Chu Shogi

About this board game

Chu Shogi is a two-player Japanese chess game played on a 12×12 board, with an expected play time of 120 minutes. First released in 1300, it is a cousin of FIDE Chess and an ancestor of Modern Shogi.

Each player commands 46 pieces, making Chu Shogi much larger than Chess and Shogi. The objective is to capture the opposing King. If a player has promoted their Drunk Elephant, the Crown Prince must also be captured.

Unlike Modern Shogi, Chu Shogi is played without drops. Its large battlefield and extensive armies create a distinctive experience built around an unusually broad collection of named pieces.

• 12×12 board: a spacious playing area for the game’s substantial armies.
• 46 pieces per player: a much larger force than in Chess or Modern Shogi.
• Colorful piece roster: includes the Drunk Elephant, Phoenix, Kylin, Free Boar, and Flying Ox.
• The Lion: an incredibly powerful piece that stands out among Chu Shogi’s many units.
• No drops: unlike Modern Shogi, captured pieces are not dropped back into play.

With its historical connection to Modern Shogi, expansive board, and memorable pieces, Chu Shogi offers a particularly large-scale take on Japanese chess. It is a two-player game for those drawn to unusual armies, distinctive terminology, and the challenge of pursuing the King—and, when applicable, the Crown Prince.