Hidden Setup Shogi
Also known as: Kakushi Shogi / Kakushi Annan
Hidden Setup Shogi is a 2-player shogi variant, about 20 minutes: arrange your non-pawn pieces freely in your back two ranks, hidden until play begins. Free, no sign-up.
Play with friendsJust send the invite link. No sign-up for them either
Find an opponent onlineComing soon (October)
Hidden Setup Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set upPawns on your third rank; the other 11 pieces anywhere in your back two ranks.
- HiddenYour opponent's camp is hidden while you arrange.
- Take turnsWhen both are done, Black moves first. Otherwise as in shogi.
- WinCheckmate the enemy king.
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 Hidden Setup 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
- Your nine pawns go on your third rank (they cannot be moved during setup).
- Your other eleven pieces (king, rook, bishop, 2 golds, 2 silvers, 2 knights, 2 lances) may go anywhere in your back two ranks. You start from the usual shogi setup; tap two squares in your back two ranks to swap what is on them (you can move a piece to an empty square too).
- Tap Done when you are ready. While you arrange, your opponent's camp is hidden. When both are done, the board is revealed and Black moves first.
How to play
- Take turns, one move each. Piece moves, promotion, drops, two pawns on a file, pawn-drop mate and pieces with no further move are as in shogi.
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 drawn (repetition). 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
Play this game once to write one.
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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.
Can the computer see my setup?
No. The computer arranges and plays only from what its own screen shows.
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.