Tactics
Many basic tactics (手筋 ''tesuji'') ofRelative piece value
Shogi pieces may be considered to have different valuations in which some pieces are generally more ''valuable'' than others – all other things being equal. (Cf. piece value in western chess.) There are three main valuation groups: # the king which has an absolute value since the game is lost if mated # the two major (most mobile) ranging pieces (大駒 ''oogoma''): rook, bishop # the minor pieces (小駒 ''kogoma''): pawn, lance, knight, silver, gold The minor pieces can be further grouped in the following valuation hierarchy: : gold > silver > (knight, lance) > pawn Sometimes, the relative pieces are formalized with specific numerical values. This is particularly common in the explicit formalizations found in computer shogi. For instance, Reijer Grimbergen uses the following relative values in a ''Move Merit Analysis'' formalization: Grimbergen notes that, unlike western chess, shogi piece valuation is not standardized as different players disagree on the exact values. Another formalization used by program YSS 7.0 of 1997 had the following relative values:Castles
In shogi, strong defensive fortifications protecting the king are known as ''castles.'' There are many types of castles and variations which can be used, but it is essential to understand which ones are useful in the current situation and how to compensate for its weak points. Three commonly used castles are listed below. The ''Sabaki
The Japanese noun ''sabaki'' (捌き; verb form: 捌く ''sabaku'') is a term of art used in shogi. The term has been borrowed into English instead of being translated. Its meaning is context-dependent. In the opening, ''sabaki'' usually simply means good piece development in preparation for the middle game. However, in the middle game, it has a more nuanced meaning of developing pieces – especially major pieces (rook and bishop) – in ways such that they become fully activated with their attacking lines cleared for offensive purposes. In a shogi opening, piece development will often result in pieces being clustered together in cramped configurations. To achieve sabaki is to change the configuration by clearing off certain obstructing pieces via piece exchanges so that attacking pieces are dominant on the board with newly obtained freedom of movement. With respect to the major pieces, this is typically done by clearing off the bishop's diagonals and the rook's ranks and files. Although the term is associated with freeing pieces in cramped positions, it does not mean escaping from the cramped position in a successful defense. Rather the term refers to development for attacking. The term ''sabaki'' as used in go has a very different meaning. In western chess, a similar concept is sometimes referred to as a ''freeing'' move or maneuver (such as a ''pawn break''). However, in shogi, the concept of ''sabaki'' often involves multiple moves and multiple pieces. (Cf. chess terms '' break'' and '' blocked position.'')Sabaki example 1
For a basic example, in the adjacent diagrams, the rook positioned on the central file (as in Central Rook openings) is blocked by pawns and its potential movement is restricted by both players' silvers. In order to achieve ''sabaki,'' an attack is started on the central file with 1. P-55. White takes the pawn with subsequent captures by both silvers (1...Px55, 2. Sx55 Sx55, 3. Rx55). After the final capture of White's silver by Black's rook, the rook now has clear paths of attack (the entire middle rank and central file) including access to the promotion zone of White where the rook can promote into a dragon. Note that the central pawns and silvers were simply traded off the board and put in hand, there was no material gain or loss from this exchange in this simple example. Other examples may involve piece sacrifices in order to achieve ''sabaki.''Opening
The opening of shogi is generally slower than that of chess, due to the larger board and less mobile pieces. But since a quick offense will leave a player's home territory open to drop attacks as soon as pieces are exchanged, the aim of the opening is to build up defenses for the king, typically by moving the king to the side in a castle with three generals. Leaving a king on its original square (居玉 ''igyoku'' or "sitting king") may be a particularly dangerous position. Both players can move the rook pawn forward (P-26), or, more commonly, advance the pawn above and to the right of the bishop (P-76). The former is known as a ''rook opening'' and the latter a ''bishop opening.'' With a bishop opening, it is common to trade bishops by having one capture the other. This allows each player to put their newly captured bishop into play anywhere on the board, although care must be taken to avoid weaknesses in defense which may allow for a bishop drop. However, it is not advantageous to trade bishops if your opponent has a better defensive setup, or more lines of attack. Moreover, making a bishop trade constitutes tempo loss, so it is not advised without a