Shogi glossary
Rook
Japanese: 飛車
In shogi, the rook (hisha, 飛車) is the most valuable unpromoted piece: it moves any number of empty squares forward, backward or sideways, exactly like a rook in chess.
Moves any distance forward, backward or sideways.
How it moves
The rook slides along files and ranks and cannot jump over pieces. Each player has only one: Black's starts on 2h and White's on 8b, on each player's right-hand side.
When it moves into, within or out of the opponent's three ranks, the rook may promote to a dragon, which adds a one-square diagonal step. Since nothing is lost, a rook in a real game almost always promotes.
How it is used
The first big decision of every game is where the rook goes. Static Rook (ibisha) keeps it on the 2nd file and attacks there, usually after trading the rook pawn so the file opens. Ranging Rook (furibisha) swings it toward the center or the other wing (files 5 to 8 for Black) and castles on the opposite side.
With a rough value of 10, the rook is worth more than any other unpromoted piece. A check that also attacks the rook (oute-bisha) is one of the most feared forks. In hand it is a strong finishing weapon: dropped far away on the enemy king's rank, it covers the whole rank and the king cannot reach it.
FAQ
Is the rook the strongest piece in shogi?
Among unpromoted pieces, yes: common values put it at 10, ahead of the bishop at 8. After promotion it becomes a dragon and grows even stronger.
Related
Terms:
Lessons: How the Pieces Move · Pawn Techniques: Dangling and Joining Pawns · Static Rook vs Ranging Rook
Openings: Double Wing Attack · Fourth-file Rook
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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