Taikyoku shogi

Taikyoku shōgi (大局将棋 'ultimate chess') is the largest known variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game was created around the mid 16th century (presumably by priests) and is based on earlier large board shogi games. Before the rediscovery of taikyoku shogi in 1997, tai shogi was believed to be the largest playable chess variant ever. It has not been shown that taikyoku shogi was ever widely played. There are only two sets of restored taikyoku shogi pieces and one of them is held at Osaka University of Commerce.^[1] One game may be played over several long sessions and require each player to make over a thousand moves.

Because the game was found only recently after centuries of obscurity, it is difficult to say exactly what all the rules were. Several documents describing the game have been found; however, there are differences between them. Many of the pieces appear in other shogi variants but their moves may be different. The board, and likewise the pieces, were made much smaller, making archeological finds difficult to decipher. Research into this game continues for historical and cultural reasons, but also to satisfy the curious and those who wish to play what could be the most challenging chess-like game ever made. More research must be done however. This article focuses on one likely set of rules that can make the game playable in modern times but is by no means canon. These rules may change as more discoveries are made and secrets of the game unlocked.

Rules of the game

Taikyoku shogi is very different from other large-board shogi variants: tenjiku shogi, dai dai shogi, maka dai dai shogi, and tai shogi. The most notable differences lie with the piece movements and their promotions.

Objective

The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king(s) and prince(s). When the last of these is captured, the game ends. There are no rules for check or checkmate; however, in practice a player resigns when checkmated. Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after being captured.

Game equipment

Two players, Black and White (or 先手 sente and 後手 gote), play on a board ruled into a grid of 36 ranks (rows) by 36 files (columns) with a total of 1,296 squares. The squares are differentiated by marking or color.

Each player has a set of 402 wedge-shaped pieces of 209 types. The players must remember 253 sets of moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes with the larger pieces near the king and becoming progressively smaller for pieces further from the king, regardless of power. In general, the stronger pieces are nearer to the king.

Several of the English names were chosen to correspond to rough equivalents in Western chess, rather than as translations of the Japanese names.

Each piece has its name in the form of two or three kanji written on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are two or three other characters, often in a different color (commonly red instead of black); this reverse side is used to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.

Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to; starting with the first row.

Setup

Taikyoku Shogi

Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same way the opposing player will see their pieces.

Board layout                                                                                   D         GB       D             D       GB         D           P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P LC MK VM OX LB VP VH BN DH DK SE HF EL SP VL TG SB LD DG SB TG VL SP EL HF SE DK DH BN VH VP LB OX VM MK RC CH SL VR WN RE M SD HS GN OS EA BS SG LP T BE I GM GE I BE T LP SG BS EA OS GN HS SD M RE WN VR SL CH EC BL EB HO OW CM CS SW BM BT OC SF BB OR SQ SN RD LI FE RD SN SQ OR BB SF OC BT BM SW CS CM OW HO EB VI EC TC VW SX DO FH VB AB EW LH CK OM CC WS ES VS NT TF RM MT TF NT VS SU NB CC OM CK LH EW AB VB FH DO SX VW TC WC WH HD SM PR WB FL EG FD PS FY ST BI WG F KR CA GT LL HM PH F WG BI ST FY PS FD EG FL WB PR SM HD WH WC CI CE B R WF FC MF VT SO LS CL CR RH HE VO GD GO DV DS GO GD VO HE RH CR CL LS SO VT MF FC WF R B CE CI SV VE N PI CG PG H O CN SA SR GL LN CT GS VD WL GG VG WL VD GS CT LN GL SR SA CN O H PG CG PI N VE SV GC SI RN RW BG RO LT LE BO WD FP RB OK PC WA FI C KM PM C FI WA PC OK RB FP WD BO RI TT RO BG RW RN SI GC RV WE TD FS CO RA FO MS RP RU SS GR RT BA BD WR S NK DE S GU YA BA RT GR SS RU RP MS FO RA CO FS TD FG RV L TS RR W DM ME LO BC HR FR ED CD FT FK RS LG G K CP G RG RS FK FT WO ED FR HR BC LO ME DM W RR WT L

Legend

Game play

The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are no longer literally descriptive.) A move consists of moving a single piece on the board and potentially promoting that piece or displacing (capturing) an opposing piece.

Movement and capture

Most pieces in the game move in a unique manner. An opposing piece is captured by displacement: That is, if a piece moves to a square occupied by an opposing piece, the opposing piece is displaced and removed from the board. A piece cannot move to a square occupied by a friendly piece (meaning another piece controlled by the moving player).

Each piece on the game moves in a characteristic pattern. Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward, backward, left, or right, in the direction of one of the arms of a plus sign, +), or diagonally (in the direction of one of the arms of a multiplication sign, ×). The lion, lion hawk and knight are exceptions at the beginning of the game, in that they do not move, or are not required to move, in a straight line. (The Buddhist spirit, teaching king, heavenly horse and furious fiend are similar, but they only appear as pieces promote.)

Categories of movement

Many pieces are capable of several kinds of movement, with the type of movement most often depending on the direction in which they move. The movement categories are:

Step movers

Some pieces move only one square at a time. (If a friendly piece occupies an adjacent square, the moving piece may not move in that direction; if an opposing piece is there, it may be displaced and captured.)

The step movers are the prince, generals (except: bishop, rook, pig, vice, great and wood), wolves, earth dragon, running horse, running rabbit, turtle snake, turtle dove, flying swallow, rain dragon, mountain stag, running pup, running serpent, side serpent, yaksha, Buddhist devil, violent stag, drunken elephant, neighboring king, chariots (except: reverse, running and copper), right tiger, left tiger, wind dragon, free pup, rushing bird, old kite, bears (except running), side boar, cloud eagle, flying cat, little standard, cloud dragon, soldiers (except soldier and chariot), violent ox, dark spirit, deva, howling dog, side mover, prancing stag, ferocious leopard, fierce eagle, poisonous snake, flying goose, strutting crow, blind dog, Chinese cock, phoenix, kirin, side ox, angry boar, liberated horse, flying cock, monkeys, barbarians, vermillion sparrow, swooping owl, old rat, cat sword, swallow’s wings, blind tiger, side flyer, coiled serpent, reclining dragon, go between, dog, vertical mover, vertical pup, vertical horse, dragon horse, dragon king and pawn.

