Shogi, or Japanese Chess, is played on a 9×9 board. Your goal is to checkmate the opponent's King so it cannot escape capture.
King (王/玉) — moves one square in any direction.
Rook (飛) — slides any distance horizontally or vertically.
Bishop (角) — slides any distance diagonally.
Gold General (金) — steps one square forward, sideways, or backward (not backward-diagonally).
Silver General (銀) — steps one square forward or diagonally (not sideways or straight backward).
Knight (桂) — jumps two squares forward and one to the side (like a chess knight, but forward only).
Lance (香) — slides any number of squares straight forward.
Pawn (歩) — moves one square straight forward.
Captured pieces switch sides and go into your hand. On your turn, instead of moving a board piece, you may drop a hand piece onto any empty square (with restrictions: no two unpromoted pawns on the same file, and pieces must be able to move after being placed).
When a piece enters, exits, or moves within the last three ranks (the promotion zone), it may promote. Promoted Rook and Bishop gain extra King-like steps; all other promoted pieces move like a Gold General. Promotion is mandatory when the piece would have no legal move otherwise.
Win by checkmate: the opponent's King is under attack and has no legal move, block, or drop to escape.
Pieces in hand are powerful because they can appear anywhere. Protect your King with Gold and Silver Generals. Open lines for your Rook and Bishop early. Don't forget: you cannot drop a pawn to deliver checkmate, and you cannot have two of your unpromoted pawns on the same file.