Fairy Pieces Part 1

Released on Zillions 22nd of September, 2012

Download the zillions file for 'Fairy Chess Part 1' on this site here ...

https://www.chessvariants.com/zillions/fairy

Here is the file on Zillions site you can download if above link is not working lol

https://www.zillions-of-games.com/cgi-bin/zilligames/submissions.cgi?do=show;id=2042

'Fairy Pieces Part 1' showcases 154 shogi pieces from all the old and medieval shogi variants, starting from 'Heian shogi' which appeared at least as early as the 12th century up to 'Tori shogi' which appeared in the late 18th century. Full list of these shogi games which the pieces are taken from and info on them given below in 'Notes' section. This will be released on 'zillions of games' soon, on the 16x12 and 12x12 boards. On the 16x12 board, the variant 'Show All Pieces' (see diagram below) will have all 154 pieces placed on the board (for white). All pieces are done with western style alfaerie graphics, and all pieces are edited to try to show the movement of the pieces just by looking at the graphic. The pieces are arranged on the zrf's in alphabetical order for easy finding.

Although this is not a game, i have made some 'game start' positions, because it would be too painful to manually add the pieces to the board because of the massive amount. You can easily add or subtract pieces in these positions by right clicking on a piece or square. These positions are playable games, and should make it much faster to set up the pieces you want to play test, rather than setting up from an empty board. Most pieces do not promote, however, some of the weaker pieces do promote, within the final 4 ranks. The 'games' i made have 3 pieces that are able to promote, to add some fun to the set up. People can be creative if they so desire, when setting up a game for themselves when testing pieces. By that i mean, they can use these different promotion pieces in their game start positions. In total, 7 pieces promote (counting pawn). List of promoting pieces given at the end of piece movement descriptions below. When playtesting, be aware of these promoting pieces, if you add them to your game, as naturally they are important. The 'Drunk Elephant' can promote to a 'Crown Prince', which in effect, acts like a 2nd King.

Finally, when playtesting, please note the King is not mated, it is captured, so the King can move into check legally. Games are lost when a player has lost their King and have no Crown Prince. If they have a Crown Prince, the game goes on. I wrote these 'game start' positions as if i was creating a game, writing new variants to test pieces, but after awhile i just stopped and left the test positions as is. Some of these variants have only slight differences. I have also added start positions with just King and pawns, and other similar game starts. Below is one of the start positions from the 16x12 board. You can play this as is, or add/subtract pieces to your desire. There are also start positions using the 12x12 board too. All pieces are also coded on this size board. See at bottom of page for screenshot of the 12x12 board showing a game start position.

Interesting pieces surely are the 'Lion' and pieces like the 'Horned Falcon' and 'Soaring Eagle' which has a part Lion move. Also the 'Hook Mover' (double rook move) and the 'Capricorn' or 'Long Nosed Goblin' pieces which have a double bishop move. The 'Lion's' play like they do in 'Chu Shogi', which means, if a Lion is protected, the opposing Lion cannot capture it. This is not a complete list of shogi pieces. There were still more pieces i could of added. There are also some pieces that are too complex for me to code, probably the most interesting one being the 'Fire Demon'. See at the end of the piece movement descriptions for info on how the 'Fire Demon' and other interesting pieces move.

Pieces

These are the 154 shogi pieces with a description of their movements.

Because of the massive amount, i have used copy/paste from the zrf code, so that explains the look. 'Description' often adds more info. Just a note about some pieces from 'Taikyoku shogi', because a few of these pieces move differently than the way they do in other variants; if a piece has 'taikyoku' on the end of it's name, it means it shares the same name but moves differently than another piece. Did that make sense? .. whatever hehe.

Pieces in alphabetical order; Info about what shogi variants pieces play in will be gradually added till release, which should be in one week or two at the most.

 Angry-Boar

"Angry Boar (Shincho): Steps 1 square horizontally or vertically. Promotes to Gold General.") (description "Angry Boar\\Steps 1 square horizontally or vertically.\Promotes to Gold General. \\Called a 'Copper General' in 'Heian dai shogi'.")

 Angry-Boar-Taikyoku)

"Angry-Boar (Shincho): moves 1 square orthogonally forward or sideways or 1-2 squares diagonally forward.") (description "Angry-Boar: moves 1 square orthogonally forward or sideways or 1-2 squares diagonally forward.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Bat

"Bat (Komori): moves any number of squares orthogonally forwards or diagonally backwards.") (description "Bat\\moves any number of squares orthogonally forwards or diagonally backwards.\Tai Shogi.")

 Bears-Eyes 

"Bears-Eyes (Yugan): moves one square diagonal or orthogonal.") (description "Bears-Eyes\moves one square diagonal or orthogonal. \\Taikyoku Shogi. Also in Taikyoku Shogi, the 'Venomous Wolf' moves in the same way.")

Bishop)

"Bishop (Angle Mover) (Kakugyo): slides diagonally any number of squares.") (description "Bishop\Angle Mover, Kakugyo\\slides any number of squares on a diagonal.")

Blind-Bear 

"Blind-Bear (Moyu): steps 1 square diagonally or slides any squares orthogonally backwards.") (description "Blind-Bear\\steps 1 square diagonally or slides any squares orthogonally backwards. \Tai Shogi, Maka dai dai Shogi.")

Blind-Monkey

"Blind-Monkey (Moen): steps 1 square diagonally or horizontally.") (description "Blind-Monkey: steps 1 square diagonally or horizontally.\\Dai Dai Shogi.")

Blind-Tiger

"Blind Tiger (Moko): steps 1 square in any direction except straight forward.") (description "Blind Tiger\\A Blind Tiger can move one square in any direction except straight forwards.\\Plays in Chu, Dai, Tenjiku, Maka dai dai, Tai and Taikyoku Shogi's.")

Blue-Dragon

"Blue Dragon (Seiryu): moves 1-2 squares vertically, any number horizontal and diagonal forward right or 1 square diagonal forward left.") (description "Blue Dragon: slides 1-2 squares vertically, any number horizontal and diagonal forward right or 1 square diagonal forward left.")

