in maka dai dai shogi.
Kirin
A Kirin can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
It can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted Kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.
Phoenix
The phoenix can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
It can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Evil Wolf

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Maka dai dai shogi

The evil wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways or forward; or diagonally forward.
Blind bear [7]
The blind bear can move any number of free squares orthogonally backward; or
It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Angry boar
The angry boar can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Old rat [8]
The old rat may have moved one or two squares diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
Fourth rank
Lion dog
The lion dog has a triple-step move in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. However, unlike the lion, it is
constrained to one of these directions. It can jump, and need not take all three steps:
It can move one, two, or three squares in any one direction, potentially capturing pieces on each square.
It can snatch a piece from an adjacent square without moving (or, equivalently, move to an adjacent square
and return) (igui).
It can jump an adjacent square, and optionally continue to the third square in that direction, potentially
capturing twice.
It can jump two squares, landing on the third in that direction.
Wrestler [9]
The wrestler can move up to three squares in one of the four diagonal directions, or
It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Guardian of the Gods
The guardian of the Gods can move up to three squares in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
It can move one square diagonally forward.
Buddhist devil [10]
The Buddhist devil can move up to three squares diagonally forward; or
It can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.
She-devil [11]
The she-devil can move one or two squares in one of the four diagonal directions; or
It can move up to five squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Flying dragon
The flying dragon can move one or two squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a flying dragon can only reach half the squares on the board.
Violent ox
The violent ox can move one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Knight
A knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward
plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward destinations.
The knight ignores intervening pieces on the way to its destination, though its destination square must of
course be either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured),
just as with any other moving piece.
Donkey [12]

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Maka dai dai shogi

The donkey can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward or backward.
Fifth rank
Free king
The free king can move any number of free squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Capricorn (
The Capricorn can make the equivalent of two moves of a bishop: It can move any number of free squares in
one of the four diagonal directions, then any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
It is not required to make a perpendicular move.
It cannot move unless it makes a capture.
It may only capture once, and cannot continue after capturing.[13]
Hook mover (, )
The hook mover can make the equivalent of two moves of a rook: It can move any number of free squares in
one of the four orthogonal directions, then any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
It is not required to make a perpendicular move.
It cannot move unless it makes a capture.
It may only capture once, and cannot continue after capturing.[13]
Dragon king , ry
A dragon king can move any number of free squares in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Dragon horse , ryma, ryma, ryme
A dragon horse can move any number of free squares in one of the four diagonal directions; or
It can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Bishop
A bishop can move any number of free squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Vertical mover
The vertical mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward; or
It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Side flier [14]
The side flier can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or
It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Side mover
The side mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or
It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Left chariot

The left chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.
It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward to the left.
It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward to the right.
It can move one square orthogonally backward.

Right chariot
The right chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.

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Maka dai dai shogi

It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward to the right.
It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward to the left.
It can move one square orthogonally backward.
Rook
The rook can move any number of free squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Front ranks
Pawn
The pawn can move one square forward.
Go between
The go between is identical to the earth general: It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.

Promotion
Pieces that can promote only have the option to promote when they capture an unpromoted enemy piece. If a piece
captures a promoted piece, it must promote if able. Promotion is indicated by turning the piece over after it moves,
revealing the character for the promoted piece. There are no promotion zones; dots on the board that usually
represent promotion zones are present after the sixth rank only as a placement guide for initial setup.
Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. (See above for what each piece promotes to.)
Pieces which are already promoted cannot promote again, except as follows:
Any piece, promoted or not, that captures a Deva or Teaching king (a promoted Deva) promotes to a Teaching king.
This is effected by replacing it on the board with the captured piece. Similarly, any piece that captures a Dark spirit
or Buddhist spirit (a promoted Dark spirit) promotes to a Buddhist spirit.
Pieces on the 4th, 5th, and 6th ranks which promote, as well as the outside pieces of the 1st and 2nd ranks, promote
(or perhaps demote) to Gold. New powers that appear as a result of promotion of the other pieces are as follows:
Twelve of the pieces in the first and second ranks, as well as the go-between, become "free" when promoted,
meaning that they move in the same directions as in their unpromoted state, but are free to move an unlimited
number of squares in those directions. They are:

Free gold
Free silver
Free copper
Free iron
Free tile
Free stone
Free earth
Free tiger
Free leopard
Free serpent
Free (reclining) dragon ?[15]
Free cat
Free goer/gopher

Pieces with entirely new powers are:

Emperor [16]
The emperor can jump to any unprotected square on the board.
It can jump to a protected square if a prince is in play (not recommended).

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Maka dai dai shogi

It cannot capture a protected piece, (e.g., placing it in check with a capture, whether or not a prince is in play)
even if this move will win the game.
If a prince is not in play and both players have an emperor, then the emperor cannot move to a square that is
not protected by a friendly piece. That is, the emperor must be protected from the other emperor at all times.
Teaching king
The teaching king can move as either a lion dog or as a free king.[17] However, in Western descriptions, this
has been said to be a modern innovation,[18] with the traditional move said to simply be that of a free king.
It can move as a free king, free-ranging in any one direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
It has a triple-capture move in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Buddhist spirit
The Buddhist spirit can move as a lion or as a free king.[19]
It can move as a free king, free-ranging in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
It has a double-capture move in any combination of directions, orthogonal or diagonal.
Prince ,
The prince can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
If a king or emperor is in play, it may move into check (not recommended).
Wizard stork
The wizard stork can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally forward;
or
It can move one square orthogonally backward.
Mountain witch
The mountain witch can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally
backward; or
It can move one square orthogonally forward.[20]
Furious fiend
The furious fiend can move as a lion or as a lion dog.[21]
Great dragon
The great dragon can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways.
It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
It can move one, two or three squares in the four diagonal directions.
Golden bird
The golden bird can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.
It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
It can move one, two or three squares in the four diagonal directions.
Free wolf [22]
The move of the free wolf is uncertain.
Free bear [23]
The free bear can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways;
or
It can jump two squares diagonally forward.
Free boar [24]
The free boar can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.

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Maka dai dai shogi

Bat kmori (rarely Sino-Japanese hempuku)
The bat can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king, emperor or prince (sole one in play) could be captured
on the following move, the move is said to give check to the king, emperor or prince; the king, emperor or prince is
said to be in check. If a player's king, emperor or prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get the
king, emperor or prince out of check, the checking move is also a mate, and effectively wins the game. If a player
has both a king (or emperor) and prince in play, then the player need not move only one out of check.
A player is not allowed to give perpetual check to the sole objective piece.

Game end
A player who captures the opponent's king (or emperor, which is a promoted king) or prince (when the other is
already gone) wins the game. In practice this rarely happens; a player will resign when loss is inevitable and the king
(emperor) or prince will be taken on the opponent's next move (as in International Chess) because of the tradition
that it is seen as an embarrassment to lose.
A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)
Another possible (but fairly 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
maka dai dai shogi.
A typical example is P-8g. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added
in front of the letter. (e.g., +OM for a mountain witch (promoted old monkey). 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 square 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 squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses
Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a lion captures by 'igi, the square of the piece being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is
preceded by the symbol '!'. If a double or triple capture is made, then it is added after the first 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, CSx7c= indicates a cat sword capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

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Maka dai dai shogi

519

Hishigata shogi
Sean Humby created a variant of Maka daidai shogi called Hishigata shogi. (See the external link below.) It was
motivated by criticisms that maka dai-dai takes a very long time to finish, and that the more interesting pieces have
little opportunity for play. The only difference is in the setup, which places the opposing pieces close together and
leaves the armies' rear flanks exposed, though Humby recommends that the teaching king be played as the weaker
Western variant (as a free king).

Setup
In the hishigata setup, only one rank is left empty between the opposing armies. This is indicated with a darker
shading in the diagram below.

SM LC AB

Co

EW

EW

Kr

Ph

AB RC SM
S

BB DE BB
W

Ca

Dv FK DS

Legend
AB: Angry Boar

B: Bishop

BB: Blind Bear

Ca: Capricorn

Co: Coiled Serpent

Dv: Deva

DE: Drunk Elephant

DS: Dark Spirit

EW: Evil Wolf

FK: Free King

G: Gold General

I: Iron General

K: King

Kr: Kirin

LC: Left Chariot

N: Knight

Ph: Phoenix

R: Rook

RC: Right Chariot

S: Silver General

SM: Side Mover

W: Wrestler

Maka dai dai shogi

Notes on pieces with conflicting descriptions

These descriptions are taken from Japanese Wikipedia, which references the Edo-era publications Shgi
Zushiki (SZ), Sho Shgi Zushiki (SSZ), and Shgi Rokushu no Zushiki (SRZ). The
first two are generally though not always in agreement, but the third differs in the case of most pieces which are not
found in smaller shogi variants.
[1] This is the description of the deva found in the SSZ. However, the SZ has the backward diagonal to the left rather than to the right, while the
SRZ shows a step in all four orthogonals and the two left-hand diagonals.
[2] This is the description of the dark spirit in the SSZ. However, the SZ has the backward diagonal to the right rather than to the left, and the
SRZ has it step in all four orthogonals and the two right-hand diagonals.
[3] This is the description of the coiled serpent in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ omits the backward orthogonal. This may be a copying
error, as the free serpent moves directly backward in all three sources.
[4] This is the description of the reclining dragon found in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ describes it as moving like a silver general.
[5] This is the description of the Chinese cock found in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ describes it moving in any diagonal or directly
backwards, but not to the sides.
[6] This is the description of the old monkey in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ has the reverse, describing it as moving like a silver general.
[7] This is the description of the blind bear in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ has a move of one square in all directions.
[8] The movement of the old rat is not described in SZ or SSZ. The movement given here is its power in dai dai shogi.
[9] This is the description in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ says the wrestler may move up to three squares diagonally or one square
orthogonally, without restricting the latter to the sides.
[10] Japanese Wikipedia shows only forward diagonal moves for the Buddhist devil, but the wording is simply that the it may move diagonally
up to three squares.
[11] This is the description of the she-devil in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ does not mention the orthogonal move, only the
one-to-two-step diagonal move.
[12] This is the description of the donkey in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ says ,
suggesting that it cannot jump a violent ox.
[13] Although these rules are found in Western descriptions, the Edo-era rules appear to say only that the capricorn and hook mover move two
times as a bishop or rook, implying that they may capture twice. There also appears to be no mention of needing to capture in order to move.
[14] This is the description of the side flier found in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ describes the diagonal step only in the forward
directions.
[15] In the SZ and SSZ, the free dragon is described as ranging forward and stepping backward, in both cases either orthogonally or diagonally.
In the SRZ it is described as ranging orthogonally forward or to the sides, and stepping backward orthogonally or diagonally, which retains the
directions of the unpromoted piece in the SZ and SSZ, but not in its own description. Japanese Wikipedia notes this but illustrates it as moving
simply as the free version of a reclining dragon.
[16] A parenthetical note on Japanese Wikipedia states that there are also records describing the power of the Emperor as that of a lion plus free
king, like the Buddhist spirit.
[17] In the SZ and SSZ, the power of the teaching king is described as "the combined movement of a lion-dog and
a free king".
[18] Or various variations of this, such as the power of a lion and a vice general from tenjiku shogi.
[19] In the SZ and SSZ, the power of the Buddhist spirit is described as "the combined movement of a lion and a
free king".
[20] This is the description in the SZ and SSZ. However, the SRZ describes the mountain witch as moving like a bishop.
[21] per the SZ and SSZ. The only advantage this confers is moving to a third square in any one
direction.
[22] The SZ says it can move any number of squares in any direction but orthogonally sideways, where it is restricted to move (not jump) up to
five squares; the SSZ says that it can move up to five squares orthogonally sideways and makes no mention of any other direction; and the
SRZ says that it can move any number of squares in the five directions of diagonally forward or orthogonally sideways or backwards.
Japanese Wikipedia notes this but illustrates it as simply the free version of the unpromoted piece, which matches none of these.
[23] The SZ and SSZ have the jumping move, but this is not mentioned in the SRZ. It is not clear if the free bear can clear two pieces, if it can
only clear one but then continue on as a ranging piece, or if it has a range-jumping move, clearing any number of pieces, as in tenjiku shogi.
[24] This is the description of the free boar in the SZ and SSZ. However, in the SRZ it instead has ranging moves in the forward directions,
orthogonal and diagonal.

520

Maka dai dai shogi

521

External links

Shogi Net (http://www.shogi.net/shogi.html)

history.chess/Maka dai dai shogi (http://history.chess.free.fr/makadaidaishogi.htm)
YouTube Maka Dai Dai Shogi Video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=_qXnjQmAD7c)
Hishigata shogi (http://www.chessvariants.org/shogivariants.dir/hishigata.html)

Ko shogi
K shgi ( or 'wide (elephant) 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 Ogy 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 the governor if present, or either the
banner or middle army if not.

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 Middle troop

4 Crossbows

1 Clerk

1 Drum

4 Cannons

1 Staff officer

1 Banner

8 Cavalrymen

2 Aids de camp

2 Sentries

2 Cavalry

2 Sumo wrestlers

2 Millenaries

7 Pawns

2 Aides

2 Quartermasters

2 Patrol units

2 Staff

2 Centuriae

7 Shields

2 Chiefs of staff

2 Rear guards

2 Shield units

2 Engineers

1 Gatling gun

8 Chariots

1 Taoist Priest

6 Elephants

2 Chariot units

1 Spiritual monk

4 Long bows

1 Vanguard

2 Advance guards

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.

Ko shogi

522

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

rmaji

Promotes to

Kanji

Rmaji

General

sh

Clerk

kishitsu

*Master at arms

gunshi

Staff officer

samb

*Banner and drums

kiko

Aid de camp

shimpei

Quartermaster

Sumo wrestler

rikishi

Aide

toneri

*Town brigade

senko

Staff

shayo

*Village brigade

hyakko

Chief of staff

gunri

*Vice commander

fukushi

Engineer

gunsh

*Poison flame

dokka

Taoist Priest

takamichi ? *Twelve-mile fog

gorimu

Spiritual monk

shinz

*Immaculate light ?

seit

Advance guard

zenei

*Heavens vengeance

temm

Middle troop

chgun

*Governor

sochi

Drum

tsuzumi

*Thunderclap

hekireki

Banner

hata

*Roaming assault

shy

Sentry

gohei

Centuria

Millenary

sens

*Dragon ascending

ryj

Quartermaster

was

*Tiger wing

koyoku

Centuria

hyakus

*War hawk

yy

Rear guard

kei

*Earths vengeance ?

chim

Gatling gun ?

butsurki

*Chariot of the Gods ?

shinkisha

Elephant

Long bow

yumi

*Longbow cavalryman

kkyki

Crossbow

ishiyumi

*Crossbow cavalryman

doki

Cannon

*Gun carriage

hsha

Cavalryman

bahei

Cavalry

Cavalry

kis

*Winged horse

temba

Pawn

fuhy

Patrol unit

Patrol unit

fus

*Commissar ?

toshi

Shield

hai

Shield unit

Shield unit

hais

*Imperial base ?

tenrui

Chariot

kuruma

Chariot unit

Chariot unit

shas

Millenary

Vanguard

semp

*Commissar ?

toshi

Ko shogi

523

Setup
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 pieces.

Board layout
+

VA

CU SU CH SP CH SP

CH SP CH SU CH SP CH

SP CH SP CH SU CU

PU

PU

CA

HS

HS

HS

HS

HS

HS

HS

HS

CA

SB LB

SB LB

FW

LB SB

LB SB

FH

DU

SN

MA

SN

DU

FH

SC

PL

FD SM EN CS GH SR WR

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 - Gatling Gun

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

Ko shogi
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, aid de camp, aide, staff, chief of staff, engineer,
middle troop, drum, banner, sentry, gatling gun, 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, gatling gun, long bow, crossbow, and cannon.

524

Ko shogi

525

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 truly 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 gatling gun 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, yellow for jumps, and orange for ranging 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 limited 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.

Ko shogi

526

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.
General sh, Middle Troop chgun

Step: The general and middle troop can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Clerk kishitsu

Step: The clerk can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second intersection orthogonally.
This is the move of the kirin in other shogi variants.
Staff officer samb

Step: The staff officer can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second intersection diagonally.
This is the move of the phoenix in other shogi variants.
Aid de camp shimpei

Ko shogi

527

Step: The aid de camp can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except directly
backward.
This is equivalent to the drunk elephant in other shogi variants. However, it does not promote to a prince.
Sumo wrestler rikishi

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, so 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 igui "stationary feeding".
A similar move without capturing leaves the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn.
The sumo wrestler cannot jump over an intervening friendly piece as a "lion" can in other shogi variants.
Aide toneri

Step: The aide can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions; or,

One intersection diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.

This is the move of the gold general in other shogi variants.
Staff shayo

Ko shogi

528

Step: The staff can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions; or,

One intersection straight forward, giving it five possibilities.

This is the move of the silver general in other shogi variants.
Chief of staff gunri

Step: The chief of staff can move one intersection in the four diagonal directions; or,

It can move one intersection orthogonally forward or backward.

This is the move of the leopard in other shogi variants.
Engineer gunsh

Step: The engineer can step one intersection directly forward or backward, or one intersection diagonally forward,
giving it four possibilities.
This is the move of the copper general in other shogi variants.
Taoist priest takamichi ? and Spiritual monk shinz

then

Ko shogi

529

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.
These two pieces move and promote the same, but only the loss of the priest prevents or reverts promotion of
the banner and drum.
Advance guard zenei

Range: The advance guard can move any number of free intersections directly forward.
Step: It can step one intersection directly backwards.
This piece promotes if its clerk promotes.
Middle troop chgun

Step: The middle troop can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Drum tsuzumi

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.
If the drum is killed, the pawns may no longer move forward.
Banner hata

Ko shogi

530

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.
Sentry gohei

Step: The sentry can step one intersection in any direction except orthogonally forward.
This is the move of the blind tiger in other shogi variants.
Millenary sens

Range: The millenary can move any number of free intersections along any one of the eight orthogonal or
diagonal directions.
This is the move of the free king in other shogi variants.
Quartermaster was

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.
This is the move of the dragon king in other shogi variants.
Centuria hyakus

Ko shogi

531

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.
This is the move of the dragon horse in other shogi variants.
Rear guard kei

Range: The rear guard can move any number of free intersections directly backward; or,
Step: It can step one intersection directly forwards.
This piece promotes if its clerk promotes.
Gatling gun butsurki

then
!!

!!
!!

!!

!!
!!

!!

!!
!!

!!
!!

!!

!! !! !! !! !! !! !!
!!
!!

!!

!!
!!

!!

!!

!!
!!

!!

!!

!!
!!
!!
!!

!!
!!
!! !! !! !! !! !! !!
!!
!!
!!
!!

Ko shogi

532
!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!!
!!

!!

!!

Step: The gatling gun 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 or an imperial base . It can only shoot at a twelve-mile fog that
is at least six intersections away.
Elephant z

Range: The elephant can move any number of free intersections along any of the four diagonal directions.
This is the move of the bishop in other shogi variants.
Long bow yumi

then
!

!
!

!
!

! ! !
!
!
!

!
!
!

!
!
! ! !
!
!
!

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.

Ko shogi

533
It cannot shoot an imperial base , shield , shield unit , chariot , chariot unit , gun carriage
, or twelve-mile fog .
Crossbow yumi

then
!

!
!

!
!

!
!

!
!

! ! ! ! !
!
!

!
!
! ! ! ! !
!

The crossbow is identical to the long bow, except that it can shoot up to five free intersections away.
Cannon h

then
*

*
*

*
*

* * * * *
*
*

*
*

*
*

*
*
*
*
*

*
*
* * * * *
*
*
*
*
*

Ko shogi

534

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.

It cannot shoot an imperial base , shield unit , or twelve-mile fog .

Cavalryman bahei

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.
This is the move of the knight in Western chess.
The cavalryman promotes if it captures a gatling gun.
Cavalry kis

!
!

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.
Pawn fuhy

Ko shogi

535

Step: The pawn can step one intersection in one of the four orthogonal directions.
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.
Patrol unit fus

Range: The patrol unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward; or,
Step: It can step one intersection orthogonally sideways.
This is the move of the vertical mover in other shogi variants.
Shield hai

Step: The shield can step one intersection in one of the four diagonal directions.
The shield is unaffected by the bows (,).
This is the move of the cat sword in dai shogi.
Shield unit hais

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.
The shield unit is unaffected by the bows (,) or the guns (,).
Chariot kuruma

Ko shogi

536

Limited range: The chariot can move one to five free intersections in one of the four orthogonal directions.
It cannot capture the imperial base .
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (,).
Chariot unit shas

Range: The chariot unit can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions.
This is the move of the rook in other shogi variants.
It cannot capture the imperial base .
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (,).
Vanguard semp

Limited range: The vanguard can move one to five free intersections directly forward.
The General and Middle Troop do not promote. Master at arms gunshi

Ko shogi

537

!
!

!
!

!
!

Double move: Upon promotion, the clerk gains the power to move twice per turn.
This is like a double kirin move in chu shogi and other shogi variants.
Banner and drums kiko

Double move: Upon promotion, the staff officer gains the power to move twice per turn.
This is like a double phoenix move in other shogi variants.
Quartermaster was

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.
This is the move of the dragon king in other shogi variants.
The Sumo wrestler does not promote Town brigade senko

Ko shogi

538

Range: The town brigade can move any number of free intersections directly forward or backward.
Step: It can step one intersection in any direction.
This is the move of the flying stag in chu shogi.
Village brigade hyakko

Range: The village brigade can move any number of free intersections directly to either side.
Step: It can step one intersection in any direction.
Vice commander fukushi

Range: The vice commander can move any number of free intersections along one of the four diagonal directions,
or directly forward.
This is the move of the free silver in other shogi variants.
Poison flame dokka

Ko shogi

539

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.
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.
Twelve-mile fog gorimu and Immaculate light seit

after each jump

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.

If a twelve-mile fog and immaculate light ever find themselves within 5 intersections of each other, the fog
immediately reverts to a highway.
The fog cannot be shot from within a distance of five intersections. It can only be shot (by the gatling gun
) from a distance of six intersections or more.
Heavens vengeance (or 'Skyward net') temm

Range: The heavens 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.
Governor sochi

Ko shogi

540

Step: The governor can step one intersection in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
The governor functions as a second general.
Thunderclap hekireki

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.

If the allied priest is killed, the thunderclap reverts to a drum.
Roaming assault shy

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.

If the allied priest is killed, the roaming assault reverts to a banner.

Ko shogi

541
Centuria hyakus

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.
This is the move of the dragon horse in other shogi variants.
Dragon ascending ryj

or

The dragon arising adds the moves of the sumo wrestler 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.
Tiger wing koyoku

Ko shogi

542

Double move: The tiger wing moves like a shield (one step diagonally) once or twice per turn.
War hawk yy

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.
Earths vengeance (or 'Earthward net') chim

Range: The earths 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.
Chariot of the gods shinkisha

Ko shogi

543

then
!!

!!
!!

!!
!!

!!

!! !! !! !! !! !! !!
!!
!!

!!

!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!

!!
!!
!! !! !! !! !! !! !!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!

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.
The Elephant does not promote Longbow cavalryman kkyki

Ko shogi

544

*
*

then
!

!
!

!
!

! ! !
!
!

!
!
! ! !
!

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.
Crossbow cavalryman kkyki
*

*
*

then
!

!
!

!
!

! ! ! ! !
!
!

!
!

!
!

!
!
!
!
!

!
!
! ! ! ! !
!
!
!
!
!

Ko shogi

545
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.
Gun carriage hsha

then
*

*
*

*
*

* * * * *
*
*

*
*
*

*
*
* * * * *
*
*
*

*
*

*
*

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.
Cavalry kis

Ko shogi

546

!
!

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.
Winged horse temba

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.
Patrol unit fus

Range: The patrol unit can move any number of free intersections orthogonally forward or backward; or,

Step: It can step one intersection orthogonally sideways.

This is the move of the vertical mover in other shogi variants.

Ko shogi

547
Commissar toshi

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.

This is the move of the flying ox in chu shogi.
Shield unit hais

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.
The shield unit is unaffected by the bows (,) or the guns (,).
Imperial base tenrui

Range: The imperial base can move any number of free intersections in the four diagonal directions, or directly to
either side.
This is the move of the free boar in chu shogi.
The imperial base cannot be shot by the long bow , crossbow , cannon , gun carriage , gatling gun
, or chariot of the gods , nor can it be killed by the chariot or chariot unit .
Chariot unit shas

Ko shogi

548

Range: The chariot unit can move any number of free intersections along any of the four orthogonal directions.
This is the move of the rook in other chess variants.
It cannot capture the imperial base .
The chariot unit is unaffected by the bows (,).
Millenary sens

Range: The millenary can move any number of free intersections along any one of the eight orthogonal or
diagonal directions.
This is the move of the free king in other shogi variants..
Commissar toshi

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.

This is the move of the flying ox in chu shogi.

Ko 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:
A piece that captures a commanding piece (the general , governor , middle troop , or banner )
promotes on the spot.
A step mover (that is, a piece which can only move one step at a time) which captures a sumo wrestler ,
dragon ascending , roaming assault , or thunderclap , promotes on the spot.
The cavalryman promotes if it captures a gatling gun .
When the clerk promotes to master at arms , the allied advance and rear guards , promote as
well, while any enemy poison flame dies. However, while the clerk promotes as usual upon capturing a
commanding piece, it cannot promote by entering or moving within the promotion zone unless the advance and
rear guards have already entered the zone.
There are other circumstances that may prevent or revert promotion:
If the Taoist priest is captured, the drum and banner can no longer promote, and if either or both
have already promoted (to roaming assault or thunderclap ), then they immediately revert to drum or
banner.
Whenever the immaculate light is within 5 intersections of the twelve-mile fog along one of the
eight prime directions, the fog reverts back to a Taoist priest .
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 and either the middle troop or the banner wins the game.
However, if the opponent's middle army has promoted to governor , 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

549

Ko shogi
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
k 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 25s 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 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.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
History.chess/Ko shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ koshogi. htm

550

Tai shogi

551

Tai shogi
Tai shogi ( tai shgi or muj tai shgi "grand chess", renamed from muj dai
shgi "supreme chess" to avoid confusion with dai shgi) is a large-board variant of shogi (Japanese chess).
The game dates to the 15th century and is based on earlier largeboard shogi games. Before the discovery of taikyoku
shogi in 1997, tai shogi was believed to be the largest playable chess variant, if not board game, ever. One game may
be played over several long sessions and require each player to make over a thousand moves. It was never a popular
game; indeed, a single production of half a dozen game sets in the early 17th century was a notable event.
Like other large-board variants, but unlike standard shogi, the game is played without drops, and uses a
promotion-by-capture rule.

