Maka dai dai shogi

Warning: This article is based on Western descriptions, which contain many errors. Eventually it should be verified with Japanese Wikipedia, which references the Edo-era sources.

Maka daidai shōgi (摩訶大大将棋 or 摩𩹄大大象戯 'ultra-huge shogi') is a large board variant of shogi (Japanese chess). The game dates back to the 15th century and is based on dai dai shogi and the earlier dai shogi. The three Edo-era sources are not congruent in their descriptions of the pieces not found in smaller games. Apart from its size and number of pieces, the major difference from these smaller games is the “promotion by capture” rule. A more compact modern proposal for the game is called hishigata shogi.

Rules of the game

Objective

The objective is to capture the opponent's king or emperor. If a prince is in play, it too must be captured. Unlike standard shogi, pieces may not be dropped back into play after being captured.

Game equipment

Two players, Black and White (or sente and gote), play on a board composed of squares in a grid of 19 ranks (rows) by 19 files (columns) with a total of 361 squares. The squares are undifferentiated by marking or color.

Each player has a set of 96 wedge-shaped pieces of 50 different types. In all, the players must remember 74 different moves. The pieces are of slightly different sizes, from largest to smallest (or roughly most to least powerful) they are:

• 1 King
• 1 Hook mover
• 1 Capricorn
• 1 Free king
• 2 Dragon kings
• 2 Dragon horses
• 2 Rooks
• 2 Bishops
• 2 Side fliers
• 1 Lion
• 1 Lion dog
• 1 She-devil
• 1 Wrestler
• 1 Guardian of the Gods
• 1 Buddhist devil
• 2 Violent oxen
• 2 Flying dragons
• 2 Old rats
• 1 Right chariot
• 1 Left chariot
• 2 Vertical movers
• 2 Side movers
• 1 Phoenix
• 1 Kirin
• 2 Donkeys
• 2 Knights
• 1 Drunken elephant
• 2 Blind tigers
• 2 Ferocious leopards
• 1 Reclining dragon
• 2 Gold generals
• 2 Silver generals
• 2 Copper generals
• 2 Tile generals
• 2 Evil Wolves
• 2 Iron generals
• 2 Stone generals
• 2 Reverse chariots
• 2 Lances
• 2 Earth generals
• 2 Go betweens
• 2 Blind bears
• 1 Chinese cock
• 1 Old monkey
• 2 Angry boars
• 2 Cat swords
• 1 Coiled serpent
• 1 Dark spirit
• 1 Deva
• 19 Pawns

Many of the English-language names are chosen to correspond to their rough equivalents in Western chess, not necessarily as translations of the Japanese names.

Each piece has its name in the form of two Japanese characters marked on its face. On the reverse side of some pieces are one or two other characters, often in a different color (e.g., red instead of black); this reverse side is used to indicate that the piece has been promoted during play. The pieces of the two sides do not differ in color, but instead each piece is shaped like a wedge, and faces forward, toward the opposing side. This shows who controls the piece during play.

Table of pieces

Listed below are the pieces of the game and, if they promote, which pieces they promote to. Of the 50 kinds of pieces, 21 promote to gold, 26 promote to new pieces (though some move like starting pieces, e.g. the free cat moves like a bishop, the free iron & gopher like a reverse chariot); and 3 do not promote (free king, dragon king, and dragon horse).

Maka dai dai pieces (arranged by setup position)