Buddhist-Devil

"Buddhist Devil (Rasetsu): moves one to three squares diagonally forward or one square sideways and directly backwards.") (description "Buddhist Devil\moves one to three squares diagonally forward or one square sideways and directly backwards.\Tai Shogi.")

Cavalryman

"Cavalryman (Bahei): leaps like a knight.") (description "Cavalryman\leaps like a knight.\\Ko Shogi.")

Capricorn

"Capricorn (Makatsu): Capricorn has a Double Bishop move.") (description "Capricorn: Capricorn has a Double Bishop move, being able to move any number of squares in any diagonal direction, immediately followed by a further move at right angles to the first. The two legs of the Capricorn move do not have to be of the same length, and it is not compulsory that it make the 2nd Bishop move. \There is no 2nd move if the Capricorn captures on the 1st move.\\Maka dai dai Shogi.")

Captive-Officer

"Captive-Officer (Kinri): moves 1 or 2 squares orthogonally forward or sideways, moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally.") (description "Captive-Officer\moves 1 or 2 squares orthogonally forward or sideways, moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally. \Taikyoku Shogi.")

 Cat-Sword

"Cat-Sword (Myojin): jumps one square diagonally. Promotes to Gold General.") (description "Cat Sword\\jumps one square diagonally. Promotes to Gold General. \\Called a 'Fierce Tiger' in 'Heian dai shogi'.")

Ceramic-Dove

"Ceramic-Dove (Kyuban): Moves up to 2 squares orthogonally and slides any number of squares diagonally.") (description "Moves up to 2 squares orthogonally and slides any number of squares diagonally.\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Chinese-Cock

"Chinese-Cock (Waikei): moves one square diagonally forward, sideways and directly backwards.") (description "Chinese-Cock\moves one square diagonally forward, sideways and directly backwards.")

Cloud-Dragon

"Cloud-Dragon (Unryu): moves any squares diagonally forwards, all directions back, 1 square sideways + directly forward.") (description "Cloud-Dragon: moves any number of squares diagonally forwards, all directions backwards and 1 square sideways and directly forward. \Taikyoku Shogi.")

Cloud-Eagle

"Cloud-Eagle (Unju): 1 orthgonally sideways, 1 diagonally back, 1-3 diagonally forward, vertical rook move.") (description "Cloud-Eagle\\1 orthgonally sideways, 1 diagonally back,\1-3 diagonally forward, vertical rook move.\\Wa Shogi.")

Cloud-Eagle-Taikyoku

"Cloud-Eagle (Unju): 1 square orthogonally sideways, 1-3 diagonally forward, vertical rook move.") (description "Cloud-Eagle\\1 square orthogonally sideways, 1-3 diagonally forward,\vertical rook move. \\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Coiled-Serpent

"Coiled-Serpent (Banja): moves one square diagonally backwards, directly forward and directly backwards.") (description "Coiled-Serpent\moves one square diagonally backwards, directly forward and directly backwards.")

Copper-General

"Copper General (Dosho): steps forwards or backwards or diagonally forwards.") (description "Copper General\\A Copper General can move one square forwards, backwards or diagonally forwards.")

Crown-Prince

"Crown Prince (Taishi): steps 1 square in any direction. Acts as 2nd King.") (description "Crown Prince\(promoted Drunk Elephant)\\A Crown Prince is effectively a 2nd King and can move to any adjacent square. If there is no King on the players side and the Crown Prince is captured, or is the only remaining piece, the game is lost.")

Dark-Spirit

"Dark-Spirit (Mumyo): steps 1 square diagonally forward, diagonally back left or orthogonally right .") (description "Dark-Spirit\Mumyo\\steps 1 square diagonally forward, diagonally back left or orthogonally right.")

Deva

"Deva (Daiba): steps 1 square diagonally forward, diagonally back right or orthogonally left.") (description "Deva\Daiba\\steps 1 square diagonally forward, diagonally back right or orthogonally left.")

Donkey

"Donkey (Roba): leaps to 2nd square directly forward or backward or steps one square orthogonally.") (description "Donkey\leaps to 2nd square directly forward or backward or steps one square orthogonally.")

Dove

"Dove (Kyuhan): Slides up to five squares diagonally and up to two squares orthogonally.") (description "Dove\Slides up to five squares diagonally and up to two squares orthogonally.")

Dragon-Horse

"Dragon Horse (Ryume): slides any number of squares diagonally, or one square orthogonally.") (description "Dragon Horse\\slides any number of squares diagonally, or 1 square orthogonally.")

 Dragon-King

"Dragon King (Ryuo): slides any number of squares orthogonally or one square diagonally.") (description "Dragon King\\slides any number of squares orthogonally, or 1 square diagonally.")

Drunk-Elephant

"Drunk Elephant (Suizo): steps 1 square in any direction except straight backwards. Promotes to Crown Prince.") (description "Drunk Elephant\\steps 1 square in any direction except straight backwards. Promotes to Crown Prince.")

Eagle

"Eagle: Moves any diagonally forward or directly back, 1 forward or sideways, 1-2 diagonally back.") (description "Eagle\\Moves any diagonally forward or directly back, 1 forward or sideways, 1-2 diagonally back. \Plays in Tori Shogi.")

Earth-General

"Earth-General (Dosho): moves 1 square orthogonally forward or backwards.") (description "Earth-General\\moves 1 square orthogonally forwards or backwards.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

East-Barbarian

"East Barbarian (Toi): steps 1 square diagonally forward or horizontally; steps one or two steps vertically.") (description "East Barbarian: steps 1 square diagonally forward or horizontally; steps one or two steps vertically.")

Enchanted-Badger

"Enchanted Badger(Henri): Steps one or two steps horizontally or forward.") (description "Enchanted Badger\\Steps one or two steps horizontally or forward.")

Enchanted-Fox

"Enchanted Fox (Henko): slides one or two squares diagonally forward or straight backward.") (description "Enchanted Fox\\slides one or two squares diagonally forward or straight backward.")