Limited ranging pieces

Some pieces can move along a limited number (2 to 7) of free (empty) squares along a straight line in certain directions. Other than the limited distance, they move like ranging pieces (see below).

The limited ranging pieces are the king, standards, free dream-eater, wooden dove, dragons (except: rain, side, wind, cloud, flying and reclining), demons, beast cadet, mountain eagle, white tiger, ceramic dove, turtle dove, captive officer, mountain stag, side serpent, great dove, running tiger, running bear, yaksha, Buddhist devil, guardian of the Gods, wrestler, gold chariot, running stag, beast officer, free pup, rushing bird, old kite, peacock, phoenix master, kirin master, silver chariot, vertical bear, pig general, chicken general, horse general, ox general, silver rabbit, golden deer, captive cadet, great stag, stone chariot, cloud eagle, mountain falcon, vertical tiger, copper chariot, golden bird, prancing stag, water buffalo, fierce eagle, water general, mountain general, fire general, turtles, vertical wolf, donkey, enchanted badger, flying horse, angry boar, violent bear, liberated horse, barbarians, center master, roc master, horseman, soldiers (except: rook, ram’s-head, spear and sword), wing general, wind general, wood general, great master and roaring dog.

Jumping pieces

Several pieces can jump, that is, they can pass over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe, with no effect on either.

The jumping pieces are the wooden dove, running horse, mountain eagle, phoenix master, kirin master, knight, lion, great stag, vice general, flying cat, mountain falcon, golden bird, flying dragon, poisonous snake, phoenix, kirin, turtles, treacherous fox, center master, roc master, free eagle, lion hawk, great master, horned falcon, soaring eagle, roaring dog and lion dog.

Ranging pieces

Many pieces can move any number of empty squares along a straight line, limited only by the edge of the board. If an opposing piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square and removing it from the board. A ranging piece must stop where it captures, and cannot bypass a piece that is in its way. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece is limited to a distance that stops short of the intervening piece; if the friendly piece is adjacent, it cannot move in that direction at all.

The ranging pieces are the standards, queen, free dream-eater, wooden dove, dragons (except: violent, flying and reclining), demons, running horse, mountain eagle, whale, running rabbit, tigers (except blind), turtle snake, ceramic dove, lance, oxcart, chariots, flying swallow, running pup, running serpent, great dove, running bear, running stag, running wolf, free pup, phoenix master, kirin master, vertical bear, side boar, silver rabbit, golden deer, great stag, cloud eagle, bishop, rook, side wolf, mountain falcon, soldiers (except: sword, burning and cross-bow), violent ox, golden bird, white horse, howling dog, side mover, water buffalo, turtles, vertical wolf, side ox, liberated horse, treacherous fox, roc master, vermillion sparrow, horseman, swallow’s wings, side flyer, great master, side monkey, vertical mover, flying ox, vertical pup, vertical horse, dragon horse, dragon king, horned falcon, soaring eagle, roaring dog and lion dog.

Hook moves (changing tack)

The hook mover, long-nosed goblin, Capricorn, and peacock can move any number of squares along a straight line, as a normal ranging piece, but may also abruptly change tack left or right by 90° at any one place along the route, and then continue as a ranging piece. Turning a corner like this is optional.

The range covered by a hook move is the equivalent of two moves by a rook, or two moves by a bishop, depending on the piece. However, a hook move is functionally a single move: The piece cannot capture twice in one move, nor may it capture and then move on. It must stop before an intervening piece (unless it first changes direction to avoid it), and must stop when it captures, just like any other ranging piece. It can only change direction once per move.

Area movers

The lion and lion hawk may take multiple (2) steps in a single turn. These do not have to be in a line, so these pieces can potentially reach every square within two or three steps of the starting square, not just squares along one of the diagonals or orthogonals. Such moves are also useful to get around obstructions. An area mover must stop where it captures.

Limited range jumping pieces

The golden bird and several promoted pieces have the option of jumping a limited number of squares, and then continuing on in the same direction as a ranging piece.

Range jumping (flying) pieces

The ancient dragon may jump over any number of pieces, friend or foe, along a straight line, but only when making a capture. Otherwise it moves as a ranging piece.

Range capturing pieces

The great general, vice general, rook general, bishop general, violent dragon and flying crocodile may jump over any number of pieces, friend or foe, along a diagonal or orthogonal. They capture all pieces they jump.

However, they may only jump pieces of lower rank, whether friend or foe. The relevant ranking is:

1. King, prince
2. Great general
3. Vice general
4. Rook general, bishop general, violent dragon, flying crocodile

Individual pieces

King, fragrant elephant and white elephant

• Limited range: The king, fragrant elephant and white elephant can move one or two squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
• The king may move into check (not recommended).
• The elephants have the same promotion.

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Prince, left general and right general

• Step: The prince, left general, and right general can step one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
• A prince may move into check (not recommended).
• The pieces have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Gold general and violent wolf

• Step: The gold general and violent wolf can step one square in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally forward, giving them six possibilities.
• They cannot move diagonally backward.
• The pieces have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Rear standard

• Limited range: The rear standard can move one or two squares diagonally.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally

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Queen

• Ranging: The queen can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

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Free dream-eater

• Ranging: The free dream-eater can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.

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Wooden dove

• Limited range: The wooden dove can move one or two (or three?) squares in the four orthogonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions, but has the option of jumping in these directions instead of ranging.
• Jump plus limited range: It can jump to the third square in the four diagonal directions, and then (optionally) move one or two squares in the same direction.

Note: in Japanese Wikipedia, the diagram shows the orthogonal limited range as being limited to two squares, but the verbal description gives a range of three.

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Earth dragon

• Step: The earth dragon can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.

The Japanese Wikipedia describes another set of movements for this piece.

