“The game in its present form was played as early as the 16th century”

  Japanese form of Chess, the history of which is also obscure (nebulous). Traditionally it is thought to have originated in India and to have been transmitted to Japan via China and Korea. Shogi like traditional Chess is played on a squared board with pieces of varying powers, and the object is checkmate of the opposing King. It is played on a square board of 9 x 9 or, 81 cells with pieces of differing powers.

  Two distinctive features, however, differentiate Shogi from European Chess:  1. Captured pieces are not dead but may be pointed in the opposite direction and replayed as part of your own or your opponents forces.  2. The minor pieces (Japanese Pawns) capture one cell straight ahead.

  Each player has 20 pieces, which oppose each other on a board composed of 9 horizontal and 9 vertical rows. There are 9 minor pieces (Fu), a RO (Hisha), a BS (Kaku), one King (Osho), 2 Gold Generals (Kinsho), 2 Silver Generals (Ginsho), 2 JKs (Keima), and 2 Lance (Kyosha).

  The pieces vary in power of movement, roughly (and I mean very roughly) corresponding to those of western Chess. Bishop and Rook oppose each other diagonally. The traditional Japanese pieces are flat, blunt, and taper slightly toward the front. Each bear Japanese identifying characters. All pieces except the King and gold Generals may be promoted on entering the last 3 ranks of enemy territory.

  The promoted rank of each major piece is marked on the reverse, most become Gold Generals (JGs). Captured pieces are held at reserve bases until they are needed on the field again. They retain their original rank and may be reentered on any unoccupied cell. If entered within your opponents territory, they qualify for promotion on making their first move.