X-Git-Url: http://winboard.nl/cgi-bin?p=gnushogi.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Fgnushogi_11.html;h=4b0b2e57100afb6996ef83170acc18300eb281bd;hp=7b8cb17110371fe3f8989782d4596b594dd831a2;hb=1aca00e04580e7b3effefa535edb469876ecce74;hpb=8ae7e7d1b257ef36d8a9fd1cd88807954ef10764 diff --git a/doc/gnushogi_11.html b/doc/gnushogi_11.html index 7b8cb17..4b0b2e5 100644 --- a/doc/gnushogi_11.html +++ b/doc/gnushogi_11.html @@ -1,126 +1,64 @@ + + + - +GNU Shogi manual: Winning the game -GNU Shogi manual - Handicaps - - - [Contents]   [Back]   [Prev]   [Up]   [Next]   [Forward]  

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Handicaps

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-Unlike international chess, shogi has a well-established handicap system -which is used when players of different strengths play against each -other. Handicaps range from small to huge, which makes it possible for -weak players to play against even very strong players and have an even -chance of winning. - - -

-Shogi players are ranked as follows: the weakest rank is around 15 -"kyu", which represents a beginner. 14 kyu is higher than 15 kyu, 13 -kyu is higher still, and so on until you get to 1 kyu. The next highest -rank is 1 "dan", followed by 2 dan, 3 dan and so forth. The highest -amateur rank is 6 dan; professionals go up to 9 dan. However, -professional ranks are not the same as amateur ranks; a professional 1 -dan is much stronger than an amateur 1 dan. This system is -similar to that used by go players (and also other Japanese sports such -as karate). - - -

-A handicap consists of the stronger player playing White and removing -one or more pieces from his side of the board at the start of the game. -These pieces are permanently removed from play; they are not in hand. - - -

-The following is a list of the accepted handicaps, from weakest to -strongest. The degree of the handicap, represented by the position in -the list, represents the difference in rank between the two players for -which the handicap is appropriate. These rules are taken from the books -"Shogi for Beginners" by John Fairbairn and "The Art of Shogi" by -Tony Hoskings (see section References and links) and, I believe, represent -current Japanese practice. - - - -

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  1. - -The stronger player removes his left lance (on 1a). - -
  2. - -The players play a two-game match; in the first game the stronger player -removes his left lance (on 1a), while in the second game he removes his -bishop. - -
  3. - -The stronger player removes his bishop. - -
  4. - -The stronger player removes his rook. - -
  5. - -The stronger player removes his rook and left lance. - -
  6. - -The players play a two-game match; in the first game the stronger player -removes his rook and left lance (on 1a), while in the second game he -removes his rook and bishop. - -
  7. - -The stronger player removes his rook and bishop. This is usually called -a "two-piece" handicap. - -
  8. - -The stronger player removes his rook, bishop, and both lances. This is -called a "four-piece" handicap. - -
  9. - -The stronger player removes his rook, bishop, both lances, and both -knights. This is called a "six-piece" handicap. - -
  10. - -The stronger player removes his rook, bishop, both lances, both knights, -and both silvers. This is called an "eight-piece" handicap. - -
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-Another advantage of playing handicap games is that the handicaps alter -the optimal strategy for both players. For instance, handicaps all have -their own opening lines which may bear little or no resemblance to those -used in non-handicap shogi. This means that when learning handicap -shogi, you are essentially learning completely new games which use the -same equipment! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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2.1.5 Winning the game

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-The reader may wonder how on earth a player giving an eight-piece -handicap, say, could possibly hope to win. Don't forget, though, that -in shogi the opponent's pieces can be captured and then become part of -one's own army. Thus, if the opponent plays badly enough, the number of -pieces will soon even out. - -

- [Contents]   [Back]   [Prev]   [Up]   [Next]   [Forward]   +A game of shogi is won by capturing the opponent's king. In general, +this is done by checkmating the king: attacking the king in such a way +that the king cannot be defended no matter what the defending player +moves. Note, though, that there is no rule that requires a player to +defend a king which is being attacked. However, if he does not defend +his king, the opponent is entirely free to capture it on the next move, +thus winning the game. As in international chess, in practice most +games end by resignation when one player realizes that he cannot escape +checkmate. +

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+ +This document was generated +by Michael C. Vanier on July, 7 2004 +using texi2html