Shogi glossary
Bishop
Japanese: 角行
In shogi, the bishop (kakugyō, 角行, usually just kaku) moves any number of empty squares diagonally, like a chess bishop, and is the second most valuable unpromoted piece after the rook.
Moves any distance diagonally.
How it moves
Black's bishop starts on 8h and White's on 2b, facing each other along the long diagonal. At the start that diagonal is closed by pawns. Pushing Black's 7th-file pawn to 7f, or White's 3rd-file pawn to 3d, opens it, and once both are open the two bishops can capture each other.
Promoted, it becomes a horse, which adds a one-square step straight in each direction.
How it is used
Because it attacks two long lines at once from far away, a bishop in hand is a natural forking piece. That is why openings with open diagonals are sharp, and why the Bishop Exchange opening, which trades both bishops early, makes every loose piece a target.
A classic beginner mistake is to move the silver off 7i while the diagonal is open: the bishop on 8h is then unguarded, and the opposing bishop captures it and promotes. Many openings close the line with a pawn on 6f to avoid exactly this.
FAQ
Why do shogi players close the bishop's diagonal?
With both diagonals open, either bishop can capture the other on 8h or 2b and promote. Closing the line, as in Yagura or the Fourth-file Rook, keeps the game calm while you castle.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: How the Pieces Move · Promotion · Piece Values and Trades
Openings: Bishop Exchange · Yagura
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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