Kokose Shogi
Kokose shogi: 2 players, about 20 minutes. Once per game, declare kokose before moving: make your move, then pick their next legal move. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Kokose Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set upThe same board, pieces and starting position as shogi.
- Take turnsPlay shogi, one move each.
- KokoseOnly once per game: declare before moving, make your move, then choose theirs.
- 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 Kokose 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.
- Both players start with one kokose. Black and White swap for the next game (you can turn that off).
How to play
- Take turns, one move each, as in shogi.
- Declare kokose at the start of your turn: after your own move, you choose and play your opponent's next move. Then it is your turn again.
- Choose from your opponent's legal moves. You may choose a move that lets you capture their rook or bishop next. You cannot move their king to a square where it could be captured next.
- Until you move, you can cancel the declaration. If your own move ends the game, the kokose is not used up.
- Piece moves, promotion, drops, two pawns on a file, pawn-drop mate and dead pieces follow shogi.
Winning
- Checkmate the enemy king.
- A player left with no legal move loses.
- The same position four times is a draw by repetition (replay). Repeated checks lose for the checking side.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokose finishKokose finishOnce per game, declare kokose before moving, make your own move, then choose their next move (including one that lets you capture their rook or bishop). With this setting on, you may only use it when, after the move you pick, you can mate in one, so kokose becomes a finishing blow. With it off you may use it at any time, which makes timing it part of the game. | Kokose may only be used when, after the move you pick for them, you can mate in one. | Off | 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 face the computer, which also uses its one kokose.
How long does a game take?
About 20 minutes — almost the same as shogi.
Does it help my shogi?
Yes. Choosing one move for your opponent makes you ask which move would hurt them most — good practice in finding weaknesses.
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.