• Step: The earth dragon can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.

Free demon

• Limited range: The free demon can move one to five squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally right.

The Japanese Wikipedia describes another set of movements for this piece.

• Limited range: The free demon can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.

Running horse

• Step: The running horse can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally or diagonally forward.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square diagonally backwards

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Beast cadet

• Limited range: The beast cadet can move one or two squares orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

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Long-nosed goblin (tengu)

• Hook move: The long-nosed goblin can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions, then (optionally) turn 90° and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.

Unlike in other shogi variants, in taikyoku the tengu cannot move orthogonally, and therefore can only reach half of the squares on the board. This is the move of the capricorn, and may be an error.

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Mountain eagle (right)

• Limited range: The right mountain eagle can move one or two squares diagonally backward to the left.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square along either right diagonal.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally right, diagonally forward to the left, or in the four orthogonal directions.

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Mountain eagle (left)

• Limited range: The left mountain eagle can move one or two squares diagonally backward to the right.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square along either left diagonal.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally left, diagonally forward to the right, or in the four orthogonal directions.

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Fire demon

• Limited range: The fire demon can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

It cannot burn other pieces as in tenjiku shogi.

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Whale

• Ranging: The whale can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally backward.

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Running Rabbit

• Step: The running rabbit can move one square orthogonally or diagonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally or diagonally forward.

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White tiger

• Ranging: The white tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, or diagonally forward to the left.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.

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Turtle-snake

• Ranging: The turtle-snake can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the right or backward to the left.
• Step: It can move one square in any of the remaining directions.

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Ceramic dove

• Limited range: The ceramic dove can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions

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Lance, oxcart and savage tiger

• Ranging: The lance, oxcart and savage tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Reverse Chariot

• Ranging: The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

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Turtle dove

• Step: The turtle dove can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.

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Flying swallow

• Step: The flying swallow can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.

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Captive officer

• Limited range: The captive officer can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways; or
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares in the four diagonal directions

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Rain dragon

• Step: The rain dragon can move one square orthogonally or diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or backward; or diagonally backward.

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Forest demon

• Limited range: The forest demon can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.

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Mountain stag

• Step: The mountain stag can move one square orthogonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to four squares orthogonally backward.

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Running pup and running serpent

• Step: The running pup and running serpent can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Side serpent

• Step: The side serpent can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

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Great dove

• Limited range: The great dove can move one to three squares in the four orthogonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.

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Running tiger and running bear

• Limited range: The running tiger and running bear can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Yaksha

• Step: The yaksha can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.

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Buddhist devil

• Limited range: The Buddhist devil can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.

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Guardian of the Gods

• Limited range: The guardian of the Gods can move one to three squares in the four orthogonal directions.

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Wrestler

• Limited range: The wrestler can move one to three squares in the four diagonal directions.

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Silver general and violent stag

• Step: The silver general and violent stag can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or
  • One square orthogonally forward, giving them five possibilities.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Drunken elephant and neighboring king

• Step: The drunken elephant and neighboring king can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

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Gold chariot

• Step: The gold chariot can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

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Side dragon

• Ranging: The side dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or sideways.

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Running stag

• Limited range: The running stag can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.

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Running wolf

• Step: The running wolf can move one square orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.

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Bishop general

• Range capture: The bishop general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any diagonal direction, so long as they don't contain a royal (king or prince) or another range capturing piece. All pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

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／				＼

Rook general

• Range capture: The rook general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any orthogonal direction, so long as they don't contain a royal (king or prince) or another range capturing piece. All pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

		│
		│
─	─	?	─	─
		│
		│

Right tiger

• Step: The right tiger can move one square diagonally right.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally left or diagonally left.

＼
	＼		○
─	─	?
	／		○
／

Left tiger

• Step: The left tiger can move one square diagonally left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally right or diagonally right.

				／
	○		／
		?	─	─
	○		＼
				＼

Right dragon

• Limited range: The right dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally right.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally left or diagonally left.

	＼
		＼
─	─	─	?	○	○
		／
	／

Left dragon

• Limited range: The left dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally right or diagonally right.

					／
				／
	○	○	?	─	─	─
				＼
					＼

Beast officer

• Limited range: The beast officer can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or in the four diagonal directions.

	○						○
		○				○
			○		○
		○	○	?	○	○
			○		○
		○				○
	○						○

Wind dragon

• Step: The wind dragon can move one square diagonally backward to the left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, diagonally forward or diagonally backward to the right.

＼				／
	＼		／
─	─	?	─	─
	○		＼
				＼

Free pup

• Step: The free pup can move one square diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally forward.

	＼		│		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
		○	│	○
			│

Rushing bird

• Step: The rushing bird can move one square orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.

		○
	○	○	○
	○	?	○
	○		○

Old kite (hawk)

• Limited range: The old kite can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions; or
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.

	○				○
		○		○
		○	?	○
		○		○
	○				○

Peacock

• Hook move: The peacock can move any number of free squares in a straight line along one of the two forward diagonals, then (optionally) turn 90° and move any number of free squares in a straight line in a perpendicular diagonal direction.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares in one of the two rearward diagonals.

✕						✕
	✕				✕
／		✕		✕		＼
	／		?		＼
／		○		○		＼
	○				○

Water dragon

• Limited range: The water dragon can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.

					│
					│
					│
			○		│		○
				○	│	○
─	─	─	─	─	?	─	─	─	─	─
				○	│	○
			○		│		○
		○			│			○
	○				│				○
					│

Fire dragon

• Limited range: The fire dragon can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.

					│
	○				│				○
		○			│			○
			○		│		○
				○	│	○
─	─	─	─	─	?	─	─	─	─	─
				○	│	○
			○		│		○
					│
					│
					│

Copper general

• Step: The copper general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or
  • diagonally forward.

	○	○	○
		?
		○

Phoenix master

• Limited range: The phoenix master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally or orthogonally forward or backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square diagonally forward.

＼				│				／
	☆			│			☆
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
			／	│	＼
		／		│		＼
	／			│			＼
／				│				＼

Kirin master

• Limited range: The Kirin master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally or orthogonally forward or backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or backward.

