Let’s Catch the Lion! (2008)

Dōbutsu shōgi, also known as “animal chess,” is a small shogi variant designed for young children.It was invented by women’s professional shogi player Madoka Kitao to attract young girls to the game.The game is played on a 3×4 board and follows the rules of standard shogi, with some simplifications, such as pieces moving only one square at a time and the king reaching the enemy camp as an additional way to win the game.The game has been strongly solved, meaning that the theoretical best move from each reachable position is known, and the second player to move has a winning strategy from the starting position.Shogi, the parent game of dōbutsu shōgi, is a popular board game in Japan and has been played for centuries.It is believed to have originated in the 6th century and was likely transmitted to Japan via China or Korea.Shogi is viewed as an art that is a part of traditional Japanese culture, along with haiku, tanka, noh, ikebana, and the Japanese tea ceremony.

Game Components of Let’s Catch the Lion!

Board: A 3×4 grid.

Pieces: Each player has four pieces – chick, giraffe, elephant, and lion.

Piece Movements:

Chick: Moves forward one space.

Giraffe: Moves like a rook but only one space.

Elephant: Moves like a bishop but only one space.

Lion: Analogous to a king, can win by promoting without being in check.

How To Setup Let’s Catch the Lion!

To set up the game, each player places their pieces on their side of the 3×4 grid. The specific starting positions are predefined to ensure a balanced start.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Either catch the opponent’s lion or move your own lion to the other side of the board.

Piece Capture: Pieces can be captured and then dropped back onto the board in subsequent turns.

Promotion: The chick promotes to a full-grown chicken (equivalent to the gold general in Shogi) upon reaching the opponent’s starting side.

Game Length: Games are relatively short due to the small board size.

Player Experience

**Let’s Catch the Lion** is designed to be an engaging and educational introduction to Shogi. The game is simple enough for children to understand yet challenging enough to keep adults entertained. The cute and colorful design of the pieces adds to the game’s appeal.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simplified rules make it accessible to new players.

Short Games: Perfect for those with limited time or younger players with shorter attention spans.

Educational: Introduces basic Shogi concepts in a fun way.

Cute Design: Attractive and engaging piece designs.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not be challenging enough for experienced Shogi players.

Small Board: The 3×4 grid can lead to quick conclusions, potentially making the game too short for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Let’s Catch the Lion!

**Let’s Catch the Lion** is an excellent introduction to Shogi, particularly for children and those new to strategy board games. Its short and clever rules, combined with its cute design, make it an enjoyable and educational experience. While it may lack the complexity that seasoned Shogi players crave, it serves as a perfect stepping stone into the more intricate world of traditional Shogi.

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