Rules of the game

Tai shogi is very similar to other large-board shogi variants: dai dai shogi, maka dai dai shogi, and tenjiku shogi.
Where the same pieces are found, they move the same way. The only difference is in how these pieces promote,
which is distinct for each shogi variant. The one variant which is an exception to this generalization is the largest,
taikyoku shogi, where the moves differ as well.

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's emperor and crown prince (or princes). When the last of these
is captured, the game ends. There are no rules for check or checkmate; however, in practice a player resigns when
checkmated.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 25 ranks (rows)
and 25 files (columns), for a total of 625 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 177 wedge-shaped pieces of 93 types. In all, the players must remember 99 moves for these
pieces. The pieces are of slightly different sizes. From largest to smallest (or roughly most to least powerful) they
are:

1 Emperor

2 Side dragons

2 Blind bears

1 Crown prince

2 Doves

1 Drunken elephant

1 Hook mover

1 She-devil

1 Neighbor king

2 Long-nosed goblins

1 Golden bird

2 Blind tigers

1 Capricorn

1 Great dragon

2 Blind monkeys

2 Peacocks

2 White elephants

2 Ferocious leopards

2 Soaring eagles

1 Lion dog

2 Reclining dragons

2 Horned falcons

1 Wrestler

2 Chinese cocks

2 Free kings

1 Guardian of the Gods

2 Old monkeys

1 Rushing bird

1 Buddhist devil

2 Evil Wolves

2 Free demons

2 Golden deer

2 Angry boars

2 Free dream-eaters

2 Silver hares

2 Cat swords

2 Water buffalos

2 Fierce eagles

2 Coiled serpents

2 Flying oxen

1 Old kite

1 Deva

2 Soldiers

2 Violent oxen

1 Dark spirit

2 Dragon kings

2 Flying dragons

1 Right general

2 Dragon horses

2 Old rats

1 Left general

1 Lion

2 Enchanted badgers

2 Gold generals

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552

2 Side chariots

2 Flying horses

2 Silver generals

2 Rooks

2 Prancing stags

2 Copper generals

2 Bishops

2 Violent bears

2 Tile generals

2 White horses

2 Side movers

2 Iron generals

2 Whales

2 Vertical movers

2 Wood generals

2 Standard bearers

2 Reverse chariots

2 Stone generals

1 Vermillion sparrow

1 Phoenix

2 Earth generals

1 Turtle-snake

1 Kirin

2 Go betweens

1 Blue dragon

2 Poison snakes

2 Knights

1 White tiger

1 Northern barbarian

2 Howling dogs

1 Right chariot

1 Southern barbarian

2 Donkeys

1 Left chariot

1 Eastern barbarian

2 Rams-head soldiers

1 Western barbarian

2 Lances

25 Pawns

Several of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are one or
two other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is turned up to
indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead
each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece
during play.
Table of pieces
Listed here are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to.
Piece (*promoted piece only)

Kanji

Rmaji

Promotes to ("G" = gold general)

Emperor

() (jizai) tenn

Crown prince

taishi

Hook mover

kgy

Long-nosed goblin

tengu

Capricorn

*)

makatsu

Peacock

kujaku

Soaring eagle

hij

Horned falcon

kaku

Free king

honn

Rushing bird

gych

free demon [or G?]

Free demon (oni)

honki

Free dream-eater (baku)

honbaku

Water buffalo

suigy

free dream-eater

Flying ox

higy

Soldier

heishi

Dragon king

ry

Dragon horse

ryme

Lion

shishi

furious fiend

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*Furious fiend

funjin

Side chariot

ssha

Rook

hisha

Bishop

kakugy

White horse

hokku

Whale

keigei

Standard bearer

zenki

Vermillion sparrow

suzaku

Turtle-snake

genbu

Blue dragon

seiry

White tiger

byakko

Right chariot

usha

Left chariot

sasha

Side dragon

ry

Dove

kyhan

She-devil

yasha

Golden bird

kinshi

Great dragon

dairy

White elephant

hakuz

Lion dog

komainu

G [or great elephant?]

*Great elephant

taiz

[not used?]

Wrestler

rikishi

Guardian of the Gods

kong

Buddhist devil

rasetsu

Golden deer

konroku

Silver hare

ginto

Fierce eagle

mj

Old kite

kotetsu

long-nosed goblin

Violent ox

mgy

Flying dragon

hiry

Old rat

rso

bat

*Bat

kmori

Enchanted badger

henri

dove

Flying horse

barin

free king

Prancing stag

yroku

square mover

*Square mover

hgy

Violent bear

my

Side mover

gy

Vertical mover

shugy

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Reverse chariot

hensha

Phoenix

golden bird

Kirin

kirin

great dragon

Poisonous snake

dokuja

hook mover

Northern barbarian

hokuteki

fragrant elephant [or G?]**

*Fragrant elephant

kz

[not used?]**

Southern barbarian

nanban

white elephant [or G?]**

Eastern barbarian

ti

lion

Western barbarian

seij

lion dog

Blind bear

my

hony Free bear

Drunken elephant

suiz

crown prince

Neighboring king

kinn

standard bearer

Blind tiger

mko

honko Free tiger

Blind monkey

men

Ferocious leopard

mhy

honpy Free leopard

Reclining dragon

gary

honry Free dragon

Chinese cock

waikei

wizard stork

*Wizard stork

senkaku

Old monkey

koen

mountain witch

*Mountain witch

sambo

Evil wolf

akur

honr Free wolf

Angry boar

shincho

honcho Free boar

Cat sword

myjin

honmy Free cat

Coiled serpent

banja

honja Free snake

Deva

daiba

teaching king

*Teaching king

ky

Dark spirit

mumy

Buddhist spirit

*Buddhist spirit

hsei

Right general

ush

Left general

sash

Gold general

kinsh

honkin Free gold

Silver general

ginsh

hongin Free silver

Copper general

dsh

hond Free copper

Tile general

gash

honga Free tile

Iron general

tessh

hontetsu Free iron

Wood general

mokush

Stone general

sekish

honseki Free stone

Earth general

dosh

hondo Free earth

Go-between

chnin

honnin Free go-between

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555
Knight

keima

Howling dog

*)

kiken

Donkey

roba

Rams-head soldier

yhei

Lance

kysha

Pawn

fuhy

"Free" pieces move like their unpromoted namesakes, except that their range is unlimited. For example, a
"free king" moves like a queen, a "free cat" like a bishop. (The free bear and free boar are exceptions.)
* The first kanji in 'howling' dog, [1], is not supported by many fonts, and so is created here with the help of
an ad hoc superscript . Likewise, the second character in 'Capricorn' should be composed of + ([2]),
and the second character in 'wizard stork' should be atop (?).
** The fragrant and white elephants are the promotions in dai dai shogi and, in Steve Evans' Shogi Variants
software, for tai shogi as well. (See link below.) The Japanese Wikipedia articles are confused. One states that
both the northern and southern barbarians demote to gold. A second states that the northern demotes to gold
and the southern promotes to white elephant. The fragrant elephant article states that this piece occurs in tai
shogi, but provides no piece to promote into it.

In Evans' software, this promotes to a great elephant. However, while Japanese Wikipedia states that this
promotion occurs in other large-board shogi variants, it says that it demote to gold in tai shogi.

There is some confusion in the Japanese Wikipedia articles over which monkey promotes to mountain witch
and which promotes to gold. One article, and the internal pattern of promotions, suggests the choice we have
here. The individual game-piece articles claim both promote to mountain witch, but this would be unusual, as
no other two pieces share a promotion other than the ubiquitous gold. Evans' software has the opposite
promotions to those shown here.

The rushing bird is also called the gyme 'rushing horse' in Japanese, especially in older
sources. This may be a scribal error. The Japanese Wikipedia articles do not agree on its promotion.

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same
way the opposing player will see their pieces.
Board layout
GB
P

GB

HD

FH

EN

LC

BD

WO EA SG

SO

WB

FL

WS EB CC

HF

OM OK

SC

WH

RS

VO CS BB

SV

GL

BM BT BU WR NK GG

RV

SI

SE

PS

FT

FE

WE FR

LG

CP

TS

FD LO

DH

DK

DV

DO FO SM VM
T

VB

SB

PR AB EW LD EW AB PR

OR CO RD
PC GD

FK

SB

VB

CA

DE HM RD CO OR

KR

LN

EN

FH

HD

SG EA WO

VS

RC

VM SM FO DO

RB

OM

HF

CC SU NB

FL

WB

SO

SD

BT BM

GL

SV

BB CS VO

RS

WH

SC

RG

FR WE

FE

FT

PS

SE

SI

RV

DS

FK

DH

LO FD

WT

PH

GO PC

DK

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Legend
AB - Angry Boar

B - Bishop

BB - Blind Bear

BD - Blue Dragon

BU - Buddhist Devil

BM - Blind Monkey

BT - Blind Tiger

C - Copp. General

CA - Capricorn

CC - Chinese Cock

CO - Coiled Serpent

CP - Crown Prince

CS - Cat Sword

D - Dove

DE - Drunken Elephant

DH - Dragon Horse

DK - Dragon King

DO - Donkey

DS - Dark Spirit

DV - Deva

E - Emperor

EA - Earth General

EB - Eastern Barbarian

EN - Enchanted Badger

EW - Evil Wolf

FD - Flying Dragon

FE - Fierce Eagle

FH - Flying Horse

FK - Free King

FL - Fer. Leopard

FO - Flying Ox

FR - Free Demon

FT - Free Dream-Eater

G - Gold General

GB - Go Between

GD - Great Dragon

GG - Guardian of the Gods

GL - Golden Deer

GO - Golden Bird

HD - Howling Dog

HF - Horned Falcon

HM - Hook Mover

I - Iron General

KR - Kirin

L - Lance

LC - Left Chariot

LD - Lion Dog

LG - Left General

LN - Lion

LO - Long-nosed Goblin

N - Knight

NB - Northern Barbarian

NK - Neighbor King

OK - Old Kite

OM - Old Monkey

OR - Old Rat

P - Pawn

PC - Peacock

PH - Phoenix

PR - Prancing Stag

PS - Poison Snake

R - Rook

RB - Rushing Bird

RC - Right Chariot

RD - Reclining Dragon

RG - Right General

RS - Rams-head Soldier

RV - Reverse Chariot

S - Silver General

SB - Standard Bearer

SC - Side Chariot

SD - She-devil

SE - Soaring Eagle

SG - Stone General

SI - Side Dragon

SM - Side Mover

SO - Soldier

SU - Southern Barbarian

SV - Silver Hare

T - Tile General

TS - Turtle-snake

VB - Violent Bear

VM - Vert. Mover

VO - Violent Ox

VS - Vermillion Sparrow

W - Whale

WB - Water Buffalo

WE - White Elephant

WH - White Horse

WO - Wood General

WR - Wrestler

WS - Western Barbarian

WT - White Tiger

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.
Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

When the same piece occurs in tai shogi and maka dai dai shogi, it moves and promotes the same way in both. The
only exception is the (crown) prince, and the only difference there is its name.
An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece,
the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly
piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, in the direction of one of the arms of a plus sign, +), or diagonally (in the direction of one of

Tai shogi
the arms of a multiplication sign, ). The emperor, lion, and knight are exceptions at the beginning of the game, in
that they do not move, or are not required to move, in a straight line. (The Buddhist spirit and furious fiend are
similar, but they only appear as pieces promote.)
If a piece that cannot retreat or move aside advances across the board until it can no longer move, it must remain
there until captured. This applies to the pawn, lance, rams-head soldier, stone general, wood general, and iron
general upon reaching the farthest rank, and to the knight upon reaching either of the two farthest ranks.
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the crown prince, drunk elephant, neighbor king, blind tiger, blind monkey, ferocious leopard,
reclining dragon, Chinese cock, old monkey, evil wolf, the generals (except the wood general), angry boar, cat
sword, coiled serpent, deva, dark spirit, go between, and the 25 pawns on each side.
Limited ranging pieces
Some pieces can move along a limited number (2, 3, or 5) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain
directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).
These pieces are the water buffalo, standard bearer, vermillion sparrow, turtle-snake, blue dragon, white tiger, dove,
she-devil, golden bird, great dragon, white elephant, lion dog, wrestler, Guardian of the Gods, Buddhist devil, golden
deer, silver hare, fierce eagle, old kite, violent ox, flying dragon, old rat, enchanted badger, flying horse, prancing
stag, violent bear, the barbarians, and the wood general.
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either. These are the lion, kirin, phoenix, poison snake, donkey, and knight.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If
an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A
ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the soaring eagle, horned falcon, free king, rushing bird, the demons, free dream-eater, water
buffalo, flying ox, soldier, dragon king, dragon horse, the chariots, rook, bishop, white horse, whale, standard bearer,
vermillion sparrow, turtle-snake, blue dragon, white tiger, side dragon, golden bird, great dragon, white elephant,
golden dear, movers, howling dog, rams-head solder and lance.

557

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558

Hook moves (changing tack)

The hook mover, long-nosed goblin, Capricorn, and peacock can move any number of squares along a straight line,
as a normal ranging piece, but may also abruptly change tack left or right by 90 at any one place along the route,
and then continue as a ranging piece. Turning a corner like this is optional.
The range covered by a hook move is the equivalent of two moves by a rook, or two moves by a bishop, depending
the piece. However, a hook move is functionally a single move: The piece cannot capture twice in one move, nor
may it capture and then move on. It must stop before an intervening piece (unless it first changes direction to avoid
it), and must stop when it captures, just like any other ranging piece. It can only change direction once per move.
Lion moves (multiple captures)
The lion, lion dog, soaring eagle, and horned falcon have sequential multiple-capture abilities, called "lion moves".
Among the pieces that only appear with promotion, so do the teaching king, buddhist spirit, and furious fiend. The
details of these powerful moves are described for the lion, below.
Individual pieces
When a piece occurs in both tai shogi and maka dai dai shogi, it moves and promotes the same way.
Emperor () (jizai) tenn
Ranging jump: The emperor can jump to any empty square anywhere on the board.
However, it can capture a piece only if that piece is unprotected (this rule prevents the game from starting with
checkmate).
Note that since the opposing emperor protects all other opposing pieces on the board, an emperor can only
capture after the opposing emperor has been removed from playunless the opposing emperor moves to an
unprotected square, putting itself in check.
Crown prince taishi
Step: The crown prince can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
It may move into or remain in check (not recommended).
Hook mover kgy
Hook move: The hook mover can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions,
then (optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular orthogonal direction.
Long-nosed goblin tengu
Hook move: The tengu can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, then
(optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular diagonal direction; or,
Step: It can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Capricorn makatsu
Hook move: The Capricorn can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, then
(optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares along a perpendicular diagonal direction.
This means the Capricorn can only reach half the squares on the board.
Peacock kujaku
Hook move: The peacock can move any number of free squares along one of the two forward diagonals, then
(optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular diagonal direction; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares in one of the two rearward diagonals.
Soaring eagle hij

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559

Range: The soaring eagle can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction except the
forward diagonals; or,
Lion move: It can move or jump one or two squares along either forward diagonal, potentially capturing two
pieces. This power includes igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not moving off the diagonal.
Horned falcon kaku
Range: The horned falcon can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction except directly
forwards; or,
Lion move: It can move or jump one or two squares along a line directly forward, potentially capturing two
pieces. This power includes igui and skipping a turn (see "Lion"), but not moving off the orthogonal.
Free king honn
Range: The free king can move any number of free squares along any one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal
directions.
Rushing bird gych
Range: The rushing bird can move any number of free squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except
directly backwards.
Free demon honki
Range: The free demon can move any number of free squares in the two forward diagonal directions; or,
It can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Limited range: It can move one to five squares directly forward or backward.
Note: English language sources show ranging moves along all four diagonals, but Japanese Wikipedia only
describes the piece this way for taikyoku shogi.
Free dream-eater honbaku
Range: The free dream-eater can move any number of free squares in the two forward diagonal directions; or,
It can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or,
Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
Note: English language sources show ranging moves along all four diagonals, but Japanese Wikipedia only
describes the piece this way for taikyoku shogi.
Water buffalo suigy
Range: The water buffalo can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions; or,
It can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward.
Flying Ox higy
Range: The flying ox can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions; or,
It can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Soldier heishi
Range: The soldier can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonals; or,
It can move any number of free squares along a rear diagonal.
Dragon king ry
Range: The dragon king can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions; or,
Step: It can move one square in any diagonal direction.
Dragon horse ryme
Range: The dragon horse can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions; or,

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Step: It can move one square in any orthogonal direction.

Side chariot ssha
Range: The side chariot can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
Step: It can move one square diagonally behind.
Rook hisha
Range: The rook can move any number of free squares along any of the four orthogonal directions.
Bishop kakugy
Range: The bishop can move any number of free squares along any of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, an unpromoted bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Lion shishi
Area move/double capture: The lion can step one square in any direction up to twice in a turn. It can change
directions after its first step, and is not restricted to following one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions.
That is, it can also step to one of the in-between squares that a knight jumps to in Western chess.
Unlike the hook movers, it can continue after a capture on the first step, potentially capturing two pieces on
each turn.
By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving.
This is called igui "stationary feeding".
A similar move without capturing leaves the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn. This can be done
even when there are no empty adjacent squares.
Or,
Jump: The lion can jump anywhere within two squares. This is equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal
or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a knight in Western chess.
Note: The restrictions when capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in tai shogi.
White horse hokku
Range: The white horse can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or,
It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward.
Whale keigei
Range: The whale can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or;
It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward.
Standard bearer zenki
Range: The standard bearer can move any number of free squares along any of the forward directions (diagonal or
orthogonal); or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares along any of the other directions (orthogonally sideways,
diagonally backwards, or directly backwards).
Vermillion sparrow suzaku
There are two completely different claims for the movement of the sparrow.
Japanese Wikipedia:
Range: The vermillion sparrow can move any number of free squares along the forward right or rear left
diagonals; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally or on the rear right diagonal. It has no move along the fore left
diagonal.
English-language sources:

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561

Range: The vermillion sparrow can move any number of free squares diagonally or orthogonally forward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally backward; or,
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Turtle-snake genbu
There are two different movement options claimed for the turtle-snake:
English-language sources:
Range: It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward or directly backward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally backward; or,
Step: It can step one square directly backward.
Japanese Wikipedia:
Range: The turtle-snake can move any number of free squares diagonally forward to the right or diagonally
backward to the left; or,
Step: It can step one square in any direction.
Note: Since Japanese Wikipedia also describes the piece this way for taikyoku shogi, which often has unique
movements for its pieces, this may be an error. One might expect the move to be the mirror image of the
vermillion sparrow above.
Blue dragon seiry
Range: The blue dragon can move any number of free squares along the side orthogonals or the forward right
diagonal; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward; or,
Step: It can move one square diagonally forward to the left.
White tiger byakko
Range: The white tiger can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or,
diagonally forward to the left; or,
Step: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways; or,
It can step one square diagonally forward to the right.
Right chariot usha
Range: The right chariot can move any number of free squares straight forward; or,
It can move any number of free squares along the forward right or rear left diagonals; or,
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Left chariot sasha
Range: The left chariot can move any number of free squares straight forward; or,
It can move any number of free squares along the forward left or rear right diagonals; or,
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Side dragon ry
Range: The side dragon can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or sideways; or,
Step: It can move one square directly backward.
Dove kyhan
Limited range: The dove can move one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions; or'
It can move one to five squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
She-devil yasha
Limited range: The she-devil can move one or two squares along one of the four diagonal directions; or,

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562

It can move one to five squares along one of the four orthogonal directions.
Golden bird kinshi
Range: The golden bird can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward; or,
1st limited range: It can move one or two squares sideways; or,
2nd limited range: It can move one to three squares along one of the four diagonals.
Great dragon dairy
There are two descriptions of the move of this piece. The main Japanese Wikipedia entry gives it as,

Range: The great dragon can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Jump: It can jump to the second or third square orthogonally sideways; or,
1st limited range: It can move one or two squares directly forward or backward; or,
2nd limited range: It can move one to three squares along either of the rear diagonals.

However, a second description is found in the kirin article, as the kirin promotes to great dragon. In that description,
the piece moves as described in dai dai shogi: no jumps to the side, and three steps in any of the four diagonals.
White elephant hakuz
Range: The white elephant can move any number of free squares diagonally backward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two square in one of the other six diagonal or orthogonal directions.
Note: English language sources have the reverse, with ranging in all directions except along the back
diagonals, which are limited to two squares. However, the Japanese Wikipedia version listed here makes this
piece symmetrical with the fragrant elephant in dai dai shogi.
Lion dog komainu
Lion move/triple capture: The lion dog can make a three-step lion move along any one of the eight orthogonal or
diagonal directions. That is, unlike the lion itself, but like the soaring eagle and horned falcon, it is restricted to
moving along a straight line and cannot move to the in-between squares. This power includes jumping, igui, and
skipping a turn.
A piece may be captured on all three steps.
The lion dog may capture a piece on the first and second square, and then retreat to the first square. Or it may
snatch a piece off the first square as in normal igui. (Note however that it may not then continue in the opposite
direction: it is restricted to one orthogonal or diagonal.)
It may jump to the second square, and then continue to the third square, capturing up to two pieces. Or it may
jump directly to the third square.
It is not required to take all three steps. However, like most powerful pieces, once it makes a capturing move it
"promotes" and loses its powers (unless of course it is a promoted western barbarian, in which case it cannot
promote again, and its powers are permanent).
Note: In English-language sources, the lion dog is described as having a 3-square limited-range move in any
direction. However, this seems to be an error, as it makes the traditional description of the teaching king
tautologous.

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563

Wrestler rikishi
Limited range: The wrestler can move one to three squares along one of the four diagonal directions; or,
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Guardian of the Gods kong
Limited range: The guardian of the gods can move one to three squares along one of the four orthogonal
directions; or
Step: It can step one square diagonally [forward].
Note: according to Japanese Wikipedia, it can step in any of the four diagonals, but in English-language
sources it can along step in the two forward diagonals.
Buddhist devil rasetsu
Limited range: The Buddhist devil can move one to three squares diagonally forward; or,
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways or directly backward.
Golden deer konroku
Range: The golden deer can move any number of free squares diagonally forward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Silver hare ginto
Range: The silver hare can move any number of free squares diagonally backward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Fierce eagle mj
Limited range: The fierce eagle can move one or two squares orthogonally to either side or diagonally backwards;
or,
Step: It may step one square in any of the three forward directions.
Note: English language sources show the limited range in all four diagonals, and the steps orthogonally
sideways. However, Japanese Wikipedia only describes this piece that way for taikyoku shogi.
Old kite kotetsu
Limited range: The old kite can move one or two squares along one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
Step: It can move one square diagonally forward.
Violent ox mgy
Limited range: The violent ox can move one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Flying dragon hiry
Step: The flying dragon can move one or two squares along one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a flying dragon can only reach half the squares on the board.
Old rat rso
Limited range: The old rat can move one or two squares along a forward diagonal or the rear orthogonal.
Enchanted badger henri
Limited range: The enchanted badger can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
Flying horse barin
Limited range: The flying horse can move one or two squares diagonally forward; or,
Step: It can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Prancing stag yroku
Limited range: The prancing stag can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Step: It can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions, or directly forward.

Tai shogi

564

Violent bear my
Limited range: The violent bear can move one or two squares diagonally forward; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways.
Side mover gy
Range: The side mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Vertical mover shugy
Range: The vertical mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways.
Phoenix h
Step: The phoenix can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Kirin kirin
Step: The kirin can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or,
Jump: It can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.
Reverse chariot hensha
Ranging: The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares directly forward or backward.
Poisonous snake dokuja
There are two different movement options claimed for the poison snake:
English sources: The poisonous snake can jump to the second square directly forward or diagonally backward; or
it can step one square to either side;
Japanese Wikipedia: The poisonous snake can step one or two squares directly forward or to either side; or it can
step one square diagonally forward or directly backward.
The Japanese site only explicitly makes this claim for dai dai shogi and taikyoku shogi. The move and promotion is
symmetrical with the old kite in tai shogi, and one would expect the move to be different in these three game
variants.
Northern barbarian hokuteki
Limited range: The northern barbarian can move one or two squares diagonally forward; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Southern barbarian namban
Limited range: The southern barbarian can move one or two squares diagonally backward; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Eastern barbarian ti
There contradictory claims for the moves of the eastern barbarian:
English-language sources:
Limited range: The eastern barbarian can move one or two squares directly forward or backward; or,
Step: It can step one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
(This is symmetrical with the movement of the western barbarian.)
Japanese Wikipedia:
Limited range: The eastern barbarian can move one or two squares directly forward or backward; or,
Step: It can step one square to the right.

Tai shogi

565
(Three directions are omitted compared to the English sources.)

Western barbarian seij

Limited range: The western barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways; or,
Step: It can step one square directly forward or backward, or diagonally forward.
Blind bear my
Range: The blind bear can move any number of free squares orthogonally backward; or,
Step: It can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Drunk elephant suiz
Step: The drunken elephant can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except directly
backward.
Neighbor king kinn
Step: The neighbor king can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal [except directly
backwards?].
Note: English-language sources state that the neighbor king can step in any direction except directly
backward, like the drunk elephant. However, Japanese Wikipedia only describes the piece this way for
taikyoku shogi.
Blind tiger mko
Step: The blind tiger can step one square in any direction except orthogonally forward.
Free tiger honko
Range: The free tiger moves in the same directions as a blind tiger, but with unlimited range.
Blind monkey men
Step: The blind monkey can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions or either orthogonal sideways.
Ferocious leopard mhy
Step: The leopard can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or,
It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
That is, it can move to any of the six adjacent squares ahead or behind it, but not directly to the side.
Free leopard honpy
Range: The free leopard moves in the same directions as a ferocious leopard, but with unlimited range.
Reclining dragon gary
Step: The reclining dragon can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions or diagonally backward.
Free dragon honry
Range: The free dragon moves in the same directions as a reclining dragon, but with unlimited range.
Chinese cock waikei
Step: The Chinese cock can step one square orthogonally sideways, directly backward, or diagonally forward.
Old monkey koen
Step: The old monkey can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions, or directly backward.
Evil wolf akur
Step: The evil wolf can step one square orthogonally sideways or forward, or diagonally forward.
Free wolf honr
Range: The free cat moves in the same directions as an evil wolf, but with unlimited range.

