Shogi for chess players
Learn Shogi step by step from the chess you already know.
Shogun Chess starts with what carries over from chess and takes its time with what is new. When a move gives something away, a Sensei tells you in plain words what it was.
For iPhone, iPad and Mac · English, Deutsch, Türkçe, 日本語
You are not starting from zero
Much of it you know already
Shogi is Japanese chess. The rook, bishop and king move just as in chess, and the goal is still checkmate. The lessons build on that and spend their time on what is new.
Same as chess
What you can use from your first move
- Checkmate is the goal. The game is won the way you know it.
- Rook, bishop and king. They move exactly as in chess.
New in Shogi
Explained one idea at a time
- Captured pieces come back. They join your side, and you can put them back on the board as your move.
- Gold and silver generals. Neither has a twin in chess.
- A castle built by hand. In chess you castle in one move. Here you build the castle yourself, move by move.
A coach, not a score
The Sensei tells you why
When a move gives something away, the Sensei says what happened, in words: which piece is now unprotected, or which capture you missed.
Then you choose: keep playing, or take the move back and try again.
You decide when the Sensei speaks up: when a move gives away about a knight or more, already from about a pawn's worth, or not at all.
From the first lesson to real games
A path, not a rulebook
short lessons in 19 chapters
From the board and the pieces to castles, openings, tactics and checkmate. You try each idea on the board right away.
computer opponents
- ChickJust hatched. A good first opponent.
- StudentGrabs what you leave hanging.
- WandererSees short exchanges coming.
- MasterThinks ahead and shelters its king.
- The strongestFull strength. Expect no gifts.
Symbols first, kanji later
Pieces start with simple symbols. When you are ready, the Japanese characters (kanji) appear with the symbol as a small hint, and later on their own.
More in the app
New to chess as well?
Say so at the start, and every lesson explains from zero.
See where a piece can move
Tap a piece, and the board shows every square it can reach.
Learn from your games
After a game, the review shows your three costliest moves and what was stronger. Two days later, those positions come back as practice.
Handicap games
The computer starts with fewer pieces, from one lance missing to only king and pawns. This is how Shogi has long been taught.
Play a friend
Two players, one device.
A glossary
Every Shogi word in one place.
Questions
Do I need to know chess?
No. Chess helps, because the lessons build on it. If you are new to chess as well, say so at the start, and every lesson explains from zero.
Do I need to read Japanese?
No. Pieces start with simple symbols. The Japanese characters come later, when you are ready for them.
Which devices and languages?
iPhone, iPad and Mac, in English, German, Turkish and Japanese.
When can I get it?
Shogun Chess is in testing and not in the App Store yet.
Learn Shogi from the chess you know
Shogun Chess is in testing and not in the App Store yet.