Section 2: Special Moves

・ Shogi has special rules like piece promotion and captured pieces that make it different from other board games. These rules add depth and tactical complexity to the game.

・ Understanding these special rules is essential for playing shogi effectively. They significantly impact strategy and can completely change the course of a game.

・ Let's learn these special rules step by step, starting with the most fundamental concepts.

・ Promotable pieces may promote when a move enters, leaves, or stays within the promotion zone (the farthest 3 ranks). Promotion greatly enhances the piece's movement capabilities.

・ You can freely choose whether to promote or not. However, Pawns and Lances must promote on the last rank, and Knights must promote on the last two ranks.

・ Generally, promoting is advantageous, but sometimes it's better not to promote. For example, when you want to utilize a Knight's special jumping movement.

・ Promoted pieces list: Pawn→Tokin, Lance→Promoted Lance, Knight→Promoted Knight, Silver→Promoted Silver (all move like Gold General), Rook→Dragon King, Bishop→Dragon Horse.

・ The power increase from promotion is very significant. Especially the Pawn's Tokin works 'equal to a Gold' so actively aim for promotion attacks.

・ When you capture an opponent's piece, that piece becomes your 'captured piece' and comes to your side. This is shogi's greatest feature and a unique system not found in other board games.

・ Captured pieces can be 'dropped' on any empty square on your turn. This is called 'dropping a piece'.

・ Captured pieces are extremely powerful tactical weapons. They demonstrate great power in various situations like attacking the King, strengthening defense, and blocking opponent attacks.

・ The timing of when to drop captured pieces can determine victory or defeat. Don't rush to drop them; judge the most effective timing.

・ When dropping captured pieces, they are dropped in their original form, not promoted. For example, even if you capture a Dragon King, it's dropped as a Rook.

・ Two Pawn Rule: You cannot place two or more of your own Pawns in the same file (vertical column). This is an important rule when dropping Pawns.

・ Drop Pawn Mate Rule: You cannot create checkmate by dropping a Pawn directly. However, advancing a Pawn already on the board to create mate is fine.

・ No Immobile Drops: Pawns, Lances, and Knights cannot be dropped in positions where they cannot move afterward. For example, you cannot drop a Pawn on the furthest row.