Start Here — Learn Shogi Step by Step

April 22, 2026

Welcome to 51shogi.org — a guide to shogi (Japanese chess) for English and Japanese readers alike. Whether you are picking up the pieces for the first time or you already play and want to get stronger, there is a path here for you: clear step-by-step lessons for beginners, and a growing track of strategy, joseki, tesuji, and endgame guides for improving players.

日本語と英語の両対応 ／ A bilingual (EN & 日本語) shogi site — from the basics to the middlegame and endgame.

Follow the lessons in order for the best experience, or jump to any topic using the index below.

Where to Begin

New to shogi? Start with Lesson 1 and work through the series in order. Each lesson builds on the previous one.

Complete Lesson Index

Part 1 — Foundations

  1. About This Blog — What You Will Learn Here
  2. Shogi vs Chess — Key Differences
  3. Shogi Pieces Explained — How Each Piece Moves
  4. How to Set Up a Shogi Board
  5. Complete Shogi Rules for Beginners

Part 2 — Castles & Defense

  1. Shogi Castles Overview
  2. 06-1. Mino Castle — Build It in 5 Moves
  3. 06-2. Yagura Castle — Classic Strong Defense
  4. 06-3. Anaguma Castle — The Strongest Defense
  5. 06-4. Silver Crown — Mino Upgrade
  6. 06-5. High Mino
  7. 06-6. Boat Castle
  8. 06-7. Left Mino
  9. 06-8. Central House

Part 3 — Opening Strategy

  1. Static Rook vs Ranging Rook

Part 4 — Tactics & Puzzles

  1. Tsume Shogi for Beginners
  2. Mate in 1: Head Gold Checkmate

Part 5 — Advanced Beginner

  1. Shogi Piece Promotion
  2. Fourth File Rook Opening
  3. 10 Common Beginner Mistakes
  4. Shogi Glossary — 60 Terms
  5. How to Improve at Shogi
  6. Basic Shogi Tactics

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you have played chess before, Lesson 02 (Shogi vs Chess) is a great orientation — it explains the key differences in under 10 minutes.

If you are completely new to all strategy games, start at Lesson 01 and read through the lessons in order. The whole beginner course takes around 3–4 hours to read, and you can start playing real games after completing Part 1.

Try Shogi Yourself

The best way to learn shogi is to play it. Move the pieces freely on the board below — click a piece, then click where you want it to go. When you’re ready, try the one-move checkmate puzzle underneath.

One-Move Checkmate — 1手詰

Sente (☗, the bottom side) is to move. You have a gold in hand. Drop it to checkmate the gote king in a single move — the classic “head gold” (atama-kin).

For Improving Players — Intermediate Track

Already know the basics? These guides go deeper, for players who want to get stronger. Each is available in English and 日本語.

Copied title and URL