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Rock-Paper-Scissors Shogi Strategy and Tips

Here is how to think about winning at Rock-Paper-Scissors Shogi, split into short lessons. Each one reads on its own, and each one comes with a real position: press Try it on the board and you play the move yourself.

A check skips the throw

Lesson 1

Normally every move in rock-paper-scissors shogi starts with a throw. A check changes that: your opponent skips the throw and must answer at once. Their reply is forced, so you take away their free move.

Here you hold a rook. Drop it on 5e and it checks the king on 5a straight down file 5. They can only step aside or drop a piece in between.

A move won at the throw is precious. Winning material is fine, but if you can check, you move on to the next throw without giving them a free move. Build positions where checks keep coming, and your attack no longer depends on luck.

A fork survives a lost throw

Lesson 2

Who moves next is decided by the throw. Attack a single piece, lose the throw, and your target simply walks away.

That is why forks shine. Here you hold a knight. Drop it on 5e and it attacks both the rook on 6c and the bishop on 4c. Even if they win the throw, one move saves only one of them.

They might win two throws in a row, but then they spend both moves running instead of attacking. A move with two threats stays good even when luck turns against you.

Block the check

Lesson 3

When your opponent checks, there is no throw: you answer at once. You can move the king, take the checking piece, or put a piece in between.

Here the rook on 5c checks your king on 5i down file 5. Step the gold from 4i up to 5h and it blocks the line — and a gold right in front of the king guards it well.

After the check is answered the throws start again, and if you lose them the attack continues. A king that keeps running leaves its defenders behind. Block with a defender and keep the king's neighbourhood solid.

Mate with the move you won

Lesson 4

In rock-paper-scissors shogi, if the move you won mates the enemy king, you win on the spot. A king in check looks for an answer without a throw — and with no answer, it is mate.

Here you hold a gold. Drop it on 5b: the pawn on 5c guards it, so the king cannot take it. The squares beside the king are blocked by its own lances, and 4b and 6b are covered by the gold.

Miss a mate and you may lose the next throw and watch them move twice. Whenever you win a throw, look for mate first.

Try it on the board

Pick a lesson and the board starts from that position. Start over as often as you like.

Now put it to work

Play with friendsLearn how to play (3 min)

Last updated 2026-09-25 · Run by Qdan, Inc.