Evil-Wolf

"Evil Wolf (Akuro): Steps forwards, diagonally forwards, and sideways.") (description "Evil Wolf\\Steps forwards, diagonally forwards, and sideways.")

Ferocious-Leopard

"Ferocious Leopard (Mohyo): steps 1 square in any direction except directly sideways.") (description "Ferocious Leopard\\A Ferocious Leopard can move one square in any direction except horizontally.")

Fierce-Eagle

"Fierce Eagle (Moju): moves 1 to 2 squares sideways or diagonally backwards, 1 square in the 3 forward directions.") (description "Fierce Eagle\\moves 1 to 2 squares sideways or diagonally backwards, 1 square in the 3 forward directions.")

Fire-Dragon

"Fire Dragon (Karyu): slides 1-2 diagonally back, slides 1-4 diagonally forward, rook moves.") (description "Fire Dragon\\slides 1-2 diagonally back, slides 1-4 diagonally forward, rook moves.")

Fire-General

"Fire-General (Kasho): Steps 1 square diagonally forward, or 1-3 squares orthogonally forward or backward.") (description "Fire-General: Steps 1 square diagonally forward, or 1-3 squares orthogonally forward or backward.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Flying-Cat

"Flying-Cat (Hibyo): leaps 3 squares orthogonally and diagonally forward or sideways or moves 1 square all directions backwards.") (description "Flying-Cat\\leaps 3 squares orthogonally and diagonally forward or sideways or moves 1 square all directions backwards. \\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Flying-Cock

"Flying-Cock (Keihi): steps 1 square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.") (description "Flying-Cock\\steps 1 square orthogonally sideways or diagonally forward.\\Wa Shogi.")

Flying-Dragon

"Flying-Dragon (Hiryu): Steps one or two steps diagonally.") (description "Flying-Dragon\\Steps one or two steps diagonally.")

 Flying-Dragon-Taikyoku

"Flying-Dragon-Taikyoku (Hiryu): leaps to the 2nd square diagonlly.") (description "Flying-Dragon\\leaps to the 2nd square diagonlly.\\Taikyoku Shogi piece.")

Flying-Horse

"Flying Horse (Barin): moves one square orthogonally or one or two squares diagonally forward.") (description "Flying Horse\\ moves one square orthogonally or one or two squares diagonally forward.")

Flying-Ox

"Flying Ox (Higyu): moves any number of squares in any direction except sideways.") (description "Flying Ox\\moves any number of squares in any direction except horizontally.")

Flying-Stag

"Flying Stag (Hiroku): slides any number of squares forwards or backwards or one square in any other direction.") (description "Flying Stag\\Slides any number of squares straight forwards or backwards in a file, or one square in any other direction. It may not leap over other pieces.")

Flying-Swallow

"Flying-Swallow (Hien): slides diagonally forward any number of squares plus 1 square directly backwards.") (description "FlyingSwallow\\Moves like a bishop but only in a forward direction plus one square directly backwards.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

 Forest-Demon

"Forest-Demon (Shinki): slides 1-3 orthogonally forward or sideways; slides any squares orthogonally back or diagonally forward.") (description "Forest-Demon\\slides 1-3 squares orthogonally forward or sideways\slides any squares orthogonally backward or diagonally forward. \\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Fragrant-Elephant

"Fragrant Elephant (Kozo): moves any number of squares diagonally forward and one or two squares in any other direction.") (description "Fragrant Elephant\\moves any number of squares diagonally forward and one or two squares in any other direction.")

Free-Boar

"Free Boar (Honcho): slides any number of squares in any direction except forwards or backwards.") (description "Free Boar\\slides any number of squares in any direction except forwards or backwards.")

Free-Copper

"Free-Copper (Hondo): slides orthogonally forwards or backwards or diagonally forwards.") (description "Free-Copper\\slides orthogonally forwards or backwards or diagonally forwards\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Demon

"Free Demon (Honki): moves up to five squares vertically and any number of squares in any other direction.") (description "Free Demon\\moves up to five squares vertically and any number of squares in any other direction.")

Free-Dream-Eater

"Free-Dream-Eater (Honbaku): moves up to five squares horizontally and any number of squares in any other direction.") (description "Free-Dream-Eater\\moves up to five squares horizontally and any number of squares in any other direction.")

Free-Earth

"Free-Earth (Hondo): slides any amount of squares orthogonally forward or backwards.") (description "Free-Earth\\slides any amount of squares orthogonally forward or backwards.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Gold

"Free Gold (Honkin): slides in any direction except diagonally backwards.") (description "Free Gold\\slides in any direction except diagonally backwards.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Iron

"Free-Iron (Hontetsu): Slides any amount of squares straight or diagonally forward.") (description "Free-Iron\slides any amount of squares straight or diagonally forward.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-King

"Free King (Hono): moves any number of squares in any direction; like a queen.") (description "Free King\\A Free King moves any number of squares in either an orthogonal or diagonal direction.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Silver

"Free Silver (Hongin): slides any amount of squares diagonally or straight ahead.") (description "Free Silver\\slides any amount of squares diagonally or straight ahead.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Stone

"Free-Stone (Honseki): Slides diagonally forward.") (description "Free-Stone: Slides diagonally forward.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Free-Tile

"Free-Tile (Honga): moves any amount of squares diagonally forward or directly backwards.") (description "Free-Tile\moves any amount of squares diagonally forward or directly backwards.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi.")

Furious-Fiend

"Furious-Fiend (Funjin): Moves like a lion and also 1-3 squares orthogonally or diagonally.") (description "Furious-Fiend\\Moves like a lion and also 1-3 squares orthogonally or diagonally.\\See 'Lion' for Lion moves.")

Go-Between

"Go-Between (Chunnin): moves 1 square forward or backwards. Promotes to Neighbouring King.") (description "Go-Between\\moves 1 square straight forwards or straight backwards. When making a move that begins or \ends within the promotion zone it may be promoted to a Neighbouring King.")

