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Minishogi

Also known as: 5×5 Shogi / Gogo Shogi
210BoardCPU availableNo sign-up, free

Minishogi is shogi on a 5×5 board for 2 players, about 10 minutes. Six pieces each move as in shogi, with drops. Checkmate the enemy king to win. Free in your browser, no sign-up.

Play with friendsJust send the invite link. No sign-up for them either
Pick a time and invite
Practice against the computerStart right away. Choose the strength
CPU strength
WeakerStronger
Find an opponent onlineComing soon (October)
Tutorial (3 min)Learn the rules as you play

What we record

Minishogi in 30 seconds

  1. Set upSix pieces each on a 5×5 board.
  2. Take turnsOne move each. Moves and drops are as in shogi.
  3. PromoteOnly on the far rank.
  4. WinCheckmate the enemy king. Repetition is a win for White.

At a glance

The numbers for this game. These match the actual game implementation.
ItemThis game
Players2 players
Play timeAbout 10 min
TypeBoard
Ranked playNo
Practice against the CPUYes
PriceFree (no account needed)
Rights holderA public-domain classic game
Last updated2026-09-25

How to play Minishogi online with friends

  1. Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
  2. Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
  3. 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 5×5 board. Each player has six pieces: king, rook, bishop, gold, silver and pawn.
  • On your nearest rank place, from left to right, king, gold, silver, bishop and rook, with the pawn in front of the king. Your opponent sets up the same way facing you.
  • 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 and drops are exactly as in shogi.
  • A piece may promote only when it moves into, within or out of the far rank. A pawn reaching the far rank must promote.
  • Two pawns on a file, dropping a pawn to give mate, pieces with no further move and leaving your king open to capture are illegal, 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, White wins.
  • A player who repeats by giving check every move loses.

House rules

Default is this site’s setting. Changeable shows whether the party can change it.
NameDescriptionDefaultChangeable
Show legal squaresMark the squares a selected piece can reach.OnYes
Swap who startsSwap who plays Black after each game.OnYes
Move limitDraw the game once this many moves have been played. For tables that want to cut a long game short.NoneYes

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FAQ

How many players?

Two. Playing alone, you can take on the computer.

How long is a game?

About 10 minutes. The small board brings the fight to the kings straight away.

Is it a good way into shogi?

Yes. Pieces move just as in shogi, and with only six pieces each there is much less to set up and remember.

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.

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