Shogi glossary
King
Japanese: 玉将・王将
In shogi, the king (ōshō, 王将, or gyokushō, 玉将) is the piece the whole game revolves around: it steps one square in any direction, and the player whose king is checkmated loses.
The piece you must protect; it moves one square in any direction. Losing it loses the game.
How it moves
The king moves exactly one square in any of the eight directions, just like the king in chess. It may never step onto a square an enemy piece attacks, and it can capture any unprotected enemy piece next to it. Black's king starts on 5i and White's on 5a, in the middle of the back rank.
A shogi set contains two slightly different kings, one usually marked 王 and the other 玉. The difference is only in the writing; both move the same way.
Keeping it safe
There is no castling move in shogi. Instead, players spend several moves walking the king toward one side and surrounding it with golds and silvers, a formation also called a castle. The usual rule is to put the king on the side away from your own rook, because the rook's side is where your attack, and the first fighting, will happen.
A king left on 5i once pieces start trading is one of the most common ways beginners lose. Every piece you give up can later be dropped next to your king, so a position that would look safe in chess may be dangerous in shogi.
FAQ
Can the king be captured in shogi?
No. The game ends at checkmate, before the king is ever taken, and in practice the losing player usually resigns even earlier.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: How the Pieces Move · Check, Checkmate and Illegal Moves · The Mino Castle
Openings: Mino and Boat Castles
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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