Gold-Chariot

"Gold-Chariot (Kinsha): steps 1 square diagonally; steps 1-2 horizontally; any number orthogonally forward or backward.") (description "Gold-Chariot\\steps 1 square diagonally\steps 1-2 horizontally\slides any number orthogonally forward or backward. \\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Golden-Bird

"Golden Bird (Kinshi): moves any number of squares vertically, up to three diagonally and up to two horizontally.") (description "Golden Bird\moves any number of squares vertically, up to three diagonally and up to two horizontally.")

Golden-Deer

"Golden Deer (Konroku): moves any number of squares diagonally forwards or 1 or 2 squares diagonally backwards.") (description "Golden Deer\\moves any number of squares diagonally forwards or 1 or 2 squares diagonally backwards.")

Gold-General

"Gold General (Kinsho): steps 1 square in any direction except diagonally backwards.") (description "Gold General\\A Gold General can move one square in any direction except diagonally backwards.")

Goose

(description "Goose (Kari): forward alfil, backward dabbaba.") (description "Goose\forward alfil, backward dabbaba.\\Tori Shogi.")

Great-Dove

"Great-Dove (Daikyu): Moves up to 3 squares orthogonally and slides any number of squares diagonally.") (description "Great Dove\moves up to 3 squares orthogonally and slides any number of squares diagonally.")

Great-Dragon

"Great Dragon (Dairyu): steps up to 2 squares vertically, up to 3 squares diagonally and slides horizontally.") (description "Great Dragon\steps up to 2 squares vertically, up to 3 squares diagonally and slides horizontally.")

Great-Dragon-Tai

"Great-Dragon-Tai (Dairyu): steps 1-2 vertically, 1-3 diagonally back, slides any horizontal, leaps 2 or 3 horizontal.") (description "Great Dragon\steps 1-2 vertically, 1-3 diagonally back, slides any horizontal, leaps 2 or 3 horizontal. \\Tai Shogi.\Japanese description of the Great Dragon in Tai Shogi.")

Great-Dream-Eater

"Great-Dream-Eater (Daibaku): moves like a queen and can leap 3 squares horizontally.") (description "Great-Dream-Eater\\moves like a queen and can leap 3 squares horizontally.")

Great-Elephant

"Great Elephant (Taizo): moves 1-3 squares forward, backward and diagonally forward, 1-5 squares other directions.") (description "Great Elephant\moves 1-3 squares forward, backward and diagonally forward, 1-5 squares other directions.")

Guardian-of-the-Gods

"Guardian-of-the-Gods (Kongo): moves 1 to 3 squares orthogonally or 1 square diagonally forwards.") (description "Guardian-of-the-Gods\\moves 1 to 3 squares orthogonally or 1 square diagonally forwards.")

Guardian-of-the-Gods-Taikyoku

"Guardian-of-the-Gods-Taikyoku (Kongo): slides 1 to 3 squares orthogonally.") (description "Guardian-of-the-Gods\\moves 1 to 3 squares orthogonally.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Heavenly-Knight

"Heavenly Knight (Temma): moves like a knight but only in the narrow forward and narrow backward directions.") (description "Heavenly Knight\moves like a knight but only in the narrow forward and narrow backward directions.")

Heavenly-Tetrarch-Taikyoku

"Heavenly Tetrarch (Shiten): slides 1-4 squares orthogonally or diagonally.") (description "Heavenly-Tetrarch\\slides 1-4 squares orthogonally or diagonally.\\Taikyoku Shogi piece.")

Hook-Mover

Hook-Mover (Kogyo): "Hook Mover has a Double Rook move.") (description "Hook-Mover: Hook Mover has a Double Rook move, being able to move any number of squares in any orthogonal direction, immediately followed by a further move at right angles to the first. The two legs of the Hook Mover move do not have to be of the same length, and it is not compulsory that it make the 2nd Rook move.\\ There is no 2nd move if the Hook-Mover captures on the 1st move.")

Horned-Falcon

"Horned Falcon (Kakuo): moves any number of squares in any direction except forwards. Lion move vertically forward.") (description "Horned Falcon\\A Horned Falcon moves any number of squares in any direction except straight forwards. Moves vertically forward as a Lion.\When using its Lion power the Horned Falcon can make two consecutive single step moves along the forward file during which it may capture up to TWICE or return to its starting square (the latter move being called 'igui'). (NOTE: To make an 'igui' move, select the piece and then drop it back on its starting square).\\The Horned Falcon may not leap over pieces other than when making a Lion-type move.")

Howling-Dog

"Howling Dog (Kiken): moves 1 square backwards or slides forwards.") (description "Howling Dog\\moves 1 square backwards or slides forwards.")

Iron-General

"Iron-General (Tessho): Steps straight or diagonally forward.") (description "Iron General\steps straight or diagonally forward.")

Keima

"Keima (Honorable Horse): leaps like a knight but only to the 2 most forward directions, i.e narrow forward.") (description "Keima\\leaps like a knight but only to the 2 most forward directions, i.e. narrow forward.")

King

"King (Osho) (Gyokusho): steps 1 square in any direction.") (description "King\\steps 1 square in any direction.\\One King is named Osho (King's General), the other Gyokusho (Jewelled General).")

Kirin-Master

"Kirin-Master (Rinshi): moves like a bishop, vertical rook, 1-3 squares horizontally, leaps 3 vertically.") (description "Kirin Master\moves like a bishop, vertical rook, 1-3 squares horizontally, leaps 3 vertically.")

Kylin

"Kylin: moves one square diagonally or jumps to the 2nd square orthogonally.") (description "Kylin\\moves one square diagonally or jumps to the 2nd square orthogonally.")

Lance

"Lance (Kyosha): can move any number of squares straight forward. Promotes to White Horse") (description "Lance\\A Lance moves any number of squares straight forwards. Does not leap.\Promotes to a White Horse.")

Left-Chariot

"Left-Chariot (Sasha): jumps one square back, slides forward, diagonally left forward and right backward.") (description "Left Chariot\steps one square back, slides forward, diagonally left forward and right backward.")

Left-General

"Left General (Sasho): steps 1 square in any direction except orthogonally Left.") (description "Left General: steps 1 square in any direction except orthogonally left.")