good reason. Many common opening attacks involve advancing a silver and ideally pawns, protected by other pieces. Because silvers have more possibilities for retreat, while golds better defend their sides, silvers are generally considered superior as attacking pieces, and golds superior as defensive pieces. It is common practice to defend the king with three generals, two golds and a silver. Because defense is so important, and because shogi pieces are relatively slow movers, the opening game tends to be much longer in shogi than in international chess, commonly with a dozen or more moves to shore up defenses before the initial attack is made. Over many decades, Japanese professional players have all invented various '' jōseki,'' which determine moves and sequences which are thought to be the best for a particular situation. It also covers a branch of different variations within an intricate strategy, including alternative options and the certain consequences that some moves may bring. Openings are also classified as Static Rook openings, where the offense is supported by the rook in its original position, and Ranging Rook openings, where the rook moves to the center or left of the board to support an attack there, typically with the idea of allowing the opponent to attack while arranging a better defense and aiming for a counterattack. However, as the most powerful piece on the board, the rook invites attack, and in most cases, especially for weaker players, it is a good idea to keep the king well away from the rook. Relatedly, the Static vs Ranging Rook classification corresponds to castle development: Static Rook positions tend to have castles on the left side of the board while Ranging Rook positions tend to have castles on the right side.Middle game
Professional shogi players tend to evaluate the flow of the game, that is, the sequence of moves leading to the current position and its likely development, much more than chess players. Because pawns attack head on, and cannot defend each other, they tend to be lost early in the game, providing ammunition for such attacks. Dropping a pawn behind enemy lines, promoting it to a ''tokin'' (gold general), and dropping a second pawn immediately behind the ''tokin'' so that they protect each other makes a strong attack; it threatens the opponent's entire defense, but provides little value to the opponent if the attack fails and the pieces are captured. Players raised on international chess often make poor use of drops, but dropping is half the game. If a player has more than a couple of captured pieces in hand, it is likely that dropping attacks are being overlooked. However, it is wise to keep a pawn in hand, and often to exchange pieces if necessary to get one. Compared with international chess players, shogi players are more likely to sacrifice pieces, even powerful ones, if the resulting capture can be dropped back into play for a specific purpose. Attacking pieces can easily become trapped behind enemy lines, as the opponent can often drop a pawn on a protected square to cut off the line of retreat. For this reason, rooks, which can retreat in only one direction, are commonly kept at a safe distance in the early parts of the game, and used to support attacks by weaker pieces. However, once the game has opened up, a promoted rook is an especially deadly piece behind enemy lines. Advancing a lance pawn can open up the side of the board for attack. Therefore, when a player first advances a lance pawn, it is common, though not obligatory, for the opponent to answer by advancing the opposing pawn, in order to avoid complications later in the game. It also allows the king to escape if attacked from the side.Endgame
The collapse of one side's defense marks the beginning of the endgame. Once a player has broken through the enemy lines, the opponent's king can be easily trapped by its own pieces. A common last-ditch defensive tactic is to open the pawn line to allow the king to escape. Kings are more difficult to checkmate in the open, especially if the opponent does not have many ranging pieces (rook, bishop, lance) in play. In the endgame, it comes down to a race over who can checkmate the opponent first. A technique known as ''speed counting'' plays an important role in the endgame. By counting the number of moves until checkmate (assuming the opponent doesn't get to move) for both Black and White, this will help to influence decisions on whether to attack or defend. A simple mistake can change the flow of the game drastically. Among this, there are many other delicate factors to look out for within the endgame, including sacrificial attacks and traps. A player's endgame play is strengthened by training on tsume shogi and brinkmate problems.See also
*Notes
References
Bibliography
* * * * * * : Many shogi games (professional, online, AI) put into a decision tree structure with user-generated commentary and references and some opening classifications. * *Further reading
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