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Double-Move Shogi Strategy and Tips

Here is how to think about winning at Double-Move 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 first-move check wins

Lesson 1

In ordinary shogi a check can be answered — the king runs, or a piece is put in the way. In double-move shogi your turn is two moves long, so a check with the first move leaves your opponent no chance to answer: the second move simply takes the king.

Here you hold a gold. Drop it on 5b, right in front of the king on 5a, and it gives check. Your second move then captures the king with that gold, and the game is won.

So whenever you can reach the enemy king in one move at the start of your turn, you have a win. The flip side: never end your own turn leaving a square from which one enemy move reaches your king — against pieces in hand, every empty square next to your king is such a square.

Use both moves to defend

Lesson 2

Leaving your king in check is not illegal here, but your opponent will take it with the first move of their next turn. So when your turn starts in check, the first job is to get out of it.

Here the rook on file 5 is attacking your king on 5i. Use your first move to step the king to 4h, off the rook's file.

One step is not enough on its own, though. Your opponent also has two moves: the first can check again and the second can capture. Use your second move to close every line that reaches your king in one move, or carry the king somewhere those lines cannot reach. Running with one move and blocking with the other is the basic shape of defence.

Fill the holes around your king

Lesson 3

The most common way to lose double-move shogi is a piece dropped next to your king: it gives check with the first move and takes the king with the second. Pieces in hand can land anywhere, so any empty square beside your king is a danger.

Here your opponent holds a gold. The square 5h in front of your king on 5i is empty; a gold dropped there gives check and wins next move. You hold a gold too — drop it on 5h first and close the hole.

Every piece of yours that is captured becomes material for a drop beside your king. In this game, thinking first about not giving pieces away and keeping the squares round your king filled will save you many games.

Drop, then move at once

Lesson 4

In ordinary shogi a dropped piece can only move on your next turn. In double-move shogi you can drop it with your first move and move it with your second, which makes pieces in hand far more flexible.

Here you hold a bishop. Drop it on 5e first: from the centre it reaches along all four diagonals. With your second move you could then run it straight into the enemy camp.

Mind where it lands, though — if your opponent can simply take it with their first move, you have only handed them a piece. Plan the drop and the second move together; promoting with the second move makes the piece stronger within the same turn.

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.