Leopard-King

"Leopard-King (Hyoo): slides 1-5 squares orthogonally or diagonally.") (description "Leopard King\slides 1-5 squares diagonally or orthogonally.")

Lion

"Lion (Shishi): makes 1 OR 2 single step moves or may jump 2 squares in any direction. Can capture twice.") (description "Lion\\A Lion has a very complex and powerful move.\\A Lion may move as a King or it may make two consecutive King-type moves in any direction or directions, during which it may capture up to TWICE or return to its starting square (the latter move being called 'igui'). (NOTE: To make an 'igui' move, select the piece and then drop it back on its starting square).\\The Lion may also jump directly to a position two squares away, jumping in any orthogonal or diagonal direction, or alternatively jumping as a Knight in Western Chess.")

Lion-Dog

"Lion Dog (Komainu): steps one to three squares in any direction.") (description "Lion-Dog: \\Komainu\\steps 1-3 squares orthogonally or diagonally.")

Long-Nosed-Goblin

"Long-Nosed-Goblin (Tengu): Long-Nosed-Goblin has a Double Bishop move and moves 1 square orthogonal.") (description "Long-Nosed-Goblin: Long-Nosed-Goblin has a Double Bishop move, being able to move any number of squares in any diagonal direction, immediately followed by a further move at right angles to the first. The two legs of the Long-Nosed-Goblin move do not have to be of the same length, and it is not compulsory that it make the 2nd Bishop move. Also can move 1 square orthogonally. \\ There is no 2nd move if the Long-Nosed-Golbin captures on the 1st move.")

Mountain-Dove

"Mountain-Dove (Sankyu): Moves 1 to 5 squares diagonally forward or 1 square orthogonally backward or sideways.") (description "Mountain-Dove\\Step: The mountain dove can move one square orthogonally backward or sideways. \Limited range: It can move one to five squares diagonally forward.")

Mountain-General

"Mountain-General (Sansho): Steps 1 square vertically forward and backward, 1-3 squares diagonally forward.") (description "Mountain-General: Steps 1 square vertically forward and backward, 1-3 squares diagonally forward.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Mountain-Witch

"Mountain-Witch (Sambo): Steps forwards, slides backwards or diagonally.") (description "Mountain Witch\steps 1 square vertically forwards, slides any amount of squares backwards or diagonally.\\Dai dai, Maka dai dai, Tai and Taikyoku Shogi.")

Multi-General

"Multi-General (Suisho): Moves as a forward Rook and backward Bishop.") (description "Multi-General\Suisho\\Moves as a forward Rook and backward Bishop.\\Plays in 'Tenjiku Shogi'.")

Neighbouring-King

"Neighbouring King (Kinno): moves one square in any direction except backwards.") (description "Neighbouring King\moves one square in any direction except backwards.")

North-Barbarian

"North Barbarian (Hokuteki): steps 1 diagonally backward or horizontally; steps 1-2 diagonally forward.") (description "North Barbarian: steps 1 square diagonally backward or horizontally; steps one or two steps diagonally forward.")

Old-Kite

"Old-Kite (Kotetsu): Steps 1 or 2 squares horizontally or vertically or 1 step diagonally forward.") (description "Old Kite\steps 1 or 2 squares horizontally or vertically or 1 step diagonally forward.\\Tai shogi, Dai dai Shogi.")

Old-Kite-Hawk

"Old-Kite-Hawk (Kotetsu) : moves one or two squares diagonally, one square sideways.") (description "Old-Kite-Hawk\moves one or two squares diagonally, one square sideways.\Taikyoku Shogi")

Old-Monkey

"Old Monkey (Koen): moves one square diagonally forward and backwards and directly backwards.") (description "Old Monkey\moves one square diagonally forward and backwards and directly backwards.")

Old-Rat

"Old-Rat (Roso): steps one or two squares diagonally forward or straight backward.") (description "Old Rat\steps one or two squares diagonally forward or straight backward.")

Pawn

"Pawn (Foot Soldier) (Fuhyo): moves and captures 1 square forward. Promotes to Tokin.") (description "Pawn\Foot Soldier, Fuhyo\\A Pawn can move straight ahead one square. On reaching the 9th rank it can promote to a Tokin.")

Phoenix

"Phoenix (Hoo): moves one square orthogonally or jumps to the 2nd square diagonally.") (description "Phoenix\\A Phoenix may move one square orthogonally or jump to the second square in any diagonal direction.")

Phoenix-Master

"Phoenix-Master (Hoshi): moves like a bishop, vertical rook, 1-3 squares horizontally, leaps 3 diagonally forward.") (description "Phoenix Master\\moves like a bishop, vertical rook, 1-3 squares horizontally, leaps 3 diagonally forward.")

Poison-Snake

"Poison Snake (Dokuja): moves 1 square sideways or jumps to 2nd square diagonally backwards or straight forwards.") (description "Poison Snake: moves one square horizontally or jumps to the 2nd square diagonally backwards or straight forwards.")

Prancing-Stag

"Prancing Stag (Yoroku): steps 1 square diagonally or straight ahead; steps 1 or 2 steps horizontally.") (description "Prancing Stag\\moves 1 square diagonally or straight ahead or 1 or 2 squares horizontally.")

Racing-Chariot

"Racing Chariot (Sosha): moves any number of squares orthogonally or one square diagonally backwards.") (description "Racing Chariot: moves any number of squares orthogonally or one square diagonally backwards. \\Wikipedia site on Dai dai shogi says 'In several English sources the name of this piece is mistranslated as 'side chariot'.")

Rain-Dragon

"Rain-Dragon (Uryu): moves any number of squares sideways, all directions backwards and 1 square all directions forwards.") (description "Rain-Dragon: moves any number of squares sideways, all directions backwards and 1 square all directions forwards.")

Ramshead-Soldier

"Ramshead-Soldier (Yohei): slides diagonally forward any number of squares.") (description "Ramshead-Soldier\Moves like a bishop but only in a forward direction. \Tai Shogi piece.")

