Great whale shogi – Board Game Guys

Great Whale Shogi: Brief History and Background Information of Great whale shogi

Great Whale Shogi is a modern variant of Shogi, a Japanese chess game. It was invented by R. Wayne Schmittberger of the United States in 1981. The game is not Japanese but was created by a Westerner, and it uses Latin letters for the pieces instead of kanji. The game is played on a 6×6 board, and the pieces are named after types of whale.

Why is Great whale shogi Popular?

Great Whale Shogi is a popular game because it is a modern variant of Shogi, which has a rich history dating back to the early 18th century. Shogi is unique among chess variants in that captured pieces are not dead but may be pointed in the opposite direction and replayed as part of the captor’s forces. This feature makes the game more dynamic and exciting, as players can continue to use their captured pieces to strategize and outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Great Whale Shogi

Board: An 11×11 grid, substantially larger than the standard Shogi board.

Pieces: Include the White Whale, Bowhead Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Rough-toothed Dolphin, Sei Whale, Fin Whale, and several others, each with unique movements and promotions.

Pawns: Called ‘Calves’, which move like Shogi pawns but promote to different whale types based on their position in the initial setup.

How To Setup Great Whale Shogi

Setting up Great Whale Shogi involves placing the various whale and dolphin pieces in specific positions on the 11×11 board. Each player starts with a set of pieces, including the White Whale (king equivalent), other whale pieces, and Calves (pawns). The exact placement mirrors the initial setup of other Shogi variants but with pieces named after marine animals.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Piece Movement: Each piece has unique movement rules, such as the Bowhead Whale sliding forward or jumping backwards, and the Bottlenose Dolphin moving diagonally or jumping orthogonally.

Promotions: Pieces promote upon reaching the opponent’s camp, with significant increases in mobility and power. For example, the Sperm Whale promotes to a Blue Whale, which moves like a queen.

Drops: Captured pieces can be reused as reinforcements, similar to standard Shogi rules. However, there are specific restrictions on dropping Calves in certain areas of the board.

Game Objective

Objective: The goal is to checkmate or capture the opponent’s White Whale.

Player Experience

Playing Great Whale Shogi is a complex and strategic experience, requiring a deep understanding of the unique movements and promotions of each piece. The game combines the traditional Shogi mechanics with the thematic twist of marine animal names, making it both challenging and engaging.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s marine animal theme adds a fun and educational element.

Complex Strategy: The varied piece movements and promotion rules offer a rich strategic landscape.

Replayability: The drop rule and various promotions ensure high replayability.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game requires learning many new piece movements and rules.

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be time-consuming due to the large number of pieces and their specific placements.

Long Games: Games can be lengthy due to the large board and the complexity of the strategies involved.

Personal Thoughts on Great Whale Shogi

Great Whale Shogi is ideal for fans of Shogi and those interested in complex, strategically deep board games. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy learning new rules and mastering unique piece movements. However, it may not be the best fit for beginners due to its complexity and the time required to learn and set up the game. For those who enjoy a challenge and are willing to invest time in learning the rules, Great Whale Shogi offers a rich and rewarding gaming experience.

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