Piece	Kanji	Rōmaji	Promotes to
King	玉将	gyokushō	*Emperor	自在天王	jizai tennō
Deva	提婆	daiba	*Teaching king	教王	kyōō
Dark spirit	無明	mumyō	*Buddhist spirit	法性	hōsei
Gold general	金将	kinshō	*Free gold	奔金	honkin
Silver general	銀将	ginshō	*Free silver	奔銀	hongin
Copper general	銅将	dōshō	*Free copper	奔銅	hondō
Iron general	鉄将	tesshō	*Free iron	奔鉄	hontetsu
Tile general	瓦将	gashō	*Free tile	奔瓦	honga
Stone general	石将	sekishō	*Free stone	奔石	honseki
Earth general	土将	doshō	*Free earth	奔土	hondo
Lance	香車	kyōsha	Gold
Drunken elephant	酔象	suizō	*Prince	王子	ōji
Blind tiger	盲虎	mōko	*Free tiger	奔虎	honko
Ferocious leopard	猛豹	mōhyō	*Free leopard	奔豹	honpyō
Coiled serpent	蟠蛇	banja	*Free serpent	奔蛇	honja
Reclining dragon	臥龍	garyū	*Free dragon	奔龍	honryū
Chinese cock	淮鶏	waikei	*Wizard stork	仙鶴	senkaku
Old monkey	古猿	koen	*Mountain witch	山母	sambo
Cat sword	猫刄	myōjin	*Free cat	奔猫	honmyō
Reverse chariot	反車	hensha	Gold
Lion	獅子	shishi	*Furious fiend	奮迅	funshin
Kirin	麒麟	kirin	*Great dragon	大龍	dairyū
Phoenix	鳳凰	hōō	*Golden bird	金翅	kinshi
Evil wolf	悪狼	akurō	*Free wolf	奔狼	honrō
Blind bear	盲熊	mōyū	*Free bear	奔熊	honyū
Angry boar	嗔猪	shincho	*Free boar	奔猪	honcho
Old rat	老鼠	rōso	*Bat	蝙蝠	kōmori
Lion dog	狛犬	komainu	Gold
Wrestler	力士	rikishi	Gold
Guardian of the Gods	金剛	kongō	Gold
Buddhist devil	羅刹	rasetsu	Gold
She-devil	夜叉	yasha	Gold
Flying dragon	飛龍	hiryū	Gold
Violent ox	猛牛	mōgyū	Gold
Knight	桂馬	keima	Gold
Donkey	驢馬	roba	Gold
Free king	奔王	hōnnō	—
Capricorn	摩羯	makatsu	Gold
Hook mover	鉤行	kōgyō	Gold
Dragon king	龍王	ryūō	—
Dragon horse	龍馬	ryūme	—
Bishop	角行	kakugyō	Gold
Vertical mover	竪行	shugyō	Gold
Side flier	横飛	ōhi	Gold
Side mover	横行	ōgyō	Gold
Left chariot	左車	sasha	Gold
Right chariot	右車	usha	Gold
Rook	飛車	hisha	Gold
Pawn	歩兵	fuhyō	Gold
Go between	仲人	chūnin	*Free goer	奔人	honnin

Setup

Below is a diagram showing the setup of one player's pieces. The way one player sees their own pieces is the same way the opposing player will see their pieces.

Board layout
					仲								仲
歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩	歩
飛	左	横	横飛	竪	角	馬	龍	摩	奔	鉤	龍	馬	角	竪	横飛	横	右	飛
驢		桂		牛		飛龍	羅	力	狛	剛	叉	飛龍		牛		桂		驢
	鼠		猪		熊		狼	麒	獅	鳳	狼		熊		猪		鼠
反		猫		鶏		蛇	豹	虎	象	虎	豹	臥		猿		猫		反
香	土	石	瓦	鉄	銅	銀	金	提	玉	無	金	銀	銅	鉄	瓦	石	土	香

Board layout
					GB								GB
p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p
R	LC	SM	SF	VM	B	DH	DK	Ca	FK	HM	DK	DH	B	VM	SF	SM	RC	R
Dn		N		VO		FD	BD	W	LD	GG	SD	FD		VO		N		Dn
	OR		AB		BB		EW	Kr	Ln	Ph	EW		BB		AB		OR
RV		CS		CC		Co	FL	BT	DE	BT	FL	RD		OM		CS		RV
L	E	St	T	I	C	S	G	Dv	K	DS	G	S	C	I	T	St	E	L

Legend
AB: Angry Boar	B: Bishop	BB: Blind Bear
BD: Buddhist Devil	BT: Blind Tiger	C: Copper General
Ca: Capricorn	CC: Chinese Cock	Co: Coiled Serpent
CS: Cat Sword	Dv: Deva	DE: Drunk Elephant
DH: Dragon Horse	DK: Dragon King	Dn: Donkey
DS: Dark Spirit	E: Earth General	EW: Evil Wolf
FD: Flying Dragon	FK: Free King	FL: Ferocious Leopard
G: Gold General	GB: Go-between	GG: Guardian of the Gods
HM: Hook Mover	I: Iron General	K: King
Kr: Kirin	L: Lance	LC: Left Chariot
LD: Lion Dog	Ln: Lion	N: Knight
OM: Old Monkey	OR: Old Rat	p: Pawn
Ph: Phoenix	R: Rook	RC: Right Chariot
RD: Reclining Dragon	RV: Reverse Chariot	S: Silver General
SD: She-devil	SF: Side Flier	St: Stone General
SM: Side Mover	T: Tile General	VM: Vertical Mover
VO: Violent Ox	W: Wrestler

Game play

The players alternate making a move, with Black moving first. (The traditional terms 'black' and 'white' are used to differentiate the sides during discussion of the game, but are not literally correct.) A move consists of moving a piece on the board and potentially promoting the piece. Each of these options is detailed below.

