SHOGI (JAPANESE CHESS) PLASTIC TOURNAMENT PIECES & VINYL MAT with NOTATION (M44)

Description

SHOGI (JAPANESE CHESS)
Durable Tournament Style Plastic Pieces
Durable, Annotated Vinyl Mat (12 inches wide)
THE CHESS OF JAPAN
For many centuries, Japan has cultivated its own chess tradition, borrowing from the major chess forms of Asia, but evolving into aesthetically rich and novel games seen nowhere else in the world. The standard Japanese chess, shogi (pronounced with a hard ‘g’ as in geese), is played on a compact surface of 9 x 9 rectangles, with pointed tile pieces which can flip over, to show a promoted value.
The truly unique aspect of shogi is the continued play of captured pieces. Notice how pieces are all the same color, but pointing in opposite directions. After capture, a piece may be placed back on the board, in service of its captor. This creates a game that never simplifies, with all 40 pieces in play (on or off the board) for the entire game. Add that to the fact that players have to watch for the opponent to “drop” a piece into play at any time – and you have one of the most dynamic strategy games ever invented!
THE PIECES
The pieces are made of smooth, solid plastic, with the kanji characters engraved and printed in black ink.
Size: the largest piece, the King, is approximately 1 3/16 inch (32 mm) long. Its base is about 1  inch wide.
Note that most pieces have a different character on the flip-side (see pictures), which indicates the move of the piece once it is promoted. Both sides are in black ink.
Full instructions are included.
THE PLAYING MAT
The playing mat is made of high quality, durable vinyl, similar to many of the playing mats used in typical chess tournaments. It is washable and with basic care will last for many years.
Size: The mat measures approximately 13 by 12 inches, with playing “squares” 1 7/16 inches long.
The mat has markings for annotation. Because several different traditions of annotation are currently in use, this mat has all three conventions indicating the rows: Chinese (kanji) numerals, Western numerals, and Western letters. With this versatile mat, it is easy to follow any sort of shogi guide!
SHOGI RULES INCLUDED
Official rules of play are included, with clear English descriptions and instructive illustrations.
SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. by USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days).
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (see rate posted) USPS Priority Mail International (delivery times vary).
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS MAY APPLY – Buyer must pay any customs or tariffs charged by destination country (VAT in Europe, etc.).