Ramshead-Soldier-Taikyoku

"Ramshead-Soldier (Yohei): slides diagonally forward any number of squares or moves 1 square orthogonal backwards.") (description "Ramshead-Soldier\Moves like a bishop but only in a forward direction or moves \1 square orthogonal backwards.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Reclining-Dragon

"Reclining-Dragon (Garyu): moves one square directly forward, sideways, diagonally backwards and directly backwards.") (description "Reclining-Dragon\moves one square directly forward, sideways, diagonally backwards and directly backwards.\\Maka dai dai Shogi, Tai Shogi and Taikyoku Shogi.")

Reverse-Chariot

"Reverse Chariot (Hansha): slides any number of squares forwards or backwards.") (description "Reverse Chariot\\slides any number of squares straight forwards or backwards in a file.")

Right-Chariot

"Right-Chariot (Usha): jumps one square back, slides forward, diagonally right forward and left backward.") (description "Right Chariot: jumps one square back, slides forward, diagonally right forward and left backward.")

Right-General

"Right General (Usho): steps 1 square in any direction except orthogonally right.") (description "Right General: steps 1 square in any direction except orthogonally right.")

Rook

"Rook (Flying Chariot) (Hisha): slides any number of squares along a row or column.") (description "Rook\Flying Chariot, Hisha\\A Rook slides any number of squares orthogonally on a rank or a file.")

Running-Wolf

"Running Wolf (Soro): slides any amount of squares diagonally forward, sideways, or steps 1 square straight ahead.") (description "Running Wolf\\slides any amount of squares diagonally forward, sideways, or steps 1 square straight ahead.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Rushing-Bird

"Rushing Bird (Gyocho): moves any number of squares in any direction except orthogonally backwards.") (description "Rushing-Bird\\Slides any number of squares in either an orthogonal or diagonal direction except orthogonally backwards.")

Savage-Tiger

"Savage Tiger (Moko): Steps one or two steps vertically and one step diagonally forward.") (description "SavageTiger\Steps one or two steps vertically and one step diagonally forward.")

She-Devil

"She-Devil (Yasha): Slides up to five squares orthogonally and up to two squares diagonally.") (description "She Devil: Slides up to five squares orthogonally and up to two squares diagonally.")

Side-Dragon

"Side-Dragon (Oryu) : slides any number of free squares orthogonally forward or sideways, and one square directly back.") (description "Side-Dragon\slides any number of free squares orthogonally forward or sideways, and one square directly back\Tai Shogi piece")

Side-Dragon-Taikyoku

"Side-Dragon (Oryu) : slides any number of free squares orthogonally forward or sideways.") (description "Side-Dragon\slides any number of free squares orthogonally forward or sideways. \Taikyoku Shogi.")

Side-Mover

"Side Mover (Ogyo): slides any number of squares sideways or 1 square vertically. Promotes to Gold General.") (description "Side Mover\\slides any number of squares sideways, or 1 square vertically.\Promotes to a Gold General.")

Side-Mover-Heian-dai

"Side Mover (Ogyo): slides any number of squares sideways or 1 square vertically forward.") (description "Side Mover\slides any number of squares sideways, or 1 square vertically forward.\\Heian dai shogi.")

Side-Serpent

"Side-Serpent (Oja): slides any amount of squares horizontal, 1 square vertically back, or 1-3 squares vertically forward.") (description "Side-Serpent\\slides any amount of squares horizontal, 1 square vertically back, or 1-3 squares vertically forward. \\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Side-Soldier

"Side-Soldier (Ohei): slides any amount of squares horizontal, 1 square vertically back, or 1-2 squares vertically forward.") (description "Side-Soldier\\slides any amount of squares horizontal, 1 square vertically back, or 1-2 squares vertically forward. \\Tenjiku Shogi.")

Silver-Chariot

"Silver-Chariot (Ginsha): Slides any orthogonally forward or backward, 1 square diagonally back, 1 or 2 diagonally forward.") (description "Silver-Chariot\\Slides any squares orthogonally forward and backward,\1 square diagonally back, 1 or 2 diagonally forward. \\Plays in Taikyoku Shogi.")

Silver-General

"Silver General (Ginsho): steps 1 square diagonally or straight ahead.") (description "Silver General\\A Silver General can move one square diagonally or straight ahead.")

Silver-Hare

"Silver Hare (Ginto): moves any number of squares diagonally backwards or 1 or 2 squares diagonally forwards.") (description "Silver Hare\\moves any number of squares diagonally backwards or 1 or 2 squares diagonally forewards. \Called Silver-Rabbit in Taikyoku Shogi.")

Soaring-Eagle

"Soaring Eagle (Hiju): moves any number of squares in any direction except diagonally forwards. Lion move diagonally forward.") (description "Soaring Eagle\\A Soaring Eagle moves any number of squares in any direction except diagonally forwards. In the diagonal forwards directions it moves as a Lion. When using its Lion power the Soaring Eagle may move make two consecutive single step moves along the forward diagonal during which it may capture up to TWICE or return to its starting square (the latter move being called 'igui'). (NOTE: To make an 'igui' move, select the piece and then drop it back on its starting square).\\The Soaring Eagle may not leap over pieces other than when making a Lion-type move.")

South-Barbarian

"South Barbarian (Namban): steps 1 square diagonally forward or horizontally; steps 1-2 diagonally backward.") (description "South Barbarian: steps 1 square diagonally forward or horizontally; steps one or two steps diagonally backward.")

Square-Mover

"Square Mover (Hogyo): moves any number of squares orthogonally or one square diagonally forwards.") (description "Square Mover: moves any number of squares orthogonally or one square diagonally forwards.")

Standard-Bearer

"Standard Bearer (Zenki): moves any number of squares forward or diagonally forward and 1-2 squares in other directions.") (description "Standard Bearer: moves any number of squares forward or diagonally forward and 1-2 squares in other directions.")

Stone-General

"Stone-General (Sekisho): Steps diagonally forward.") (description "Stone-General: Steps diagonally forward.")

