The idea for this game was inspired by Nana Shogi invented by Georg Dunkel, a very tiny variant and really cool game.
This expands on its concept, a small game played on a small field. There is one unique feature of Ki Shogi...
This game is played without a board.
The pieces consist of cubes.
# of Kanji movement English meaning of Kanji
pieces on sides
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2
Gyoku steps orthogonal 'Jewel'
or diagonal
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2
Hi slides orthogonal 'Flying'
Cho steps orthogonal 'Wild Boar'
Han slides backward orthogonal 'Reverse'
or forward orthogonal
Chuu steps backward orthogonal 'Go-between'
or forward orthogonal
Ou steps backward orthogonal 'Side'
or forward orthogonal
slides left orthogonal
or right orthogonal
Shu steps left orthogonal 'Vertical'
or right orthgonal
slides backward orthogonal
or forward orthogonal
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2
Kaku slides diagonal 'Horns'
Myou steps diagonal 'Cat'
Hon slides backward orthogonal 'Flee'
or forward diagonal
Ga steps backward orthogonal 'Tile'
or forward diagonal
Zou slides backward diagonal 'Miscellaneous'
or forward orthogonal
Ken steps backward diagonal 'Dog'
or forward orthogonal
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The cube with the Gyoku character has only one Kanji on its faces.
On the other cubes, the Kanji characters are laid out so that they are matched with their opposites in move power.
Such as, Hi which can move any number of space orthogonally is on the opposite side of Cho which can only move
one space orthogonally. Han is opposite Chuu. Ou is opposite Shu. Kaku is opposite Myou.
Hon is opposite Ga. Zou is opposite Ken. This is important for the move-flip phase.
Each player receives one of each type cube at the start. They will be refered to as 'Gyoku', 'Hi' and 'Kaku'
After determining the order of play, the first player(Black) begins by placing the Gyoku anywhere on the empty
playing field. The selection of a surface for the playing field is critical, the smaller the surface the less freedom
of travel for the pieces. New players are encouraged to use a card table. Coffee tables make nice surfaces, too.
The players sit across from one another.
Imagining an invisible grid, with each space about the size of the cube, the next player(White) then places the Gyoku,
in one of the following:
[x][x][x][x][x]
[x][ ][ ][ ][x]
[x][ ][o][ ][x]
[x][ ][ ][ ][x]
[x][x][x][x][x]
The first player (Black) may have place the Gyoku near the edge of the playing field, thus restricting the next
player's (White) placement ability and influencing the subsequent game.
The Gyoku cubes must always remain in such a configuration. If a Gyoku is moved, it must be moved within the orbit of
the other Gyoku, maintaining the distance of one 'space' between each. This will determine the boundary of the playing
field. Although the pieces will ebb and flow across the surface of the playing field.
The next turns are the movement of any placed pieces or the dropping of Hi or Kaku cubes.
The Hi and Kaku must be dropped adjacent to their Gyoku and cannot place the opponent Gyoku in immediate jeopardy. They
may not be dropped on 'spaces' which are shared by both Gyoku.
These drops must be made within the following:
[x][x][x]
[x][o][x]
[x][x][x]
The Gyoku must be at the center of this grid.
When the player drops the Hi or Kaku, they may be played as either of the six faces. As long as the opponent's Gyoku is
not placed in immediate jeopardy.
When a player moves, the piece must land next to one of either Gyoku cubes. If a piece becomes 'stranded', outside the
immediate influence of either Gyoku, it must be immediately moved upon the next turn. If it cannot be returned to the
influence of either Gyoku, it is considered captured by the opponent.
If a player moves the Gyoku in such a way that strands one of its fellow pieces, those pieces are immediately captured by
the opponent.
Each time a piece is moved without a capture, it is immediately flipped to its opposite face. When a piece captures, it is
immediately promoted to one of the next most powerful faces.
Promotions:
Chuu Cho Han Ou
Cho Ou Shu
Han Shu
Ou Hi
Shu Hi
Hi Chuu
Myou Kaku
Hon Kaku
Ga Hon Myou
Zou Kaku
Ken Zou Myou
Kaku Ga Ken
The Hi and Kaku promotions are actually demotions, but hey, that's the price ya pay.