＼				│				／
	＼			☆			／
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
			／	│	＼
		／		│		＼
	／			☆			＼
／				│				＼

Silver chariot

• Step: The silver chariot can move one square diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

			│
	○		│		○
		○	│	○
			?
		○	│	○
			│
			│

Vertical bear

• Step: The vertical bear can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

			│
			│
			│
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Knight

• Jump: A knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward destinations.
• The knight ignores intervening pieces on the way to its destination, though its destination square must of course be either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured), just as with any other moving piece.

	☆		☆
		?

Pig general

• Limited range: The pig general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward; or
• Limited range: It can move one to four squares diagonally forward.

	○								○
		○						○
			○				○
				○		○
					?
					○
					○

Chicken general and pup general

• Step: The chicken general and pup general can move one square diagonally backward.
• Limited range: They can move one to four squares orthogonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		○
		○
		○
		○
		?
	○		○

Horse general and ox general

• Step: The horse general and ox general can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
• These pieces and their promotions have the same range of motion.

		○
		○
	○	○	○
		?
		○

Center standard and front standard

• Limited range: The center standard and front standard can move one to three squares in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above). Uniquely, when a center standard promotes to a front standard, it gains no new abilities.

				│
	○			│			○
		○		│		○
			○	│	○
─	─	─	─	?	─	─	─	─
			○	│	○
		○		│		○
	○			│			○
				│

Side boar

• Step: The side boar can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

	○	○	○
─	─	?	─	─
	○	○	○

Silver rabbit

• Limited range: The silver rabbit can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward.

	○				○
		○		○
			?
		／		＼
	／				＼
／						＼

Golden deer

• Ranging: The golden deer can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally backward.

＼						／
	＼				／
		＼		／
			?
		○		○
	○				○

Lion

• Area move/double capture: The lion can step one square in any direction up to twice in a turn. It can change directions after its first step, and is not restricted to following one of the eight orthogonal or diagonal directions. That is, it can also step to one of the in-between squares that a knight jumps to in Western chess.
  • Unlike the hook movers, it can continue after a capture on the first step, potentially capturing two pieces on each turn.
  • By moving back to its starting square, it can effectively capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving. This is called 居喰い igui "stationary feeding".
  • A similar move without capturing leaves the board unchanged, which is a way to pass a turn.

Or,

• Jump: The lion can jump anywhere within two squares. This is equivalent to jumping in any of the eight diagonal or orthogonal directions, or making any of the jumps of a knight in Western chess.

Note: The restrictions when capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in taikyoku shogi.

Captive cadet

• Limited range: The captive cadet can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or sideways, or in the four diagonal directions.

When it promotes to a captive officer (see above), it demotes (moving only two squares orthogonally instead of three).

	○			○			○
		○		○		○
			○	○	○
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
			○		○
		○				○
	○						○

Great stag

• Limited range: The great stag can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.

			│
	☆		│		☆
			│
─	─	─	?	─	─	─
		○	│	○
	○		│		○
			│

Violent dragon

• Limited range: The violent dragon can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range capture: It can fly over any number of pieces along one of the four diagonal directions, as long as they don't include a royal (king or prince) or another range-jumping piece. All pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

＼						／
	＼		○		／
		＼	○	／
	○	○	?	○	○
		／	○	＼
	／		○		＼
／						＼

Woodland demon

• Limited range: The woodland demon can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally forward.

＼			│			／
	＼		│		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
			│
			│
			│

Vice general

• Jump: The vice general can jump to the second square in the four orthogonal directions. This is a standard jump.
• Range capture: It can fly over any number of squares along one of the four diagonal directions, as long as they don't contain a royal (king or prince), great general, or another vice general. All pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

＼						／
	＼		☆		／
		＼		／
	☆		?		☆
		／		＼
	／		☆		＼
／						＼

Great general

• Range capture: The great general can fly over any number of squares along a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally, as long as they don't contain a royal (king or prince) or another great general. All pieces it flies over are removed from the game.

＼		│		／
	＼	│	／
─	─	?	─	─
	／	│	＼
／		│		＼

Stone chariot

• Step: The stone chariot can move one square diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.

			│
		○	│	○
	○	○	?	○	○
			│
			│

Cloud eagle

• Step: The cloud eagle can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

				│
	○			│			○
		○		│		○
			○	│	○
			○	?	○
				│
				│
				│
				│

Bishop

• Ranging: A bishop can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.

Because it cannot move orthogonally, a bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.

＼				／
	＼		／
		?
	／		＼
／				＼

Rook, soldier, running chariot and square mover

• Ranging: The rook, soldier, running chariot and square mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
• They have the same range of motion but promote differently (see above).

		│
		│
─	─	?	─	─
		│
		│

Side wolf

• Step: The side wolf can move one square diagonally forward to the left or diagonally backward to the right.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

	○
─	─	?	─	─
			○

Flying cat

• Step: The flying cat can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or sideways, or diagonally forward.

	☆			☆			☆
	☆			?			☆
			○	○	○

Mountain falcon

• Limited range: The mountain falcon can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally forward.

Note: This is the depiction of the diagram in Japanese wiki. However, the text makes no mention of an ability to move orthogonally sideways.

Vertical tiger

• Limited range: The vertical tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
		│
		│
		?
		○
		○

Little standard

• Step: The little standard can move one square diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.

			│
	○		│		○
		○	│	○
─	─	─	?	─	─	─
		○	│	○
			│
			│

Cloud dragon

• Step: The cloud dragon can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward or in the four diagonal directions.

＼				／
	＼	○	／
	○	?	○
	／	│	＼
／		│		＼

Copper chariot

• Limited range: The copper chariot can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

				│
	○			│			○
		○		│		○
			○	│	○
				?
			○	│	○
				│
				│
				│

Ram’s-head soldier

• Ranging: The ram’s-head soldier can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally backward.

＼				／
	＼		／
		?
		○

Violent ox

• Step: The violent ox can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.

