Play Shogi Online
Shogi is Japanese chess: a 9x9 board, 20 pieces each, and one twist chess never had, captured pieces return to the board as your own. Play a free game right here, no signup and no download.
What makes this board worth playing on
- Rules coaching. Try an illegal move and the board tells you which rule you bumped into, in plain English, instead of silently blocking it. Two pawns on a file, a knight dropped where it can never move, a pawn drop that mates: each gets an explanation.
- Hints when you're stuck. The hint button asks the engine for a suggestion and draws it on the board as an arrow.
- Both piece sets. Traditional kanji pieces or an international set with movement symbols. Switch whenever you like.
- A position editor. Set up any position, play it out against the computer, or copy a link that opens the exact same position for someone else.
- Free, with no account. Games are played entirely in your browser. Your moves never leave your device.
New to shogi?
You can learn the moves in half an hour. Start withwhat shogi is for the story and the big picture, then take the step-by-stephow to play shogi lesson. When you need to look something up mid-game, therules reference covers every rule on one page, and the pieces guide shows how each piece moves, with the kanji for each one.
The fastest route is to just start a game above on easy with coaching on. The board won't let you play an illegal move, and it explains every rule the moment you run into it.
Sharpen your game
Once the moves feel natural, checkmate technique wins games.Tsume shogi problems drill forced mates, and our shogi puzzles page has a set you can solve on an interactive board. For the opening, learn one plan from the openings guide rather than memorizing lines. And if you come from chess,shogi vs chess maps your instincts onto the new game, including the ones you should unlearn.
Frequently asked questions
Is this shogi board really free?
Yes. Every feature on this site is free: games against the computer, two-player mode, the position editor, hints, and coaching. There is no account, no download, and no paywall. The game runs entirely in your browser, and your moves never leave your device.
Can I play shogi here with a friend?
Yes. Switch the board to two players and pass the device between turns, or sit on opposite sides and use the flip button so the board faces each player. The board enforces the rules for both sides and keeps the full move list as you play.
Do I need to read kanji to play?
No. The board offers two piece sets. The kanji set uses traditional Japanese characters, and the international set uses symbols that show what each piece is at a glance. Switch between them any time from the board controls. Most players learn the eight kanji within a few games.
Can I set up my own position?
Yes. Open the board editor, place pieces anywhere on the 9x9 grid, then press Play from here to start a game against the computer from that position. The Share position button copies a link that opens the same position for anyone you send it to.
Will my game survive a page reload?
Yes. The board saves your game to your browser after every move. Close the tab, come back later, and the game resumes where you left off. Starting a new game clears the save. Nothing is stored on a server, because there is no server.