Tai shogi

566

Angry boar shincho

Step: The angry boar can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
Cat sword myjin
Step: The cat sword can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.
Free cat honmy
Range: The free cat moves in the same directions as a cat sword, but with unlimited range.
Coiled serpent banja
Step: The coiled serpent can step one square directly forward or backward, or diagonally backward.
Free serpent honja
Range: The free serpent moves in the same directions as a coiled serpent, but with unlimited range.
Dark spirit mumy
The dark spirit has asymmetric options for movement.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward, in either direction; or,
One square orthogonally to the right; or,
One square diagonally backward to the left.
Deva daiba
The deva has asymmetric options for movement.
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward, in either direction; or,
One square orthogonally to the left; or,
One square diagonally backward to the right.
Right general ush
Step: The right general can step one square in any direction except orthogonally right. It is called the right general
because it guards the right side of the board.
Left general sash
Step: The left general can move one square in any direction except orthogonally left. It is called the left general
because it guards the left side of the board.
Gold general kinsh
Step: The gold general can step one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
One square diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.
Free gold honkin
Range: The free gold moves in the same directions as a gold general, but with unlimited range.
Silver general ginsh
Step: The silver general can step one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or,
One square straight forward, giving it five possibilities.
Free silver hongin
Ranging: The free silver moves in the same directions as a silver general, but with unlimited range.
Copper general dsh
Step: The copper general can step one square directly forward or backward, or one square diagonally forward,
giving it four possibilities.

Tai shogi

567

Free copper hond

Range: The free copper moves in the same directions as a copper general, but with unlimited range.
Tile general gash
Step: The tile general can step one square diagonally forward or directly backward, giving it three possibilities.
Free tile honga
Range: The free tile moves in the same directions as a tile general, but with unlimited range.
Iron general tessh
Step: The iron general can move one square forward, orthogonally or diagonally, giving it three possibilities.
An unpromoted iron general that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Free iron hontetsu
Range: The free iron moves in the same directions as an iron general, but with unlimited range.
An unpromoted free iron that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Wood general mokush
Limited range: The wood general can move one or two squares along a forward diagonal.
An unpromoted wood general that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Stone general sekish
Step: The stone general can step one square diagonally forward, giving it two possibilities.
A stone general can only reach a fraction of the board. An unpromoted stone general that reaches the farthest
rank is trapped.
Free stone honseki
Range: The free stone moves in the same directions as a stone general, but with unlimited range.
An unpromoted free stone that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Earth general dosh and go-between chnin
Step: The earth general and go between can move one square directly forward or backward.
These pieces have the same range of movement and promotions. The only difference is their placement at
setup.
Free earth hondo and free gofer honnin
Range: The free earth and free gofer move in the same directions as the earth general and go-between, but with
unlimited range.
Knight keima
Jump: The knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square
forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion, ignoring any intervening piece. That is, it has a
choice of two forward destinations.
An unpromoted knight that reaches one of the two farthest ranks is trapped.
Howling Dog kiken
Range: The howling dog can move any number of free squares along the forward orthogonal; or,
Step: It can step one square directly backwards.
Donkey roba
Step: The donkey can step one square orthogonally; or,
Jump: It can jump to the second square directly forward or backward.
Note: English-language sources show only a jump forward or backward, and a step only sideways.

Tai shogi

568

Rams-head soldier yhei

Range: The rams-head soldier can move any number of free squares along either forward diagonal.
An unpromoted ram's-head soldier that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Lance kysha
Range: The lance can move any number of free squares straight forward.
An unpromoted lance that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.
Pawn fuhy
Step: The pawn can step one square forward.
An unpromoted pawn that reaches the farthest rank is trapped.

Promotion
When a piece first makes a capture, it promotes. (If it can: a few important pieces do not promote.) 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 after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promotion is both
compulsory and permanent. Often "demotion" would be a better word, for most powerful pieces 'promote' to a gold
general, which is a weak piece. It is the weaker pieces that tend to become more powerful upon making a capture.
This means that a player only gets to attack or defend with many of the original lion and hook movers once each
before they lose their powers. To permanently gain such ability, certain weaker pieces must be promoted.
This is all very different from smaller shogi variants, where pieces promote when they cross a promotion zone (the
enemy camp), and where promotion is optional and usually a good thing. The dots on the tai shogi board that would
represent promotion zones in other games are only there as placement guides for the initial setup of the two camps.
Some pieces promote, or demote, to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a piece cannot
then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a gold general promotes to a free gold. However,
while a hook mover demotes to a gold general on its first capturing move, it does not promote to a free gold on its
second. Rather, it remains a gold general for the rest of the game. This should be clear from the game equipment, for
each piece only has two sides.
Many of the step movers promote to free-ranging pieces but retain their directions of movement. These were listed
above after the unpromoted pieces. Other pieces only appear as a result of promotion. They are as follows:
Pieces that only appear with promotion
These are in addition to the 'free' pieces mentioned in the previous section.
Teaching king ky
Lion move: The teaching king can move as a lion dog (three-step lion move along any one straight line); or,
Range: It can move as a free king (range along any one straight line).
Note: Medieval manuscripts simply describe its movement as "lion dog plus free king". Since
English-language materials described the lion dog as a limited-range piece, this was thought to be redundant,
and various new moves were proposed, with the 'traditional' movement being maintained to be simply that of a
free king. However, the "lion dog plus free king" description makes sense with Japanese Wikipedia's
description of the lion dog (above).
Buddhist spirit hsei
Lion move: The Buddhist spirit can move either as a lion; or,
Range: It can move as a free king.
Furious fiend funjin

Tai shogi

569

Lion move: The furious fiend can move as a lion anywhere within a two-square distance, including jumps, double
capture, igui, and passing a turn; or,
Limited range: It can move (but not jump) up to three free squares along one of the eight diagonals and
orthogonals. HOWEVER - sources describe this piece as 'lion plus lion dog'- therefore some players do just this a similar situation to the teaching king ' free king plus lion dog. both sets of move being available - a matter of
choice
Wizard stork senkaku
Range: The wizard stork can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly forward; or,
Step: It can step one square directly backward.
Mountain witch sambo
Range: The mountain witch can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or
directly backward; or,
Step: It can step one square directly forward.
Square mover hgy
Range: The square mover can move any number of free squares along one of the four orthogonal directions; or,
Step: It can step one square diagonally forward.
Fragrant elephant kz
Range: The fragrant elephant can move any number of free squares diagonally forward; or,
Limited range: It can move one or two squares along one of the four orthogonal directions, or along either rear
diagonal.
Note: Although Japanese Wikipedia mentions in passing that the fragrant elephant is used in tai shogi, it does
not describe how it moves, or which piece promotes into it, and thus it may be an error. The movement
described here is taken from English-language sources, and matches the Japanese description for dai dai
shogi.
Great elephant taiz
Limited range 1: The great elephant can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways or along either rear
diagonal; or,
Limited range 2: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward, or directly forward or backward.
HOWEVER some players keep the lion power on promotion so the extra 2 steps in the E-W-SE-SW directions
are just 2 extra steps with no lion power. if the great elephant steps five steps then lion power can not be usedonce again a choice of moves is offered.
Note: Japanese Wikipedia states that the lion dog demotes to gold upon capture. Although it gives the great
elephant as the demotion of the lion dog in dai dai shogi, it has different movement options in that game.
Free bear hony
Range: The free bear can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or along
either orthogonal sideways; or,
Jump: It can may a knight's jump forward.
Free boar honcho
Range: The free boar can move any number of free squares along one of the four diagonal directions, or along
either orthogonal sideways.
Bat kmori
Range: The bat can move any number of free squares along either of the rear diagonals, or directly forward.

Tai shogi

Check and mate

When a player makes a move, such that the opponent's sole remaining emperor or crown prince could be captured on
the following move, the move is said to give check to the emperor or prince; the emperor or prince is said to be in
check. If a player's last emperor or prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get it out of check, the
checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
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 royal (emperor or prince) 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 sole remaining emperor or prince wins the game. In practice this 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
tai 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., +CC for a wizard stork (promoted Chinese cock). 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
square 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 25y being the bottom left
corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese
numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a soaring eagle, horned falcon, lion or Buddhist spirit captures by 'igui, the square of the piece being captured is
used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol '!'. If a double capture is made, than it is
added after the first 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, ORx7c= indicates an old rat capturing on 7c without
promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

570

Tai shogi

External links
Shogi Net [2]. Has links to Evans' free software.
history.chess/Tai shogi [3]
Roger Hare's site (2003) [4]

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. unicode. org/ cgi-bin/ GetUnihanData. pl?codepoint=20D47

http:/ / www. unicode. org/ cgi-bin/ GetUnihanData. pl?codepoint=29E44
http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ taishogi. htm
http:/ / www. shogi. net/ rjhare/ tai-shogi/ tai-intro. html

Taikyoku shogi
Taikyoku shgi ( 'ultimate chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game was
created around the mid 16th century (presumably by priests) and is based on earlier large board shogi games. Before
the rediscovery of taikyoku shogi in 1997, tai shogi was believed to be the largest playable chess variant (if not board
game) ever. It has not been shown that taikyoku shogi was ever widely played. One game may be played over
several long sessions and require each player to make over a thousand moves.
Because the game was found only recently after centuries of obscurity, it is difficult to say exactly what all the rules
were. Several documents describing the game have been found; however, there are differences between them. Many
of the pieces appear in other shogi variants but their moves may be different. The board, and likewise the pieces,
were made much smaller, making archeological finds difficult to decipher. Research into this game continues for
historical and cultural reasons, but also to satisfy the curious and those who wish to play what could be the most
challenging chess-like game ever made. More research must be done however. This article focuses on one likely set
of rules that can make the game playable in modern times but is by no means canon. These rules may change as
more discoveries are made and secrets of the game unlocked.

Rules of the game

Taikyoku shogi is very different from other large-board shogi variants: dai dai shogi, maka dai dai shogi, and tenjiku
shogi. The most notable differences lie with the piece movements and their promotions.

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king(s) and crown prince(s). When the last of these is
captured, the game ends. There are no rules for check or checkmate; however, in practice a player resigns when
checkmated. Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after being captured.

Game equipment
Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 36 ranks (rows)
by 36 files (columns) with a total of 1,296 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.
Each player has a set of 402 wedge-shaped pieces of 209 different types. In all, the players must remember 253
different moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes with the larger pieces near the king and becoming
progressively smaller for pieces further from the king, regardless of power. In general, the stronger pieces are nearer
to the king.

571

Taikyoku shogi

572

Several of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as
translations of the Japanese names.
Each piece has its name in the form of two or three kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are
two or three other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is used to
indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead
each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece
during play.
Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to; starting with the first
row.
Piece

Kanji

Rmaji

Promotes to

King

gyokush

Crown prince

taishi

king

Gold general

kinsh

rook

Right general

ush

right army

Right army

ugun

Left general

sash

left army

Left army

sagun

Rear standard

kki

center standard

Free king

honn

great general

Free dream-eater

honbaku

free king

Wooden dove

kyhan

Ceramic dove

kyban

Earth dragon

chiry

rain dragon

Free demon

honki

free king

Running horse

sma, sba

free demon

Beast cadet

js

beast officer

Long-nosed goblin

tengu

Mountain eagle (left and right)

sansh

soaring eagle

Fire demon

kaki

free fire

Free fire

honka

Whale

keigei

great whale

Great whale

daigei

Running rabbit

sto

treacherous fox

White tiger

byakko

divine tiger

Divine tiger

shinko

Turtle-snake

genbu

divine turtle

Divine turtle

shinki

Lance

kysha

white horse

Reverse chariot

hensha

whale

Fragrant elephant

kz

elephant king

Taikyoku shogi

573
Elephant king

White elephant

hakuz

elephant king

Mountain dove

sanky

great dove

Flying swallow

hien

rook

Captive officer

kinri

captive bird

Captive bird

kinch

Rain dragon

ury

great dragon

Forest demon

shinki

thunder runner

Thunder runner

rais

Mountain stag

sanroku

great stag

Running pup

sku

free leopard

Free leopard

honpy

Running serpent

sja

Free serpent

Free serpent

honja

Side serpent

ja

great shark

Great shark

dairin

Great dove

daiky

wooden dove

Running tiger

sko

free tiger

*Free tiger

honko

Running bear

sy

free bear

*Free bear

hony

Yaksha

yasha

Heavenly Tetrarch

Heavenly Tetrarch

shiten

Buddhist devil

rasetsu

Heavenly Tetrarch

Guardian of the Gods

kong

Heavenly Tetrarch

Wrestler

rikishi

Heavenly Tetrarch

Silver general

ginsh

vertical mover

Drunken elephant

suiz

crown prince

Neighboring king

kinn

front standard

Gold chariot

kinsha

playful cockatoo

Playful cockatoo

ymo

Side dragon

ry

running dragon

Running dragon

sry

Running stag

sroku

free stag

Free stag

honroku

Running wolf

sr

free wolf

Free wolf

honr

Bishop general

kakush

rain demon

Rain demon

rinki

Taikyoku shogi

574
Rook general

hish

flying crocodile

Flying crocodile

higaku

Right tiger

uko

white tiger

Left tiger

sako

turtle-snake

Right dragon

ury

Blue dragon

Left dragon

sary

vermillion sparrow

Beast officer

jri

beast bird

Beast bird

jch

Wind dragon

fry

free dragon

Free dragon

honry

Free pup

honku

free dog

Free dog

honken

Rushing bird

gych

free demon

Old kite

kotetsu

long-nosed goblin

Peacock

kujaku

long-nosed goblin

Water dragon

suiry

phoenix master

Fire dragon

kary

kirin master

Copper general

dsh

side mover

Phoenix master

hshi

Kirin master

rinshi

Silver chariot

ginsha

goose wing

Goose wing

kyoko

Vertical bear

shuy

free bear

Knight

keima

side soldier

Pig general

tonsh

free pig

Free pig

honton

Chicken general

keish

free chicken

Free chicken

honkei

Pup general

kush

free pup

Horse general

bash

free horse

Free horse

honba

Ox general

gysh

free ox

Free ox

hongy

Center standard

chki

front standard

Side boar

cho

free boar

Free boar

honcho

Silver rabbit

ginto

whale

Golden deer

konroku

white horse

Lion

shishi

furious fiend

Taikyoku shogi

575
Furious fiend

funjin

Captive cadet

kins

captive officer

Great stag

dairoku

free stag

Violent dragon

mry

great dragon

Woodland demon

rinki

right phoenix

Right phoenix

ush

Vice general

fukush

great general

Great general

taish

Stone chariot

sekisha

walking heron

Walking heron

fushin

Cloud eagle

unj

strong eagle

Strong eagle

keij

Bishop

kakugy

dragon horse

Rook

hisha

dragon king

Side wolf

free wolf

Flying cat

hiby

rook

Mountain falcon

san

horned falcon

Vertical tiger

shuko

free tiger

Soldier

heishi

cavalier

Cavalier

kishi

Little standard

shki

rear standard

Cloud dragon

unry

great dragon

Copper chariot

dsha

copper elephant

Copper elephant

dz

Running chariot

ssha

burning chariot

Burning chariot

hsha

Rams-head soldier

yhei

tiger soldier

Tiger soldier

kohei

Violent ox

mgy

flying ox

Great dragon

dairy

ancient dragon

Ancient dragon

genry, ganry

Golden bird

kinshi

free bird

Free bird

honshi

Dark spirit

mumy

Buddhist spirit

Buddhist spirit

hsei

Deva

daiba

teaching king

Teaching king

ky

Wood chariot

mokusha

wind snapping turtle

Wind snapping turtle

fbetsu

Taikyoku shogi

576
White horse

hakku

great horse

Great horse

daiku

Howling dog (left and right)

kiken

left dog, right dog

Right dog

uken

Left dog

saken

Side mover

gy

free boar

Prancing stag

yroku

square mover

Water buffalo

suigy

great dream-eater

Great dream-eater

daibaku

Ferocious leopard

mhy

bishop

Fierce eagle

mj

soaring eagle

Flying dragon

hiry

dragon king

Poisonous snake

dokuja

hook mover

Flying goose

ganhi

swallows wings

Strutting crow

uk

flying falcon

Flying falcon

hiy

Blind dog

mken

violent stag

Water general

suish

vice general

Fire general

kash

great general

Phoenix

golden bird

Kirin

kirin

golden bird

Hook mover

kgy

Little turtle

shki

treasure turtle

Treasure turtle

hki

Great turtle

daiki

spirit turtle

Spirit turtle

reiki

Capricorn

makatsu

hook mover

Tile chariot

gasha

running tile

Running tile

sga

Vertical wolf

shur

running wolf

Side ox

gy

flying ox

Donkey

roba

ceramic dove

Flying horse

barin

free king

Violent bear

my

great bear

Great bear

daiy

Angry boar

shincho

free boar

Evil wolf

akur

venomous wolf

Venomous wolf

dokur

Liberated horse

fma

heavenly horse

Taikyoku shogi

577
Heavenly horse

temma

Flying cock

keihi

raiding falcon

Raiding falcon

eny

Old monkey

koen

mountain witch

Mountain witch

sanbo

Chinese cock

waikei

wizard stork

Wizard stork

senkaku

Northern barbarian

hokuteki

wooden dove

Southern barbarian

nanban

golden bird

Western barbarian

seij

lion dog

Eastern barbarian

ti

lion

Violent stag

mroku

rushing boar

Rushing boar

gycho

Violent wolf

mr

bears eyes

Bears eyes

ygan

Treacherous fox

inko, onko

mountain crane

Mountain crane

sankotsu

Center master

chshi

Roc master

hshi

Earth chariot

dosha

young bird

Young bird

shakuch

Vermillion sparrow

suzaku

divine sparrow

Divine sparrow

shinjaku

Blue dragon

seiry

divine dragon

Divine dragon

shinry

Enchanted badger

henri

ceramic dove

Horseman

kihei

cavalier

Swooping owl

shigy

cloud eagle

Climbing monkey

ten

violent stag

Cat sword

myjin

dragon horse

Swallows wings

enu

gliding swallow

Gliding swallow

engy

Blind monkey

men

flying stag

Flying stag

hiroku

Blind tiger

mko

flying stag

Oxcart

gissha

plodding ox

Plodding ox

sengy

Side flier

hi

side dragon

Blind bear

my

flying stag

Taikyoku shogi

578
Old rat

Bird of paradise

rso

bird of paradise

jich

Square mover

hgy

strong chariot

Strong chariot

kysha

Coiled serpent

banja

coiled dragon

Coiled dragon

banry

Reclining dragon

gary

great dragon

Free eagle

honj

Lion hawk

shi

Chariot soldier

shahei

Heavenly Tetrarch king

Heavenly Tetrarch king

shitenn

Side soldier

hei

water buffalo

Vertical soldier

shuhei

chariot soldier

Wind general

fsh

violent wind

*Violent wind

bf

River general

sensh

Chinese river

*Chinese river

waisen

Mountain general

sansh

peaceful mountain

*Peaceful mountain

taizan

Front standard

zenki

great standard

Horse soldier

bahei

running horse

Wood general

mokush

white elephant

Ox soldier

gyhei

running ox

*Running ox

sgy

Earth general

dosh

white elephant

Boar soldier

chohei

running boar

*Running boar

scho

Stone general

sekish

white elephant

Leopard soldier

hyhei

running leopard

*Running leopard

shy

Tile general

gash

white elephant

Bear soldier

yhei

strong bear

*Strong bear

kyy

Iron general

tessh

white elephant

Great standard

daiki

Great master

daishi

Right chariot

usha

right iron chariot

*Right iron chariot

utessha

Left chariot

sasha

left iron chariot

Taikyoku shogi

579
*Left iron chariot

satessha

Side monkey

en

side soldier

Vertical mover

shugy

flying ox

Flying ox

higy

fire ox

*Fire ox

kagy

Longbow soldier

dohei

longbow general

*Longbow general

dosh

Vertical pup

shuku

leopard king

*Leopard king

hy

Vertical horse

shuba

dragon horse

Burning soldier

hhei

burning general

*Burning general

hsh

Dragon horse

ryme

horned falcon

Dragon king

ry

soaring eagle

Sword soldier

thei

sword general

Sword general

tsh

Horned falcon

kaku

great falcon

*Great falcon

dai

Soaring eagle

hij

great eagle

*Great eagle

daij

Spear soldier

shei

spear general

*Spear general

ssh

Vertical leopard

shuhy

great leopard

*Great leopard

daihy

Savage tiger

mko

great tiger

*Great tiger

daiko

Cross-bow soldier

kyhei

cross-bow general

*Cross-bow general

kysh

Roaring dog

kken

lion dog

Lion dog

komainu

great elephant

*Great elephant

taiz

Dog

inu

multi general

*Multi general

suish

Go between

chnin

drunken elephant

Pawn

fuhy

gold general

Taikyoku shogi

580

Setup
Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same
way the opposing player will see their pieces.

Board layout
D

GB

LC

LB VP
MK VM OX

SL
CH

RE M

HS
SD

FH

CI

CE

PI

FD PS

FY

SI
GC

BG
RN RW

FS
RV WE MD

CO

PC

RP RU SS

FI

FR ED

WA

S
WR

FT FK RS LG G
CD

BI

ST FY PS

CP

P
RC

RE

SL
WN VR

FH
LH EW AB VB

FD

FL

CH

EB VI

EC

SX

TC

SM HD WH WC

FC

VW

PR

CE CI

PG CG PI

VE SV

VT MF

GL SR SA

DO

WB

CR CL LS SO

WF

CN

RB FP
OK

RI
WD BO

BG
TT RO

GR SS RU RP
RT

SI
RW RN

CO FS
MS FO RA

RS FK FT
RG

M
SD

EG

BA
GU YA

OX VM MK

CK
OM

PC

S
NK DE

HS

RH

WA

BM SW CS CM OW HO

LN

FI

KM PM

BA BD
GR RT

CC

GS CT

BT
OC

NB

HE

VD WL GG VG WL VD

VP LB

WG

VO GD GO DV DS GO GD VO

GN

SF

VS SU

HM PH

DK DH BN VH

BB

NT

CT GS

BS EA OS

SQ OR

GT LL

SG

RD SN

TF

HF SE

LP

BE

FE

KR CA

EL

HE

RB OK

VL SP

LI

GL LN

RA FO MS

DM ME LO BC HR

VS NT TF

WG

FP

TS RR W

BE

TG

RM MT

BI

SA SR

BO WD

P
SB

RD

CR RH

LE
RO LT

OR SQ SN

SO LS CL

CN

VL TG SB LD

BB

ST

GM GE

ES

MF VT

CG PG H

OM CC WS

EG

FC
WF

SV VE

FL
WB

SF

CK

PR

DG

LP

OC

VB AB EW LH

WC WH HD SM

BS SG

BT

DO

EL SP

OS EA

HO OW CM CS SW BM

SX

HF

GN

EC BL EB

VW

SE
VH BN DH DK

VR WN

TC

GB

ED FR
WO

FG
MD

W
HR BC LO ME DM

GC

RV

RR

L
WT

Taikyoku shogi

581

Legend
AB - Angry boar

B - Bishop

BA - Running Bear

BB - Blind Bear

BC - Beast Cadet

BD - Buddhist Devil

BE - Bear Soldier

BG - Bishop General

BI - Blind Dog

BL - Blue Dragon

BM - Blind Monkey

BN - Burning Soldier

BO - Beast Officer

BS - Boar Soldier

BT - Blind Tiger

C - Copper General

CA - Capricorn

CC - Chinese Cock

CD - Ceramic Dove

CE - Cloud Eagle

CG - Chicken General

CH - Chariot Soldier

CI - Stone Chariot

CK - Flying Cock

CL - Cloud Dragon

CM - Climbing Monkey

CN - Center Standard

CO - Captive Officer

CP - Crown Prince

CR - Copper Chariot

CS - Cat Sword

CT - Captive Cadet

D - Dog

DE - Drunken Elephant

DG - Roaring Dog

DH - Dragon Horse

DK - Dragon King

DO - Donkey

DM - Fire Demon

DS - Dark Spirit

DV - Deva

EA - Earth General

EB - Enchanted Badger

EC - Earth Chariot

ED - Earth Dragon

EG - Fierce Eagle

EL - Soaring Eagle

ES - Eastern Barbarian

EW - Evil Wolf

F - Fire General

FC - Flying Cat

FD - Flying Dragon

FE - Free Eagle

FG - Fragrant Elephant

FH - Flying Horse

FI - Fire Dragon

FK - Free King

FL - Ferocious Leopard

FO - Forest Demon

FP - Free Pup

FR - Free Demon

FS - Flying Swallow

FT - Free Dream-Eater

FY - Flying Goose

G - Gold General

GB - Go Between

GC - Gold Chariot

GD - Great Dragon

GE - Great Standard

GG - Great General

GL - Golden Deer

GM - Great Master

GN - Wood General

GO - Golden Bird

GR - Great Dove

GS - Great Stag

GT - Great Turtle

GU - Guardian of the Gods

H - Horse General

HD - Howling Dog

HE - Rams-head Soldier

HF - Horned Falcon

HM - Hook Mover

HO - Horseman

HR - Running Horse

HS - Horse Soldier

I - Iron General

K- King

KM - Kirin Master

KR - Kirin

L - Lance

LB - Longbow Soldier

LC - Left Chariot

LD - Lion Dog

LE - Left Dragon

LG - Left General

LH - Liberated Horse

LI - Lion Hawk

LL - Little Turtle

LN - Lion

LO - Long-nosed Goblin

LP - Leopard Soldier

LS - Little Standard

LT - Left Tiger

M - Mountain General

MD - Mountain Dove

ME - Mountain Eagle

MF - Mountain Falcon

MK - Side Monkey

MS - Mountain Stag

MT - Center Master

N - Knight

NB - Northern Barbarian

NK - Neighboring King

NT Violent wolf

O - Ox General

OC - Oxcart

OK - Old Kite

OM - Old Monkey

OR - Old Rat

OS - Ox Soldier

OW - Swooping Owl

OX - Flying Ox

P - Pawn

PC - Peacock

PG - Pup General

PH - Phoenix

PI - Pig General

PM - Phoenix Master

PR - Prancing Stag

PS - Poisonous Snake

R - Rook

RA - Rain Dragon

RB - Rushing Bird

RC - Right Chariot

RD - Reclining Dragon

RE - River General

RG - Right General

RH - Running Chariot

RI - Right Dragon

RM - Roc Master

RN - Running Stag

RO - Rook General

RP - Running Pup

RR - Running Rabbit

RS - Rear Standard

RT - Running Tiger

RU - Running Serpent

RV - Reverse Chariot

RW - Running Wolf

S - Silver General

SA - Side Boar

SB - Cross-bow Soldier

SD - Front Standard

SE - Sword Soldier

SF - Side Flier

SG - Stone General

SI - Side Dragon

SL - Side Soldier

SM - Side Mover

SN - Coiled Serpent

SO - Soldier

SP - Spear Soldier

SQ - Square Mover

SR - Silver Rabbit

SS - Side Serpent

ST - Strutting Crow

SU - Southern Barbarian

SV - Silver Chariot

SW - Swallows Wings

SX - Side Ox

T - Tile General

TC - Tile Chariot

TF - Treacherous Fox

TG - Savage Tiger

TS - Turtle-snake

TT - Right Tiger

VB - Violent Bear

VD - Violent Dragon

VE - Vertical Bear

VG - Vice General

VH - Vertical Horse

VI - Vermillion Sparrow

VL - Vertical Leopard

VM - Vertical Mover

VO - Violent Ox

VP - Vertical Pup

VR - Vertical Soldier

VS - Violent Stag

VT - Vertical Tiger

Taikyoku shogi

582

VW - Vertical Wolf

W - Whale

WA - Water Dragon

WB - Water Buffalo

WC - Wood Chariot

WD - Wind Dragon

WE - White Elephant

WF - Side Wolf

WG - Water General

WH - White Horse

WI - Wind Soldier

WL - Woodland Demon

WN - Wind General

WO - Wooden Dove

WR - Wrestler

WS - Western Barbarian

WT - White Tiger

YA - Yaksha

Game play
The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to
differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of
moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.

