1.
shogi, Japanese chess
A traditional Japanese strategy board game similar to chess, played on a 9×9 board with 20 pieces per player.
将棋を指すのが趣味です。
Playing shogi is my hobby.
将棋を指す is the correct verb collocation
祖父に将棋を教えてもらった。
My grandfather taught me how to play shogi.
将棋のプロ棋士になるのは難しい。
It's difficult to become a professional shogi player.
棋士 = shogi professional
将棋は取った駒を自分の駒として使えるのが特徴だ。
A distinctive feature of shogi is that you can use captured pieces as your own.
子供の頃から将棋を始めて、今では地元の大会に出るほどの腕前になった。
I started playing shogi as a child, and now I'm skilled enough to compete in local tournaments.
CULTURAL NOTE:
Shogi is often called "Japanese chess" but differs significantly from Western chess. A unique feature is that captured pieces can be returned to the board as your own pieces.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 将棋を指す (to play shogi) - NOT 将棋をする
- 将棋盤 (shogi board)
- 将棋の駒 (shogi pieces)
- 将棋棋士 (professional shogi player)
- 将棋道場 (shogi training hall)
SIMILAR GAMES:
- 囲碁 - Go (another traditional Japanese board game)
- チェス - chess (Western chess)
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