Strutting-Crow

"Strutting-Crow (Uko): Steps 1 square forward or one square diagonally backward.") (description "Strutting-Crow (Uko)\steps 1 square forward or one square diagonally backward. \Taikyoku Shogi.")

Tile-General

"Tile-General (Gasho): moves 1 square diagonally forward or 1 square directly backwards.") (description "Tile-General\moves 1 square diagonally forward or 1 square directly backwards.")

Tokin

"Tokin: steps 1 square in any direction except diagonally backwards.") (description "Tokin (promoted Pawn)\\A Tokin is a promoted Pawn. It has the same move as the Gold General. (ie: it can move to any adjacent square except diagonally backwards).")

Treacherous-Fox

"Treacherous-Fox (Onko): 1 square diagonally or vertical, leaps 2 squares same directions.") (description "Treacherous-Fox\\1 square diagonally or vertical, leaps 2 squares same directions.\\Wa Shogi.")

Vertical-Mover

"Vertical Mover (Kengyo): moves any number of squares vertically or 1 square sideways.") (description "Vertical Mover\\slides any number of squares vertically, or 1 square horizontally.")

Vertical-Soldier)

"Vertical-Soldier (Shuhei): steps 1 square orthogonally back; steps 1-2 horizontally, slides any amount orthogonally forward.") (description "Vertical-Soldier: steps 1 square orthogonally back; steps 1-2 horizontally, slides any amount orthogonally forward. \\Tenjiku Shogi.")

Violent-Bear

"Violent Bear (Moyu): steps 1 square horizontally and one or two squares diagonally forward.") (description "Violent Bear: steps 1 square horizontally and one or two squares diagonally forward.")

Violent-Ox

"Violent Ox (Mogyu):Steps one or two steps horizontally or vertically.") (description "ViolentOx\moves one or two squares orthogonally.")

Water-Buffalo

"Water Buffalo (Suigyu): moves one or two squares vertically and any number of squares in any other direction.") (description "Water Buffalo: moves one or two squares vertically and any number of squares in any other direction.")

Water-Dragon

"Water Dragon (Suiryu): 1-4 diagonally back, 1-2 diagonally forward, rook moves.") (description "Water Dragon: 1-4 diagonally back, 1-2 diagonally forward, rook moves.")

Water-Genera

"Water-General (Suisho): Steps 1 square vertically forward and backward, 1-3 squares diagonally forward.") (description "Water-General: Steps 1 square vertically forward and backward, 1-3 squares diagonally forward.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

West-Barbarian

"West Barbarian (Seiju): steps 1 square diagonally forward or vertically; steps one or two steps horizontally.") (description "West Barbarian: steps 1 square diagonally forward or vertically; steps one or two steps horizontally.")

Whale

"Whale (Keigei): moves any number of squares backwards, forwards or diagonally backwards.") (description "Whale\\moves any number of squares backwards, forwards or diagonally backwards.")

White-Elephant

"White Elephant (Hakuzo): moves any number of squares diagonally backward and 1-2 squares any other direction.") (description "White Elephant: moves any number of squares diagonally backward and 1-2 squares any other direction.")

White-Elephant-Taikyoku

"White-Elephant-Taikyoku (Hakuzo): steps 1-2 squares in any direction.") (description "White-Elephant\\slides 1-2 squares orthogonally or diagonally.\\Taikyoku Shogi piece. \\In Taikyoku Shogi, the Fragrant Elephant also moves like the White Elephant.")

White-Horse

"White Horse (Hokku): Slides any number of squares backwards, forwards or diagonally forwards.") (description "White Horse (promoted Lance)\\Slides any number of squares orthogonally forwards, orthogonally backwards or diagonally forwards.\\Chu, Dai, Tai and Taikyoku Shogi's.")

White-Tiger

"White-Tiger (Byakko): moves 1-2 horizontal, any number vertically and diagonally forward left, 1 square diagonally forward right.") (description "White-Tiger: moves 1-2 squares horizontally, any number of squares vertically and diagonally forward left, 1 square diagonally forward right. \\Japanese name: Byakko.")

Wind-Dragon

"Wind-Dragon (Furyu): moves any squares sideways, diagonally forwards, diagonally back right, or 1 square diagonally back left.") (description "Wind-Dragon: moves any squares sideways, diagonally forwards and back right, or 1 square diagonally back left.")

Wizard-Stork

"Wizard-Stork (Senkaku): Steps backwards, slides forwards or diagonally.") (description "Wizard Stork: Steps backwards, slides forwards or diagonally.")

Wood-General

"Wood-General (Mokusho): Steps one or two squares diagonally forward.") (description "Wood-General: Steps one or two squares diagonally forward.")

Wrestler

"Wrestler (Rikishi): moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally or 1 square sideways.") (description "Wrestler\\moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally or 1 square sideways.")

Wrestler-Taikyoku

"Wrestler-Taikyoku (Rikishi): moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally.") (description "Wrestler\\moves 1 to 3 squares diagonally.\\Taikyoku Shogi.")

Yaksha

"Yaksha (Yasha): moves 1 square diagonally forward or vertically back, moves 1-3 squares orthogonally sideways.") (description "Yaksha\moves 1 square diagonally forward or vertically back, moves 1-3 squares orthogonally sideways. \\Taikyoku shogi.")

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Notes

Different Shogi Variants Information.

Heian shogi ; 8x8 or 9x8

Heian shogi ("Heian era chess") is a predecessor of modern shogi (Japanese chess). Some form of chess almost certainly reached Japan by the 9th century, if not earlier, but the earliest surviving Japanese description of the rules dates from the early 12th century (c. 1120, during the Heian period). Unfortunately, this description does not give enough information to actually play the game, but this has not stopped people attempting to reconstruct this early form of shogi.

Heian dai shogi ; 13x13

Heian dai shogi (Japanese:'Heian (Era) large chess') is an early large board variant ofshogi (Japanese chess) as it was played in the Heian period. The same 12th century document which describes the Heian form of shogi also describes this variant.