Movement and capture

Most pieces in the game move in a unique manner. An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece
moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece, the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A
piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).
Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward,
backward, left, or right, 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, ). The lion, lion hawk and knight are exceptions at the beginning of the game, in
that they do not move, or are not required to move, in a straight line. (The Buddhist spirit, teaching king, heavenly
horse and furious fiend are similar, but they only appear as pieces promote.)
Categories of movement
Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the
direction in which they move. The movement categories are:
Step movers
Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may
not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)
The step movers are the crown prince, generals (except: bishop, rook, pig, vice, great and wood), wolves, earth
dragon, running horse, running rabbit, turtle snake, mountain dove, flying swallow, rain dragon, mountain stag,
running pup, running serpent, side serpent, yaksha, Buddhist devil, violent stag, drunken elephant, neighboring king,
chariots (except: reverse, running and copper), right tiger, left tiger, wind dragon, free pup, rushing bird, old kite,
bears (except running), side boar, cloud eagle, flying cat, little standard, cloud dragon, soldiers (except soldier and
chariot), violent ox, dark spirit, deva, howling dog, side mover, prancing stag, ferocious leopard, fierce eagle,
poisonous snake, flying goose, strutting crow, blind dog, Chinese cock, phoenix, kirin, side ox, angry boar, liberated
horse, flying cock, monkeys, barbarians, vermillion sparrow, swooping owl, old rat, cat sword, swallows wings,
blind tiger, side flyer, coiled serpent, reclining dragon, go between, dog, vertical mover, vertical pup, vertical horse,
dragon horse, dragon king and pawn.

Taikyoku shogi
Limited ranging pieces
Some pieces can move along a limited number (2 to 7) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain
directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).
The limited ranging pieces are the king, standards, free dream-eater, wooden dove, dragons (except: rain, side, wind,
cloud, flying and reclining), demons, beast cadet, mountain eagle, white tiger, ceramic dove, mountain dove, captive
officer, mountain stag, side serpent, great dove, running tiger, running bear, yaksha, Buddhist devil, guardian of the
Gods, wrestler, gold chariot, running stag, beast officer, free pup, rushing bird, old kite, peacock, phoenix master,
kirin master, silver chariot, vertical bear, pig general, chicken general, horse general, ox general, silver rabbit, golden
deer, captive cadet, great stag, stone chariot, cloud eagle, mountain falcon, vertical tiger, copper chariot, golden bird,
prancing stag, water buffalo, fierce eagle, water general, mountain general, fire general, turtles, vertical wolf,
donkey, enchanted badger, flying horse, angry boar, violent bear, liberated horse, barbarians, center master, roc
master, horseman, soldiers (except: rook, rams-head, spear and sword), wing general, wind general, wood general,
great master and roaring dog.
Jumping pieces
Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on
either.
The jumping pieces are the wooden dove, running horse, mountain eagle, phoenix master, kirin master, knight, lion,
great stag, vice general, flying cat, mountain falcon, golden bird, flying dragon, poisonous snake, phoenix, kirin,
turtles, treacherous fox, center master, roc master, free eagle, lion hawk, great master, horned falcon, soaring eagle,
roaring dog and lion dog.
Ranging pieces
Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If
an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A
ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is 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 ranging pieces are the standards, free king, free dream-eater, wooden dove, dragons (except: violent, flying and
reclining), demons, running horse, mountain eagle, whale, running rabbit, tigers (except blind), turtle snake, ceramic
dove, lance, oxcart, chariots, flying swallow, running pup, running serpent, great dove, running bear, running stag,
running wolf, free pup, phoenix master, kirin master, vertical bear, side boar, silver rabbit, golden deer, great stag,
cloud eagle, bishop, rook, side wolf, mountain falcon, soldiers (except: sword, burning and cross-bow), violent ox,
golden bird, white horse, howling dog, side mover, water buffalo, turtles, vertical wolf, side ox, liberated horse,
treacherous fox, roc master, vermillion sparrow, horseman, swallows wings, side flyer, great master, side monkey,
vertical mover, flying ox, vertical pup, vertical horse, dragon horse, dragon king, horned falcon, soaring eagle,
roaring dog and lion dog.

583

Taikyoku shogi
Hook moves (changing tack)
The hook mover, long-nosed goblin, Capricorn, and peacock can move any number of squares along a straight line,
as a normal ranging piece, but may also abruptly change tack left or right by 90 at any one place along the route,
and then continue as a ranging piece. Turning a corner like this is optional.
The range covered by a hook move is the equivalent of two moves by a rook, or two moves by a bishop, depending
on the piece. However, a hook move is functionally a single move: The piece cannot capture twice in one move, nor
may it capture and then move on. It must stop before an intervening piece (unless it first changes direction to avoid
it), and must stop when it captures, just like any other ranging piece. It can only change direction once per move.
Area movers
The lion and lion hawk may take multiple (2) steps in a single turn. These do not have to be in a line, so these pieces
can potentially reach every square within two or three steps of the starting square, not just squares along one of the
diagonals or orthogonals. Such moves are also useful to get around obstructions. An area mover must stop where it
captures.
Limited range jumping pieces
The golden bird and several promoted pieces have the option of jumping a limited number of squares, and then
continuing on in the same direction as a ranging piece.
Range jumping (flying) pieces
The ancient dragon may jump over any number of pieces, friend or foe, along a straight line, but only when making a
capture. Otherwise it moves as a ranging piece.
Range capturing pieces
The great general, vice general, rook general, bishop general, violent dragon and flying crocodile may jump over any
number of pieces, friend or foe, along a diagonal or orthogonal. They capture all pieces they jump.
However, they may only jump pieces of lower rank, whether friend or foe. The relevant ranking is:
1.
2.
3.
4.

King, crown prince

Great general
Vice general
Rook general, bishop general, violent dragon, flying crocodile

Individual pieces
King, fragrant elephant and white elephant
Limited range: The king, fragrant elephant and white elephant can move one or two squares in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal.
The king may move into check (not recommended).
The elephants have the same promotion.
Crown prince, left general and right general
Step: The crown prince left general and right general can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
A crown prince may move into check (not recommended).
The pieces have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Gold general and violent wolf
Step: The gold general and violent wolf can step one square in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally
forward, giving them six possibilities.

584

Taikyoku shogi
They cannot move diagonally backward.
The pieces have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Rear standard
Limited range: The rear standard can move one or two squares diagonally.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally
Free king
Ranging: The free king can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonal or
diagonal.
Free dream-eater
Ranging: The free dream-eater can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal
directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
Wooden dove
Limited range: The wooden dove can move one or two (or three?) squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions, but has the
option of jumping in these directions instead of ranging.
Jump plus limited range: It can jump to the third square in the four diagonal directions, and then (optionally)
move one or two squares in the same direction.
Note: in Japanese Wikipedia, the diagram shows the orthogonal limited range as being limited to two squares,
but the verbal description gives a range of three.
Earth dragon
Step: The earth dragon can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.
The Japanese Wikipedia describes another set of movements for this piece.
Step: The earth dragon can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.
Free demon
Limited range: The free demon can move one to five squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally
right.
The Japanese Wikipedia describes another set of movements for this piece.
Limited range: The free demon can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally
sideways.
Running horse
Step: The running horse can move one square orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally or diagonally forward.
Jump: It can jump to the second square diagonally backwards
Beast cadet

585

Taikyoku shogi
Limited range: The beast cadet can move one or two squares orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four
diagonal directions.
Long-nosed goblin (tengu)
Hook move: The long-nosed goblin can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal
directions, then (optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
Unlike in other shogi variants, in taikyoku the tengu cannot move orthogonally, and therefore can only reach half of
the squares on the board. This is the move of the capricorn, and may be an error.
Mountain eagle (right)
Limited range: The right mountain eagle can move one or two squares diagonally backward to the left.
Jump: It can jump to the second square along either right diagonal.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally right, diagonally forward to the left,
or in the four orthogonal directions.
Mountain eagle (left)
Limited range: The left mountain eagle can move one or two squares diagonally backward to the right.
Jump: It can jump to the second square along either left diagonal.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally left, diagonally forward to the right,
or in the four orthogonal directions.
Fire demon
Limited range: The fire demon can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal
directions.
It cannot burn other pieces as in tenjiku shogi.
Whale
Ranging: The whale can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward; or
diagonally backward.
Running Rabbit
Step: The running rabbit can move one square orthogonally or diagonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally or diagonally forward.
White tiger
Ranging: The white tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, or
diagonally forward to the left.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Turtle-snake
Ranging: The turtle-snake can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the right
or backward to the left.
Step: It can move one square in any of the remaining directions.
Ceramic dove
Limited range: The ceramic dove can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions
Lance, oxcart and savage tiger
Ranging: The lance, oxcart and savage tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally
forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Taikyoku shogi
Reverse Chariot
Ranging: The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
backward.
Mountain dove
Step: The mountain dove can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
Flying swallow
Step: The flying swallow can move one square orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Captive officer
Limited range: The captive officer can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways; or
Limited range: It can move one to three squares in the four diagonal directions
Rain dragon
Step: The rain dragon can move one square orthogonally or diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or backward; or
diagonally backward.
Forest demon
Limited range: The forest demon can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Mountain stag

Step: The mountain stag can move one square orthogonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to four squares orthogonally backward.

Running pup and running serpent

Step: The running pup and running serpent can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Side serpent
Step: The side serpent can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Great dove
Limited range: The great dove can move one to three squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Running tiger and running bear
Limited range: The running tiger and running bear can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Yaksha
Step: The yaksha can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.

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Buddhist devil
Limited range: The Buddhist devil can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.
Guardian of the Gods
Limited range: The guardian of the Gods can move one to three squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Wrestler
Limited range: The wrestler can move one to three squares in the four diagonal directions.
Silver general and violent stag
Step: The silver general and violent stag can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or
One square orthogonally forward, giving them five possibilities.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Drunken elephant and neighboring king
Step: The drunken elephant and neighboring king can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal,
except orthogonally backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Gold chariot
Step: The gold chariot can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Side dragon
Ranging: The side dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
sideways.
Running stag
Limited range: The running stag can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Running wolf
Step: The running wolf can move one square orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Bishop general
Range capture: The bishop general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any diagonal
direction, so long as they don't contain a royal (king or crown prince) or another range capturing piece. All pieces
it flies over are removed from the game.
Rook general
Range capture: The rook general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any orthogonal
direction, so long as they don't contain a royal (king or crown prince) or another range capturing piece. All pieces
it flies over are removed from the game.
Right tiger
Step: The right tiger can move one square diagonally right.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally left or diagonally left.
Left tiger
Step: The left tiger can move one square diagonally left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally right or diagonally right.

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Right dragon
Limited range: The right dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally right.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally left or diagonally left.
Left dragon
Limited range: The left dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally right or diagonally right.
Beast officer
Limited range: The beast officer can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or in the four diagonal directions.
Wind dragon
Step: The wind dragon can move one square diagonally backward to the left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, diagonally forward or
diagonally backward to the right.
Free pup
Step: The free pup can move one square diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward; or
diagonally forward.
Rushing bird
Step: The rushing bird can move one square orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
Old kite (hawk)
Limited range: The old kite can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions; or
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Peacock
Hook move: The peacock can move any number of free squares in a straight line along one of the two forward
diagonals, then (optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a straight line in a perpendicular
diagonal direction.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares in one of the two rearward diagonals.
Water dragon
Limited range: The water dragon can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Fire dragon
Limited range: The fire dragon can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Copper general
Step: The copper general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or
diagonally forward.
Phoenix master
Limited range: The phoenix master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.

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Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally or orthogonally forward or backward.
Jump: It can jump to the third square diagonally forward.
Kirin master
Limited range: The Kirin master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally or orthogonally forward or backward.
Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or backward.
Silver chariot
Step: The silver chariot can move one square diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Vertical bear
Step: The vertical bear can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Knight
Jump: A knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square
forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward
destinations.
The knight ignores intervening pieces on the way to its destination, though its destination square must of course
be either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured), just as with
any other moving piece.
Pig general
Limited range: The pig general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward; or
Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally forward.
Chicken general and pup general
Step: The chicken general and pup general can move one square diagonally backward.
Limited range: They can move one to four squares orthogonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Horse general and ox general
Step: The horse general and ox general can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
These pieces and their promotions have the same range of motion.
Center standard and front standard
Limited range: The center standard and front standard can move one to three squares in the four diagonal
directions.
Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above). Uniquely, when a center standard
promotes to a front standard, it gains no new abilities.
Side boar
Step: The side boar can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or in the four diagonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Silver rabbit
Limited range: The silver rabbit can move one or two squares diagonally forward.

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Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.
Golden deer
Ranging: The golden deer can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Lion
Area move/double capture: The lion can step one square in any direction up to twice in a turn. It can change
directions after its first step, and is not restricted to following one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions.
That is, it can also step to one of the in-between squares that a knight jumps to in Western chess.
Unlike the hook movers, it can continue after a capture on the first step, potentially capturing two pieces on
each turn.
By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving.
This is called igui "stationary feeding".
A similar move without capturing leaves the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn. This can be done
even when there are no empty adjacent squares.
Or,
Jump: The lion can jump anywhere within two squares. This is equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal
or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a knight in Western chess.
Note: The restrictions when capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in taikyoku shogi.
Captive cadet
Limited range: The captive cadet can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or sideways, or in the four
diagonal directions.
Great stag
Limited range: The great stag can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the second square diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Violent dragon
Limited range: The violent dragon can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Range capture: It can fly over any number of pieces along one of the four diagonal directions, as long as they
don't include a royal (king or prince) or another range-jumping piece. All pieces it flies over are removed from the
game.
Woodland demon
Limited range: The woodland demon can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or
diagonally forward.
Vice general
Jump: The vice general can jump to the second square in the four orthogonal directions. This is a standard jump.
Range capture: It can fly over any number of squares along one of the four diagonal directions, as long as they
don't contain a royal (king or prince), great general, or another vice general. All pieces it flies over are removed
from the game.
Great general
Range capture: The great general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any direction,
orthogonally or diagonally, as long as they don't contain a royal (king or prince) or another great general. All
pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

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Stone chariot
Step: The stone chariot can move one square diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Cloud eagle
Step: The cloud eagle can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Bishop
Ranging: A bishop can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.
Rook, soldier, running chariot and square mover
Ranging: The rook, soldier, running chariot and square mover can move any number of free squares in a straight
line in the four orthogonal directions.
They have the same range of motion but promote differently (see above).
Side wolf
Step: The side wolf can move one square diagonally forward to the left or diagonally backward to the right.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Flying cat
Step: The flying cat can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or sideways, or diagonally forward.
Mountain falcon
Limited range: The mountain falcon can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally
forward.
Note: This is the depiction of the diagram in Japanese wiki. However, the text makes no mention of an ability
to move orthogonally sideways.
Vertical tiger
Limited range: The vertical tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Little standard
Step: The little standard can move one square diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Cloud dragon
Step: The cloud dragon can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward or in the four diagonal
directions.
Copper chariot
Limited range: The copper chariot can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

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Rams-head soldier
Ranging: The rams-head soldier can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally backward.
Violent ox
Step: The violent ox can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Great dragon
Limited range: The great dragon can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Golden bird
Limited range: The golden bird can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces diagonally forward, and then optionally continue any number of
free squares in that direction.
Dark spirit
Step: The dark spirit can move one square in any direction orthogonally or diagonally, except diagonally forward
to the left.
Deva
Step: The Deva can move one square in any direction orthogonally or diagonally, except diagonally forward to
the right.
Wood chariot
Step: The wood chariot can move one square diagonally forward to the left or diagonally backward to the right.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
White horse
Ranging: The white horse can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Howling dog (left and right)
Step: The howling dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
The left and right howling dogs have the same range of motion but promote differently (see above).
Side mover
Ranging: The side mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Prancing stag
Limited range: The prancing stag can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally forward.
Water buffalo
Ranging: The water buffalo can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Ferocious leopard

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Step: The ferocious leopard can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or
orthogonally forward or backward.
Fierce eagle
Limited range: The fierce eagle can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways.
Flying dragon
Jump: The flying dragon can jump to the second square in the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally or to every diagonal square, a flying dragon can only reach one quarter the
squares on the board.
Poisonous snake
Step: The poisonous snake can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can moves one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
Flying goose
Step: The flying goose can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or
diagonally forward.
Strutting crow
Step: The strutting crow can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.
Blind dog and Chinese cock
Step: The blind dog and Chinese cock can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
Step: They can move one square diagonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Water general and mountain general
Step: The water general and mountain general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Limited range: They can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Fire general
Step: The fire general can move one square diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Phoenix
Step: The phoenix can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in the four diagonal directions.
Kirin
Step: A Kirin can move one square orthogonally forward or backward, or in the four diagonal directions.
Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally sideways.
Hook mover
Hook move: The hook mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal
directions, then (optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
Little turtle
Limited range: The little turtle can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or in the
four diagonal directions.

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Great turtle
Limited range: The great turtle can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or in the
four diagonal directions.
Capricorn
Hook move: The Capricorn can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions,
then (optionally) turn 90 and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
Because the capricorn cannot move orthogonally, it can only reach half of the squares on the board. This is
the move of the capricorn, and may be an error.
Tile chariot
Step: The tile chariot can move one square diagonally forward to the right or diagonally backward to the left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Vertical wolf
Step: The vertical wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Side ox
Step: The side ox can move one square diagonally forward to the right or diagonally backward to the left.
Ranging: It can move any number of squares orthogonally sideways.
Donkey and enchanted badger
Limited range: The donkey and enchanted badger can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
Their range of movement and promotions are the same.
Flying horse
Limited range: The flying horse can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.
Angry boar
Step: The angry boar can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways; or
Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Violent bear
Limited range: The violent bear can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Step: One version of the game has the violent bear moving one square orthogonally forward; another version has
it moving one square diagonally backward.
Evil Wolf
Step: The evil wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways or forward; or diagonally forward.
Liberated horse
Step: The liberated horse can move one square diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Flying cock
Step: The flying cock can move one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Old monkey

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Step: The old monkey can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally backward.
Northern barbarian and southern barbarian
Limited range: The northern barbarian and southern barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally
sideways.
Step: They can move one square orthogonally forward or backward or diagonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Eastern barbarian and western barbarian
Limited range: The eastern barbarian and western barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or
backward.
Step: They can move one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Treacherous fox
Ranging: The treacherous fox can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
backward, or in the four diagonal directions.
Jump: One version of the game allows it to jump to the second or third square in those directions then move,
another does not.
Center master
Limited range: The center master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the second square and then move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally
forward or backward, or diagonally forward.
It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.
Roc master
Limited range: The roc master can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Jump/ Ranging: It can jump to the third square and then move any number of free squares in a straight line
diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.
Earth chariot
Step: The earth chariot can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Vermilion sparrow
Step: The vermilion sparrow can move one square in the four orthogonal directions, or diagonally forward to the
right or diagonally backward to the left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the left or diagonally
backward to the right.
Blue dragon
Ranging: The blue dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
backward, or diagonally forward to the right.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Horseman
Limited range: The horseman can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or
diagonally forward.

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Swooping owl and old rat
Step: The swooping owl and old rat can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Climbing monkey
Step: The climbing monkey can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally forward.
Cat sword
Step: The cat sword can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
Because it cannot move orthogonally, a cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.
Swallows wings
Step: The Swallows wings can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Blind monkey
Step: The blind monkey can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.
Blind tiger
Step: The blind tiger can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.
Side flyer
Step: The side flyer can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Blind bear
Step: The blind bear can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.
Coiled serpent
Step: The coiled serpent can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally backward.
Reclining dragon
Step: The reclining dragon can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
Free eagle
Jump/ranging: The free eagle can jump to the second or third square, and then move any number of free squares
in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally backward.
Jump/ranging: It can jump to the second to fourth square, and then move any number of free squares in a straight
line diagonally forward.
It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.
Lion hawk
Area move/double capture/ranging: The lion hawk can move as a lion or as a bishop.
Jump/ranging: It can leap to the second square in any diagonal direction before making a bishop move in that
same direction.
Chariot soldier
Limited range: The chariot soldier can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, orthogonally backward
or in the four diagonal directions.
Side soldier
Step: The side soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

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Vertical soldier
Step: The vertical soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Wind general and river general
Step: The wind general and river general can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Horse soldier and ox soldier

Step: The horse soldier and ox soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

Wood general
Limited range: The wood general can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Earth general and go between
Step: The earth general and go between can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Boar soldier, leopard soldier and bear soldier
Step: The boar soldier, leopard soldier and bear soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: They can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Stone general
Step: The stone general can move one square diagonally forward.
Because it cannot move orthogonally or backward, a stone general can only reach less than half the squares on the
board.
Tile general and sword soldier
Step: The tile general and sword soldier can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Iron general and dog
Step: The iron general and dog can move one square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).
Great standard
Limited range: The great standard can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal
directions.
Great master
Limited range: The great master can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the third square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally, or
orthogonally backward.
Right chariot

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Ranging: The right chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the right.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the left.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally right.

Left chariot

Ranging: The left chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the left.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the right.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally left.

Side monkey
Step: The side monkey can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
Vertical mover
Ranging: The vertical mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or
backward.
Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Flying Ox
Ranging: The flying ox can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Longbow soldier

Step: The longbow soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Vertical pup
Step: The vertical pup can move one square backward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Vertical horse
Step: The vertical horse can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Burning soldier

Step: The burning soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to seven squares orthogonally forward.

Dragon horse
Ranging: A dragon horse can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Step: It can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
Dragon king
Ranging: A dragon king can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Step: It can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
Horned falcon
Ranging: The horned falcon can move as a free king.

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Taikyoku shogi
Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward.
Soaring eagle
Jump: The soaring eagle can jump to the second square diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
Spear soldier
Step: The spear soldier can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Vertical leopard
Step: The vertical leopard can move one square orthogonally backward, sideways or diagonally forward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Cross-bow soldier
Step: The cross-bow soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally forward.
Roaring dog
Limited range: The roaring dog can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
Jump: It can jump to the third square diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal directions.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal
directions.
Lion dog
Jump: The lion dog can jump to the third square in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
Pawn
Step: The pawn can move one square orthogonally forward.

Promotion
Like other large board shogi variants, this game uses the promotion-by-capture rule. When a piece first makes a
capture, it promotes. (If it can: a few important pieces do not promote.) 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
after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promotion is both compulsory and permanent.
This is all very different from smaller shogi variants, where pieces promote when they cross a promotion zone (the
enemy camp), and where promotion is optional. The dots on the taikyoku shogi board that would represent
promotion zones in other games are only there as placement guides for the initial setup of the two camps.
Some pieces promote, or demote, to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a piece cannot
then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a bishop promotes to a dragon horse. However,
while a ferocious leopard promotes to a bishop on its first capturing move, it does not promote to a dragon horse on
its second. Rather, it remains a bishop for the rest of the game.
If a Lance, oxcart, savage tiger, side dragon, running wolf, knight, angry boar, evil wolf, flying cock, wood general,
stone general, iron general, dog, pawn, running leopard, free wolf or raiding falcon reaches the furthest rank; it must
remain there until it captures or is captured.

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Taikyoku shogi
Individual promoted pieces
New pieces that only appear as a result of promotion are as follows:
Free bird
Limited range: The free bird can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces diagonally forward, and then optionally continue any number of
free squares in that direction.
Great dream-eater
Jump: The great dream-eater can jump to the third square orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
Ancient dragon
Range: The ancient dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Ranging jump: It can jump over any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Heavenly Tetrarch king
Range: The Heavenly Tetrarch king can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction,
orthogonally or diagonally.
Jump: It can jump to the second square before (optionally) moving on in that direction.
It can capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving (igui).
Great falcon
Range: The great falcon can move any number of squares in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward before (optionally) moving on in that direction.
Great elephant
Limited range: The great elephant can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces in a straight line diagonally backward or in one of the four
orthogonal directions, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.
Fire ox and violent wind
Step: The fire ox and violent wind can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward, forward or in the four
diagonal directions.
Strong bear
Limited range: The strong bear can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four
diagonal directions.
Right phoenix
Limited range: The right phoenix can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Running leopard
Range: The running leopard can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward,
sideways or diagonally forward.
Thunder runner
Limited range: The thunder runner can move one to four squares orthogonally sideways or backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

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Rain demon

Limited range: The rain demon can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward.
Range jump: It can jump any number of squares along either forward diagonal.