＼				／
	＼	○	／
		?
		○

Great dragon

• Limited range: The great dragon can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.

		○
＼		○		／
	＼	○	／
		?
	／	○	＼
／		○		＼
		○

Golden bird

• Limited range: The golden bird can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces diagonally forward, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.

＼				│				／
	＼			│			／
		＼		│		／
			3	│	3
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
			○	│	○
		○		│		○
	○			│			○
				│

Dark spirit

• Step: The dark spirit can move one square in any direction orthogonally or diagonally, except diagonally forward to the left.

		○	○
	○	?	○
	○	○	○

Deva

• Step: The Deva can move one square in any direction orthogonally or diagonally, except diagonally forward to the right.

	○	○
	○	?	○
	○	○	○

Wood chariot

• Step: The wood chariot can move one square diagonally forward to the left or diagonally backward to the right.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

		│
	○	│
		?
		│	○
		│

White horse

• Ranging: The white horse can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.

＼		│		／
	＼	│	／
		?
		│
		│

Howling dog (left and right)

• Step: The howling dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
• The left and right howling dogs have the same range of motion but promote differently (see above).

		│
		│
		?
		○

Side mover

• Ranging: The side mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.

		○
─	─	?	─	─
		○

Prancing stag

• Limited range: The prancing stag can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally forward.

		○	○	○
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Water buffalo

• Ranging: The water buffalo can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.

＼		○		／
	＼	○	／
─	─	?	─	─
	／	○	＼
／		○		＼

Ferocious leopard

• Step: The ferocious leopard can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or orthogonally forward or backward.

	○	○	○
		?
	○	○	○

Fierce eagle

• Limited range: The fierce eagle can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways.

	○				○
		○	○	○
		○	?	○
		○		○
	○				○

Flying dragon

• Jump: The flying dragon can jump to the second square in the four diagonal directions.
• Because it cannot move orthogonally or to every diagonal square, a flying dragon can only reach one quarter the squares on the board.

	☆				☆
			?
	☆				☆

Poisonous snake

• Step: The poisonous snake can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can moves one or two squares orthogonally forward or sideways.

			○
		○	○	○
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Flying goose

• Step: The flying goose can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally forward.

	○	○	○
		?
		○

Strutting crow

• Step: The strutting crow can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.

		○
		?
	○		○

Blind dog and Chinese cock

• Step: The blind dog and Chinese cock can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
• Step: They can move one square diagonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

	○		○
	○	?	○
		○

Water general and mountain general

• Step: The water general and mountain general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Limited range: They can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

	○						○
		○				○
			○	○	○
				?
				○

Fire general

• Step: The fire general can move one square diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward or backward.

				○
				○
			○	○	○
				?
				○
				○
				○

Phoenix

• Step: The phoenix can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square in the four diagonal directions.

	☆				☆
			○
		○	?	○
			○
	☆				☆

Kirin

• Step: A Kirin can move one square orthogonally forward or backward, or in the four diagonal directions.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally sideways.

		○		○
	☆		?		☆
		○		○

Hook mover

• Hook move: The hook mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions, then (optionally) turn 90° and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.

		┼
		┼
┼	┼	?	┼	┼
		┼
		┼

Little turtle

• Limited range: The little turtle can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or in the four diagonal directions.

＼						／
	＼		☆		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
		／	│	＼
	／		☆		＼
／			│			＼

Great turtle

• Limited range: The great turtle can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or in the four diagonal directions.

＼				│				／
	＼			☆			／
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
			／	│	＼
		／		│		＼
	／			☆			＼
／				│				＼

Capricorn

• Hook move: The Capricorn can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions, then (optionally) turn 90° and move any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.

The description of the Tengu imply the capricorn also can move one square orthogonally. If it isn't the case, it can only reach half of the squares on the board.

Tile chariot

• Step: The tile chariot can move one square diagonally forward to the right or diagonally backward to the left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

		│
		│	○
		?
	○	│
		│

Vertical wolf

• Step: The vertical wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
		│
		│
		│
	○	?	○
		○
		○
		○

Side ox

• Step: The side ox can move one square diagonally forward to the right or diagonally backward to the left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of squares orthogonally sideways.

			○
─	─	?	─	─
	○

Donkey and enchanted badger

• Limited range: The donkey and enchanted badger can move one or two squares in the four orthogonal directions.
• Their range of movement and promotions are the same.

			○
			○
	○	○	?	○	○
			○
			○

Flying horse

• Limited range: The flying horse can move one or two squares in the four diagonal directions.

	○				○
		○		○
			?
		○		○
	○				○

Angry boar

• Step: The angry boar can move one square orthogonally forward or sideways; or
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares diagonally forward.

	○				○
		○	○	○
		○	?	○

Violent bear

• Limited range: The violent bear can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Step: One version of the game has the violent bear moving one square orthogonally forward; another version has it moving one square diagonally backward.

Evil Wolf

• Step: The evil wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways or forward; or diagonally forward.

	○	○	○
	○	?	○

Liberated horse

• Step: The liberated horse can move one square diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
		│
	○	│	○
		?
		○
		○

Flying cock

• Step: The flying cock can move one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.

	○		○
	○	?	○

Old monkey

• Step: The old monkey can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally backward.

	○		○
	○	?	○
	○	○	○

Northern barbarian and southern barbarian

• Limited range: The northern barbarian and southern barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Step: They can move one square orthogonally forward or backward or diagonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		○	○	○
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Eastern barbarian and western barbarian

• Limited range: The eastern barbarian and western barbarian can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
• Step: They can move one square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		○
	○	○	○
	○	?	○
		○
		○

Treacherous fox

• Ranging: The treacherous fox can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or in the four diagonal directions.
• Jump: One version of the game allows it to jump to the second or third square in those directions then move, another does not.

Center master

• Limited range: The center master can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square and then move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally forward.
• It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.

Roc master

• Limited range: The roc master can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Jump/ Ranging: It can jump to the third square and then move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.

