More English information about Shogi than you'll find anywhere else.

News

ShogiUSA: An American voice in the shogi world - 4/30/2011
A new shogi organization in the United States has just been launched: ShogiUSA. ShogiUSA is an organization founded to address the needs of shogi players in the United States. By providing a place for American shogi players can come together to discuss and play shogi, as well as check up on the latest American shogi events and tournaments, and promoting shogi to potential new players, ShogiUSA aims to create a strong base for shogi in the United States.

For more information, visit ShogiUSA's Website.

-hirohiigo
Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan - 3/14/2011
On March 11, the Touhoku region of Japan was struck by an 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake, triggering a 10 meter high tsunami that has been wreaking havoc on the country. With thousands dead and injured, and millions without power, food, or water, Japan is in a dire state and will need all the help it can get to recover.

The 81-Square Universe is completely dedicated to supporting the relief efforts in Japan, and members have been making contributions to charity organizations such as the Red Cross. We sincerely ask that everyone who has at least $10 or ¥1,000 to spare makes a donation to a charity organization. Every dollar will positively benefit the Japan disaster relief.

Many of our close friends and members of the shogi community live in Japan, and their homes need all the help they can get right now.

Donation links:

[Google] 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

[American Red Cross] Donation Funds

We are all wishing well and praying for everyone in Japan. Stay safe.

-hirohiigo
Teaching games with Madoka Kitao - 3/7/2011
Ladies Professional player Madoka Kitao, Ladies Shodan, will be playing teaching games with amateur players on 81 Dojo on April 3, 2011, at 06:00 UTC. Ms. Kitao and Hidetchi will also be organizing a Ustream broadcast of the games together. You can apply to participate in this thread on the forums: Teaching Game Event by Woman Pro. Madoka KITAO.

We are very excited to have Ms. Kitao participate on 81 Dojo!

-hirohiigo




What is Shogi?

Shogi, sometimes called Japanese Chess, is a strategy board game invented and played in Japan. It is played between two players on a 9x9, or 81 squared, board with 20 pieces, 8 different types of pieces, per player. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king before he or she does the same to yours. In shogi, pieces that have been captured can be dropped, or put back into play, so the board rarely ever becomes empty like it does in chess.

If you are interested in learning more about Shogi, please visit our Shogi Information section to learn more about the game.

Support the 81-Square Universe!

Despite the fact that all the features on The 81-Square Universe forums and Shogipedia are free to use, it costs money to maintain the website, and with all the plans we have in store for the site, it'll be even more costly. Donating to The 81-Square Universe will allow us to keep going even when the webmasters aren't able to afford it themselves. Learn more.