Shogi

Shogi is a popular board game that is very similar to chess. It is a tactical game favored by the more scholarly citizens and his considered a pursuit worthy of a samurai.

Equipment
The board consists of 81 squares arranged on a 9x9 grid. Each player controls 19 pieces that consist of 10 different ranks. Many of those pieces are double sided, with one side representing their "regular" value and the opposite representing their "promoted" value. The pieces are made of simple wood with their values carved into them. They are colored to indicate the two sides.

Playing Pieces
The pieces are named, and move and capture as follows, with the starting number indicated in parenthesis:

King (1) - Moves one square in any direction Rook (1) - Moves forward or sideways as far as the player wishes Bishop (1) - moves diagonally as far as the player wishes Gold General (2) - move one square in any direction except diagonally backward Silver General (2) - move one square forward or diagonally. Promotes to Gold General. Knight (2) - moves two spaces forward or backward then one space to the side. It is the only piece that can move over other pieces. Promotes to Gold General. Lancer (2) - move forward any number of squares. Promotes to Silver General. Pawn (9) - moves forward a single square. Promotes to Lancer

Objective
As with chess, the objective is to capture the other player's King piece.

Versions
Originally there were countless different rules that described how pieces moved and special situations or events that could take place. 200 years ago, Akodo Soko drew up the "official" rules that is considered the standard of play in most regions.

Grand Master
The grand master of Shogi earns the title soko-meijin and honorary fealty to the Lion Clan in honor of Akodo Soko's work. A new soko-meijin is determined when the current one turns forty years old in a grand tournament fashion. The current soko-meijin is Akodo Kuemon.