Space shogi

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title: "Space shogi" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["board-games-introduced-in-1987", "abstract-strategy-games", "shogi-variants", "three-dimensional-board-games"] description: "9x9x9 variant of Japanese chess" topic_path: "general/board-games-introduced-in-1987" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_shogi" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 9x9x9 variant of Japanese chess ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Space_Shogi_gameboard.png" caption="Space Shogi 3D gamespace"] ::

Space shogi is a three-dimensional shogi variant invented by George R. Dekle Sr. in 1987. The gamespace comprises nine 9×9 shogi boards stacked vertically. Each player controls a standard set of shogi pieces.

Space shogi was included in World Game Review No. 10 edited by Michael Keller.

Game rules

Space shogi follows standard shogi conventions, including the same types and numbers of pieces, and a similar initial setup. All the normal shogi rules apply, including drops, promotion, check, checkmate, and impasse. Space shogi, however, gives the pieces freedom of three-dimensional movement.

Starting setup

Black starts the game occupying levels 1 through 3; White starts on levels 9 through 7. |align = left |image1 = Space Shogi init config - level 1.png |width1 = 218 |caption1 = Black's level 1 (and White's level 9, rank a) starting setup. Unlike standard shogi, the silver is placed between the lance and the knight (8i and 2i in the diagram). |image2 = Space Shogi init config - level 2.png |width2 = 218 |caption2 = Black's level 2 (and White's level 8, rank b) starting setup. The bishop and rook occupy the same positions as in standard shogi. |image3 = Space Shogi init config - level 3.png |width3 = 218 |caption3 = Black's level 3 (and White's level 7, rank c) starting setup. The pawns fill the same rank as in standard shogi.

References

Bibliography

• {{cite book | last = Pritchard | first = D. B. | authorlink = David Pritchard (chess player) | title = The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants | publisher = Games & Puzzles Publications | year = 1994 | isbn = 0-9524142-0-1
• {{cite book | last = Pritchard | first = D. B. | authorlink = David Pritchard (chess player) | editor-last = Beasley | editor-first = John | title = The Classified Encyclopedia of Chess Variants | publisher = John Beasley | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-0-9555168-0-1

References

1. (June 1991). "A Panorama of Chess Variants". Michael Keller.

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