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No-Drop Shogi

Also known as: No Drops Shogi / Captureless-Hand Shogi
215BoardCPU availableNo sign-up, free

No-drop shogi is shogi for 2, about 15 minutes, where captured pieces can never be reused. Moves and promotion are as in shogi. Only the two kings left is a draw. 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

No-Drop Shogi in 30 seconds

  1. Set upThe same board, pieces and starting position as shogi.
  2. Take turnsOne move each. Moves and promotion are as in shogi.
  3. Pieces in handA captured piece never joins your hand — it is set aside. There is no drop move.
  4. WinCheckmate the enemy king to win. If only the kings remain, it's a draw.

At a glance

The numbers for this game. These match the actual game implementation.
ItemThis game
Players2 players
Play timeAbout 15 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 No-Drop Shogi 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 9×9 shogi board and the usual 40 pieces, set up as in shogi.
  • 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. Moves, promotion and pieces with no further move follow the same rules as shogi.
  • Capturing an enemy piece does not add it to your hand. It is set aside for the rest of the game and can never be dropped by either player.
  • You may not leave your king open to capture.

Winning

  • Checkmate the enemy king to win.
  • You also win if your opponent has no legal move.
  • As pieces disappear from the board, a position with only the two kings left is an immediate draw.
  • If the same position appears four times the game is a draw and is replayed. Repeated checks lose for the checking side.

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 15 minutes. Games can end sooner than ordinary shogi as pieces run out.

Does my shogi experience carry over?

Yes. Moves and promotion are the same. The only change is that captured pieces are gone for good.

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.