Earth chariot

• Step: The earth chariot can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

		│
		│
	○	?	○
		│
		│

Vermilion sparrow

• Step: The vermilion sparrow can move one square in the four orthogonal directions, or diagonally forward to the right or diagonally backward to the left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the left or diagonally backward to the right.

＼
	＼	○	○
	○	?	○
	○	○	＼
				＼

Blue dragon

• Ranging: The blue dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally forward to the right.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.

			│		／
			│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
			│
			│

Horseman

• Limited range: The horseman can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward, or diagonally forward.

	＼		│		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
			│
			│

Swooping owl and old rat

• Step: The swooping owl and old rat can move one square orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		○
		?
	○		○

Climbing monkey

• Step: The climbing monkey can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally forward.

	○	○	○
		?
		○

Cat sword

• Step: The cat sword can move one square in the four diagonal directions.

Because it cannot move orthogonally, a cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.

	○		○
		?
	○		○

Swallow’s wings

• Step: The Swallow’s wings can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

	○	○	○
─	─	?	─	─
		○

Blind monkey

• Step: The blind monkey can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.

	○		○
	○	?	○
	○		○

Blind tiger

• Step: The blind tiger can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.

	○		○
	○	?	○
	○	○	○

Side flyer

• Step: The side flyer can move one square in the four diagonal directions; or
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

	○		○
─	─	?	─	─
	○		○

Blind bear

• Step: The blind bear can move one square in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.

	○		○
	○	?	○
	○		○

Coiled serpent

• Step: The coiled serpent can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally backward.

		○
		?
	○	○	○

Reclining dragon

• Step: The reclining dragon can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.

		○
	○	?	○
		○

Free eagle

• Jump/ranging: The free eagle can jump to the second or third square, and then move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions or diagonally backward.
• Jump/ranging: It can jump to the second to fourth square, and then move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.
• It need not jump before moving nor move after jumping.

＼					│					／
	☆				│				☆
		☆			☆			☆
			☆		☆		☆
				＼	│	／
─	─	☆	☆	─	?	─	☆	☆	─	─
				／	│	＼
			☆		☆		☆
		☆			☆			☆
	／				│				＼
／					│					＼

Lion hawk

• Area move/double capture/ranging: The lion hawk can move as a lion or as a bishop.
• Jump/ranging: It can leap to the second square in any diagonal direction before making a bishop move in that same direction.

Chariot soldier

• Limited range: The chariot soldier can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, orthogonally backward or in the four diagonal directions.

	＼		│		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
		／	│	＼
	／		│		＼

Side soldier

• Step: The side soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

		○
		○
─	─	?	─	─
		○

Vertical soldier

• Step: The vertical soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

			│
			│
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Wind general and river general

• Step: The wind general and river general can move one square orthogonally backward or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

			○		○
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
				○

Horse soldier and ox soldier

• Step: The horse soldier and ox soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
				○

Wood general

• Limited range: The wood general can move one or two squares diagonally forward.

	○				○
		○		○
			?

Earth general and go between

• Step: The earth general and go between can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

		○
		?
		○

Boar soldier, leopard soldier and bear soldier

• Step: The boar soldier, leopard soldier and bear soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: They can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Ranging: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

	＼		│		／
		＼	│	／
	○	○	?	○	○
			○

Stone general

• Step: The stone general can move one square diagonally forward.

Because it cannot move orthogonally or backward, a stone general can only reach less than half the squares on the board.

	○		○
		?

Tile general and sword soldier

• Step: The tile general and sword soldier can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

	○		○
		?
		○

Iron general and dog

• Step: The iron general and dog can move one square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
• They have the same range of movement but promote differently (see above).

	○	○	○
		?

Great standard

• Limited range: The great standard can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal directions.

＼				│				／
	＼			│			／
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
─	─	─	─	?	─	─	─	─
			○	│	○
		○		│		○
	○			│			○
				│

Great master

• Limited range: The great master can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally, or orthogonally backward.

＼

│

／

＼

│

／

＼

│

／

☆

☆

☆

＼

│

／

＼

│

／

○

○

○

○

○

?

○

○

○

○

○

○

│

○

○

│

○

○

│

○

○

│

○

○

│

○

│

Right chariot

• Ranging: The right chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the right.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the left.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally right.

		│		／
		│	／
		?	○
	／
／

Left chariot

• Ranging: The left chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward to the left.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the right.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally left.

＼		│
	＼	│
	○	?
			＼
				＼

Side monkey

• Step: The side monkey can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways.

	○		○
─	─	?	─	─
		○

Vertical mover

• Ranging: The vertical mover can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.
• Step: It can move one square orthogonally sideways.

		│
		│
	○	?	○
		│
		│

Flying Ox

• Ranging: The flying ox can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
• It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

＼		│		／
	＼	│	／
		?
	／	│	＼
／		│		＼

Longbow soldier

• Step: The longbow soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

				│
	○			│			○
		○		│		○
			○	│	○
		○	○	?	○	○
				○

Vertical pup

• Step: The vertical pup can move one square backward, orthogonally or diagonally.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
		│
		?
	○	○	○

Vertical horse

• Step: The vertical horse can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
	○	│	○
		?
		○

Burning soldier

• Step: The burning soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to seven squares orthogonally forward.

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

?

○

○

○

○

Dragon horse

• Ranging: A dragon horse can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
• Step: It can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.

＼				／
	＼	○	／
	○	?	○
	／	○	＼
／				＼

Dragon king

• Ranging: A dragon king can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
• Step: It can move one square in the four diagonal directions.

		│
	○	│	○
─	─	?	─	─
	○	│	○
		│

Horned falcon

• Ranging: The horned falcon can move as a queen.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward.

＼			│			／
	＼		☆		／
		＼	│	／
─	─	─	?	─	─	─
		／	│	＼
	／		│		＼
／			│			＼

Soaring eagle

• Jump: The soaring eagle can jump to the second square diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.

