Shogi glossary
Repetition draw (sennichite)
Japanese: 千日手
In shogi, sennichite (千日手, literally thousand-day moves) is a draw by repetition: if the same position occurs four times, the game ends without a winner—unless one side gave check on every move, in which case that side loses.
The same position four times is a draw, unless one side checked every move; that side loses.
What counts as the same position
The same pieces on the same squares, the same pieces in each player's hand, and the same player to move. Four occurrences are needed, not three as in chess.
Perpetual check loses
In chess, perpetual check is a saving resource that forces a draw. In shogi it is not: if the repetition comes from one side checking on every single move, the checking side loses. A player who cannot find a mate must therefore stop checking at some point, while a defender facing endless checks can simply keep repeating.
If both sides are just shuffling pieces without checks, the result is an ordinary draw.
In practice
Sennichite usually appears when neither side can make progress without weakening its own position, for example in a closed position where both players wait for the other to commit. In Japanese professional games a sennichite is replayed with Black and White switched. Most games, though, end by resignation long before a repetition.
FAQ
Is threefold repetition a draw in shogi?
No. Shogi requires the same position four times, with the same pieces in hand and the same side to move. Until the fourth occurrence the game continues.
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
Learn it by playing
20 interactive lessons, 10,000 tsume puzzles and eight AI rivals — and every game you play is reviewed in plain English, with terms like “repetition draw” explained when they happen on your board.
Free on iPhone & Android. Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Privacy