How each piece moves

Moves exactly like a chess king.

One square in any direction. Lose your king and the game ends immediately — everything else on the board exists to protect it or attack the other one.

Moves exactly like a chess rook.

Any number of squares horizontally or vertically, as far as the board or another piece allows. One of the two strongest pieces in the game.

Moves exactly like a chess bishop.

Any number of squares diagonally, as far as the board or another piece allows. Dangerous on open diagonals, easily shut out by pawns.

No chess equivalent.

One square forward, sideways, or straight back — six squares in total. It cannot move diagonally backward, which is the one gap defenders learn to attack. Gold never promotes; it's already at its strongest.

No chess equivalent.

One square forward or diagonally in any direction — five squares in total. It cannot move sideways or straight back, so it slips forward and retreats on the diagonal instead.

Jumps like a chess knight, but only two squares — forward-left or forward-right.

The only piece that can jump over others, but it has just two possible moves and can never retreat. Easy to trap, but excellent for surprise attacks near the enemy king.

Like a rook that can only move straight forward.

Any number of squares straight ahead, and nothing else — no sideways, no backward. Powerful down an open file, but useless once passed.

Like a chess pawn, but simpler: it captures the same way it moves, and never gets a two-square first move.

One square straight ahead, capturing included. Slow individually, but shogi pawns come back to life — captured pawns can be dropped back onto the board by whoever captured them.