Kyoto Shogi (1976) – Board Game Guys

Kyoto shogi

Kyoto shogi is a modern variant of shogi, also known as Japanese chess, invented by Tamiya Katsuya around 1976. Shogi is a traditional Japanese strategy board game, similar to Western chess, and is one of the most popular board games in Japan. The exact origin of shogi is unknown, but it most likely evolved from Chinese chess when it was delivered by the imperial ambassador during the rule of Nara (710-794). Shogi became popular with Japanese nobility in the Heian period (794
– 1185) when the Japanese capital moved from Nara to Kyoto. The word “Shogi” means “the game of the generals,” which is derived from the word “Shogun”, or “supreme military commander”.

Why is Kyoto shogi Popular?

Kyoto shogi is significant because it is a modern variant of shogi that is played on a smaller board with a reduced number of pieces. The game is also unique because every time a piece makes a move, it alternately promotes and reverts to its unpromoted state. This promotion and demotion of pieces is reminiscent of microshogi and adds an interesting twist to the game. Shogi is popular in Japan and is in the same family of games as Western chess, chaturanga, xiangqi, Indian chess, and janggi.

Game Components of Kyoto shogi

5×5 board5 wedge-shaped pieces for each player, from largest to smallest:KingGold generalSilver generalTokin (promoted pawn)Lance/tokin (homonymous with the name of the city Kyoto, and provides the name of the game)

Game Setup of Kyoto shogi

Each player places their pieces in the positions shown below, pointing towards the opponent: l s g k g s l . p . . . p . p . p . p . p . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gameplay Mechanics of Kyoto shogi

In Kyoto shogi, the pieces alternately promote and demote with every move, and the promotion values are entirely different from standard shogi. There is no promotion zone in Kyoto shogi, and promotion is effected by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the name of its promoted rank; demotion is effected by turning the piece back.

Game Objective of Kyoto shogi

The objective of Kyoto shogi is to checkmate the opponent’s king.

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