Movement and capture

Most pieces in the game move in a unique manner. The kings, drunken elephants, blind tigers, ferocious leopards, reclining dragons, Chinese cocks, old monkeys, evil wolves, generals, angry boars, cat swords, coiled serpents, dark spirits, Devas, go betweens and pawns only move one square at a time. If an opponent's piece occupies a square that is a possible destination for the moving piece, the opponent's piece may be captured by placing the moving piece on that square, and removing the opponent's piece from the board. If a friendly piece (that is, a piece controlled by the same player) occupies the square, the moving piece may not move in that direction.

The lion dog, she-devil, wrestler, guardian of the Gods, Buddhist devil, violent ox, flying dragon and old rat can move along a limited number of free squares in certain directions.

The lion, kirin, phoenix, donkey and knight jump, that is, they can move over any intervening piece, whether friend or foe.

The free king, dragon king, dragon horse, chariots, rook, bishop, side flier, movers and lance can move any number of squares along a straight line, limited by the edge of the board. If an opponent's piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square, and removing it from the board. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece is limited to a distance that stops short of the intervening piece; if the friendly piece is adjacent, it cannot move in that direction at all.

The hook mover and Capricorn can move any number of squares along a straight line, then any number of squares along a perpendicular straight line limited by the edge of the board. If an opponent's piece intervenes, it may be captured by moving to that square, and removing it from the board. If a friendly piece intervenes, the moving piece is limited to a distance that stops short of the intervening piece; if the friendly piece is adjacent, it cannot move in that direction at all. Although they have the ability to move in two directions in one move, they are not required to. These pieces cannot move unless they make a capture.

The pawn, lance, stone general, iron general, and knight can only move forward. Therefore if one reaches the furthest rank (or the furthest two ranks in the case of the knight), it is unable to move further, it must remain there until captured.

Pieces move either orthogonally (that is, forward, backward, or to the side, in the direction of one of the arms of a plus sign, +), or diagonally (in the direction of one of the arms of a multiplication sign, ×). The lion and knight are exceptions.

First rank

• King 玉将
  • The king can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

• Deva 提婆
  • The Deva can move one square orthogonally left.
  • It can move one square diagonally forward.
  • It can move one square diagonally backward to the right.

• Dark spirit 無明
  • The dark spirit can move one square orthogonally right.
  • It can move one square diagonally forward.
  • It can move one square diagonally backward to the left.

• Gold general 金将
  • A gold general can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
  • One square diagonally forward, giving it six possibilities.
  • It cannot move diagonally backward.

• Silver general 銀将
  • A silver general can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
  • One square straight forward, giving it five possibilities.

• Copper general 銅将
  • The copper general can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or
  • It can move one square diagonally forward.

• Iron general 鉄将
  • The iron general can move one square forward, orthogonally or diagonally.

• Tile general 瓦将
  • The tile general can move one square diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.

• Stone general 石将
  • The stone general can move one square diagonally forward.
  • Because it cannot move orthogonally or backward, a stone general can only reach less than half the squares on the board.

• Earth general 土将 and go-between 仲人
  • The earth general and go-between can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.
  • These pieces and their promotions have the same range of movement, thus it is unnecessary to give them separate names. The only differences are the names and placement on the starting setup.

• Lance 香車
  • A lance can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.

Second rank

• Drunken elephant 醉象
  • The drunken elephant can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally backward.

• Blind tiger 盲虎
  • The blind tiger can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal, except orthogonally forward.

• Ferocious leopard 猛豹
  • The ferocious leopard can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.

• Coiled serpent 蟠蛇
  • The coiled serpent can move one square orthogonally forward or backward; or diagonally backward.

• Reclining dragon 臥龍
  • The reclining dragon can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions or diagonally backward.

• Chinese cock 准鶏
  • The Chinese cock can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward; or diagonally forward.

• Old monkey 古猿
  • The old monkey can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions or orthogonally backward.

• Cat sword 猫刄
  • The cat sword can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.
  • Because it cannot move orthogonally, a cat sword can only reach half the squares on the board.

• Reverse Chariot 反車
  • The reverse chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.

