Japanese Chess ("Shogi") for Beginners

Shogi is the Japanese variety of chess. It is more complicated than chess. It is the most popular game in Japan. There has been a great increase in the popularity of shogi in Japan. According to surveys, a whopping 70 % of all boys in Japan played shogi sometimes or often. Among girls, 61% of all Japanese girls owned a shogi set.

The best shogi player in Japan is widely regarded as being the most intelligent person in Japan.

The popular game and TV show, Pokémon, is obviously derived from shogi because, as in shogi, almost all of the basic pieces can evolve into a stronger piece.

Shogi has a rook, a bishop, a knight, a king and pawns. Checkmate ends the game. However, it also has a lance, a gold general, a silver general, and a dragon. All but the king and the gold general can promote to a stronger piece. A captured piece becomes part of the enemy army and can be dropped back onto the board. The games last longer, are more wide open and more complicated. In spite of being a cousin of chess, it is radically different.

This DVD is 71 minutes. It explains the basic moves of the pieces, basic strategies and basic openings, including the boat, the fortress and the bear in the hole. Background music is “Sakura, Sakura”, the traditional Japanese “Cherry Blossom” song.