How Long Are Shogi Matches?

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Shogi (将棋), also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game that is similar to chess but has different rules.

The object of the game is to capture the opponent’s king, which can be done by either capturing it with a piece or trapping it so that it cannot move.

How Long Are Shogi Matches?
How long are Shogi matches?

Matches typically last around 30-60 minutes, but they can last much longer if both players are playing very cautiously.

In rare cases, matches have lasted for over 10 hours.

Let’s take a closer look at why shogi takes so long.

What Is Shogi?

Shogi, also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player board game that has been around for centuries.

It is thought to have originated in China and later spread to Japan, where it gained popularity and became known as shogi.

Shogi match length
Shogi match time

Today, shogi is one of the most popular board games in Japan and is played by people of all ages.

Shogi is played on a grid of nine rows and nine columns, with each player having 20 pieces of different kinds.

Key Takeaway – The objective of the game is to capture the opponent’s king or to put them in a position where they cannot make any more moves.

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How Long Are Shogi Matches?

There is no set time limit for shogi matches, and the length of a game can vary depending on the players’ styles. However, most games tend to last between 30 and 2 hours.

If both players are experienced and familiar with the game, it is not uncommon for matches to last over 10 hours.

Ultimately, the length of a shogi match is up to the players themselves and can be decided before the game begins.

Shogi matches can take a long time for several reasons:

  • First, each player has a lot of pieces to move around, and there are many possible moves at any given time.
  • Second, the game is played on a large board, so it can take a while for players to make their way across the board.
  • Third, shogi is a very strategic game, so players often take their time thinking about their next moves.
  • Finally, shogi matches are usually played without a clock, so there is no pressure for players to make their moves quickly. All of these factors can contribute to shogi matches taking a long time.

However, the length of a match can also be affected by the skill level of the players.

Generally – More experienced players are able to make their moves more quickly, and they are also less likely to make mistakes that could prolong the game.

Is Shogi Longer than Chess?

While it is difficult to make a direct comparison between shogi and chess, as the two games have different rules and structures, it is generally agreed that shogi is a longer game than chess.

This is due to the fact that shogi has more pieces on the board, as well as more possible moves that can be made.

Playing shogi Japanese tabletop game
Playing shogi

As a result, shogi games tend to last longer and be more complex than chess games.

While both shogi and chess are complex strategy games that can take a long time to master, it is clear that shogi is the longer of the two.

So if you’re looking for a game that will really test your strategic skills, shogi is the way to go!

Can You Resign in Shogi?

Even if a player has been mated (has no legal moves remaining), the game isn’t over until that person resigns. In other words, a player can keep the game going indefinitely, even if they’re about to lose.

While it may seem like a pointless exercise, there are actually several reasons why a player might want to do this.

For one, it could be used as a stalling tactic to allow their opponent to make a mistake.

Shogi Japanese game
Shogi Japanese traditional game

Additionally, it could be used to make the game last longer so that other players in a tournament have less time to rest and prepare for their next match.

Whatever the Reason – It’s important to remember that resigning is always an option in shogi – even if it doesn’t seem like it makes much sense.

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Conclusion

How Long Are Shogi Matches?

There is no set time limit for a shogi match, and the length of the match will depend on the skill level of the players and the type of game being played.

In general, however, most games tend to last between 30 and 2 hours. In general, the average game length is about 1 hour.

However, there are some games that can last much longer, such as when both players are very experienced and know how to play a long game.

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