Free boar
Step: The free boar can move one square orthogonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally
forward.
Free dog
Limited range: The free dog can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally
forward.
Running ox
Limited range: The running ox can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally
forward.
Great horse
Limited range/range: The great horse moves as a horseman.
Cavalier and strong chariot
Range: The cavalier and strong chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward
or in the four orthogonal directions.
Free fire
Limited range: The free fire can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal
directions.
Burning chariot
Step: The burning chariot can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally
forward.
Free stag and strong eagle
Range: The free stag and strong eagle move as a free king.
Free dragon and free tiger
Range: The free dragon and free tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction,
orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.
Flying crocodile
Limited range: The flying crocodile can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Range capture: It can jump any number of pieces in one of the four orthogonal directions, as long as these do not
include a royal (king or crown prince) or another range-capturing piece. Any piece it jumps over is removed from
the board.
Divine tiger
Limited range: The divine tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.

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Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways, or diagonally
forward to the left.
Divine dragon
Limited range: The divine dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally left.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, right, backward or
diagonally forward to the right.
Divine turtle
Step: The divine turtle can move one square diagonally forward to the left or in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line along either rear diagonal, or diagonally forward
to the right.
Divine sparrow
Step: The divine sparrow can move one square diagonally forward to the left or in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward or forward to the left.
Free serpent and coiled dragon
Range: The free serpent and coiled dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally
forward, backward, or diagonally backward.
Free wolf
Range: The free wolf can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or
diagonally forward.
Great tiger
Step: The great tiger can move one square orthogonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or backward.
Right dog
Step: The right dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or diagonally backward to
the left.
Left dog
Step: The left dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or diagonally backward to
the right.
Free bear, free leopard and great whale
Range: The free bear, free leopard and great whale move as a flying ox.
Running boar
Step/range: The running boar moves as an earth chariot or vertical mover.
Heavenly horse
Jump: The heavenly horse jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one
square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion; or one square backward plus one square
diagonally backward, in a single motion.
It ignores intervening pieces while jumping to its destination, though its destination square must of course be
either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured), just as with any
other moving piece.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Spear general

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Limited range: The spear general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Great leopard

Step: The great leopard can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Flying stag and copper elephant

Step: The flying stag and copper elephant can move one square orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal
directions.
Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Right army
Step: The right army can move one square orthogonally forward, backward, left or diagonally left.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line right, orthogonally or diagonally.
Left army
Step: The left army can move one square orthogonally forward, backward, right or diagonally right.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line left, orthogonally or diagonally.
Beast bird and captive bird
Limited range: The beast bird and captive bird can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or in the four diagonal
directions.
Gliding swallow
Range: The gliding swallow moves as a rook.
Buddhist spirit
Area move/double capture: The Buddhist spirit can move as a lion, or
Range: It can move as a free king.
Teaching king
Jump and range: The teaching king can jump up to three pieces along a straight line in any diagonal or orthogonal
direction, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.
Great shark
Limited range: The shark can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
Furious fiend
Area move/double capture or jump: The furious fiend can move as a lion; or
Limited range: It can move three squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. (A normal move: it can only
capture once and cannot jump when doing this.)
Leopard king
Limited range: The leopard king can move one to five squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Goose wing

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Step: The goose wing can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.
Left iron chariot
Step: The left iron chariot can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the right.
Right iron chariot
Step: The right iron chariot can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the left.
Plodding ox
Step: The plodding ox can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Wind snapping turtle
Limited range: The wind snapping turtle can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Running tile
Limited range/range: The running tile moves as a running tiger or running bear.
Young bird
Limited range: The young bird can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Playful cockatoo

Limited range: The playful cockatoo can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Walking heron
Limited range: The walking heron can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
Tiger soldier
The tiger soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
Running dragon
Limited range: The running dragon can move one to five squares orthogonally backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four
diagonal directions.
Heavenly Tetrarch
Limited range: The Heavenly Tetrarch can move one to four squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
Elephant king
Limited range/range: The elephant king moves as a ceramic dove.
Peaceful mountain
Limited range: The peaceful mountain can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or sideways.

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Taikyoku shogi
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
Chinese river
Step: The Chinese river can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal
directions.
Free chicken
Limited range/range: The free chicken moves as a woodland demon.
Free ox, free horse and free pig
Step/limited range/range: The free ox, free horse and free pig move as a free pup.
Longbow general
Limited range: The longbow general can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally
forward.
Burning general
Limited range: The burning general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Cross-bow general

Limited range: The cross-bow general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Mountain crane
Range: The mountain crane can move as a free king.
Jump: It can jump to the third square and (optionally) continue in that direction.
Rushing boar
Step: The rushing boar can move one square orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four diagonal directions.
Sword general
Step: The sword general can move one square orthogonally backward.
Limited range: It can move one to three squares forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Bird of paradise and multi general
Range: The bird of paradise and multi general move as a white horse.
Bears eyes and venomous wolf
Step: The bears eyes and venomous wolf move as a crown prince.
Mountain witch
Range: The mountain witch can move any number of free squares in a straight line backward, orthogonally or
diagonally.
When it reaches the first rank, it must stay there until captured.
Flying falcon
Step: The flying falcon can move one square orthogonally forward.
Range: It can move any number of squares in the four diagonal directions.
Spirit turtle

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Jump: The spirit turtle can jump to the third square in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move as a free king.
Treasure turtle
Jump: The treasure turtle can jump to the second square in the four orthogonal directions.
Range: It can move as a free king.
Great bear
Step: The great bear can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
Wizard stork
Range: The wizard stork can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, backward
or diagonally forward.
Raiding falcon
Step: The raiding falcon can move one square diagonally forward.
Step: The raiding falcon can move one square orthogonally sideways.
Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
Great eagle
Range: The great eagle can move as a free king.
Jump: It can jump to the second square in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally, and (optionally) continue
moving in that direction.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's sole remaining king or crown prince could be captured on the
following move, the move is said to give check to the king or crown prince; the king or crown prince is said to be in
check. If a player's last king or crown prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get the king or crown
prince out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.
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 royal (king or crown prince) 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 sole remaining king or crown prince wins the game. In practice this 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.

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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
taikyoku shogi.
A typical example is P-12h. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added
in front of the letter. (e.g., +CC for a wizard stork (promoted Chinese cock). 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
square 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 36jj being the bottom left
corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese
numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2 in Japanese.)
If a lion, golden bird, heavenly tetrarch king or teaching king captures by 'igui, the square of the piece being
captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol !. If a double capture is made,
than it is added after the first capture.
If a move forces the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken.
For example, ORx7c+ indicates an old rat capturing on 7c and promoting.
In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the
designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.
Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

External links
Shogi Net [2]
History.chess.free/taikyoku shogi [1]
Chessvariants.org/taikyoku [2]
taikyokushogi.hp.infoseek.co.jp/taikyoku [3] An online flash version of the game with illustrated piece
movements. No AI.
taikyoku.swf [4] Download the game here (right-click, save link as)
The previous two links are dead these days, but the .swf file can still be downloaded here ...taikyoku.swf [5] (You
need to actually go to the page. Right-click, save link won't work with this link)

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ taikyokushogi. htm

http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ shogivariants. dir/ taikyoku_english. html
http:/ / taikyokushogi. hp. infoseek. co. jp/ taikyoku. html
http:/ / taikyokushogi. hp. infoseek. co. jp/ taikyoku. swf
http:/ / eye. swfchan. com/ flash. asp?id=17764& n=taikyoku. swf

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Sannin shogi

609

Sannin shogi
Sannin shgi ( three-person chess), or in full kokusai sannin shgi ( international
three-person chess), is a three-person shogi variant invented circa 1930 by Tanigasaki Jisuke and recently revived. It
is played on a hexagonal grid of border length 7 with 127 cells. Standard shogi pieces may be used, and the rules for
capture, promotion, drops, etc. are mostly similar to standard shogi. (See that article for an explanation of these
terms.) While piece movement differs somewhat from standard shogi, especially in the case of the powerful
promoted king, the main difference in play is due to the rules for voluntary and mandatory alliance between two of
the three players.

Board and setup

The board is thought to have originally been in the shape of an equilateral triangle bordered by three rectangles
which contained the players' home territories and promotion zones. However, in terms of movement this was
equivalent to a hexagon, and the modern form of sannin shogi is played on a hexagonal board, rather like the central
portion of a Chinese checkers board. The three players occupy non-adjacent sides of the board; the three ranks
nearest to them are their territories and their opponents' promotion zones. The 'international' arena inside the three
territories remains triangular.
The board is presented here with substitutions by standard shogi pieces; for the names actually used, see below.

Setup. If the pawns were removed, the rooks could capture the
bishops, and the bishops could capture each other, as could the
lances.

K = king , G = gold , S = silver , L = lance , B =

bishop , R = rook , N = knight , p = pawn .

The central cell is called the Pleasure Garden and is an additional promotion zone, except for the king. It is drawn
with a heavy or double border or otherwise made visually distinct.
In the modern game, standard shogi pieces are used. Each player wields 18 pieces, the standard shogi set of 20 less
one knight and one pawn. The pieces face away from the players: That is, they point toward the gap between the
opposing players' territories.
The three players represent three countries, and are called First, Middle, and Last. If two players start the game as
allies, the remaining player is automatically First. Otherwise any random method may be used to determine the order
of play. Play then precedes clockwise from First to Middle to Last.

Sannin shogi

610

Board notation
Standard shogi notation is used, with allowance made
for the shape of the board. Numbering the ranks poses
no problem: They are the rows that are horizontal from
the viewpoint of Middle, and are given the letters a
through m from top to bottom, with g being the central
and widest rank. That is, the territories of First (top
right player) and Last (top left player) span ranks a
through i, and that of Middle (bottom player) occupies
the three ranks k, l, m.
The numbered "columns" are the rows that run from
top left to bottom right from the viewpoint of Middle.
They are given the numbers 1 to 13 from right to left,
with 7 being the central and longest column. That is,
First occupies columns 1 to 3, while the territories of
Middle and Last span columns 5 through 13.

The ranks are numbered am, and the files slanting left 113.

The Pleasure Garden is thus cell 7g; the corners are at 1a, 1g, 7a, 7m, 13g, 13m; and at setup the three kings occupy
1d, 10m, and 10d; and the three knights 3e, 9k, and 9e.

Movement on a hexagonal board

Because each cell of a sannin shogi board is a hexagon rather than a rectangle as in other shogi variants, the pieces
will necessarily move differently. Instead of four faces with adjacent squares and four corners, for eight directions
total, there are six each for a total of twelve. However, except for castling and the promoted king, which is
reminiscent of the queen of Western chess (indeed, it moves like the queen in Gliski's hexagonal chess), the pieces
are fair analogues of their standard-shgi counterparts.
Except when castling, all pieces move in straight lines. These may be step moves, where a piece moves to the
nearest cell in a particular direction, or ranging moves, where a piece may continue in a particular direction as long
as it does not pass through an occupied cell.
There are two kinds of paths along which pieces move:
Passing through one of the faces of the starting cell to one of the six adjacent cells, or through this adjacent cell to
continue straight in that direction. These six contiguous paths are called orthogonals in this article. They are
equivalent to the four orthogonal directions on a rectangular board.
Passing through one of the corners of the starting cell and between two adjacent cells to reach one of the six cells
just beyond, or continuing in a straight line in that direction, alternatingly passing through and passing between
the cells. These six skipping paths are called diagonals in this article. They are equivalent to the four diagonal
directions on a rectangular board. A piece may travel along a diagonal even if the adjacent cells it passes between
are occupied, since it doesn't actually pass through these adjacent cells, and this is not considered a jump, just as
on a rectangular board. There are no jumping moves in sannin shogi except for the king when castling.
These twelve directions correspond to the twelve hours on a clock: The orthogonals correspond to the odd hours (the
direction of the hour hand at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 o'clock), and the diagonals correspond to the even hours (the hour
hand at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 o'clock). Only the promoted king has the power to move in all twelve.

Sannin shogi

The twelve directions of movement, "orthogonal" (blue) vs

"diagonal" (green). represents the moving piece. The
promoted rook moves along any of the six solid blue lines,
whereas the bishop moves along any of the six discontinuous
green lines.

611

The twelve directions of movement and the corresponding hours

on a clock face. The blue cells in the odd-hour directions are the
first cells of the six orthogonals; the green cells in the even-hour
directions are the nearest cells of the six diagonals. These are the
twelve cells that step movers can reach.

The pieces and their moves

Tanigasaki named the pieces after elements he considered basic to international affairs.[1] However, they parallel the
pieces of standard shogi, which are substituted for them in modern play; since the reader is likely familiar with these
already, this article will use the piece names from standard shogi.

Sannin setup with the original piece names.

Sannin shogi

612

Piece

Pron.

English

Standard
equivalent

English

Prom.

Pron.

English

yoron

Public opinion

King

kyokk Sunlight

gunky

Military education

Rook

ryka

Heroism

gaik

Diplomacy

Bishop

masha

Witchcraft

ginken

Financial influence

Gold general

zeikan

Customs

Knight

shokub Trade and industry

Silver general

takara

Treasure

senden

Propaganda

Lance

ka

Change

sensen

Colonist

Pawn

doru

Dollar

Summary of the pieces and their promoted movements

Color coding for different types of movement

The piece may step here, to the nearest cell (orthogonal or diagonal).
The piece may range along these rows, crossing any number of empty cells.
The promoted king may range in one of these directions, or illuminate (kill at a distance) in all.

The king
The king (K; "public opinion" in Tanigasaki's nomenclature) may step to any adjacent (orthogonal) cell (1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
or 11 o'clock). A king may also castle on its first move, subject to certain restrictions (see below).
A promoted king (+K; "rising sun") may range along any of the twelve orthogonals or diagonals.
King

Promoted king

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613

The king steps all directions; it's equivalent to the

standard-shgi king.

The promoted king ranges all directions; it's equivalent to

Western queen with the additional power of
"illumination".

A promoted king also gains the power to "kill by illumination": It may capture, without moving, any pieces that it
could capture if it were to move. That is, it may capture more than one piece, but only one piece in any direction and
only if they are unprotected by either opposing player. (It is not clear if it must capture all such pieces, or if it may be
selective.) It cannot combine this power with a physical move.
A king automatically promotes if the other two players enter into an alliance. A non-allied king (promoted or
otherwise) that reaches the central cell of the board (the Pleasure Garden) wins the game.

The rook
The rook (R; "military education") may range along one of the forward or side orthogonals (9, 11, 1, or 3 o'clock), or
along the diagonal directly backwards (6 o'clock).
A promoted rook (+R; "heroism") has a more powerful retreat: It may range along any one of the six orthogonals.
Rook

Promoted rook

The rook ranges along the 1,3,6,9,11 o'clock directions. The promoted rook ranges orthogonally; it's equivalent to
the standard-shgi rook.
Rooks at startup

Sannin shogi

614

With the pawns removed at startup, the rooks (white)

threaten the opposing bishops (orange) while protecting
their own bishop.

The bishop
The bishop (B; "diplomacy") may range along any one of the six diagonals, and can reach only one-third of the
board. (Compare Gliski's hexagonal chess, which has three bishops for this very reason.)
A promoted bishop (+B; "witchcraft") gains the power to step to any adjacent (orthogonal) cell. That is, it may move
as a bishop or as a king, and can therefore reach every cell on the board.
Bishop

The bishop ranges diagonally; it's equivalent to the

standard-shgi bishop.

Bishops at startup

Promoted bishop

The promoted bishop ranges diagonally and steps

orthogonally; it's equivalent to the standard-shgi dragon
horse

Sannin shogi

615

With the pawns removed at startup, the bishops (white)

threaten each other. They protect the neighboring gold
generals (green).

The gold general and the knight

The gold general, or simply 'gold' (G; "financial influence") may step to one of the orthogonal forward or side cells
(9, 11, 1, or 3 o'clock), or to the diagonal cell directly forward or backward (6 or 12 o'clock).
The knight (N; "customs") may step to any side cell, orthogonal (3 or 9 o'clock) or diagonal (2, 4, 8, or 10 o'clock).
Neither has the ability to promote.
Gold

The gold general steps at 1,3,6,9,11,12 o'clock.

Knight

The knight steps at 2,3,4,8,9,10 o'clock.

Sannin shogi

616

The silver general

The silver general, or simply 'silver' (S; "trade and industry") may step to one of the orthogonal forward or rear cells
(11, 1, 5, or 7 o'clock), or to one of the forward side diagonal cells (10 or 2 o'clock).
A promoted silver (+S; "treasure") gains the power to range along the forward and rear diagonals (12 and 6 o'clock).
Silver

The silver general steps at 1,2,5,7,10,11 o'clock.

Promoted silver

The promoted silver general gains a ranging move at 6 or

12 o'clock.

The lance
The lance (L; "propaganda") may range along either of the two forward orthogonals (11 or 1 o'clock). As a
consequence, it may run out of room to move, and will thus be required to promote so that it can move further,
although it is always advantageous to promote a lance.
A promoted lance (+L; "transformation") gains the power to range along the rear orthogonals (5 and 7 o'clock) as
well.
Lance

The lance ranges at 1 or 11 o'clock; it's equivalent to the

standard-shgi lance but with the ability to attack either
opposing side.
Lances at startup

Promoted lance

The promoted lance ranges at 1,5,7,11 o'clock; as in

standard shgi, it acquires the ability to reverse its
course.

Sannin shogi

617

With the pawns removed at startup, each lance (white)

threatens the two neighboring lances. With the rook and
bishop out of the way (bottom), they also threaten the
rook and bishop across the board (orange), and the two
lances behind them.

The pawn
The pawn (p; "colonist" or "pioneer") may step to either of the two forward orthogonal cells (11 or 1 o'clock). As a
consequence, it may run out of room to move, and will thus be required to promote so that it can move further,
although it is always advantageous to promote a pawn.
A promoted pawn (+p; "dollar") moves like a gold general.
Pawn

Promoted pawn

The pawn steps at 1 or 11 o'clock; it's equivalent to the The promoted pawn moves as a gold general, as does the
standard-shgi pawn but with the ability to attack either
standard-shgi tokin.
opposing side.

Sannin shogi

618

Capture
Capturing is done by displacement as in standard shogi. The one exception is the power of "illumination" of the
promoted king.
A piece may be captured regardless of any alliance the mover may have with its owner. A castling king may capture
as any other moving piece does.

Drops
Captured pieces are truly captured in sannin shogi. They are retained "in hand", and can be brought back into play
under the capturing player's control. On any turn, instead of moving a piece across the board, a player can take a
piece he has previously captured and place it on any empty cell, facing away from himself. The piece is now part of
the forces controlled by that player. This is termed dropping the piece, or just a drop.
However, unlike in standard shogi (see article for examples), there being no proper files on a hexagonal board, there
is no limit on the number of pawns per file. The restriction against dropping on the far rank (row a in the case of
Middle) applies only to pawns and lances, as all other pieces can move from that position.

Castling
On its first move only, a king may jump to
any vacant or enemy-occupied cell within its
territory. There are two limitations to
castling:
The king must not be, or ever have been,
in check.
Once an alliance is formed, no further
kings may castle.

Promotion
Promotion rules are similar to standard
shogi, except for the larger number of
promotion zones and the restriction against
allied players promoting.

Castling and promotion zones. Orange cells are Middle's home territory, where the
king may jump when castling. Green cells are Middle's three promotion zones. Tan
cells are international territory.

There are three promotion zones: Both of

the opposing player's territories, plus the
Pleasure Garden (the central cell of the
board). In the case of the latter, only moves
into or out of the Pleasure Garden are

promotable moves: Passing through the cell does not count.

Unlike standard shogi, the sannin shogi king can promote; indeed, when an alliance is formed, the non-allied king is
automatically promoted. (However, a king cannot kill by illumination when it promotes. That requires an additional
turn, as promotion does not take effect until the end of the promoting move.) When using standard game pieces,
promotion entails turning the king blank side up.

Sannin shogi

Checkmate and winning the game

A player may not move into check or remain in check, even check by an ally. Likewise, a player may not check or
checkmate an ally, and each player regardless of alliance must defend against check or threat of checkmate on the
next move. (That is, if Middle and Last are allies, and First places Middle in check, Middle must answer the threat,
even if he knows or thinks Last will come to the rescue.)
A player loses the game upon checkmate, not upon capture of the king. (That is, if Middle and Last are allied, and
First checkmates Middle, the game is over, regardless of whether Last could intercede to prevent an actual capture of
the king.) When mated, all the player's pieces are removed from the board and from the game: They are not captured
by the mating player. Play then shifts to the mating player, regardless of whose turn it would otherwise have been.
There are three ways to win sannin shogi:
If each player plays independently, the player remaining after the other two have been mated is the winner.
If there is an alliance, then the non-allied player wins by mating either opposing player, and the game ends. That
is, if your partner loses, you lose. However, if the non-allied player is mated, the alliance is dissolved, and the two
erstwhile allies continue the game between them.
If any player not in an alliance (whether there is one or not) moves the king or promoted king (that is, the Public
Opinion or the Sunlight) to the Pleasure Garden, that player wins and the game ends. (Note that the prohibition
against moving into check holds for this move as for any other.)

Other rules
Repetition of board positions is not allowed. Unlike standard shogi, it is the player who starts the repetitive sequence
who must vary the move.
There are no rules for various rare eventualities in sannin shogi, such as draws or revealed checkmate between allies.

Alliances
Two players may team up against the third, forming an alliance. They may attack each other, but not place each
other in check until the third player is defeated, at which point the alliance is annulled. They may not move each
other's pieces.
Allies may attack each other to gain pieces-in-hand for drops, or to weaken each other in anticipation of the
two-player end game. However, if either ally is checkmated by the third player, both lose, so these are dangerous
tactics.

Forming an alliance
An alliance may be entered voluntarily before the start of the game. However, if two players gang up on the third at
any time during the game, subject to the following definitions, an alliance is automatically formed. An alliance may
not be broken except by defeat of the non-allied player.
There are two types of coordinated attack that force an alliance:
Discovered attack: One player moves out of the way of a second so that the second threatens the third with
"material loss", and
Dual attack: Two players in turn make threats of "material loss" against separate pieces of the third player, so
that the third player cannot escape both threats.
Material loss is defined as any exchange that materially benefits the attacking player. This includes check, threatened
checkmate on the next move, threats against undefended pieces (something for nothing), and threats by less valuable
(weaker) pieces on defended but more valuable (stronger) pieces (uneven exchange).

619

Sannin shogi

620

Possible gain by the third player elsewhere is disregarded, even if this were to make up for the material loss caused
by the coordinated attack. Likewise, the sequences of the moves are disregarded, even if they prove the loss of
material is more apparent than real.
For the purposes of calculating threats of uneven exchange, promoted values are ignored; the ranging pieces rook
and bishop are considered equivalent and more valuable than the step movers gold, silver, knight, and the lance,
which are in turn considered equivalent and more valuable than a pawn. Finally, check can be considered the
extreme case of uneven exchange, so the value scale is,
K > (R = B) > (G = S = N = L) > p.
Regardless of whether the situation is a discovered or a dual attack, it does not force an alliance if any attacking
move is a direct defense against a threat of material loss, as defined above. That is, if First attacks Middle, and
Middle defends by moving in such a way that First now checks Last (a discovered attack), this does not force an
alliance between First and Middle. Or, if Last attacks First, and First defends by checking Last, and then Middle
threatens Last's rook, this does not force an alliance between First and Middle either.

Rules that change in an alliance

Several rules that change or come into force when an alliance is made have been mentioned above:
Any of the three kings which has not already castled loses the ability to do so;
The non-allied king is immediately promoted;
Allied players lose the ability to promote their pieces, though any pieces already promoted remain so (it is not
clear if the ability to promote returns once the alliance is dissolved);
The two allied kings lose the right to win by reaching the Pleasure Garden (it is not clear if this ability returns
once the alliance is dissolved);
Neither ally may check or checkmate the other, and
Both allies lose if either is checkmated.

Sample game
Here are the first six rounds of a game played at a meeting of the International Shogi Research Group on 28 May
1932. John Fairbairn describes some of the moves as "strange" considering the professional level of the players.
The players were,
First: Kimi Kinjiro (8-dan)
Middle: Miyamatsu Kanzaburo (7-dan)
Last: Yamamoto Kusuro (7-dan)
The game began without an alliance.
1. P3c-4d P10k-10j P11g-10g
2. S-2d

S-9l

S-10e

3. S-2e

P7k-6j

P8d-7d

4. P-4e

R-7g+

Bx12l

(Middle rook promotes in Pleasure Garden;

Last bishop captures Middle bishop)

5. G-3d

Sx12l

P-9g

(Middle captures the attacking bishop)

R-10g

(Last rook lines up with Middle king)

6. P4d-5e +R-7l

(all three players shield their kings with silvers)

Sannin shogi

621

References
[1] The normal word for senden is , with the same pronunciation. gunky is a blend of gumbi 'military preparedness' and
kyiku 'education'; shokub is a blend of shokusan and beki 'trade'; and is short for
sentan-wo senry-suru 'capture the point'

Article from Shogi Magazine (http://www.chessvariants.org/shogivariants.dir/3-handed_shogi.html)

Japanese page (http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tetsu/toybox/kapitan/kp040.htm)

Yonin shogi
Yonin shgi, (, four-person chess), is a four-person
variant of shogi (Japanese chess). It may be played with a
dedicated yonin shogi set or with two sets of standard shogi
pieces, and is played on a standard sized shogi board.

