Hasami Shogi Strategy: 5 Tips

Hasami Shogi is about lines of sight. Rules first? See how to play.

1. Move in connected groups

Pieces side by side cannot be sandwiched along that row. Advance as a wall or in pairs; a lone piece in the middle is a target from four directions.

2. The empty square behind

For each of your pieces, look at every enemy adjacent to it: if the square on the opposite side is empty and reachable by an enemy rook move, you are about to lose it.

3. Capture from afar

Your pieces move any distance, so a capture can be set up from across the board. Look for enemy lines that already have one of your pieces at one end.

4. Corners and edges

A piece on the edge can only be attacked along the edge; in a corner it falls to two attackers. Use edges to anchor your groups, but don't park pieces in corners.

5. Count to five

With a lead, simplify and avoid risks: every exchange brings you closer to five. Behind, keep the position closed and look for a double capture.

The hard computer searches three plies with capture-ordered moves, counting captures made and threatened; normal two; easy takes any capture on offer.

Last updated 2026-10-21