If you’ve ever played chess and thought, “This is fun, but what if my captured pieces could come back and help me?” …then welcome to shogi.
Shogi is often called Japanese chess, but it has one big twist that makes it feel totally different: when you capture an opponent’s piece, it becomes yours and you can drop it back onto the board later. That one rule creates a lot of cool surprises.
Let’s walk through the rules in a simple, easy way. (more…)
Shogi (将棋) is the Japanese version of an ancient Indian game that became Chess in Europe and xiangqi in China. In fact, Shogi is frequently referred to as Japanese chess in the English speaking world.
Shogi is played on a 9×9 board, unlike the 8×8 board of Western chess. Shogi has some pieces that are very similar to Western chess, a king, pawns, rook, bishop, and knight. Shogi also has pieces that are not found in Western chess such as gold generals, silver generals and the lance.
The most interesting difference between shogi and chess is that when opposing pieces are captured in shogi, they become loyal to the player that captured them. These captured pieces are then dropped back on the board to continue the game. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
ABEMA tournaments changed how many fans experience professional shogi. Instead of a long time-control game in a traditional hall, viewers get fast Fischer-clock battles, team strategy, and live drama designed for streaming audiences.
This article explains how ABEMA tournaments developed, what format made them stand out, and why they had real impact on modern fan culture.
The first event began in 2018 as AbemaTVトーナメント Inspired by 羽生善治. The concept was a short-time, broadcast-friendly format with increment, now commonly described as Fischer style in Japanese coverage. Early editions were individual events, and from the 3rd edition the tournament shifted to team competition.
That shift was important. Team drafts, lineup mind games, and match-order decisions gave fans a new way to follow players across a full season instead of only one title match at a time.
ABEMA tournament matches are built for speed. A common setup is 5 minutes plus 5 seconds increment per move. This creates tense endgames while still allowing enough time for quality play.
As the format matured, ABEMA tournaments produced recurring rivalries and memorable team identities. Japanese records pages and summaries note repeated deep runs by top players and titleholders, and strong audience attention to draft choices and rematches.
The project also expanded into related events such as women-centered and regional formats, showing that the core streaming model could be adapted for different audiences and narratives.
ABEMA tournaments helped normalize a different way of following shogi: episode by episode, team by team, with heavy emphasis on live commentary and social reaction. For many viewers, this became an entry point before they moved into longer title-match coverage.
In that sense, ABEMA tournaments did not replace traditional title culture. They complemented it, widened the funnel for new fans, and gave professional players a new stage with different competitive and media skills.
By Galo S Mirth
The Japan Shogi Association, or Nihon Shogi Renmei, is the institution at the center of professional shogi in modern Japan. It oversees title systems, professional development, public promotion, and major official records.
This article gives a practical historical overview and highlights institutional milestones that shaped today’s shogi world. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
Tomoka Nishiyama won the Universal Cup 52nd Jooryu Meijin best-of-five and took the title from Kana Fukuma in February 2026. The official match table on the Japan Shogi Association side records a 3-0 result for Nishiyama, with wins in Games 1, 2, and 3, so the series ended before Games 4 and 5.
By Galo S Mirth
Mid-February 2026 brought a cluster of smaller but meaningful shogi updates. None of these items was a title-match result on its own, but together they show how publishing, education programs, local event tie-ins, and legacy media all support the wider shogi ecosystem.
By Galo S Mirth
In recent years, the Japan Shogi Association has expanded outreach beyond traditional title-match audiences. Programs for children, regional communities, beginners, and online viewers have become a visible part of how the game is promoted.
This article reviews major outreach directions and adds examples of personal impact reported in Japanese community writing.
JSA-supported school events, beginner lessons, and entry-level materials have helped younger players encounter shogi in structured settings. Regional classes and child-focused events lower the barrier for families who do not already have a shogi background. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
The ALSOK Cup 75th Osho title match took a decisive turn in Game 4. According to the Japan Shogi Association news listing, challenger Takuya Nagase won Game 4 against Osho Sota Fujii. Coming after Nagase’s Game 3 win, the result changed the emotional and strategic balance of the seven game match before Game 5.
The official JSA news stream records 「藤井聡太王将VS永瀬拓矢九段 ALSOK杯第75期王将戦七番勝負第4局 永瀬九段の勝利」 (updated 2026-02-18). With Nagase also listed as winner of Game 3 in the same official stream, the match narrative has shifted from a Fujii control scenario to a level, high pressure race toward the final stages. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
The 51st Kioh title match (KONAMI Group Cup) has quickly become one of the most important storylines of early 2026. In the official Japan Shogi Association news flow, challenger Yasuhiro Masuda is recorded as winner of Game 1 against title holder Sota Fujii. Game 2 is now a pressure point for the entire five game structure.
The JSA news listing includes the result line 「藤井聡太棋王VS増田康宏八段 第51期棋王戦コナミグループ杯五番勝負第1局 増田八段の勝利」 (updated 2026-02-08). In a best of five, a challenger taking the opening game changes everything. It compresses the champion’s margin for error and forces earlier strategic adaptation than in a seven game title format. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
Early February 2026 has been unusually dense for Japanese shogi news. The official Japan Shogi Association feeds show major title match swings, a historic career milestone announcement, new event recruitment notices, and community facing updates that matter for both dedicated followers and casual fans.
The biggest competitive stories in the official news list were from the two top title fronts. In the Osho match, Takuya Nagase’s Game 4 win over Sota Fujii reset the tension in the series. In the Kioh match, Yasuhiro Masuda’s Game 1 win and the run up to Game 2 set up a high pressure early phase in a five game format. Together, these results reinforced that even in the Fujii era, challenger adaptation remains decisive. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
COVID-19 disrupted the shogi world at every level. Professional title matches, qualifier events, local classes, and amateur tournaments all had to adjust quickly from 2020 onward.
This article looks at how the scene adapted and which changes stayed after the emergency years. (more…)
By Galo S Mirth
Modern shogi fans often learn by watching full match series, highlights, and commentary clips. That viewing culture has changed how many players study and improve, especially beginners and club-level competitors.
This article looks at how series-style viewing reshaped player development in Japan.
Earlier generations often followed major matches through print reports and periodic broadcasts. Today, digital archives, live streams, and replay clips make it possible to watch opening plans, time usage, and endgame technique repeatedly.
That repeat viewing encourages practical pattern recognition, not only passive fandom. (more…)