Captured pieces may be dropped into play by the captor.
To re-interate the rules:
Gyoku must always maintain at least one 'space' between them.
The dropping of any pieces cannot put the opponent's Gyoku in immediate jeopardy.
Pieces must be dropped adjacent to their Gyoku but not on 'spaces' shared by the Gyoku.
Upon each move without capture, the piece must be flipped to its opposite face.
Upon a capture move, the piece must be promoted to the next value.
The Gyoku cannot be left on an attacked position.
All pieces must be adjacent to either Gyoku.
Any 'stranded' piece or pieces left after a player's turn are immediately captured by their opponent. A player whose piece
is 'stranded' by the opponent is allowed to recover the piece with the subsequent move.
The game is won when the opponent is unable to make a legal move. There is no stale-mate, a player who cannot play loses
the game.
Unlike Nana Shogi, a player may check the opponent with pieces still in hand. This makes for a more aggressive game, since
a check may be made by the fourth move.
For our example, we will use a playing field that is of no specific dimension. Of course, the actual playing field may
be smaller or larger, depending upon the players' preference and available surfaces.
Notation will be achieved by using cardinal directions, north(N), northeast(NE), north-northeast(NNE), east-northeast(ENE),
east(E), east-southeast(ESE), southeast(SE), south-southeast(SSE), south(S), south-southwest(SSW), southwest(SW),
west-southwest(WSW), west(W), west-northwest(WNW), northwest(NW), north-northwest(NNW).
Placement of White Gyoku in relation to the Black Gyoku:
Placement of other pieces in relation to their Gyoku:
With the players sitting across from each other, the White player is considered North.
Pieces are moved in relation to their owner. Where a Black Ken can move orthogonally north, the White Ken moves
orthogonally south.
Movement of pieces are notated by the direction and distance.
Examples:
N piece moves north one space
SE3 piece move southeast three spaces
Promotions are denoted by the promoted value following in parenthesis.
Example:
Ga(Myou) S
Captures are notated by an 'x'.
Example:
Hi(Chuu) x Kaku
Checks are notated by an '+' following the move or capture.
The Black player begins by placing the Gyoku near the center of the field, thus allow the opponent full choice of starting
positions.
1. *Gyoku ...
White then takes the NNE position.
1. ... *Gyoku NNE
Black now has the following responses:
Move Gyoku E, W or NW
Drop Hi NW, W, SW, or S of Gyoku.
Drop Cho NW, W, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
Drop Han NW, W, SW, or S of Gyoku
Drop Chuu NW, W, SW, S, SE, or E of Gyoku
Drop Ou NW, W, SW, S, SE, or E of Gyoku
Drop Shu NW, W, SW, or S of Gyoku
Drop Kaku NW, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
Drop Myou NW, W, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
Drop Hon NW, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
Drop Ga NW, W, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
Drop Zou NW, W, SW, or S of Gyoku
Drop Ken NW, W, SW, S, SE or E of Gyoku
The 'spaces' N and NE are shared by the Gyoku and are not available for drops.
Black drops:
2. *Cho E ...
White responds:
2. ... *Myou E
The reader can now see that Black can reply with CHO(Hi) S and check White.
If White then Myo(Kaku) SW, removes threat and checks Black.
If Black moves Gyoku out of threat, this strands Hi.
So, Black Hi(Chuu) captures White Kaku. Although Black has created a weaker piece, White is down a piece and
still in check.
White responds Gyoku SE.
3. CHO(Hi) S+ Gyoku SE
Black could Hi(Cho) N2 and check White again but White would immediately reply Myo(Kaku) x Cho and checks Black. Black now
loses a piece and is forced to rescue Gyoku.
4. *Myou S ...
4. ... *Cho S
We now have all the pieces on the playing field.
Here is the possible scenario from this set-up:
5. Myou(Kaku) NE+ Cho(Hi) x Kaku+
6. Hi(Chuu) x Hi ...
Although Black has obtained both Hi pieces, the Hi on the field is showing the weak face of Chuu. But it does keep
White from replying Myo(Kaku) SW+.
6. ... *Zou NW
This is an example of the use of a weaker face upon drop. Black cannot remove this threat to the Chuu nor can it block.
Also White can promote the Zou to Kaku upon any capture.