Rules of the game

Objective
The objective of the game is to capture your opponents kings as
an individual or with the option of teaming up with one or two
fellow players. Fast matches are common.
Opening setup of yonin shogi

Game equipment
Four players play on a standard 99 shogi board, which is commonly colored black in dedicated yonin shogi sets.
Each player has a 9-piece subset of the standard shogi pieces:

1 king
1 rook
2 gold generals
2 silver generals
3 pawns

Setup
Each side places his pieces in a triangular arrangement, facing toward the player opposite him, as shown below.
In the rank nearest the player,
The king is placed in the center file;
The two gold generals are placed on either side of the king;
The two silver generals are placed next to the gold generals.
The four outside files are left empty.
In the second rank,
The rook is placed in the same file as the king;
A pawn is placed on either side of the rook, in front of the gold generals.

Yonin shogi

622

In the third rank, a pawn is placed in the same file as the king and rook.

G K G

b
S

p
p
S

9
a

G d

K e

G f
S

G K G

g
h

Note: some common sets feature a black board with white pieces.

Game play
The order of play may be decided by flipping four pawns and counting the number that land promoted-side up. Turns
proceed clockwise from the first player.
Movement and capture are identical to standard shogi, except for check and checkmate. Each player has a full
three-rank promotion zone as in standard shogi. Repetition, perpetual check, and illegal moves are also dealt with as
in standard shogi.

Check and mate

Yonin shogi departs from standard shogi in its rules for check and checkmate, due to the complications of having
four players. In yonin shogi, it is checkmate rather than forcing resignation that ends a player's game. These are not
equivalent as they are in standard shogi: In yonin shogi a third player might capture the mating piece before the
defeated player has a chance to resign; this is avoided by ending a player's game immediately upon checkmate.
In team play, check and checkmate do not count against the other member of one's team. They are simply ignored.
One player may inadvertently place a second player in check due to the movement of a third players piece. This is a
special form of discovered check unique to multiplayer chess variants. Similarly, if one player places a second player
in check, a move of a third player may result in checkmate for the second player without the third player attacking
directly. In yonin shogi, it is the player who makes the move that results in checkmate that gets credit for the
checkmate, not the player who makes the initial check.
Once a king is in check, the threatened player immediately takes the next turn in defense and play continues
clockwise from there. If two or three kings are placed in check simultaneously, the first player in the clockwise
direction to defend takes the next turn.

Yonin shogi

623

Game end
When a player is mated, all remaining pieces except the king are left on the board and placed under the control of the
mating player. Their original direction of movement is maintained. Any pieces held in hand are given to the mating
player, but can only be dropped in the original direction of the mating player. The defeated king is turned
upside-down and left as an obstacle for the remaining players. It cannot be captured or removed from the board.
In some descriptions of the game, the winner is the first player to checkmate twice, or to checkmate a player who has
already checkmated another. In others, the winner is the last player standing. In the latter case, the first player to be
checkmated is ranked fourth, the next is ranked third, and the player losing at the end is ranked second.
Because of the dead kings left as obstacles, it is possible for a player to be unable to make a legal move. This also
counts as a loss.
It is possible to check or checkmate two or three players with a single move.
A bare king may remain on the board in opposition to the other players in an effort to increase its ranking. In a timed
game, a bare king can move faster than its opponent, therefore it may attempt to win the game by forcing its
opponent to run out of time. Note that some league tournaments may disallow this.

Game notation
Yonin game notation is the same as that of shogi, except that there are four columns instead of two.

History
This version of Yonin shogi was devised in 1993 by Ota Mitsuyasu, former mayor of Hirata (present day Izumo) in
Shimane Prefecture. It is a recognized variant and plastic play sets are available for as little as 300 (US$2.50).
Yonin shogi sets were sold at the stand of the shogi hall. Some elementary schools even hold tournaments.
It is likely that four-person shogi has been played for many decades with rules made up as players went along. A
fully complete and playable set of rules first appeared in a weekly childrens magazine in February 1991. The
primary differences between this and the current rules are in the pieces used (nearly a complete standard shogi set for
each player) and the initial setup, which is also closer to standard shogi. In the diagram below, pieces are color coded
as to the player they belong to.

G K G

L a

N b

G d

K e

G f

G K G

N h

Yonin shogi

Yonin shogi products

Besides game sets, there are a few other products available:
4 Nin Shgi, a video game for the Super Famicom
The book Yonin shogi introduction to which rule and strategy et cetera of Yonin shogi have been recorded.

External links
Chess Variants - Yonin Shogi [1]

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ index/ msdisplay. php?itemid=MSyoninshogi

Edo-era shogi sources

The Shgi Zushiki, Sho Shgi Zushiki, and Shgi Rokushu no Zushiki are
Edo-era publications describing various variants of Japanese chess, otherwise known as shgi.
The Shgi Zushiki covers the setup and moves of standard shgi, ch shgi, dai shgi, tenjiku shgi, dai dai shgi,
maka dai dai shgi, and tai shgi. It also mentions wa shgi, Tang shgi, seven-person Chinese chess, ja:
k shgi, and taikyoku shgi.
The Sho Shgi Zushiki (published 1694) covers the setup and moves of sho shgi, standard shgi, wa shgi, ch
shgi, dai shgi, tenjiku shgi, dai dai shgi, maka dai dai shgi, and tai shgi.
The Shgi Rokushu no Zushiki covers the setup and moves of sho shgi, ch shgi, dai shgi, dai dai shgi, maka
dai dai shgi, and tai shgi.
The Shgi Zushiki and Sho Shgi Zushiki are generally though not always in agreement on the powers of the various
pieces, but the Shgi Rokushu no Zushiki differs in the descriptions of most pieces which are found only in the larger
shogi variants, or which have distinctive moves in the larger variants.

Bibliography
Shgi Zushiki
23 1977ISBN 4-588-20231-6
1909
Sho Shgi Zushiki
?
Shgi Rokushu no Zushiki
23 1977ISBN 4-588-20231-6
1915

624

625

Other national variants

Janggi
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)

Janggi
Hangul

Hanja

Revised Romanization janggi

McCuneReischauer

changgi

Janggi

Pieces at the start of a game

Players

Age range

Any

Setup time

< 2 minutes

Random chance

None

Skill(s) required

Tactics, strategy

Janggi (including romanizations changgi and jangki), sometimes called Korean chess, is a strategic board game
popular in Korea. It derived from Xiangqi (Chinese chess), which itself is thought to be a descendent of the Indian
chess game Chaturanga.[1] The game is very similar to Xiangqi, including the starting position of pieces, and the
9x10 game board, but without the Xiangqi "river" dividing the board horizontally at the middle. Janggi has some
other innovations as well which make it distinct from Xiangqi.
Janggi is played on a board nine lines wide by ten lines long. The game is sometimes fast-paced due to the jumping
cannons and the long range elephants, but professional games most often last for over 150 moves and are thus most
often slower than those of Western chess. Also, while in Western chess battle is concentrated in the middle few rows
for the bulk of the game, in janggi the battle seems to be fought simultaneously all over the board.
In 2009, the first world janggi tournament was held in Harbin, People's Republic of China.[2]

Janggi

626

Janggi in Korean culture

One will often see older men crowding around a single
Janggi board while two men play for small amounts of
money. These games are played year round, especially
in city parks in Seoul. Generally, Janggi is considered a
gambling game. Amongst many players, Baduk (Go)
seems to be considered the strategy game of choice.

Rules
The board is composed of 90 intersections of 9 vertical
files and 10 horizontal rows. The board is nearly the
same layout as that used in Xiangqi, except that the
Playing Janggi on Seoul's streets
Janggi board has no "river" in the central row. The
pieces consist of disks marked with an identifying
character and are placed on the intersections of the lines (as in Xiangqi and go). Janggi pieces are traditionally
octagonal in shape, and differ in size. The sides are green (or blue), which moves first, and red. Each side also has a
palace that is 3 lines by 3 lines (i.e. 9 positions) in the center of that side against the back edge of the board. The
palace also has four diagonal lines that extend outwards from the center, which form an "X" shape.

Pieces
The pieces are labeled with hanja (Chinese characters). The labels on the green pieces are all written in the
semi-cursive script. For instance, the green chariot or cha has a cursive version of , which looks something like
(the Simplified Chinese equivalent of the traditional character).
General

The pieces that are equivalent to the kings in Western chess are actually referred to as military generals (janggun) in
Korean. They are labelled with the Chinese character Han (in Chinese pinyin: Hn; ) on the red side, and Cho
(Ch; ) on the green side. They represent the rival states of Han and Chu that fought for power in the post-Qin
Dynasty interregnum period in China (see Chu-Han contention). In North Korea, the Chu-Han setup is not used; the
red general there is called jang (chang; , "general,") and the green general is called gwan (kwan; , "minister.")
Janggi differs from its Chinese counterpart in that the janggi general starts the game from the central intersection of
the palace, rather than from the center intersection of the back edge. The general may move one space at a time to
any of the 9 positions within the palace, following the lines marked on the board. There are 4 diagonal lines in the
palace connecting the center position to the corners. When the general is lost, the game is lost. The general cannot
leave the palace under any circumstances. If the generals come to face each other across the board, and the player to
move does not move away this is bikjanga draw. This rule is different from that of Chinese chess where it is
illegal for the generals to face.
If there is no move for the general to make without getting into check or checkmate, but it is safe for it to stand still,
the person may pass their turni.e. leave the king standing still, and have no move.

Janggi
Guards

The pieces are labeled sa () are civilian government officials, i.e. the council members serving the commander in
chief. One can call them guards, too, since they stay close to the general. They are also called assistants or
mandarins.
To both the left and right of the general are the guards. They move the same as the general, one space at a time along
the marked lines in the palace. The guards are one of the weakest pieces because they may not leave the palace. They
are valuable for protecting the general, though.
Elephants

The elephants, sang (), are located to both the left and the right of the guards. These pieces move one point
horizontally or vertically, followed by two points diagonally away from their initial position, ending up on the
opposite end of a 2 x 3 rectangle. (Like the Horse and its Chinese counterpart, it cannot move in a direction in which
there is a piece standing in its way.) Unlike Xiangqi, which assigns its elephants a purely defensive role by confining
them to one side of the board, behind the "river", janggi does not limit the movement of its elephants to the other side
of the board, as there is no river. The Korean elephant is, therefore, much more of an offensive piece than its Chinese
counterpart. The elephant can be transposed with the adjacent horse in the setup.
Horses

Called the horse or ma (), this piece is very similar to the knight in international chess, except that the intersection
at the "angle" of the horse's move must not be occupied, like the horse in Xiangqi. The move of the Horse is like that
of the elephant, ending its move at the opposite corner of a 1 x 2 rectangle. The horse can be transposed with the
adjacent elephant in the setup.
Chariots

These are labelled cha (). Like the rook in European chess, the chariot moves and captures in a straight line either
horizontally or vertically. The two chariots begin the game in the corners. The Chariot may move along the diagonal
lines inside either "palace", but only in a straight line. The Chariot is the most powerful piece in the game.

627

Janggi
Cannons

These are labelled po (). Each player has two Cannons. The Cannons are placed on the row behind the pawns,
directly in front of the Knights (if the Knights are put on the file next to the Chariots). The cannon moves by jumping
another piece horizontally or vertically. The jump can be performed over any distance provided that there is exactly
one piece anywhere between the original position and the target. In order to capture a piece, there must be exactly
one piece (friendly or otherwise) between the cannon and the piece to be captured. The cannon then moves to that
point and captures the piece. They may also move or capture diagonally along the diagonal lines in either "palace",
provided there is an intervening piece in the centre (i.e. it can only happen if the cannon is at a corner of the
"palace") They are powerful at the beginning of the game when "hurdles" are plentiful, but lose value rapidly with
attrition. The other piece over which the Cannon jumps may not be another cannon. In addition, a cannon may not
make the first move for either player. A cannon may also not capture another cannon. Unlike Xiangqi, Janggi
requires Cannons to jump in order to move, as well as capture.
Soldiers

These are labelled byeong () (soldiers, general term for a soldier) for red and jol () (also means soldiers, usually
lowest ranking soldiers) for green. Each side has 5 soldiers. They are placed on alternating points, one row back
from the edge of where the river would be in Chinese chess. They move, and capture unlike Pawns in international
chess, by moving one space either straight ahead or to either side. Unlike Chinese chess, soldiers do not have to be
promoted to move sideways. Once they reach the end of the board they may only move sideways. Soldiers may also
move one space at a time along the painted diagonals inside the enemy's "palace", but must only move forward.

Setting up
In tournaments, the elder player, or the higher ranked player, conceals a soldier from each side on his/her hand, and
the other player chooses one of those hands. The other player plays using the side he/she has chosen. After the side is
chosen, Han first places his/her pieces, and then Cho places the other pieces. The reason that pieces cannot be placed
simultaneously is because the horse and the elephant can be transposed with the adjacent elephant, thus giving some
strategical advantage to the player who places the pieces last.
After the pieces are placed, Cho plays first.

Ending the game

Victory is obtained by checkmating the opposing General.
In the western chess stalemate is achieved when no legal moves are possible. However the stalemate is not a draw in
Janggi. The player must skip the turn when all the moves are impossible. If both players can't move legally, or if any
player cannot win because both player does not have enough pieces, the game ends in a draw.
A player may decide to make a move so that his or her General faces the other player's General unobstructed (which
is called bikjang). In this situation, the second player can either call a draw, or make a move that breaks the position
with two generals facing unobstructed. In many cases, the bikjang rule can be used to force the opposing player to
call a draw on a losing game, by forcing the other player to sacrifice a valuable piece for breaking the bikjang
position. It may not apply in some games, and more often than not the players will consent upon the validity of the
rule before the game begins.

628

Janggi
Check is announced by declaring janggun (), meaning "general". Getting out of janggun is called meonggun,
and one may declare meonggun while escaping from janggun. But there is no duty to say janggun aloud.

Miscellaneous rules
In Korean janggi tournaments, according to rules set by Korean Janggi Association (http:/ / www. kja. or. kr/ ), there
is no draw in any form. There is no draw by perpetual check or repetition of position. If a position is being repeated 3
times, a referee is called to determine who is at fault. Usually the referee orders the player who is losing to make a
different move, so the player who is winning can press for an advantage, but sometimes it is not technically clear
who is to blame, and different referees may differ as to which player must deviate, or whether repetition is mutually
forced. This rule is applied because they must decide a winner and a loser during tournament game. However, both
repetition and perpetual check is allowed when both players have less than 30 points worth of pieces, which results
in a draw.
On tournaments where draws are not allowed, draws are resolved by adding up the points of their pieces that are still
on the board.
Chariots: 13 points
Cannons: 7 points
Horses: 5 points
Elephants: 3 points
Guards: 3 points
Soldiers: 2 points
Because the blue team (cho) started, they have an advantage. To compensate for this, the red team get the 1.5 points
(called 'deom ()' in Korean), the half-point put in place to avoid ties. So when the game starts, Blue has 72 points
and Red has 73.5 points. If neither side can force a win, the person with the most points is declared the winner.

Promote Rule
In Korean Janggi Association Tokyo Branch Rules, A Pawn must promote on
reaching the 10th rank. A Pawn can promote only to a friendly piece (except for Guards) that has been captured, and
for which it is exchanged. [3]

References
[1] Henry Davidson, A Short History of Chess, p. 6
[2] 1 (http:/ / www. 873k. com/ ?mid=News_TPYX& page=2& document_srl=70014)
[3] (http:/ / www. h2. dion. ne. jp/ ~janggi/ tokyo new local rule. html)

External links
Presentation, rules,history of janggi (http://history.chess.free.fr/changgi.htm)
Janggi | Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/oriental.dir/koreanchess.html) Note: the rules
from this page don't match precisely those of the wikipedia article here.
The Rules for Korean Chess (http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/afi/koreanch.htm)
Janggi applet (http://www.fungame.pe.kr/javagame/janggi/janggi.htm)
Korean Janggi Association (in Korean) (http://www.kja.or.kr/)
Essentials of Chinese Chess and of Korean Chess (http://home.att.net/~Mc-Kiernan/XiangQi/XiangQi.
pdf)PDF(217KiB)
Brain TV, a Janggi cable TV channel (in Korean) (http://www.braintv.co.kr/)

629

Makruk

630

Makruk
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)
a

1
a

Makruk, starting position.

Makruk (Thai: Thai pronunciation:[mkrk]), or Thai chess, is a board game descended from the 6th-century
Indian game of chaturanga or a close relative thereof, and therefore related to chess. It is regarded as the most similar
living game to this common ancestor of all chess variants.[1]
Makruk is popular in Thailand and Cambodia. In these countries the game is more popular than chess. There are
around two million Thais who can play Makruk, of whom about 5000 also play chess.[2]
According to former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik, "Makruk Thai is more strategic than international
chess. You have to plan your operations with total care since Makruk Thai can be compared to an anticipated
endgame of International Chess."[3]

Rules
Pieces
The pawn (called bia, a cowry shell, formerly used for money) moves and captures like a pawn in
international chess, but cannot move two steps on the first move and, therefore, cannot capture en passant. A
pawn that reaches the sixth rank is always promoted to a queen (met).

The queen[4] [5] (called met, seed[4] ), the weakest piece, moves one step in any diagonal direction, like the
fers in Shatranj.

Makruk

631

The bishop (called khon or thon, nobleman[4] or mask[5] ) moves one step in any diagonal direction or one
step forward, like the silver general in Shogi.

The knight (called ma, horse) moves like a knight in Western chess: two steps in one direction and then one
step perpendicular to that movement. It jumps over any pieces in the way.

KT

The rook (called rua, boat) moves like a rook in Western chess: any number of steps horizontally or
vertically.

The king (called khun, meaning either a feudal lord or a title-holder of the lowest ranks in the ancient Thai
nobility) moves like a king in international chess - one step in any direction. The game ends when the king is
checkmated.

Makruk

632

English

king(1)

queen(1) bishop(2)

knight(2) rook(2) pawn(8)

promoted pawn(queen)

Thai

RTGS

khun

met

khon

ma

rua

bia

bia-ngai

boat

cowry shell Overturned Cowry Shell

Meaning feudal lord seed

nobleman/mask horse

In starting position, pawns are placed on the third and sixth ranks. Queens are placed at the right side of kings.
Pawns promote ( bia ngai, flipped cowry shell) and move like queens when they reach the sixth rank.
There is no castling rule like that of international chess.

Counting rules
When neither side has any pawns, the game must be completed within a certain number of moves or it is declared a
draw. When a piece is captured the count starts again from scratch only if it is the last piece of one side in the game.
When neither side has any pawns left, mate must be achieved in 64 moves. The disadvantaged player does the
counting, and may at any time choose to stop counting. If the disadvantaged side checkmates the advantage side
and did not stop counting, the game is declared a draw.
When the last piece (that is not the King) of the disadvantaged side is captured, the count may be started, or restarted
from the aforementioned counting, by the weaker side, and the stronger side now has a maximum number of moves
based on the pieces left:

If there are two rooks left: 8 moves

If there is one rook left: 16 moves
If there are no rooks left, but there are two bishops: 22 moves
If there are no rooks left, but there is one bishop: 44 moves
If there are no rooks or bishops left, but there are two knights: 32 moves
If there are no rooks or bishops left, but there is one knight: 64 moves
If there are no rooks, bishops, or knights, but queens: 64 moves

The weaker side pronounces aloud the counting of his fleeing moves, starting from the number of pieces left on the
board, including both kings. The stronger side has to checkmate his opponent's king before the maximum number is
pronounced, otherwise the game is drawn. During this process, the count may restart if the counting side would like
to stop and start counting again.
For example, if White has two rooks and a knight against a lone Black king, he has three moves to checkmate his
opponent (the given value of 8 minus the total number of pieces, 5). If Black captures a white rook, the count does
not automatically restart, unless Black is willing to do so, at his own disadvantage. However, many players do not
understand this and restart the counting while fleeing the king.

Makruk

633

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

Murray, H.J.R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN0-936-317-01-9.
Pritchard, D. (2000). Popular Chess Variants. Bastford Chess Books. ISBN0-7134-8578-7.
Kramnik plays Makruk Thai (http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ oriental. dir/ thaikramnik. html) by Dr. Ren Gralla.
How to Play Thai Chess - Makruk - Mak-rook - Makrook - Xiangqi - Shogi (http:/ / ancientchess. com/ page/ play-makruk. htm)
Makruk: Thai Chess (http:/ / www. chessvariants. com/ oriental. dir/ thai. html)

External links

How to play Thai Chess (http://www.thailandlife.com/thaichess/)

How to play Thai Chess - by Ancient Chess.com (http://ancientchess.com/page/play-makruk.htm)
Makruk | Chess Variant Pages (http://www.chessvariants.org/oriental.dir/thai.html)
Makruk: Chess in Cambodia (http://www.xs4all.nl/~timkr/chess/makruk.htm)
Mini Makruk (http://cascadiagames.com/game_minimakruk.html)
Ouk Chatrang, the Cambodian Chess and Makruk, the Thai Chess (http://history.chess.free.fr/cambodian.
htm)
Peace Thai Chess (http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/peacedeveloper/
downloadChess.htm&date=2009-10-25+21:16:42)
Play Thai Chess Online (http://schemingmind.com/)
Internet Makruk Server (thai. und engl.) (http://www.thaibg.com/TSOnline/index.php)

Sittuyin
Further information: Chess (disambiguation)
Sittuyin (Burmese: , also known as Burmese chess), is a
chess-related game direct offspring of the Indian chess game of
Chaturanga which arrived in 8th century AD. Sit is the modern
Burmese word for army or war, the word Sittuyin can be translated as
representation of the four characteristics of army chariot, elephant,
cavalry and infantry. The game has been largely overshadowed in its
native land by international chess, though it remains popular in the
northwest regions.

Sittuyin, initial position.

Sittuyin

634

Board
The Sittuyin board consists of 64 squares, 8 rows and 8 columns,
without alternating colors. It also consists two diagonal lines across the
board known as "sit-ke-myin" (general's lines). Size of the board is
usually 24x24 inches, and each square is approximately 3x3 inches.

Pieces and their moves

Pieces are commonly made in wood and sometimes in ivory. The
length of the pieces is varied by class, traditionally 2 to 3inches. The
official colors of the pieces are red and black.
Min-gyi (king) is equivalent to King; it can move one square in any
direction.

General's movement

Sit-ke (general) is equivalent to Queen; it can move one step in any

diagonal direction (as Fers in Shatranj).
Sin (elephant) is equivalent to Bishop; it can move one step in any
diagonal direction or one step forward (as silver general in Shogi).
Myin (horse) is equivalent to Knight; it can jump two horizontal
squares and one vertical square or two vertical squares and one
horizontal square, as in western chess.
Yahhta (chariot) is equivalent to Rook; it can move to any number of
free squares along four orthogonal directions.
N (feudal lord) is equivalent to Pawn; it can move one square forward
and cannot retreat; it captures as in European chess.
Elephant's movement

Rules
Only feudal lords (pawns) are on the board in the initial position. The
game starts with the red player, followed by the black player, placing
their other pieces arbitrarily on their own halves of the board which is
known as sit-tee or troops deployment: chariots can be put anywhere
but in the last row. In official tournaments, a small curtain is used on
the middle of the board to prevent the players seeing each others'
deployment during the sit-tee phase. One of the possible game
openings is shown on the diagram below.
Feudal lords promote to general when they reach diagonal lines
marked on the board. The promotion is possible only if that player's
general has been captured. If the player has a feudal lord on a
Sittuyin, a position after setup phase is over.
promotion square and his or her general is no longer on the board, the
player can (if he wishes to) promote the feudal lord to general instead
of making a move. A feudal lord which passes the promotion square cannot promote anymore.

Sittuyin
The goal of the game is to khw (checkmate) the opponent's king. Placing the opponent's king into stalemate is not
allowed.
In the version reported in A History of Chess in 1913, a game of sittuyin had 3 stages:
1. 8 moves each: the sit-tee stage described above, but no restriction on chariot placing; Murray did not mention a
curtain. Also, a player could put a piece where one of his pawns is, and in the same move put that pawn in a free
square behind his row of pawns.
2. Second stage: in each move, each player moves any one of his pieces (not a pawn) to any other empty place in his
own half of the board, ignoring the usual move rules. Or he can move a pawn one square forwards and this ends
the second stage and the third stage starts.
3. Ordinary play, obeying the rules for piece moves.

Compare
The type of medieval European chess called the short assize

References
H.J.R. Murray (1913). A History of Chess. ISBN 0-936317-01-9.
Maung Maung Aye (1971) . Sittuyin: Traditional Myanmar Chess.

External links
Sittuyin [1], by Hans L. Bodlaender.
Sittuyin, the Burmese Chess [2], by Jean-Louis Cazaux.
Burmese traditional chess [3] by Dr. Peter Nicolaus.

References
[1] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ oriental. dir/ burmese. html
[2] http:/ / history. chess. free. fr/ sittuyin. htm
[3] http:/ / www. chessvariants. org/ oriental. dir/ burmesechess. html

635

636

Chess variants software

ChessV
ChessV

Capablanca Chess in ChessV

Developer(s)

Gregory Strong

Stable release

0.94 / September 27, 2009

Operating system

Windows

Type

Computer chess

License

GPL

ChessV (short for Chess Variants) is a free computer program designed to play a large number of chess variants.
ChessV is an open-source, universal chess variant program with a graphical user-interface, sophisticated AI, support
for opening books and other features of traditional chess programs. The developer of this program, Gregory Strong,
has been adding more variants with each release of ChessV. Currently, over 50 chess variants are supported. ChessV
is designed to be able to play any game that is reasonably similar to Chess. ChessV is one of only a few such
programs that exist. The source code of this program is freely available for download as well as the executable
program.
As of ChessV 0.93, it is possible to customize the variants it supports. Of all chess variants currently supported, two
of the most-played variants are probably Fischer Random Chess and Grand Chess.
ChessV is currently capable of playing:
2 variants on 66 squares
17 variants on 88 squares
15 variants on 108 squares
(including 10 Capablanca Chess variants)
15 variants on 1010 squares
3 variants on 128 squares

ChessV

637

Some of the provided variants can be customized in their details. It is also possible to create custom variants with
ChessV 0.93. While the board sizes have to be 66, 88, 108, 1010 or 128 and the pieces in a custom variant
have to be chosen from a limited list, this allows ChessV to play hundreds or thousands of variants of each game it
directly supports.

Engine features
Searching: Alpha-Beta Nega-Max Principal Variation search, Iterative Deepening, Null-move Forward Pruning,
Static Exchange Evaluation (SEE).
Search Extensions: check extension, recapture extension, null-move threat extension, PV extension,
Futility Pruning and Razoring, History Heuristic, Killer-move Heuristic.
Evaluation: Piece-square tables, Pawn structure evaluation, Mobility evaluation, King Safety, King Tropism,
Lazy Evaluation.
Hash Tables: Transposition Table, Pawn Structure Table, Evaluation Cache, Repetition Detection.

