How Shogi Pieces Move
Shogi has eight kinds of pieces, each moving in its own way. In each diagram the piece is in the center and the green dots are where it can move. “Forward” is toward the top (the opponent’s side). Once you know the moves, try them on a real problem.
The Basic Pieces
Moves one square straight forward. The most numerous piece. Promotes to a tokin (moves like a gold).
Slides any number of squares straight forward only — never sideways or back. Promotes to gold movement.
↕ slides any number of squares in the dotted directions (diagram shows up to 2)
Jumps to the two squares two forward and one to the side — the only piece that leaps over others. Promotes to gold.
Steps one square forward, diagonally forward, or diagonally back (5 squares). Promotes to gold.
Steps one square in six directions: forward, diagonally forward, sideways, and straight back (not diagonally back). Cannot promote.
Slides any number of squares diagonally. Promotes to a Horse (also steps one square orthogonally).
↕ slides any number of squares in the dotted directions (diagram shows up to 2)
Slides any number of squares vertically or horizontally — the strongest piece. Promotes to a Dragon (also steps one square diagonally).
↕ slides any number of squares in the dotted directions (diagram shows up to 2)
Steps one square in any of the eight directions. Checkmating it is the goal of the game.
Promoted Major Pieces
On entering, leaving, or moving within the promotion zone (the opponent’s three back ranks), pawn, lance, knight, and silver may promote and then move like a gold. The bishop becomes a Horse and the rook a Dragon. Gold and king never promote.
The bishop's diagonal slides plus a one-square step in each orthogonal direction.
↕ slides any number of squares in the dotted directions (diagram shows up to 2)
The rook's orthogonal slides plus a one-square step in each diagonal direction.
↕ slides any number of squares in the dotted directions (diagram shows up to 2)
Piece Strength (Value)
A rough order of strength: Rook and Bishop (the major pieces) > Gold and Silver > Knight and Lance > Pawn. The major pieces reach across the board, while gold and silver control the squares right next to the king — the backbone of both defense and finishing attacks. Promotion raises value, and Rook→Dragon and Bishop→Horse are especially powerful.
A shogi-specific point: captured pieces return to play as drops, so losing material hurts twice — it also arms your opponent — and a piece’s value shifts with the position. In tsume, the classic pattern is to check with a major piece and seal the king’s escape squares with a gold or silver.