＼			│			／
	☆		│		☆
		＼	│	／
─	─	─	?	─	─	─
		／	│	＼
	／		│		＼
／			│			＼

Spear soldier

• Step: The spear soldier can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
		│
	○	?	○
		○

Vertical leopard

• Step: The vertical leopard can move one square orthogonally backward, sideways or diagonally forward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

		│
	○	│	○
	○	?	○
		○

Cross-bow soldier

• Step: The cross-bow soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally forward.

				○
				○
	○			○			○
		○		○		○
			○	○	○
	○	○	○	?	○	○	○
				○

Roaring dog

• Limited range: The roaring dog can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal directions.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal directions.

＼				│				／
	＼			☆			／
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
─	☆	─	─	?	─	─	☆	─
			○	│	○
		○		│		○
	○			☆			○
				│

Lion dog

• Jump: The lion dog can jump to the third square in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.

＼				│				／
	☆			☆			☆
		＼		│		／
			＼	│	／
─	☆	─	─	?	─	─	☆	─
			／	│	＼
		／		│		＼
	☆			☆			☆
／				│				＼

Pawn

• Step: The pawn can move one square orthogonally forward.

		○
		?

Promotion

Like other large board shogi variants, this game uses the promotion-by-capture rule. When a piece first makes a capture, it promotes. (If it can: a few important pieces do not promote.) Promotion has the effect of changing how a piece moves. See the table above for what each piece promotes to. Promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank. Promotion is both compulsory and permanent.

This is all very different from smaller shogi variants, where pieces promote when they cross a promotion zone (the enemy camp), and where promotion is optional. The dots on the taikyoku shogi board that would represent promotion zones in other games are only there as placement guides for the initial setup of the two camps.

Some pieces promote, or demote, to a piece that exists in the initial setup of the board. However, such a piece cannot then promote a second time as its namesake does. For example, a bishop promotes to a dragon horse. However, while a ferocious leopard promotes to a bishop on its first capturing move, it does not promote to a dragon horse on its second. Rather, it remains a bishop for the rest of the game. This is easily understood from the equipment, for each piece has only two sides.

If a Lance, oxcart, savage tiger, side dragon, running wolf, knight, angry boar, evil wolf, flying cock, wood general, stone general, iron general, dog, pawn, running leopard, free wolf or raiding falcon reaches the furthest rank; it must remain there until it captures or is captured.

Individual promoted pieces

New pieces that only appear as a result of promotion are as follows:

Free bird

• Limited range: The free bird can move one to three squares diagonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.
• Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces diagonally forward, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.

Great dream-eater

• Jump: The great dream-eater can jump to the third square orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.

Ancient dragon

• Range: The ancient dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.
• Ranging jump: It can jump over any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.

Heavenly Tetrarch king

• Range: The Heavenly Tetrarch king can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square before (optionally) moving on in that direction.
• It can capture a piece on an adjacent square without moving (igui).

Great falcon

• Range: The great falcon can move any number of squares in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward before (optionally) moving on in that direction.

Great elephant

• Limited range: The great elephant can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Jump and range: It can jump up to three pieces in a straight line diagonally backward or in one of the four orthogonal directions, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.

Fire ox and violent wind

• Step: The fire ox and violent wind can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward, forward or in the four diagonal directions.

Strong bear

• Limited range: The strong bear can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Ranging: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

Right phoenix

• Limited range: The right phoenix can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.

Running leopard

• Range: The running leopard can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally forward.

Thunder runner

• Limited range: The thunder runner can move one to four squares orthogonally sideways or backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

Rain demon

• Limited range: The rain demon can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally backward.
• Range jump: It can jump any number of squares along either forward diagonal.

Free boar

• Step: The free boar can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally forward.

Free dog

• Limited range: The free dog can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally forward.

Running ox

• Limited range: The running ox can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally forward.

Great horse

• Limited range/range: The great horse moves as a horseman.

Cavalier and strong chariot

• Range: The cavalier and strong chariot can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward or in the four orthogonal directions.

Free fire

• Limited range: The free fire can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

Burning chariot

• Step: The burning chariot can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally forward.

Free stag and strong eagle

• Range: The free stag and strong eagle move as a queen.

Free dragon and free tiger

• Range: The free dragon and free tiger can move any number of free squares in a straight line in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.

Flying crocodile

• Limited range: The flying crocodile can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Range capture: It can jump any number of pieces in one of the four orthogonal directions, as long as these do not include a royal (king or prince) or another range-capturing piece. Any piece it jumps over is removed from the board.

Divine tiger

• Limited range: The divine tiger can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways, or diagonally forward to the left.

Divine dragon

• Limited range: The divine dragon can move one or two squares orthogonally left.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, right, backward or diagonally forward to the right.

Divine turtle

• Step: The divine turtle can move one square diagonally forward to the left or in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line along either rear diagonal, or diagonally forward to the right.

Divine sparrow

• Step: The divine sparrow can move one square diagonally forward to the left or in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward or forward to the left.

Free serpent and coiled dragon

• Range: The free serpent and coiled dragon can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward, or diagonally backward.

Free wolf

• Range: The free wolf can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or diagonally forward.

Great tiger

• Step: The great tiger can move one square orthogonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or backward.

Right dog

• Step: The right dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or diagonally backward to the left.

Left dog

• Step: The left dog can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or diagonally backward to the right.

Free bear, free leopard and great whale

• Range: The free bear, free leopard and great whale move as a flying ox.

Running boar

• Step/range: The running boar moves as an earth chariot or vertical mover.

Heavenly horse

• Jump: The heavenly horse jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion; or one square backward plus one square diagonally backward, in a single motion.
• It ignores intervening pieces while jumping to its destination, though its destination square must of course be either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured), just as with any other moving piece.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Spear general

• Limited range: The spear general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Great leopard

• Step: The great leopard can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Flying stag and copper elephant

• Step: The flying stag and copper elephant can move one square orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.
• Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Right army

• Step: The right army can move one square orthogonally forward, backward, left or diagonally left.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line right, orthogonally or diagonally.

Left army

• Step: The left army can move one square orthogonally forward, backward, right or diagonally right.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line left, orthogonally or diagonally.