Current limitations
No games with more than two players are supported.
No game with a move order other than the usual white-black is supported (such as double-move chess).
No games with randomness or hidden information are supported.
No ability to edit the board mid-game is provided. This is under development.

Supported games
Alapo, Almost Chess, Angels & Devils, Archchess, Berolina Chess, Bird's Chess, Cagliostro's Chess, Capablanca
Chess, Capablanca Chess (Aberg variant), Capablanca Chess (Paulowich variant), Carrera's Chess, Chess, Chess480,
Chess with Augmented Knights, Chess with Different Armies, Chess with Ultima Pieces, Courier Chess, Cylindrical
Chess, Diagonal Chess, Diamond Chess, Embassy Chess, Emperor's Game, Eurasian Chess, Extinction Chess,
Fischer Random Chess, Great Chess, Great Shatranj, Grand Chess, Grotesque Chess, Janus Chess, Janus Kamil
Chess, Kinglet, Ladorean Chess, Legan's Game, Lions and Unicorns Chess, Los Alamos Chess, Modern Kamil,
Modern Shatranj, Odin's Rune Chess, Opulent Chess, Polymorph Chess, Roman Chess, Royal Court, Schoolbook
Chess, Shatranj, Shatranj Kamil, Shatranj Kamil (64), Sosarian Chess, Switching Chess, TenCubed Chess, Three
Checks Chess, Ultima, Unicorn Chess, Unicorn Great Chess, Unicorn Grand Chess, Univers Chess.

Competitions
ChessV software won third place in a 2004 Gothic Chess Computer World Championship [1] [2]

References
[1] The 2004 Gothic Chess Computer World Championship by Ed Trice http:/ / www. chessville. com/ GothicChess/
ComputerWorldChampionships. htm
[2] Trice E (Dec 2004). "The 2004 Gothic Chess Computer World Championship". ICGA Journal 27 (4): 249254.

External links
ChessV download page (http://samiam.org/chessv)
site about Chess Variants, mentions ChessV in several articles (http://www.chessvariants.org)

SMIRF

638

SMIRF
SMIRF

SMIRF 10x8 Frontend

Developer(s)

Reinhard Scharnagl

Stable release

MS-176b / December 29, 2009

Operating system Windows

Type

Computer chess

License

Shareware/Donationware

Website

[1]

The name SMIRF is an acronym for "Strategiespielprogramm mit intelligent rckkoppelnden Funktionen" (German
for "Strategic Game Program With Intelligent Recursing Facilities"). It designates an appropriate innovative variant
of an adaptive recursive feedback implementation. The procedure cuts the to be evaluated search tree effectively
both in the depth and in the width. Thus, this approach is associated with artificial intelligence. To provide a program
for the game of chess as efficient as possible is a touchstone of the artificial intelligence. The creation of such
software is a goal of the SMIRF project.

Chess Variants
All 960 variants upon the 8x8 board using FRC pieces and the select 12,000+ variants upon the 10x8 board using
CRC pieces are supported.

Provided Games Upon The 8x8 Board

Chess
Chess960
Chess480
Corner Chess

SMIRF

639

Provided Games Upon The 10x8 Board

Bird Chess
Capablanca Chess
Capablanca Random Chess
Carrera Chess
Embassy Chess
Janus Chess

References
[1] http:/ / www. 10x8. net/ Octopus/ Start. html

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Chess variant Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=459281838 Contributors: 28bytes, 4, Aamma58, Abigail-II, Abyssal, Ace Class Shadow, AceVentura, Adam Lebech,
Ageyban, Ahruman, Alansohn, Alex Holowczak, Alton, Alvestrand, Amanaplanacanalpanama, Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Andris, Angryteen, Anonymous Dissident, Anthony Appleyard,
Apeloverage, Aphisherofmen, ArglebargleIV, Arvindn, Asav, Atrisco, BadSanta, Badassbuffdude, Bcrowell, Befedelbumps, BenWillard, Bjrn Enemark, Bletch, Bobo192, Boken88, Bryan
Derksen, Bubba73, C.Fred, CRGreathouse, Camembert, Captain Disdain, Carlos853333, Cazaux, Cekli829, Cexycy, Charles Matthews, ChessHistorian, Chesskelvin, Chile Nose Jam, Chowbok,
Chuck Smith, Cimon Avaro, CryptoDerk, Curps, Darknote, DavidJHowe, DavidWatersHC, Davidcannon, Dayabethi, Deedebee, Dejvid, Devassal thibault, Dmr2, Doctorbozzball, Dreslough,
Dsma1991, Dugwiki, Dwheeler, EamonnPKeane, Eclecticology, Eequor, Efficiency576os, Emeraldcityserendipity, Emurphy42, EoGuy, Eric119, Ernest lk lam, Esprit15d, Eu-Robert, Evgeney
Knyazhev, Extremo88, FadulJoseArabe, Fatboyfudd, Fbrookie, Fduniho, Fish613, Fnielsen, Frederick R, Fritzlein, Furrykef, GDallimore, GPJ, Genabum, GeraldH, Giftlite, Gnbute, Gracefool,
Greatdebtor, Gregorytopov, Grenavitar, Gun Powder Ma, Gwalla, Headbomb, Hotmind, Ianji, Ihardlythinkso, InfoCheck, Infophile, Ioannes Pragensis, Iridescent, J S Ayer, JHunterJ, JadeBoco,
Jafet, Jagged 85, Jakjak444, Jauclair, Jdm64, Jeremie, JiFish, Jimay333, Jimguyer, Jimp, Jisis, Jnb27, Jonathunder, JudgeDredd, Just to clarify, Kelly Martin, Kirkjobsluder, Kleptosquirrel,
Koavf, Kp2345, Kyle Trite, Kyle112, LiDaobing, Lightmouse, LilHelpa, Lowellian, Luis Dantas, Macinphile, Maeth0r1, Malcolm Farmer, Marcika, Marco Bonavoglia, Matswin, Mattisse,
Maximaximax, McGeddon, Mdwh, Meelar, MethaneIzKandy, Michael Devore, Middlemarch33, MoltenBoron, Moondoll, MrOllie, NJMD, Neelix, NeilN, Neoliminal, Neon white, NetguruDD,
Nicoguaro, Nintendope, Ntsimp, Numuse37, Oli Filth, Oliver Pereira, OmegaMan, Ovakim, Ouz Ergin, Panfsergey, Pegua, Pendragon521981, Peter Atwood, Peter Horn, Peterz3000, Philipum,
Phillyscholar, Pip72, Pirate Thom, PirateMonkeyAlpha, Prilin, Prodego, QtheAllmighty, Quale, Quantum Person, QuixotiCfluX, R'n'B, RJaguar3, Ragnaroknike, Random Brethren, Readin,
Reguiieee, Roadrunner, Robinh, RockRNC, Roleplayer, Ronhjones, Rossen4, Rrachkov, Rrburke, S8333631, SAJordan, SabreMau, Samboy, Scwlong, Secret Squrrel, Secret ant, Sehrgut,
Shawnc, Shimgray, Sibahi, Silvioq, Sjakkalle, Sobolewski, Sompm, SonicBoom95, Srn347, Stephen Gilbert, Stuart P. Bentley, SubSeven, SunCreator, Sweeces, Synesthetic, Taipan198, Tarquin,
Tavix, Team.chaotix, Telamon, Teun Dings, The Anome, The Transhumanist, Theravada1, Timthelion, Tinesandbarbs, Toebbens, Totakeke423, Tox, Tracher, Tualha, Turm, Uncle G,
Unforgettableid, Veinor, Vera Cruz, Vilcxjo, Voorlandt, Wernher, Whiner01, Whitepaw, Wikibina, William dagostino, Woohookitty, XJamRastafire, Xaxafrad, Xkcer Man, Yann, Yar Kramer,
ZeroOne, Zundark, Zuril7, ZurilPrimo, 345 anonymous edits
Displacement chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=446662126 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, BorgQueen, GeraldH, Headbomb, Kjlewis, Oli Filth, Ouz Ergin,
SunCreator, Thegeorgebush, Theravada1, Yangormatte, Zuril7, 5 anonymous edits
Chess960 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=455334639 Contributors: AS, AceVentura, Alleborgo, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, Anonywiki, Atlantick, Atomota, Attilios,
B.d.mills, Baudouin hubert, BenWillard, Billy Button, Billymac00, Bubba73, C.Fred, Camembert, Causa sui, Cesoid, Chnv, Cobblet, Colonies Chris, Conical Johnson, Curps, Cyncynnatus29,
Cyp, DO'Neil, DanielCristofani, David G Brault, David gudmundsson, DeepThought, Deli nk, Dgtprojects, Dmn, Dmr2, DoctorW, Doradus, Dr.r4ndom, DrMajorBob, Drinky Crow, Drleper,
Dtuinhof, Dwheeler, Dysprosia, ENortham, Edgar181, Edoderoo, Eitch, Elroch, FHSerkland, Fduniho, Franois Haffner, Fredrik, Fritzlein, GFHund, GRuban, Gameking51, Gbnogkfs, Gene M,
Giftlite, Gnossie, Grodd, Guldotarpit, GynusKeen, Halo 3 ODST, Hede2000, HorsePunchKid, Iamwisesun, Ihardlythinkso, J carrillo vii, Jabernal, Jasper Deng, Jcreid0098, Jeffq, Johnrpenner,
Jokes Free4Me, Jp98, JudgeDredd, Kaihsu, Kellen`, Kyle112, Lcmarzulli, Lindsey8417, LokiClock, Loopus, Lord Bodak, LostLeviathan, MarSch, Marianocecowski, Martijn Hoekstra,
MartinHarper, Matthew Yeager, Mbendori, Mboverload, Meeso, Mekkk, Meneth, Michael Dring, Michael Hardy, Moab2021, Momirt, MrsHudson, Myanw, Ncsaint, Nealmcb, Neilc,
Neoliminal, Nightstallion, NoToBuggyChessSites, Ohnoitsjamie, Olivier, OpenToppedBus, Ouz Ergin, PJFry, PTSE, Perfect Proposal, Phible, Pixieandbenji, Psihrishi, Quale, RNeudorf,
RedWolf, Rich Farmbrough, Richardcavell, Rjwilmsi, Robben, Robertburkhalter, RockRNC, Romanm, Ronark, Rothorpe, Roux, SJP, Samboy, Scharnagl, Seberg, SelfStudyBuddy, Sibahi,
Slice12, Smjg, Snoyes, Sonjaaa, Steven J. Anderson, Stevenaaus, SubSeven, Tassedethe, Tavix, TheChessPlayer, Thibaultd, Toktok, Tombarrister, Truthflux, Tyw7, Vaazan, VinnieCool,
VodkaJazz, Vonfraginoff, Voorlandt, WhisperToMe, Wik, Willkie1940, Wmahan, Zain Ebrahim111, ZeroJanvier, ZeroOne, ZincAtari, ZincBelief, Zoicon5, 286 anonymous edits
Transcendental chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443812698 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, GregorB, Jafet, Matt Gies, NeonMerlin, Oli Filth, Ouz Ergin, Peter
Atwood, Quale, SunCreator, ZeroOne, 8 anonymous edits
Chess handicap Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456080533 Contributors: AlbinoChocobo, Andreas Kaufmann, Boing! said Zebedee, Bubba73, BukMer, CapitalSasha,
Charles Matthews, Cmdrjameson, DaQuirin, Dacxjo, Glennobrien, Ioannes Pragensis, Krakatoa, Lusanaherandraton, Mark83, MoraSique, MrsHudson, OneWeirdDude, Ouz Ergin, Quale,
Remember, Rigadoun, Rjwilmsi, SunCreator, SyG, Tassedethe, Tesscass, The Transhumanist, Voorlandt, Wfaxon, 35 anonymous edits
Dunsany's chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443805439 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrei Iosifovich, AnonMoos, Babygirl2010, Bubba73, Oatmealcookiemon,
Oli Filth, Ouz Ergin, Quale, SeoR, Skysmith, SunCreator, TallNapoleon, ZeroOne, 21 anonymous edits
Minichess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=451875179 Contributors: 333ES, AdamWeeden, Andreas Kaufmann, Atropos, Bubba73, Coryalantaylor, Dominus, Drmies,
Eric119, Greenrd, GregorB, Headbomb, KEK, Mandarax, Nicoguaro, OwenX, ParlorGames, Quale, Rjwilmsi, Shahboor, Sibahi, Swordsmankirby, Tea with toast, Theoboyd, ZeroOne, 13
anonymous edits
Los Alamos chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443809000 Contributors: Alfanje, Andreas Kaufmann, BillC, Blotwell, Conny, Elwikipedista, Enochlau, Giftlite,
Goudzovski, MattGiuca, Molinari, PurpleKoopa, Quale, Savant13, Shalom Yechiel, Soyseorsnibbles, 5 anonymous edits
Grid chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443806196 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Andris, Bdesham, Calton, Camembert, Fleminra, GPJ, JudgeDredd,
Quale, Ruziklan, ZeroOne, 2 anonymous edits
Cylinder chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=389849705 Contributors: Alfanje, Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Cewvero, Fratrep, JakeVortex, Jimp, KnightMove,
MightyWarrior, Mpntod, MrsHudson, Ouz Ergin, Samboy, Sibahi, Stevebritgimp, SunCreator, V1adis1av, Voorlandt, WBardwin, Who ordered 137?, 14 anonymous edits
Circular chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=434591112 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Antonlev, Bubba73, Cate, Cazaux, Chile Nose Jam, Dogface,
DragonflySixtyseven, EPO, IslandHopper973, Kapgains, Nicoguaro, Ouz Ergin, Panfily, Pearle, R'n'B, Sibahi, Squids and Chips, SunCreator, Tassedethe, Travelbird, TreasuryTag, Trusilver, 16
anonymous edits
Alice chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456081218 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, Bubba73, Camembert, Dagonet, DreamGuy, Emurphy42, Fduniho,
Giftlite, Ihardlythinkso, Isotope23, JudgeDredd, Krakatoa, Malinaccier, OneWeirdDude, Quale, Sibahi, The Transhumanist, Thorsen, Tino 032, ZeroOne, 10 anonymous edits
Hexagonal chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=455728722 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Antonlev, Bandit1108, Breeezee, Bubba73, Cje, DCP23, Epbr123,
Euchiasmus, Exeunt, Fibonacci, Giftlite, Grzegorj, Ihardlythinkso, Intgr, JamesAM, Kf4bdy, Kinetoa, Kwamikagami, Matthew Yeager, Mild Bill Hiccup, MrsHudson, Norm mit, Ouz Ergin,
Quale, Richmond62, Rjwilmsi, Sibahi, SunCreator, SyG, The Mysterious El Willstro, UW, Updatehelper, VodkaJazz, Whiner01, Whitepaw, ukasz M. P. Pastuszczak, 59 anonymous edits
Three-dimensional chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=459184021 Contributors: "Not I," said I., Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, AnonMoos, BenWillard, Betacommand,
BigHairRef, Blidu, Bobamnertiopsis, Bryan Derksen, Bubba73, Canadafreakazoid, Cb6, Cornellrockey, Cyanolinguophile, CyberSkull, Cyberia23, CygnusPius, DaleMH, Darac,
DavidWatersHC, Derek Ross, Dmr2, Dyfsunctional, Dylan Lake, Ekaterin, Emurphy42, Epbr123, FAThomssen, Fayenatic london, Fourthords, Furrykef, Googolplexed, Grouchy Chris,
Headbomb, Helikophis, Hires an editor, Hotmind, Humbert von Gikkingen, HuntSnook, IP Singh, Ihardlythinkso, J.delanoy, J04n, Jchthys, Jermaine2000, Jimp, JudgeDredd, Kaobear, Kuralyov,
Lkinkade, Macduff, Magioladitis, Mandarax, Marco, Marnanel, Morio, MrOllie, Narsil, NeonMerlin, Nicoguaro, Ohnoitsjamie, Omeganian, PG3d, Paul.h, Peter Horn, Philip Trueman, Piotrus,
Prescor, Prosfilaes, Quale, Radon210, Riitoken, Roadstaa, SAJordan, SFGiants, Sam Hocevar, Secret Squrrel, Sibahi, Simondrake, Simonpeggfan, Smjg, Spoon!, Spottedowl, Steven J.
Anderson, SunCreator, TakuyaMurata, Tcncv, Ten-pint, The Anome, The Bearded One, TheJames, Thumperward, Timwi, Tmgneuguy, UltraMagnus, Vgy7ujm, Wasell, Wernher, William
dagostino, Wouldcarve, Zundark, 122 anonymous edits
Cubic chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=451315021 Contributors: Alai, AmyNelson, Andreas Kaufmann, Bobblewik, Chmod007, Conscious, D6, Fredrik,
Ihardlythinkso, Joyous!, Koavf, Saga City, Sim man, Slowking Man, Tuesdaily, Waacstats, 8 anonymous edits
Flying chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443805866 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Centrist101, Deryck Chan, Discospinster, Eeekster, Fisherjs, John
mandrake iii, MoltenBoron, Philippe, Quale, 2 anonymous edits
Dragonchess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=459374955 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Ihardlythinkso, Introgressive, Mike Selinker, Prosfilaes, Quale,
RoyBoy, SunCreator, Waza, 7 anonymous edits
Antichess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456082561 Contributors: Alerante, Andrejj, Andris, Arimakat, Arvindn, Astadourian, BT, Bridgeplayer, Bubba73, Cexycy,
Chowells, Cmdrjameson, Coin945, DKroot, Dch111, Dontmentionit, Elmufi, Eomund, Eric119, Georgia guy, GlazAlmaz, Gnikhil, GregorB, Haosys, Hbdragon88, Hessamnia, Introgressive,
Jiekuo, Jmartinezot, JudgeDredd, Koavf, Krakatoa, M79 specialist, MLauba, Maximus Rex, MemoS77, Misza13, Na7, Nessegrev, Octane, Oliver Pereira, OneWeirdDude, Playshogi, Populus,

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Article Sources and Contributors

Rabin, Schwallex, ShaneCavanaugh, Sibahi, Smjg, Tavilis, The Transhumanist, Tothwolf, UTSRelativity, Versageek, VodkaJazz, Vuvar1, XJamRastafire, Yannos, Yeknom der, 69 anonymous
edits
Atomic chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456085407 Contributors: 5fx5, Akako, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, BadSanta, BlankVerse, Brainhell, Bridgeplayer, Bubba73,
Chris the speller, Chrish68, Conskeptical, Dcoetzee, Dmr2, Ericd, Fegor, Jan.Keromnes, JudgeDredd, Kansan, Mekkk, OmegaMan, Paul A, Plato1981, Pz-Poland, Rambam rashi, Rgoudie,
Seberg, Sibahi, Stevebritgimp, SunCreator, The Transhumanist, TheEasterBunny, Twinxor, WarmasterKron, Ynhockey, ZeroOne, 64 anonymous edits
Three checks chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=385022408 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Camembert, Eric119, JakeVortex, JudgeDredd, Niteowlneils,
OmegaMan, Sam Hocevar, Schutz, Sjakkalle, ZeroOne, 9 anonymous edits
Extinction chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=159577220 Contributors: Fduniho, Samboy, 3 anonymous edits
Crazyhouse Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=431266359 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bridgeplayer, Bubba73, Causa sui, Cyncynnatus29, Evercat, Everyking, Hidro,
Ishamael, Jlandahl, Jmartinezot, Jonny-mt, Kansan, Lab-oratory, MER-C, Mattisse, Percy Snoodle, Phoenixrod, SMP, Standard Deviation, Tanganator, VodkaJazz, Zagothal, 21 anonymous edits
Knight relay chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443807683 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Cate, Cexycy, Quale, 1 anonymous edits
Andernach chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456081324 Contributors: Alex.tan, Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Bugloaf, Camembert, Colonies Chris, Lightmouse, Quale,
Ruziklan, SimonP, The Transhumanist, 6 anonymous edits
Checkless chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414400816 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Eric119, Mreagle220, Sjakkalle
Circe chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=454189893 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Andris, Andycjp, Bdesham, Bubba73, Camembert, Frencheigh,
Graham87, JudgeDredd, MrsHudson, Quale, Ruziklan, Smjg, Stephen Gilbert, ZeroOne, 8 anonymous edits
Legan chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443808374 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Cate, IL-Kuma, Ihardlythinkso, Quale, 7 anonymous edits
Madrasi chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443809794 Contributors: Alabrena, Andrejj, Andris, Binand, Bubba73, Camembert, Carcharoth, Eequor, JudgeDredd, Koavf,
Lkjhgfdsa, Quale, RMHED, Ruziklan, Sibahi, Smjg, SunCreator, SyG, Voorlandt, ZeroOne, 1 anonymous edits
Monochromatic chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=420881807 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Badassbuffdude, Bubba73, Me myself or I, Other-thing, Smjg,
4 anonymous edits
Patrol chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443811187 Contributors: Alabrena, Andrejj, Andris, Bubba73, Camembert, Dsreyn, Jpo, JudgeDredd, Mintguy, Quale,
Ruziklan, ZeroOne, 2 anonymous edits
PlunderChess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=452098839 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, DavidWatersHC, Euchiasmus, Kranix, Liveste, 2 anonymous edits
Kriegspiel Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443807886 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Apeloverage, Bilderbikkel, Bubba73, Causa sui, CyberSkull, DH85868993,
GregorB, Kaare, LilHelpa, Marcika, Mark Foskey, MrsHudson, Percy Snoodle, Pjahr, Ploumploum1, Quale, Rpyle731, Ruziklan, Shanes, 23 anonymous edits
Dark chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443805119 Contributors: AkvoD3, AlienDjinn, Andreas Kaufmann, Bilderbikkel, Bubba73, Gaius Cornelius, GregorB,
HiDrNick, Jeepday, JudgeDredd, Just to clarify, PhirePhly, Quale, Richi, Schutz, Sholtar, Sibahi, SunCreator, Sverdrup, Wfaxon, Wiktor256, ZeroOne, 27 anonymous edits
Penultima Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443811337 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Ashley Y, Bluap, McGeddon, Palnatoke, Psychonaut, Quale, 9 anonymous edits
Dice chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=458327571 Contributors: Accounting4Taste, Andreas Kaufmann, Apeloverage, Bbwinnow, Buonaparte69, Ddrehs, Frederick R,
Hotmind, Iswikinumber2, Krakatoa, Ssviator, Terper, ZeroOne, 4 anonymous edits
Knightmare Chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443807808 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bowmanjj, CBM, Cewvero, Chrislk02, Craw-daddy, Eyrian, Formerly the
IP-Address 24.22.227.53, Ipridian, JHunterJ, JudgeDredd, Millsdavid, Percy Snoodle, Psmith, Quale, RJFJR, Rorro, Rumping, Sabbut, Timwi, Unrulyevil5, Ventifax, Wayne Miller, ZeroOne, 5
anonymous edits
Marseillais chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=448395329 Contributors: Abune, AceVentura, Action Jackson IV, Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Jao, Lemuel Gulliver,
Neilc, PranksterTurtle, Quale, SyG, The wub, 6 anonymous edits
Progressive chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=401503732 Contributors: AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, Bubba73, Camembert, Catchaotica, Finnneuro,
Gabodon, JudgeDredd, Molinari, OmegaMan, Smjg, VeryVerily, ZeroOne, 8 anonymous edits
Avalanche chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456085933 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, Anthony Appleyard, Avocado, Chuck Smith, Cookiecaper, Eric119,
Iridescent, Kingturtle, Quale, SunCreator, SyG, The Transhumanist, 2 anonymous edits
Monster chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=457117899 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Emurphy42, Jacobolus, Lawrence King, Olivier,
RetiredWikipedian789, Rlk89, Robofish, SNowwis, Salsa Shark, Taipan198, ZeroOne, 15 anonymous edits
Kung-fu chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=448849799 Contributors: Alyssa3467, Bubba73, Designer1993, DocSigma, Emurphy42, Imthejedi, Jimp, John of Reading,
Marcur12, Morgankevinj huggle, Perfecto, Quale, R'n'B, RJFJR, Radioactive Grandpa, Ripper234, Rjwilmsi, Ryulong, Slavlin, Someone another, T.gould06, TheSpider, Thumperward,
Yumsman, 57 anonymous edits
Bughouse chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=457894169 Contributors: Adpete, Ahoerstemeier, Alan Peakall, Alex Holowczak, Altay8, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris,
Arvindn, Avid wiki reader, Bluecollarchessplayer, Brighterorange, BrokenSegue, Bryan Derksen, Bubba73, Buckyboy314, Caissa's DeathAngel, CambridgeBayWeather, Carders, Causa sui,
Cobblet, CygnusPius, Djinn112, DrZukhar, Equinox II, Ezhiki, Farannan, Farmerchris, FetteK, Forbiddian, FrozenPurpleCube, Gereon K., Guoguo12, IanOsgood, Introgressive, Ishamael,
Isotope23, Itgismyname, Jacobolus, Jchthys, Jerry, Jimfbleak, JordanSamuels, JudgeDredd, JudithSouth, KTrimble, Kate, Kent Wang, Kingturtle, Koavf, Krakatoa, Lab-oratory, Ling.Nut,
LizardWizard, Matchups, Maurreen, Mike Segal, Netoholic, Netsnipe, Nghtwlkr, Nicoguaro, O2h2, Opblaaskrokodil, Phoenixrod, Ram-Man, RedWolf, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, SKAcz,
Shirifan, Sibahi, Snoyes, Sozzy, Spree K, Starwiz, SubSeven, SunCreator, SyG, Tassedethe, The Hybrid, The Transhumanist, Tide rolls, Tony1, Voorlandt, WhisperToMe, ZeroOne, Zeruel21,
125 anonymous edits
Three-handed chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=429346575 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, AnonMoos, Bongwarrior, Bubba73, Ianji, Ihardlythinkso, JadeBoco,
Juliancolton, Logan, Pip72, Pjahr, Quadibloc, Richmond62, Rrachkov, SunCreator, Tavix, Updatehelper, Vchimpanzee, Vizziee, Yms, 18 anonymous edits
Four-handed chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456617248 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Curps, DaQuirin, Dendodge, Feinoha, Ionutzmovie, La goutte
de pluie, OneWeirdDude, Percy Snoodle, Pjahr, Rossumcapek, Rowan Patterson, Skittleys, Steveprutz, Tavix, Woohookitty, 17 anonymous edits
Forchess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=323225075 Contributors: 4, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, BadSanta, Gadfium, JudgeDredd, Penbat, Smjg, Tox, Wechselstrom, 7
anonymous edits
Djambi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=458085618 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Blotwell, Bubba73, Gaius Cornelius, Improv, JIP, Jeremie, Patstuart, SunCreator,
Timo Laine, Vegy08b06, Vipulcvyas, Woohookitty, 12 anonymous edits
Bosworth Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456095970 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Craw-daddy, Dr.Szlchedzki, Kyle112, Rambam rashi, Saga City, The
Transhumanist
Enochian chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=442024324 Contributors: ***Ria777, AndrewHowse, Balmz, Charles Matthews, DenisKrivosheev, DocWatson42,
DustFormsWords, Evil saltine, Gwalla, Ihcoyc, Inteligencer111, Ioannes Pragensis, Mboverload, Mordicai, Pigman, Pulsadinura, Simonm223, Smiloid, Steve-nichols.com, Thestevenichols,
Zemyla, 10 anonymous edits

