Shogi 24 October 2016
Shogi Rules – How to Play Shogi – : Step 1-7 Oute (Check)
Explore art of Shogi. A professional Shogi player invites you to the world of Shogi along with traditional Japanese culture.
“Shogi Rules – How to Play Shogi –” is available on the blog of I-tsu-tsu Co., Ltd.
Even a novice player will be able to play a standard Shogi. There are three steps and one step has approximately 20 lessons. You will be able to play Mini Shogi in Step 1, and it is full of fun!
The previous step
Step 1-7: “Oute (Check)”
Today, we are going to learn how to capture Gyoku (King).
Ms.Akiko: How can you win in Shogi?
Ayumi: Well, I win when I capture the opponent’s Gyoku (King) before he/she does.
Ms.Akiko: Yes, you are right! Well-done.
The point here is that you capture the opponent’s Gyoku (King) “before” he/she does.
When your Gyoku (King) is captured, you need to say, “I have lost” even though you feel sad. The game of Shogi is terminated with this phrase, “I have lost.”
So, what is the condition of Oute? Look at the picture below.
Ms. Akiko: Gyoku (King) is placed in the square where Fu (Pawn)can move. What would you do if this is your Fu (Pawn), Kaori?
Kaori: I will capture the Gyoku (King)!
Ms.Akiko: Yes, you’re right.
It is called “Oute” to notify the opponent that his Gyoku (King) will be captured in the next move. Kaori and Ayumi, you try “Oute” with various pieces to myGyoku (King).
I check with Gin (Silver)!
I check with Kin (Gold)!
Both of you did well. I often see children say, “Oute!” in a loud voice, but actually you do not need to say it loud. So, please do not get angry even if your opponent does not say it loud since that is not violation of manners.
Comments from the girls’ mother
My girls learnt how to win or lose in Shogi today. Yes, Shogi is the game to capture Gyoku (King). Girls were so busy learning the piece moves that they seemed to have forgotten the final goal. There are so many pieces in Shogi and thus they move so many of them. It must be such a happy moment when they, for the first time, Oute and win a game after moving so many pieces. I am looking forward to that moment.
The next step
この記事の執筆者Akiko Nakakura
I-tsu-tsu Co. Ltd. President, lady's professional shogi player. After winning successive victories in the female amateur master’s tournament in 1991 and 1992, she made her debut as a professional shogi player in her third (last) year in high school. She retired from professional shogi play after a 21-year career in March 2015, and currently involved in activities to spread the game of shogi among children.
