Lesson 7 of 20 · Tactics · 6 min

Piece Values and Trades

Knowing what each piece is worth tells you which trades to accept, and in shogi every trade also adds a piece to your opponent's hand.

Judge trades with rough values from pawn (1) to rook (10).
Capture with your cheapest piece so a recapture costs you less.
Remember that every piece you lose becomes your opponent's drop.

A rough guide to piece values: pawn 1, lance 3, knight 4, silver 5, gold 6, bishop 8, rook 10. Promoted pieces are worth more; a dragon or horse is the strongest piece on the board.

These numbers are only a guide. Near the end of the game, speed matters more than material: a piece that helps mate the king is worth more than a rook far away.

🔒 2 more cards and 2 more practice positions continue in the app.

Try the first practice

Opponentno pieces in hand

Youno pieces in hand

Practice 1 of 1

You can capture a rook or a gold. Take the more valuable piece.

Remember: Know the rough values, capture the biggest piece you safely can, and use your cheapest piece to capture. Remember that every piece you lose becomes your opponent's drop.