Shogi

board games · strategy · Japan · chess family

Japan's favorite game. Shogi is one of the most popular board games in Japan, played by millions of people who love its deep strategy and exciting moves.

Pieces level up. Unlike chess, shogi pieces can be promoted when they reach the opponent's side of the board, transforming into more powerful versions of themselves.

Chess cousin worldwide. Shogi belongs to the same family of strategy games as Western chess, xiangqi (Chinese chess), and several other ancient games played around the world.

The general's game. The word shogi actually means 'general's board game' in Japanese, named after military strategy and the way generals would command armies in battle.

Deeper than chess. Shogi pieces move in different ways than chess pieces, and players can even bring captured opponent pieces back into the game on their own side, which makes strategy wildly different.