Beast bird and captive bird

• Limited range: The beast bird and captive bird can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: They can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: They can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or in the four diagonal directions.

Gliding swallow

• Range: The gliding swallow moves as a rook.

Buddhist spirit

• Area move/double capture: The Buddhist spirit can move as a lion, or
• Range: It can move as a queen.

Teaching king

• Jump and range: The teaching king can jump up to three pieces along a straight line in any diagonal or orthogonal direction, and then optionally continue any number of free squares in that direction.

Great shark

• Limited range: The shark can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four orthogonal directions.

Furious fiend

• Area move/double capture or jump: The furious fiend can move as a lion; or
• Limited range: It can move three squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. (A normal move: it can only capture once and cannot jump when doing this.)

Leopard king

• Limited range: The leopard king can move one to five squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

Goose wing

• Step: The goose wing can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
• Limited range: It can move one, two or three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of squares orthogonally forward or backward.

Left iron chariot

• Step: The left iron chariot can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the right.

Right iron chariot

• Step: The right iron chariot can move one square in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally backward to the left.

Plodding ox

• Step: The plodding ox can move one square in the four diagonal directions.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Wind snapping turtle

• Limited range: The wind snapping turtle can move one or two squares diagonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Running tile

• Limited range/range: The running tile moves as a running tiger or running bear.

Young bird

• Limited range: The young bird can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Playful cockatoo

• Limited range: The playful cockatoo can move one or two squares diagonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares diagonally forward.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Walking heron

• Limited range: The walking heron can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward or backward.

Tiger soldier

• Step: The tiger soldier can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line diagonally forward.

Running dragon

• Limited range: The running dragon can move one to five squares orthogonally backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

Heavenly Tetrarch

• Limited range: The Heavenly Tetrarch can move one to four squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

Elephant king

• Limited range/range: The elephant king moves as a ceramic dove.

Peaceful mountain

• Limited range: The peaceful mountain can move one to five squares orthogonally forward or sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line in the four diagonal directions.

Chinese river

• Step: The Chinese river can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

Free chicken

• Limited range/range: The free chicken moves as a woodland demon.

Free ox, free horse and free pig

• Step/limited range/range: The free ox, free horse and free pig move as a free pup.

Longbow general

• Limited range: The longbow general can move one to five squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward, backward or diagonally forward.

Burning general

• Limited range: The burning general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

Cross-bow general

• Limited range: The cross-bow general can move one or two squares orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares orthogonally sideways.
• Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Mountain crane

• Range: The mountain crane can move as a queen.
• Jump: It can jump to the third square and (optionally) continue in that direction.

Rushing boar

• Step: The rushing boar can move one square orthogonally forward, sideways or in the four diagonal directions.

Sword general

• Step: The sword general can move one square orthogonally backward.
• Limited range: It can move one to three squares forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

Bird of paradise and multi general

• Range: The bird of paradise and multi general move as a white horse.

Bear's eyes and venomous wolf

• Step: The bear's eyes and venomous wolf move as a prince.

Mountain witch

• Range: The mountain witch can move any number of free squares in a straight line backward, orthogonally or diagonally.
• When it reaches the first rank, it must stay there until captured.

Flying falcon

• Step: The flying falcon can move one square orthogonally forward.
• Range: It can move any number of squares in the four diagonal directions.

Spirit turtle

• Jump: The spirit turtle can jump to the third square in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move as a queen.

Treasure turtle

• Jump: The treasure turtle can jump to the second square in the four orthogonal directions.
• Range: It can move as a queen.

Great bear

• Step: The great bear can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

Wizard stork

• Range: The wizard stork can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally sideways, backward or diagonally forward.

Raiding falcon

• Step: The raiding falcon can move one square diagonally forward.
• Step: The raiding falcon can move one square orthogonally sideways.
• Range: It can move any number of free squares in a straight line orthogonally forward.

Great eagle

• Range: The great eagle can move as a queen.
• Jump: It can jump to the second square in any direction, orthogonally or diagonally, and (optionally) continue moving in that direction.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's sole remaining king or prince could be captured on the following move, the move is said to give check to the king or prince; the king or prince is said to be in check. If a player's last king or prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get the king or prince out of check, the checking move is also mate, and effectively wins the game.

Unlike Western chess, a player need not move out of check, and indeed may even move into check. Although obviously not often a good idea, a player with more than one royal (king or prince) may occasionally sacrifice one of these pieces as part of a gambit.

A player is not allowed to give perpetual check to the sole objective piece.

Game end

A player who captures the opponent's sole remaining king or prince wins the game. In practice this rarely happens; as a player will resign when checkmated, as otherwise when loss is inevitable.

A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)

Another possible, if rather uncommon, way for a game to end is repetition (sennichite). If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play, then the game is no contest. Recall, however, the prohibition against perpetual check.

Game notation

The method used in English-language texts to express shogi moves was established by George Hodges in 1976. It is derived from the algebraic notation used for chess, but differs in several respects. Modifications have been made for taikyoku shogi.

A typical example is P-12h. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. (e.g., +CC for a wizard stork (promoted Chinese cock). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move or x for a capture. Next is the designation for the square on which the piece lands. This consists of a number representing the file and a lowercase letter representing the rank, with 1a being the top right corner (as seen from Black's point of view) and 36jj being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2三 in Japanese.)

If a lion, golden bird, heavenly tetrarch king or teaching king captures by 'igui’, the square of the piece being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol !. If a double capture is made, than it is added after the first capture.

If a move forces the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken. For example, ORx7c+ indicates an old rat capturing on 7c and promoting.

In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.

Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

See also

• Shogi variant
• Wa shogi
• Chu shogi
• Heian dai shogi
• Dai shogi
• Tenjiku shogi
• Dai dai shogi
• Maka dai dai shogi
• Tai shogi

External links

• Taikyoku Shogi at The Chess Variant Pages
• Shogi Net
• History.chess.free/taikyoku shogi
• Chessvariants.org/taikyoku
• An online flash version of the game with illustrated piece movements. No AI.

References