Third rank

• Lion 獅子
  • The lion can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal; one or two times in one turn. That is, it can move in another direction after its first move.
  • It can capture on each move.
  • It can return to the square it started from after its first move, allowing the player to “skip” a turn.
  • It can capture one piece on any adjacent square without moving (“igūi”) during a turn.
  • It can jump over an adjacent square and onto the second square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
  • It can also jump at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal; amounting to one square orthogonally forward, sideways or backward plus one square diagonally in that direction, in a single motion.
  • The restrictions for capturing a lion in chu shogi do not apply in maka dai dai shogi.

• Kirin 麒麟
  • A Kirin can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions; or
  • It can jump to the second square in one of the four orthogonal directions.
  • Because of its unusual movement, an unpromoted Kirin can only reach half the squares on the board.

• Phoenix 鳳凰
  • The phoenix can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
  • It can jump to the second square in one of the four diagonal directions.

• Evil Wolf 悪狼
  • The evil wolf can move one square orthogonally sideways or forward; or diagonally forward.

• Blind bear 盲熊
  • The blind bear can move any number of free squares orthogonally backward; or
  • It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.

• Angry boar 嗔猪
  • The angry boar can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.

• Old rat 老鼠
  • The old rat may have moved one or two squares diagonally forward or orthogonally backward.

Fourth rank

• Lion dog 狛犬
  • The lion dog has a triple-step move in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal. However, unlike the lion, it is constrained to one of these directions. It can jump, and need not take all three steps:
    • It can move one, two, or three squares in any one direction, potentially capturing pieces on each square.
    • It can snatch a piece from an adjacent square without moving (or, equivalently, move to an adjacent square and return) (igui).
    • It can jump an adjacent square, and optionally continue to the third square in that direction, potentially capturing twice.
    • It can jump two squares, landing on the third in that direction.

• Wrestler 力士
  • The wrestler can move up to three squares in one of the four diagonal directions, or
  • It can move one square orthogonally sideways.

• Guardian of the Gods 金剛
  • The guardian of the Gods can move up to three squares in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
  • It can move one square diagonally forward.

• Buddhist devil 羅刹
  • The Buddhist devil can move up to three squares diagonally forward; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally sideways or backward.

• She-devil 夜叉
  • The she-devil can move one or two squares in one of the four diagonal directions; or
  • It can move up to five squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.

• Flying dragon 飛龍
  • The flying dragon can move one or two squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
  • Because it cannot move orthogonally, a flying dragon can only reach half the squares on the board.

• Violent ox 猛牛
  • The violent ox can move one or two squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.

• Knight 桂馬
  • A knight jumps at an angle intermediate between orthogonal and diagonal, amounting to one square forward plus one square diagonally forward, in a single motion. That is, it has a choice of two forward destinations.
  • The knight ignores intervening pieces on the way to its destination, though its destination square must of course be either empty, or occupied by an opponent's piece (in which case the opponent's piece is captured), just as with any other moving piece.

• Donkey 驢馬
  • The donkey can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
  • It can jump to the second square orthogonally forward or backward.

Fifth rank

• Free king 奔王
  • The free king can move any number of free squares in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

• Capricorn 摩羯 (摩𩹄)
  • The Capricorn can make the equivalent of two moves of a bishop: It can move any number of free squares in one of the four diagonal directions, then any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
  • It is not required to make a perpendicular move.
  • It cannot move unless it makes a capture.
  • It may only capture once, and cannot continue after capturing.

• Hook mover 鉤行 (釣行, 鈎行)
  • The hook mover can make the equivalent of two moves of a rook: It can move any number of free squares in one of the four orthogonal directions, then any number of free squares in a perpendicular direction.
  • It is not required to make a perpendicular move.
  • It cannot move unless it makes a capture.
  • It may only capture once, and cannot continue after capturing.

• Dragon king 龍王, 竜王 ryūō
  • A dragon king can move any number of free squares in one of the four orthogonal directions; or
  • It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.

• Dragon horse 龍馬, 竜馬 ryūma, ryōma, ryūme
  • A dragon horse can move any number of free squares in one of the four diagonal directions; or
  • It can move one square in one of the four orthogonal directions.

• Bishop 角行
  • A bishop can move any number of free squares in one of the four diagonal directions.
  • Because it cannot move orthogonally, a bishop can only reach half the squares on the board.

• Vertical mover 竪行
  • The vertical mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally sideways.

• Side flier 横飛
  • The side flier can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or
  • It can move one square in one of the four diagonal directions.

• Side mover 横行
  • The side mover can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.