Dai shogi ; 15x15

Dai shogi ('large chess') is a board game native to Japan. It is similar to standard shogi (sometimes called Japanese chess) in its rules and game play. Dai shogi is only one of several large board shogi variants. Its name means large shogi, from a time when there were three sizes of shogi games. Early versions of dai shogi can be traced back the end of the Heian period about AD 1230.

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Chu Shogi ; 12x12

Chu shogi ('mid (sized) chess') is a board game native to Japan. It is similar to modern shogi (sometimes called Japanese chess) in its rules and game play. Its name means "mid-sized shogi", from a time when there were three sizes of shogi variants in regular use. Chu shogi seems to have been developed in the early 14th century as a derivative of dai shogi ("large shogi"). There are earlier references, but it is not clear that they refer to the game as we now know it. With fewer pieces than dai shogi, the game was considered more exciting. It was still commonly played in Japan in the early 20th century, especially in Kyoto, but now has largely died out. It has, however, gained some adherents in the West. The main reference work in English is the Middle Shogi Manual by George Hodges.

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Dai dai shogi ('huge chess') ; 17x17

Dai dai shogi ('huge chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the 15th century and is based on theearlier Dai shogi. Apart from its size, the major difference is in the range of the pieces and the “promotion by capture” rule. It is the smallest board variant to use this rule.

Maka dai-dai shogi ; 19x19

Maka dai-dai shogi ('ultra-huge chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the 15th century and is based on dai dai shogi and the earlier dai shogi. The three Edo-era sources are not congruent in their descriptions of the pieces not found in smaller games. Apart from its size and number of pieces, the major difference from these smaller games is the "promotion by capture" rule. A more compact modern proposal for the game is called hishigata shogi.

Tai Shogi ; 25x25

Tai shogi (tai shogi or mujo tai shogi "grand chess", renamed from mujo dai shogi "supreme chess" to avoid confusion with dai shogi) is a large-board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates to the 15th century and is based on earlier largeboard shogi games. Before the discovery of taikyoku shogi in 1997, tai shogi was believed to be the largest playable chess variant, if not board game, ever. One game may be played over several long sessions and require each player to make over a thousand moves. It was never a popular game; indeed, a single production of half a dozen game sets in the early 17th century was a notable event. Like other large-board variants, but unlike standard shogi, the game is played without drops, and uses a promotion-by-capture rule.

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Tenjiku shogi (tenjiku shogi, or tenjiku dai shogi "exotic chess") ; 16x16

Tenjiku shogi (tenjiku shogi, or tenjiku dai shogi "exotic chess") is a large-board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the 15th or 16th century and was based on the earlier chu shogi, which itself was based on dai shogi.

Taikyoku shogi ('ultimate chess') ; 36x36

Taikyoku shogi ('ultimate chess') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game was created around the mid 16th century (presumably by priests) and is based on earlier large board shogi games. Before the rediscovery of taikyoku shogi in 1997, tai shogi was believed to be the largest playable chess variant (if not board game) ever. It has not been shown that taikyoku shogi was ever widely played. One game may be played over several long sessions and require each player to make over a thousand moves.

Sho shogi (9×9, 16th c.)

Sho Shogi ('small chess') is a 16th century form of shogi (Japanese chess), and the immediate predecessor of the modern game. It was played on a 9x9 board with the same setup as in modern shogi, except that an extra piece stood in front of the king: A 'drunk elephant' that promoted into what was effectively a second king. (While 9x9 may not seem 'small', it was smaller than the other shogi variants prevalent at the time.) The drunk elephant was eliminated by the Emperor Go-Nara (reigned 1526–1557), and it is assumed that the drop rule was introduced at about the same time, giving rise to shogi as we know it today.

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Standard Shogi (9x9)

Shogi (shogi, generals' chess), also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, and Chinese xiangqi, and is the most popular of a family of chess variants native to Japan. Shogi means general's (sho) boardgame (gi). The earliest predecessor of the game, chaturanga, originated in India in the 6th century, and was brought to Japan sometime in the 10th to 12th centuries, where it spawned a number of variants. Shogi in its present form was played as early as the 16th century, while a direct ancestor without the "drop rule" was recorded from 1210 in a historical document Nichūreki, which is an edited copy of Shōchūreki and Kaichūreki from the late Heian period (ca. 1120).

According to ChessVariants.com, "Perhaps the enduring popularity of Shogi can be attributed to its 'drop rule'; it was the first chess variant wherein captured pieces could be returned to the board to be used as one's own. David Pritchard credits the drop rule to the practice of 16th century mercenaries who switched loyalties when captured—no doubt as an alternative to execution." ...........................................................................

Ko shogi ('wide (elephant) chess') ; 19x19

Ko shogi ('wide (elephant) chess') is a large-board variant of shogi, or Japanese chess. The game dates back to the turn of the 18th century (early 1700's) and is based on Xiangqi and Go as well as shogi. Credit for its invention has been given to Confucian scholar Ogyu Sorai. Ogyu Sorai (March 21, 1666, Edo, Japan – February 28, 1728, Edo), pen name Butsu Sorai, was a Japanese Confucian philosopher. He has been described as the most influential such scholar during the Tokugawa period.

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Tori Shogi (7x7)

Tori shogi ('bird chess') is a variant of shogi attributed to Ohashi Soei in the late 18th century. The game is played on a 7×7 board and uses the drop rule; it's the only Japanese variant to do so. This is one of the more popular shogi variants.

Wa shogi (11x11)

date?

From wiki site, i found this info under 'shogi variants' .. 'Other large medieval shogi variants were wa shogi (11×11, possibly played with drops)..' Wa shogi (wa shogi, peaceful chess) is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess) in which all of the pieces are named for animals. It is played either with or without drops.

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This is a screenshot of the 12x12 board, showing one of the game start positions.

This collection of shogi pieces was compiled in 2011 and early 2012. It was released on zillions of games 22nd September, 2012. Fairy Pieces Part 2 should be released this year also. It is all non-shogi pieces. Actually, it could be released the following year, knowing me.

Last revised by Christine Bagley-Jones.