Japanese Chess – Shogi – 将棋
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Category: Shogi

  • Play Shogi Online

    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…)

  • Shogi 2024 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    Professional shogi in 2024 felt like a year of consolidation at the top and adaptation across the wider scene. The title calendar stayed packed, digital spectatorship remained central, and discussion around preparation, engine use, and match stamina continued to shape how fans and players read high-level games.

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  • Shogi 2023 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    For shogi fans, 2023 felt like one of those years when the whole map of the game shifts. The headline was Sota Fujii completing the eight-title sweep by taking the Oza title in October, but the year also had major title-match stories, women’s title momentum, and a strong sense that shogi’s public presence kept growing.

    This review highlights the biggest developments in professional and cultural terms, with links to Japanese primary sources.

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  • Shogi 2022 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2022 was a year where the top of professional shogi became more concentrated around a few elite titleholders, while the broader culture of the game stayed active through media coverage, fan events, and growing online spectatorship. The headline was Sota Fujii’s continued rise, but the year also included a major career milestone for Yoshiharu Habu and another busy season across the eight major title matches.

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  • Shogi 2021 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2021 was the year shogi’s center of gravity shifted. Sota Fujii did not just win. He changed the shape of the title map, taking the Ryuo crown and becoming the youngest ever four-crown holder. At the same time, women’s shogi entered a new era with the launch of the Hakurei title system and its rank league.

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  • Shogi 2020 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2020 was one of the most memorable years in modern shogi. It was the year of major title transitions, the formal expansion to eight major titles, and the breakthrough that turned Sota Fujii from a rising star into a central figure of the professional scene. It was also a year when the pandemic forced organizers, players, and fans to adapt quickly.

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  • Shogi 2019 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2019 was one of the most dramatic years in modern shogi. A new era name began in Japan, major titles changed hands, and several long running storylines reached turning points.

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  • Shogi 2018 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2018 was one of the most eventful years in modern shogi. The title map changed repeatedly, a long run of one-crown holders returned for the first time in decades, and new names took major stages in both men’s and women’s title events. It was also a year when online broadcasting and pop culture ties made shogi more visible to general audiences.

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  • Shogi 2017 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    Shogi in 2017 is remembered for two huge stories. First, Fujii Sota’s 29 game winning streak became a national headline and brought many new fans into the game. Second, Habu Yoshiharu won the 30th Ryuo title match and completed the first ever Eisei 7 crown achievement. It was a year where a new generation arrived while a historic champion reached a peak milestone.

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  • Shogi 2016 in Review

    By Galo S Mirth

    2016 was one of those years when several shogi timelines overlapped. A new Meijin took the crown, major title matches stayed fiercely competitive, women’s title storylines kept moving, and a 14-year-old future superstar entered the professional ranks. Looking back now, it reads like a hinge year between the Habu-centered 2000s and the new era that followed.

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