No-Pawn Shogi
No-Pawn Shogi is shogi for 2 players, about 15 minutes, played with every pawn removed from the start. Every other rule is the same as shogi. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
No-Pawn Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set upThe shogi starting position with both sides' nine pawns removed.
- Take turnsOne move each. Moves, promotion and drops are as in shogi.
- The twistWith no pawns at all, rooks, bishops and lances get into play faster.
- WinCheckmate the enemy king, exactly as in shogi.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 15 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 No-Pawn 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 with the 22 pieces left after removing all 18 pawns (nine per side), set up as in the shogi starting position.
- 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. Pawns never appear on the board or in hand.
- You may not leave your king open to capture, and you may not move a piece to a square it can never move from again. With no pawns, the two-pawns and pawn-drop-mate rules never come up.
Winning
- You win by checkmating the enemy king.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 15 minutes. With no pawns, games often finish faster than regular shogi.
Is it good for someone new to shogi?
Yes. You can focus on how pieces move without the pawn-related fouls (two pawns on a file, mating with a pawn drop) that trip up beginners.
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.