641

Article Sources and Contributors

Fairy chess piece Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=453583115 Contributors: 28bytes, AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Andris, Anthony Appleyard, Apeloverage,
Aranherunar, Badgernet, Benandorsqueaks, Bubba73, Camembert, Christopher Parham, Closedmouth, Colonies Chris, Curb Chain, Damian Yerrick, DocWatson42, Ehrenkater, Emeraldimp,
Emurphy42, Equinox II, Eric119, Ernest lk lam, Errorx666, Everyking, Godsoe, GregAsche, Headbomb, IPAddressConflict, Ianji, Iglew, Ihardlythinkso, JLaTondre, Jan.Keromnes, Jaredroberts,
Jauclair, Java7837, Jimfbleak, Kazvorpal, Kurando, L-Zwei, Lkjhgfdsa, Lusanaherandraton, Manicsleeper, ManoaChild, Marcos Evangelista, Matthew Yeager, MethaneIzKandy, Michaelbusch,
MisterHand, Modest Genius, MrsHudson, Oatmealcookiemon, OmegaMan, PennyFarthing, Populus, PunkerMatt, Randyoo, Rich Farmbrough, RudyB, Ruziklan, Salisbury-99, Schachfee, Secret
Squrrel, Serprex, Shellreef, Sibahi, Sicherman, Siroxo, SlimVirgin, Smjg, SunCreator, Sverdrup, TemariHyuga, The Arbiter, The Eye of Timaeus, The truPrince, Thecurran, Thumperward,
TimNelson, Timc, Timeroot, Tompw, VeryVerily, Voorlandt, WarFox, WinterSpw, Yann, Yekrats, Zain Ebrahim111, Zaslav, 104 anonymous edits
Hippogonal Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=422534346 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Arcadian, KathrynLybarger, Lusanaherandraton, TheAllSeeingEye, 5 anonymous
edits
Grasshopper Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=433562429 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Carlwev, Chezmaxime, D4v1dp, Ernest lk lam, Gabodon, Jauclair,
Recury, Robofish, RudyB, Ruziklan, TheAllSeeingEye, WinterSpw, Zain Ebrahim111, Zundark, 3 anonymous edits
Grasshopper chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=300886913 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Andrejj, Bubba73, DH85868993, Everyking, GPJ, HLwiKi, Herr Kriss, J
Milburn, Sibahi, 1 anonymous edits
Berolina chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456086983 Contributors: Agamemnon2, Andreas Kaufmann, Ihardlythinkso, Iridescent, Quale, Sibahi, Stevebritgimp,
SunCreator, SyG, The Transhumanist, 2 anonymous edits
Maharajah and the Sepoys Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=459319457 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Anubhab91, Furrykef, Giftlite, Graham87, Gwalla, Hmains, Iain
marcuson, Infophile, Kaze0010, MFH, Nicoguaro, Oli Filth, OneWeirdDude, Panfily, Percy Snoodle, Playshogi, Pruneau, Quale, Raistlin8r, Shashwat986, Teddym4n, Thumperward, ToastieIL,
TsavdarisGeorge, ukasz M. P. Pastuszczak, 5 anonymous edits
Omega Chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=455873426 Contributors: Accelerometer, AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, AnonMoos, Bob A, BrainMagMo,
Bubba73, Chuck Smith, Colonies Chris, CommonsDelinker, CzarB, Davidstrauss, Emurphy42, Eric119, Freepopcornonfridays, Furrykef, Gardrek, JudgeDredd, Kiril Simeonovski,
Lusanaherandraton, Matt Yeager, MelkorDCLXVI, Moonriddengirl, MrsHudson, OmegaChessFan, OmegaMan, RedWolf, Rich Farmbrough, Samboy, Savant13, Sibahi, Smjg, Sonjaaa,
Spinningspark, Tsmee, WikiRigby, XJamRastafire, ZeroOne, 17 anonymous edits
Stealth Chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=452505624 Contributors: AnonMoos, Daibhid C, David Gerard, Sadads, Serendipodous, TimNelson, Yar Kramer, 5
anonymous edits
Pocket mutation chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443936557 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bporopat, Bubba73, Extremo88, Jeff G., Quale, ZeroOne, 2
anonymous edits
Baroque chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=456086495 Contributors: Aceman2000, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, Antaeus Feldspar, ArthurDenture, Arvindn,
Betacommand, BrainMagMo, Bubba73, Djcmackay, DoctorW, Ellmist, Ericd, Fduniho, Fritzlein, Iridescent, Kicior99, MTC, Oli Filth, PierreAbbat, Quale, Shoesfullofdust, Sibahi, Smjg,
Sobolewski, Stevebritgimp, Stratford15, SunCreator, SyG, Tassedethe, The Transhumanist, Tualha, Wtanaka, ZeroOne, 137 anonymous edits
Chess with different armies Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=442784105 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, FormicaArchonis, Headbomb, Java7837, MrsHudson, Schachfee,
Shadowjams, Shirt58, Sibahi, Stevebritgimp, SunCreator, 17 anonymous edits
Duell Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=426107023 Contributors: Alex9788, Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Canley, Cryptic, Dmitry123456, G026r, Mattp, Percy Snoodle,
Purplepat, Runewiki777, SunCreator, Voorlandt, WVhybrid, 8 anonymous edits
Gess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=363607202 Contributors: Adam1729, Andreas Kaufmann, Bennetto, Bignose, Blotwell, Bluap, Charvest, Rosiestep, 4 anonymous edits
Seirawan chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=448204214 Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Calibwam, ChessHistorian, DavidJHowe, Lightmouse, MrsHudson,
Oli Filth, Quale, Sibahi, SunCreator, TJSwoboda, Zundark, 11 anonymous edits
Janus chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443806900 Contributors: AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, Clemmy, Dmr2, Emurphy42, Jmartinezot, JudgeDredd, Nulli,
Poccil, Popsofctown, Quale, Sibahi, Ysangkok, ZeroOne, 4 anonymous edits
Capablanca chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=447138622 Contributors: AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, Andris, BadSanta, BenWillard, Beofluff, Brittle heaven,
Bubba73, Camembert, Causa sui, Colonies Chris, Dacxjo, DanielCristofani, Dante Alighieri, DavidWatersHC, Dmr2, Emhoo, Emurphy42, Ericd, Golbez, GothicChessInventor, Guitarmankev1,
Headbomb, Icairns, Ihardlythinkso, InfoCheck, Infrogmation, Ingolfson, J carrillo vii, JudgeDredd, Just to clarify, Kurando, Lab-oratory, MattHucke, Mike Rosoft, Mitrius, Nate1481, Neilc,
Neoliminal, No Guru, OmegaMan, Philcha, PittBill, Pjahr, Purples, Reinoutr, Rich Farmbrough, Samboy, Scharnagl, Secretlondon, Sibahi, Stephensuleeman, SunCreator, Tarquin, Tassedethe,
US Chess Federation, ZeroOne, Zundark, 46 anonymous edits
Capablanca random chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443803403 Contributors: AceVentura, Alucard (Dr.), Anchoress, Andreas Kaufmann, BenWillard, Bubba73,
DavidWatersHC, Durova, Icairns, InfoCheck, Krest91, Marcika, Mild Bill Hiccup, Neoliminal, Oli Filth, Rjwilmsi, Scharnagl, Sibahi, Smjg, SunCreator, ZeroOne, 12 anonymous edits
Gothic Chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443806043 Contributors: 28bytes, AceVentura, Ageyban, Andreas Kaufmann, Anonymous Dissident, BadSanta, Bdijkstra,
BenWillard, Bubba73, ChessHistorian, Clark Kent, Cobblet, Crystallina, DavidWatersHC, Dmr2, DreamGuy, GDallimore, Gaius Cornelius, Gallicrow, Gfis, GothicChessInventor,
GothicEnthusiast, Gparker, Hut 8.5, InfoCheck, Isotope23, J Milburn, Java7837, Just to clarify, Kylu, Luqui, MZMcBride, MaxSem, Michael Hardy, Mike Rosoft, Mosquitopsu, Neoliminal,
NetguruDD, Nikai, Oli Filth, PJFry, Peter Delmonte, Pigman, Purples, Quale, ReyBrujo, Samboy, Sentriclecub, Sibahi, Smokizzy, Somekindofusername, The Gnome, Tombarrister, Voorlandt,
ZeroOne, 79 anonymous edits
Embassy Chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443805563 Contributors: AceVentura, Andreas Kaufmann, BenWillard, ChessHistorian, DavidWatersHC,
GothicChessInventor, InfoCheck, Jodi.a.schneider, Just to clarify, Neoliminal, Ouz Ergin, Quale, RookZERO, Samboy, Sibahi, SunCreator, 1 anonymous edits
Modern chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443810552 Contributors: AmericaHistory, Andreas Kaufmann, Bubba73, Headbomb, J carrillo vii, Quale, Raymondwinn, 1
anonymous edits
Grand chess Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=459305695 Contributors: AbstractZeroSum, AceVentura, Alb luque, Andreas Kaufmann, Aranel, BlueNovember, Bubba73,
ChessHistorian, Dmr2, DreamGuy, Gparker, Gzornenplatz, Ihardlythinkso, InfoCheck, Jfire, JoshuaZ, Just to clarify, Lubaf, MarkGyver, MrsHudson, Neoliminal, OmegaMan, OneWeirdDude,
Ouz Ergin, Quale, RandomPrecision, Samboy, Sehrgut, Sibahi, Smjg, SunCreator, SyG, Zundark, 58 anonymous edits
Arimaa Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=457236330 Contributors: 333ES, 99of9, AVRS, AceVentura, Aevea, Alexthurleyratcliff, AnonMoos, Aranherunar, Atomota,
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Heian dai shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=424310335 Contributors: Blotwell, Eaefremov, JTTyler, Java7837, Kwamikagami, OneWeirdDude, Wetman, 6 anonymous
edits
Akuro Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=458065517 Contributors: Akata, Guocuozuoduo, Mlewan, 8 anonymous edits
Dai shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=423938055 Contributors: Akanemoto, Blotwell, Cazaux, Furrykef, HexaChord, JTTyler, Java7837, Krun, Kwamikagami, Maddie!,
OneWeirdDude, Playshogi, YUL89YYZ, 9 anonymous edits
Tenjiku shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=435425341 Contributors: Arkanemancer, Blotwell, Cazaux, Gaius Cornelius, JTTyler, Java7837, Kwamikagami,
OneWeirdDude, RandomCritic, Rich Farmbrough, 6 anonymous edits
Dai dai shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=455345113 Contributors: Blotwell, BoundaryRider, CatherineMunro, Hanzimaster, Indon, JTTyler, Java7837, Karatorian,
Kwamikagami, OneWeirdDude, Samboy, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, St475353825, Tabletop, Urashimataro, 12 anonymous edits
Maka dai dai shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=420211071 Contributors: Blotwell, Cazaux, Colonies Chris, Gaius Cornelius, HexaChord, JTTyler, Java7837,
Kwamikagami, OneWeirdDude, Onthemoon, Persian Poet Gal, Playshogi, 11 anonymous edits
Ko shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=435425252 Contributors: Bendono, Blotwell, ChrisU, DuncanHill, Edward Knave, Eitch, Fg2, Furrykef, Gaius Cornelius, JTTyler,
Java7837, Kwamikagami, Neelix, Nobunaga24, OneWeirdDude, Rich Farmbrough, TKR101010, YUL89YYZ, Zaph34r, 15 anonymous edits
Tai shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=420846669 Contributors: Alai, Alynna Kasmira, Animum, Blotwell, CatherineMunro, Darnedfrenchman, EoGuy, Instinct, JTTyler,
Java7837, Joyous!, Kwamikagami, MikeDockery, Mkeroppi, OneWeirdDude, Percy Snoodle, Playshogi, Pxma, RandomCritic, Tabletop, YUL89YYZ, 13 anonymous edits
Taikyoku shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=448100182 Contributors: -Ril-, Anticipation of a New Lover's Arrival, The, Blotwell, CatherineMunro, Cazaux, Chrismear,
Covalent, Eveningmist, Gaius Cornelius, Guocuozuoduo, JTTyler, Java7837, Jonathan Drain, Keahapana, Kwamikagami, MikeDockery, OneWeirdDude, Playshogi, RandomCritic, Rich
Farmbrough, Samboy, Shii, Smiles Aloud, TKR101010, TheLateDentarthurdent, Urashimataro, WereSpielChequers, YUL89YYZ, 13 anonymous edits
Sannin shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=439618462 Contributors: Ambuj.Saxena, Andreas Kaufmann, Java7837, John of Reading, Kwamikagami, Mathx2,
OneWeirdDude, Rjwilmsi, 3 anonymous edits

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Article Sources and Contributors

Yonin shogi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=450768829 Contributors: JTTyler, Java7837, Kwamikagami, LeoNomis, Odie5533, OneWeirdDude, Perey, Playshogi, 4
anonymous edits
Edo-era shogi sources Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=349191438 Contributors: Kwamikagami
Janggi Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=453317802 Contributors: 100110100, 777sms, Alfanje, Alton, Amcl, Andreas Kaufmann, Appleby, Bcrowell, Ben Ben, Benrm99,
BlargDragon, Borgx, CJMiller, Calcwatch, Cazaux, Charles Matthews, ChongDae, Cipher 101, Crossmr, Davidcannon, Davilla, Eastlaw, Eitch, Elwikipedista, Firsfron, Fratrep, Giftlite, Gwalla,
Iceager, Ihardlythinkso, Ihavnoid, Immanuel Giel, Isnow, Jagged 85, JeLuF, JudgeDredd, KelvSYC, Kelvinc, Kokiri, Leonard G., Mandel, Mr. Monk man, Odaesu, OmegaMan, OneWeirdDude,
PC78, Peter Horn, Quantumelfmage, RekishiEJ, Sam Hocevar, Shadowjams, Sivak, SlamDiego, Some jerk on the Internet, Sonjaaa, Steamclock, SunCreator, The Vegetarian Tiger, Thelb4,
Tsuchiya Hikaru, Tuiqiao, Txopi, Val42, Violetriga, Visviva, Wavelength, Wellparp, Wikimachine, Yeo123, Zundark, Zzyzx11, 110 anonymous edits
Makruk Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=442861647 Contributors: Alfanje, Andreas Kaufmann, AnonMoos, Anotherkaz, Anthony Appleyard, Asoulwhoseintentionsaregood,
Aydin1884, BlargDragon, Bubba73, CalamusFortis, Corriel, Cuaxdon, CzarB, DimaDorfman, Eastlaw, Eitch, Evercat, FetteK, Furrykef, Gwalla, Hiphop rap yoyo, Ifire, Isnow, J S Ayer,
JeremiahClayton, Jjt71, JudgeDredd, Kelvinc, Kwamikagami, Lowellian, Manop, Mild Bill Hiccup, Nautilator, Officer781, OmegaMan, OneWeirdDude, Ottmair, Paul 012, Peter Horn, Proud
Ho, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Tropylium, Val42, Wikibina, Wlly n Whlls, 38 anonymous edits
Sittuyin Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=443809388 Contributors: Alfanje, Andreas Kaufmann, Anthony Appleyard, BlargDragon, Boedawgyi, Bons, CalamusFortis,
DimaDorfman, DolphinL, Eitch, Gwalla, Hintha, IanOsgood, J S Ayer, KelvSYC, KnightRider, MartinDK, Percy Snoodle, Peter Horn, Quale, Zoggie50, Zzyzx11, 9 anonymous edits
ChessV Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=457079047 Contributors: AceVentura, Alex Ruddick, Andreas Kaufmann, BadSanta, BenWillard, Bubba73, Calaschysm,
Chemicalrubber, Cirt, Deeahbz, Den fjttrade ankan, Free Software Knight, GreatWhiteNortherner, GregorB, Gzornenplatz, InfoCheck, Jodi.a.schneider, Just to clarify, Kbdank71, Mage of
Maple, Marasmusine, Martarius, Mild Bill Hiccup, NetguruDD, Quale, Robofish, Samboy, SkpVwls, Who, 27 anonymous edits
SMIRF Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=388482625 Contributors: AceVentura, Alansohn, DavidWatersHC, GothicChessInventor, InfoCheck, Mosquitopsu, Oli Filth,
Robofish, SunCreator, XXprojectXX, 9 anonymous edits

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Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Glinski Chess Setup.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_Chess_Setup.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas
Kaufmann, Wikiborg4711, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Solid white.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Solid_white.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Fibonacci
Image:chess bdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_bdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess ndt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_ndt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess rdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_rdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess kdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_kdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess qdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_qdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess pdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_pdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_t45.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: NikNaks93
Image:chess plt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_plt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess blt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_blt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess nlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_nlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess rlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_rlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess klt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_klt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess qlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_qlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_t45.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: NikNaks93
Image:chess_rdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_rdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_ndt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_ndt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_kdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_kdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_pdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_pdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_ t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_t45.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: NikNaks93
Image:chess_sdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_sdt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_ndt45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: (talk)
Image:chess_bdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_bdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_qdt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_qdt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_plt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_plt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_blt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_blt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_slt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_slt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_nlt45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
Image:chess_qlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_qlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_rlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_rlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_nlt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_nlt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:chess_klt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_klt45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett
Image:Bughouse game.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bughouse_game.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Daniel Shantsev
Image:Shatranj.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shatranj.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Zereshk
File:Schmitt,Hans-Walter 2011 Frankfurt.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Schmitt,Hans-Walter_2011_Frankfurt.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Contributors: GFHund
Image:Magnus k.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnus_k.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0 Contributors: Wernerkling
Image:Grid chess sample position.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Grid_chess_sample_position.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors:
User:Camembert, User:ZeroOne
Image:Ternblad grid chess problem.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ternblad_grid_chess_problem.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors:
User:Camembert, User:ZeroOne
Image:Cylindrical chessboard 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cylindrical_chessboard_2.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Contributors: Photo taken by Funes; chessboard made by Emanuela Ughi.
Image:chess xxt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_xxt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_xxl45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
Image:chess xot45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_xot45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_xol45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
Image:Toroidal chessboard.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Toroidal_chessboard.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Contributors: Photo taken by Funes; chessboard made by Emanuela Ughi.
Image:Rundskak foto.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rundskak_foto.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann, Cbigorgne, Haabet
Image:Al-Muddawara board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Al-Muddawara_board.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors:
Dogface
Image:Al-Husun board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Al-Husun_board.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Dogface
Image:circular board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Circular_board.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Dogface
File:Aliceroom3.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Aliceroom3.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Albert kok, EurekaLott, Man vyi, Marku1988, Shakko
Image:chess_ t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_t45.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: NikNaks93
Image:Glinski chess king.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_king.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann
Image:Glinski chess knight.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_knight.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas
Kaufmann
Image:Glinski chess bishop.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_bishop.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas
Kaufmann
Image:Glinski chess rook.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_rook.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann,
Nolanus
Image:Glinski chess queen.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_queen.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann
Image:Glinski chess pawn.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Glinski_chess_pawn.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Andreas Kaufmann
Image:McCooey Chess Setup.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:McCooey_Chess_Setup.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Multichill,
UW
Image:McCooey Chess Pawn.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:McCooey_Chess_Pawn.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Multichill,
UW
Image:Shafran Chess Setup.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shafran_Chess_Setup.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Multichill, UW

646

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Shafran Chess Castling.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shafran_Chess_Castling.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Multichill,
UW
Image:chess_xxt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_xxt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_xxl45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
Image:chess_xot45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_xot45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_xol45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
File:My Raumschach graphic.PNG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Raumschach_graphic.PNG License: Creative Commons Zero Contributors: Ihardlythinkso
File:StarTrekChess.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:StarTrekChess.jpg License: Fair Use Contributors: Bubba73, Mechamind90
Image:Star trek chessboard.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Star_trek_chessboard.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors:
OTAVIO1981
Image:Parmen_graphic.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Parmen_graphic.jpg License: GNU General Public License Contributors: Ihardlythinkso
File:V. R. Parton.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:V._R._Parton.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Ihardlythinkso
File:my Cubic Chess graphic.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Cubic_Chess_graphic.png License: Creative Commons Zero Contributors: Ihardlythinkso
File:Alice par John Tenniel 25.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Alice_par_John_Tenniel_25.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Chti, EurekaLott,
Infrogmation, JasonAQuest, Man vyi, Themightyquill, 1 anonymous edits
File:Gary Gygax Gen Con 2007.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gary_Gygax_Gen_Con_2007.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Alan
De Smet
File:My Dragonchess graphic.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Dragonchess_graphic.png License: Creative Commons Zero Contributors: Ihardlythinkso
File:My Dragon init config graphic, upper board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Dragon_init_config_graphic,_upper_board.png License: Creative Commons
Zero Contributors: User:Ihardlythinkso
File:My Dragon init config graphic, middle board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Dragon_init_config_graphic,_middle_board.png License: Creative
Commons Zero Contributors: User:Ihardlythinkso
File:My Dragon init config graphic, lower board.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:My_Dragon_init_config_graphic,_lower_board.png License: Creative Commons
Zero Contributors: User:Ihardlythinkso
Image:Crazyhouse-chess01.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Crazyhouse-chess01.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike Contributors:
MathKnight
Image:chess xwt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_xwt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_xot45.svg: *Chess_xol45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk) derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
Image:chess __t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_t45.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: NikNaks93
Image:Knightmare Chess 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Knightmare_Chess_2.jpg License: unknown Contributors: CBM, ZeroOne
Image:Knightmare Chess Demotion.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Knightmare_Chess_Demotion.jpg License: unknown Contributors: CBM, JHunterJ, ZeroOne,
1 anonymous edits
Image:Bughouse game animation.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bughouse_game_animation.gif License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Contributors: Voorlandt
Image:3 players chessboard.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:3_players_chessboard.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Slip
Image:Chess_4.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_4.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Tavix
Image:Djambi 01.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Djambi_01.png License: Public Domain Contributors: User Franois Haffner on fr.wikipedia
Image:Bosworth Battlefield Chess.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bosworth_Battlefield_Chess.gif License: Fair use Contributors: Kyle112, Rossrs, Staecker
file:Chess all44.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_all44.png License: unknown Contributors: Klin
file:Chess adl44.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_adl44.png License: unknown Contributors: Klin
file:Chess cll45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_cll45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Zundark, NikNaks93,
Cburnett, OmegaChessFan
file:Chess cdl44.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_cdl44.png License: unknown Contributors: Klin
file:Chess gll45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_gll45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Ysangkok
file:Chess gdl45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_gdl45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett, Ysangkok
file:Chess sll45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_sll45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett and User:Ysangkok
file:Chess sdl45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_sdl45.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: en:User:Cburnett, Ysangkok
Image:chess slt45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_slt45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors: Chess_nlt45.svg:
en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks93 (talk)
Image:chess x4t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_x4t45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_x4l45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
Image:chess x3t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_x3t45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_x3l45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
Image:chess x5t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_x5t45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_x5l45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
Image:chess x2t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_x2t45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_x2l45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
Image:chess x6t45.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chess_x6t45.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors:
Chess_x6l45.svg: en:User:Cburnett derivative work: NikNaks talk - gallery - w:User:NikNaks93wikipedia
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649

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

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651

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Mcy jerry at en.wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Michele Bini at en.wikipedia.
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Image:shogi narikei.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_narikei.png License: Public domain Contributors: en:user:Akanemoto
Image:shogi kyosha.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_kyosha.png License: Public domain Contributors: en:user:Akanemoto
Image:shogi narikyo.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_narikyo.png License: Public domain Contributors: en:user:Akanemoto
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Image:MacShogi.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MacShogi.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Ph0kin
Image:Shogi king.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_king.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi rook.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_rook.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi bishop.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_bishop.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi gold.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_gold.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi silver.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_silver.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi knight.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_knight.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi lance.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_lance.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi pawn.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_pawn.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi rook p.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_rook_p.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Shogi bishop p.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Shogi_bishop_p.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hari Seldon, Tac ke
Image:Yagura castle.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yagura_castle.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was Ph0kin at en.wikipedia
Image:Mino gakoi.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mino_gakoi.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was Ph0kin at en.wikipedia
Image:Anaguma.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaguma.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Ph0kin
Image:Gofun maka shogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gofun_maka_shogi.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors:
Tamago915
image:Minishogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Minishogi.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was Zundark at en.wikipedia
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Image:Kyoto shogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kyoto_shogi.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Tamago915
Image:Judkin's shogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Judkin's_shogi.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Tamago915
Image:Yari shogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yari_shogi.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Tamago915
Image:Cannon shogi.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cannon_shogi.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Tamago915
File:Go w.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Go_w.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Micheletb, Sarang
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Image:Chu shogi initial setup.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chu_shogi_initial_setup.png License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Krun
File:Chinese character ji 53e4 5bfa.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chinese_character_ji_53e4_5bfa.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors:
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Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

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File:Kokusai sannin shogi movement horiz.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kokusai_sannin_shogi_movement_horiz.png License: Creative Commons
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kwami (talk)
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kwami (talk)
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License

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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