Build a castle (kakoi)
Early in the game, wrap your king in golds and silvers over a few moves. Yagura (static rook games), Mino (ranging rook games) and Anaguma (the sturdiest, corner castle) are the best known.
Shogi Academy
A step-by-step roadmap for learning shogi from scratch, core strategy ideas and the mistakes beginners make most often.
Roadmap
Core strategy ideas
Static rook or ranging rook?
Ibisha (static rook) players keep the rook on its starting file and attack on the right. Furibisha (ranging rook) players swing the rook left and castle on the right. Try both and pick the one that suits you.
Pieces in hand are weapons
With pieces in hand every empty square is a potential attack point. Pawns and golds in hand are the building blocks of mating nets.
The tokin is valuable
A promoted pawn attacks like a gold, yet if captured only gives the opponent a pawn. Look for ways to get pawns into the enemy camp.
Count exchanges carefully
Unlike chess, captured pieces join the opponent's hand. Before you capture, ask what your opponent can do with that piece.
Common mistakes
- Attacking before castling, leaving the king on its starting square.
- Trying to drop a second pawn in the same file (nifu).
- Leaving the bishop diagonal open so the opponent can trade and drop a bishop.
- Advancing knights and lances too early: they can never go back.
- Forgetting the opponent's pieces in hand — check them every move.