Check Shogi
Check shogi is shogi for 2 players, about 5 minutes, where the first player to give check wins — no checkmate needed. Pieces move as in shogi. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Check Shogi in 30 seconds
- Set upThe same board, pieces and starting position as shogi.
- Take turnsOne move each. Moves, promotion and drops are as in shogi.
- CheckAttacking the enemy king so it could be taken next move.
- WinThe first player to give check wins at once.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 5 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 Check 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.
- 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, promotion and drops are exactly as in shogi.
- You may give check with a dropped piece. Dropping a pawn to give check also wins — the usual ban on mating with a pawn drop does not apply (with the Ōte Shōgi Taizen setting on, Black may not give check by dropping a pawn).
- You may not leave your king open to capture. Two pawns on a file and pieces with no further move are illegal, as in shogi.
Winning
- You win the moment you give check to the enemy king.
- You also win if your opponent has no legal move.
- If the same position appears four times the game is a draw. With the Ōte Shōgi Taizen setting on, White wins instead.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ōte Shōgi Taizen rulesŌte Shōgi Taizen rulesIn Ōte Shōgi, giving check wins the game on the spot. With these rules, only Black (the first player) is barred from giving check with a pawn drop, and repetition (the same position four times, normally a draw) becomes a win for White. Both rules only restrict the first player, so use them to reduce the edge of moving first. | Off by default. Turn it on to play by the Ōte Shōgi Taizen rules: Black may not give check by dropping a pawn, and repetition is a win for White. | 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 can take on the computer.
How long is a game?
About 5 minutes. Most games end within a few dozen moves.
Is it good shogi practice?
Yes. It trains you never to miss a line into your king, and to find checks quickly.
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.