Annan Shogi
Also known as: Annan Shogi (An'nan Shogi)
Annan shogi is shogi for 2, about 20 minutes, where a piece with a friendly piece right behind it moves like that piece instead. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Play with friendsJust send the invite link. No sign-up for them either
Find an opponent onlineComing soon (October)
Annan Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set upThe same board, pieces and starting position as shogi.
- Take turnsOne move each. Moves, promotion and drops are as in shogi.
- Movement changesWhen one of your pieces sits directly behind another, the front piece moves like the piece behind it.
- WinAs in shogi, checkmate the enemy king to win.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 20 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | No |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-25 |
How to play Annan Shogi online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Use a 9×9 shogi board and the usual 40 pieces, set up as in shogi.
- Black moves first and the players alternate. When you play again, Black and White swap (you can turn this off).
How to play
- On your turn, move one piece on the board or drop one piece from your hand. Moves, promotion and drops are exactly as in shogi.
- When one of your own pieces sits directly behind another of your own pieces (the neighbouring square nearer your own camp), the front piece moves exactly like the piece behind it. If the square behind is empty or holds an enemy piece, the piece moves as usual.
- Whether a piece can promote and the two-pawn rule are always decided by the piece's own type, even when its movement has changed. A pawn or lance on the last rank, or a knight on the last two, is allowed — by drop or by move — as long as the piece behind it lets it move from there (a setting bans these by the piece's own type instead). You may not leave your king open to capture.
Winning
- Checkmate the enemy king to win.
- You also win if your opponent has no legal move.
- If the same position appears four times the game is a draw and is replayed. Repeated checks lose for the checking side.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces with no further movePieces with no further moveIn Annan shogi, a piece with one of your own pieces directly behind it moves like that rear piece. "Allowed if the support lets it move" lets you drop or move a pawn, lance or knight onto the far ranks as long as its current support gives it a move (if the support leaves, it may be stuck). "Banned by the piece's own type" follows regular shogi: those squares are off limits even with support. | How to judge a drop or move to a square where the piece, by its own type, could never move again (a pawn or lance on the last rank, a knight on the last two). | Allowed if the support lets it move | Yes |
| Show legal squares | Mark the squares a selected piece can reach. | On | Yes |
| Swap who starts | Swap who plays Black after each game. | On | Yes |
| Move limit | Draw the game once this many moves have been played. For tables that want to cut a long game short. | None | Yes |
Recommendations
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FAQ
How many players?
Two. Playing alone, you can take on the computer.
How long is a game?
About 20 minutes. Movement is harder to read than in ordinary shogi, so games can run long.
Do I need to know shogi first?
Moves, promotion and drops are the same as shogi, so knowing shogi first makes this much easier to pick up.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Board)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-25 · Run by Qdan, Inc.