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Shogi learning checklist

Welcome! If you’re here, it’s because you want to learn how to play Shogi. Whether you love chess and its variants, or you’re fascinated by Japan, you’re in the right place!

The game is a bit more complex than Western chess, but don’t be intimidated: this checklist will guide you step by step toward your first game. All I ask is a little patience.

For each item, you’ll find a link to an explanatory page. Follow the checklist to discover the basics, the rules, and your first practical tips.

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1. The game board, Shōgiban …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/shogi-board-shogiban/)

Now you know the battlefield.

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2. Capturing pieces …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/shogi-capturing-rule/)

3. Promotion of pieces …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/shogi-promotion-rule/)

This prior knowledge will be useful in the following sections.

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4. King moves, Gyokushō and Ōshō …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/king/)

5. Gold General moves, Kinshō …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/gold-general/)

6. Silver General moves and promotion, Ginshō and Narigin …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/silver-general-and-promoted-silver/)

7. Knight moves and promotion, Keima and Narikei …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/knight-and-promoted-knight/)

8. Lance moves and promotion, Kyōsha and Narikyō …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/lance-and-promoted-lance/)

9. Bishop moves and promotion, Kakugyō and Ryūme …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/bishop-and-dragon-horse/)

10. Rook moves and promotion, Hisha and Ryūō …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/rook-and-dragon-king/)

11. Pawn moves and promotion, Fuhyō and Tokin …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/pawn-and-tokin/)

Now you can move all the pieces, capture, and promote!

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12. How to win the game …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/how-to-win-shogi/)

This is the basic theory of Shogi.

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13. Starting the game …
〈Basic principles: open and control the Bishop’s diagonal and/or open the Rook’s file, prepare your defense, and then attack〉

14. Observe the best-known Shōgi openings …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/shogi-openings-ibisha-furibisha/)

In broad terms, you now know how to start a game … openings are a more complex topic to explore later.

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15. Defense with the Yagura castle …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/yagura-castle/) 

16. Defense with the Mino castle …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/mino-castle/) 

17. Defense with the Anaguma castle …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/anaguma-bear-in-hole-castle/)

18. Observe the most well-known castles for defense …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/en/castle-gakoi/)

Now you know how to defend yourself.

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19. Where to play online/offline …
(https://www.shogi.cloud/shogi-play-online/)

These websites and apps let you play against engines and humans.
Have fun and good luck!