• Left chariot 左車
  • The left chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.
  • It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward to the left.
  • It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward to the right.
  • It can move one square orthogonally backward.

• Right chariot 右車
  • The right chariot can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward.
  • It can move any number of free squares diagonally forward to the right.
  • It can move any number of free squares diagonally backward to the left.
  • It can move one square orthogonally backward.

• Rook 飛車
  • The rook can move any number of free squares in one of the four orthogonal directions.

Front ranks

• Pawn
  • The pawn can move one square forward.

• Go between 仲人
  • The go between is identical to the earth general: It can move one square orthogonally forward or backward.

Promotion

Pieces that can promote only have the option to promote when they capture an unpromoted enemy piece. If a piece captures a promoted piece, it must promote if able. Promotion is indicated by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the character for the promoted piece. There are no promotion zones; dots on the board that usually represent promotion zones are present after the sixth rank only as a placement guide for initial setup.

Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. (See above for what each piece promotes to.)

Pieces which are already promoted cannot promote again, except as follows:

Any piece, promoted or not, that captures a Deva or Teaching king (a promoted Deva) promotes to a Teaching king. This is effected by replacing it on the board with the captured piece. Similarly, any piece that captures a Dark spirit or Buddhist spirit (a promoted Dark spirit) promotes to a Buddhist spirit.

Pieces on the 4th, 5th, and 6th ranks which promote, as well as the outside pieces of the 1st and 2nd ranks, promote (or perhaps demote) to Gold. New powers that appear as a result of promotion of the other pieces are as follows:

• Twelve of the pieces in the first and second ranks, as well as the go-between, become "free" when promoted, meaning that they move in the same directions as in their unpromoted state, but are free to move an unlimited number of squares in those directions. They are:
  • Free gold 奔金
  • Free silver 奔銀
  • Free copper 奔銅
  • Free iron 奔鉄
  • Free tile 奔瓦
  • Free stone 奔石
  • Free earth 奔土
  • Free tiger 奔虎
  • Free leopard 奔豹
  • Free serpent 奔蛇
  • Free (reclining) dragon 奔龍 ?
  • Free cat 奔猫
  • Free goer/gopher 奔人

Pieces with entirely new powers are:

• Emperor 自在天王
  • The emperor can jump to any unprotected square on the board.
  • It can jump to a protected square if a prince is in play (not recommended).
  • It cannot capture a protected piece, (e.g., placing it in check with a capture, whether or not a prince is in play) even if this move will win the game.
  • If a prince is not in play and both players have an emperor, then the emperor cannot move to a square that is not protected by a friendly piece. That is, the emperor must be protected from the other emperor at all times.

• Teaching king 教王
  • The teaching king can move as either a lion dog or as a free king. However, in Western descriptions, this has been said to be a modern innovation, with the traditional move said to simply be that of a free king.
    • It can move as a free king, free-ranging in any one direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
    • It has a triple-capture move in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.

• Buddhist spirit 法性
  • The Buddhist spirit can move as a lion or as a free king.
    • It can move as a free king, free-ranging in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
    • It has a double-capture move in any combination of directions, orthogonal or diagonal.

• Prince 王子, 太子
  • The prince can move one square in any direction, orthogonal or diagonal.
  • If a king or emperor is in play, it may move into check (not recommended).

• Wizard stork 仙鶴
  • The wizard stork can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally forward; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally backward.

• Mountain witch 山母
  • The mountain witch can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally backward; or
  • It can move one square orthogonally forward.

• Furious fiend 奮迅
  • The furious fiend can move as a lion or as a lion dog.

• Great dragon 大龍
  • The great dragon can move any number of free squares orthogonally sideways.
  • It can move one or two squares orthogonally forward or backward.
  • It can move one, two or three squares in the four diagonal directions.

• Golden bird 金翅
  • The golden bird can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or backward.
  • It can move one or two squares orthogonally sideways.
  • It can move one, two or three squares in the four diagonal directions.

• Free wolf 奔狼
  • The move of the free wolf is uncertain.

• Free bear 奔熊
  • The free bear can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways; or
  • It can jump two squares diagonally forward.

• Free boar 奔猪
  • The free boar can move any number of free squares in the four diagonal directions or orthogonally sideways.

• Bat 蝙蝠 kōmori (rarely Sino-Japanese hempuku)
  • The bat can move any number of free squares orthogonally forward or diagonally backward.