7. *Cho SE ...
7. ... Myo(Kaku) SE
8. Chu(Han) N Kaku(Ga) x Cho+
9. Han(Shu) x Ga Zou(Kaku) x Shu+
10. Gyoku x Kaku ...
We are now back at the original start-up positions of the Gyoku but White has both Hi and Black has both Kaku.
White now has first option.
10. ... Gyoku W
White positions the Gyoku in order to take advantage of the orthogonal movements of the Hi. Black allows this and
responds:
11. *Zou E Gyoku W
White has practically negated the power of the Black Zou.
12. *Ken SW Gyoku W
Again, in an attempt to minimize the threats of the Hi, Black has dropped a weak
piece and White took advantage.
13. Ken(Zou) N *Cho N
Black is now in a weak position and White begins to make a play.
14. Zou(Ken) SE Cho(Hi) E
Black now has very few legal moves.
15. Zou(Ken) N ....
The only other piece which can move is the Gyoku and it would leave at least one piece 'stranded'.
15. ... *Hi SE
Black cannot make a legal move and therefore loses.
The Ki(Unicorn) Cube
Now that the reader has become familiar with the basics of Ki Shogi, it is my honor to introduce a piece which
will expand the field of play. This is a jumping piece with the power to support other pieces.
# of Kanji movement English meaning of Kanji
pieces on sides
2
Ki steps diagonal, leaps to 'Unicorn'
the second orthogonal
Hou steps orthogonal, leaps to 'Phoenix'
the second diagonal
Ro steps right orthogonal 'Donkey
or left orthogonal,
leaps to the second backward
orthogonal or forward orthogonal
Ja steps right orthogonal 'Snake'
or left orthogonal,
leaps to the second backward
diagonal or forward orthogonal
Ba leaps forward orthogonal 'Horse'
then forward diagonal
or backward orthogonal
then backward diagonal
Ryuu leaps to the second diagonal 'Dragon'
Opposites:
Promtions:
Ja Ki Hou
Ro Ki Hou
Ryuu Ja Ro
Ba Ja Ro
Ki Ryuu Ba
Hou Ryuu Ba
Each player receives one Ki cube at the start of the game and may drop it into play any move after the initial placement of
their Gyoku.
The Ki cube increases the field of play by supporting pieces, like a Gyoku. It may be dropped either next to its Gyoku
or the distance of one 'space' away. It cannot be dropped upon 'spaces' adjacent to the opponent Gyoku or where it places
the opponent Gyoku in immediate jeopardy.
The player may now use the Ki to extend the field of play as the pieces may now use the Ki similar to the Gyoku.
Pieces may be dropped adjacent to the Ki, as long as the spaces are not shared by the opponent Gyoku and the drop does
not place the opponent Gyoku in immediate jeopardy.
Of course, if the Ki is removed from the influence of the Gyoku, this places it and all the pieces which depend upon it
in jeopardy of capture. The Ki supports another Ki only within adjacent 'spaces'. It is the Gyoku which gives the Ki
its ability to operate one 'space' away.
Examples:
1. Sente Hi is using Gote Ki and Gote is forced to 'strand' the Ki. The Gote Ki is immediately captured
and Sente is allowed that turn to recover the Hi. If unable, or unwilling, to recover the Hi, Gote will capture it at
the end of the turn.
2. Gote is forced to strand the Ki which is solely supporting a Gote Kaku. Both Ki and Kaku are captured.
3. Gote strands a Sente Ki which is supporting a Gote Hi. The Hi is considered still supported and Sente is
allowed that turn to recover the Ki. If this recovery results in the additional stranding of the Hi, Gote is
allowed the next turn to recover it.
Unlike the Gyoku, other pieces may be moved out of the influence of the Gyoku or Ki. This will merely result in their
subsequent capture but this will allow for the capture of a distant Ki piece. This is basicly a sacrifice move.
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I hope the reader has found the explanation of this game satisfactory and will find the playing even more enjoyable.
I am considering making both generic and Kanji sets, if there is sufficent interest.
Contact me at: [email protected]
This webpage is the product of L. Lynn Smith.
Webpage updated 2005.08.12 with new graphics and minor syntax corrections
THE RULES OF KI SHOGI