Chu Shogi
Also known as: Middle Shogi / Chu-shogi
Chu shogi is a 2-player, 12×12 shogi with 46 pieces each and about 60 minutes of play. The lion moves twice per turn, captured pieces leave the game, and taking the king wins. Free in your browser.
Play with friendsJust send the invite link. No sign-up for them either
Find an opponent onlineComing soon (October)
Chu Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set up46 pieces of 21 kinds each on a 12×12 board.
- Take turnsMove one piece. Captured pieces leave the game.
- LionThe lion moves twice per turn and can take two pieces.
- WinTake the enemy king (and prince).
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 60 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 Chu 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
- Each side sets 46 pieces of 21 kinds: king, drunk elephant, gold, silver and copper generals, ferocious leopard, blind tiger, kirin, phoenix, lance, reverse chariot, bishop, vertical mover, side mover, rook, dragon horse, dragon king, lion, queen, pawn and go-between.
- The far four ranks are the promotion zone. There are no pieces in hand.
How to play
- On your turn, move one piece. Moving onto an enemy piece captures it; captured pieces leave the game and are never dropped.
- The lion makes two king steps in one turn. It can jump straight to any square two away, capture a neighbour and return (igui), capture two pieces, or stay put and pass. The horned falcon has this power straight ahead, the soaring eagle diagonally forward.
- A piece may promote when it enters the zone from outside, or when it captures while in (or leaving) the zone. A piece that entered without promoting must capture, or leave and re-enter, before it can promote. Pawns and lances may also promote on reaching the last rank. Promotion is optional. The king, queen and lion never promote.
- Lion trades have rules. A lion may always take an adjacent lion, but may not take a lion two squares away if that lion is protected (a piece whose line opens once the lion is taken counts too) — unless it also takes a piece in between that is not a pawn or go-between. Right after your lion was taken by a non-lion, you may not take a protected enemy lion (counterstrike).
- You may not play a move that repeats a position for the fourth time, unless you are in check.
Winning
- Capture the enemy king (and prince, if there is one) to win. You need not answer check, but losing your last king loses.
- If you leave your opponent with only a king (or prince), you win after their next move — unless that move also leaves you with only a king, which is a draw. If all you have left besides the king are unpromoted pawns or go-betweens, you must promote one first. Dead pawns and lances stuck on the far rank do not count.
- A player with no legal move loses. You may resign.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion rulePromotion rulePromotion flips a piece in the enemy zone (the far four ranks) into a stronger piece. Under the Association's rule you may promote only when entering the zone from outside, or when capturing inside or on the way out of it; enter without promoting and you must wait for the next chance. Like shogi lets you promote on any move into, within or out of the zone, so timing matters less. | Under the Association's rule, a piece that entered the zone without promoting cannot promote until it captures or re-enters. Choose Like shogi to allow promotion on any move into, within or out of the zone. | Association | Yes |
| Lion tradingLion tradingThe lion moves twice per turn and is the strongest piece, so trading lions has special rules. A lion is "protected" when another piece of its owner covers its square, so it could be recaptured. A protected lion two squares away cannot be taken by a lion, and right after your lion is taken by a non-lion you may not take a protected enemy lion (counterstrike). Off is the easiest choice for newcomers. | Whether to use the lion-trading rules (a lion two squares away cannot be taken by a lion if it is protected; right after your lion is taken by a non-lion, you may not take a protected enemy lion — counterstrike). Off turns all of this off, so distant lions and lions right after a counterstrike may be taken freely (as in dai shogi by default). Protected lions only (the Association's rule) applies counterstrike only when the enemy lion you would take is protected; Always (the Edo-period rule) applies it whether or not that lion is protected. | Protected lions only | Yes |
| Bare king winsBare king winsA bare king means only the king (and prince) is left with no working pieces. On: leave your opponent bare and, if their next move does not leave you bare too, you win (both bare is a draw). Off: play continues until every king and prince is taken or a side has no move, so endgames last longer. | Leave your opponent with only a king or prince, and you win if they are still bare after their next move (the Association's rule; if you have only unpromoted pawns or go-betweens left, one must promote first). Turn off to play on until a king is taken or a side has no move. | On | 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 |
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FAQ
How many players?
Two. Playing alone, you can take on the computer.
How long is a game?
About 60 minutes — there are many more pieces than in shogi. A move limit can shorten it.
I can't remember all the moves.
Tap Pieces above the board for every piece's name and move diagram, any time. Tapping a piece on the board also shows its name and move below.
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.