Check and mate

When a player makes a move such that the opponent's king, emperor or prince (sole one in play) could be captured on the following move, the move is said to give check to the king, emperor or prince; the king, emperor or prince is said to be in check. If a player's king, emperor or prince is in check and no legal move by that player will get the king, emperor or prince out of check, the checking move is also a mate, and effectively wins the game. If a player has both a king (or emperor) and prince in play, then the player need not move only one out of check.

A player is not allowed to give perpetual check to the sole objective piece.

Game end

A player who captures the opponent's king (or emperor, which is a promoted king) or prince (when the other is already gone) wins the game. In practice this rarely happens; a player will resign when loss is inevitable and the king (emperor) or prince will be taken on the opponent's next move (as in International Chess) because of the tradition that it is seen as an embarrassment to lose.

A player who makes an illegal move loses immediately. (This rule may be relaxed in casual games.)

Another possible (but fairly uncommon) way for a game to end is repetition (sennichite). If the same position occurs four times with the same player to play, then the game is no contest. (Recall, however, the prohibition against perpetual check.)

Game notation

The method used in English-language texts to express shogi moves was established by George Hodges in 1976. It is derived from the algebraic notation used for chess, but differs in several respects. Modifications have been made for maka dai dai shogi.

A typical example is P-8g. The first letter represents the piece moved (see above). Promoted pieces have a + added in front of the letter. (e.g., +OM for a mountain witch (promoted old monkey). The designation of the piece is followed by a symbol indicating the type of move: - for an ordinary move or x for a capture. Next is the designation for the square on which the piece lands. This consists of a number representing the file and a lowercase letter representing the rank, with 1a being the top right corner (as seen from Black's point of view) and 19s being the bottom left corner. (This method of designating squares is based on Japanese convention, which, however, uses Japanese numerals instead of letters. For example, the square 2c is denoted by 2三 in Japanese.)

If a lion captures by 'igūi’, the square of the piece being captured is used instead of the destination square, and this is preceded by the symbol '!'. If a double or triple capture is made, than it is added after the first capture.

If a move entitles the player to promote the piece, then a + is added to the end to signify that the promotion was taken, or an = to indicate that it was declined. For example, CSx7c= indicates a cat sword capturing on 7c without promoting.

In cases where the above notation would be ambiguous, the designation of the start square is added after the designation for the piece in order to make clear which piece is meant.

Moves are commonly numbered as in chess.

Hishigata shogi

Sean Humby created a variant of Maka daidai shogi called Hishigata shogi. (See the external link below.) It was motivated by criticisms that maka dai-dai takes a very long time to finish, and that the more interesting pieces have little opportunity for play. The only difference is in the setup, which places the opposing pieces close together and leaves the armies' rear flanks exposed, though Humby recommends that the teaching king be played as the weaker Western variant (as a free king).

Setup

In the hishigata setup, only one rank is left empty between the opposing armies. This is indicated with a darker shading in the diagram below.

					横	左	猪	鉄	蛇	鉄	猪	右	横
						銀	桂	狼	行	狼	桂	銀
							金	麒	玉	鳳	金
								熊	象	熊
									力
							角		摩		角
								提	奔	無

					SM	LC	AB	I	Co	I	AB	RC	SM
						S	N	EW	R	EW	N	S
							G	Kr	K	Ph	G
								BB	DE	BB
									W
							B		Ca		B
								Dv	FK	DS

Legend
AB: Angry Boar	B: Bishop	BB: Blind Bear
Ca: Capricorn	Co: Coiled Serpent	Dv: Deva
DE: Drunk Elephant	DS: Dark Spirit	EW: Evil Wolf
FK: Free King	G: Gold General	I: Iron General
K: King	Kr: Kirin	LC: Left Chariot
N: Knight	Ph: Phoenix	R: Rook
RC: Right Chariot	S: Silver General	SM: Side Mover
W: Wrestler

Notes on pieces with conflicting descriptions

These descriptions are taken from Japanese Wikipedia, which references the Edo-era publications 象戯図式 Shōgi Zushiki (SZ), 諸象戯図式 Sho Shōgi Zushiki (SSZ), and 象棋六種之図式 Shōgi Rokushu no Zushiki (SRZ). The first two are generally though not always in agreement, but the third differs in the case of most pieces which are not found in smaller shogi variants.

See also

• Shogi variant
• Wa shogi
• Chu Shogi
• Heian dai shogi
• Dai shogi
• Tenjiku shogi
• Dai dai shogi
• Tai shogi
• Taikyoku shogi

External links

• Shogi Net
• history.chess/Maka dai dai shogi
• YouTube Maka Dai Dai Shogi Video
• Hishigata shogi