In shogi, a handicap game (駒落戦 koma ochisen) is a game setup used between players of disparate strengths, in which one or more pieces are removed from the stronger player's side. (Note that the missing pieces are not available for drops and play no further part in the game.)
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In Japanese, the higher ranked player is called 上手 uwate "handicap giver" while the lower player is 下手 shitate "handicap taker." These terms are usually translated in English simply as White and Black, respectively just like the way 先手 sente and 後手 gote are translated as White and Black, respectively.
The imbalance created by this method of handicapping is not as strong as it is in western chess because material advantage is not as powerful in shogi.
An even game, that is a non-handicap game, is known as 平手 hirate in Japanese.
In comparison with western chess, the attitude toward handicaps in shogi is quite different. Since shogi is arguably better suited for handicap play as captured pieces exchange sides, there is a strong tradition within shogi pedagogy for learning strategies appropriate to handicap games. Thus, most handicap games have been researched in detail and have developed traditional josekis. Additionally, there are systems for determining what is the appropriate level of handicap to give players based on either the formal rank and/or skill level. (See § Handicaps and player rank below for the official system used by the Japan Shogi Association.) In traditional shogi instruction, handicap games are still commonly used developing skills for amateur players – particularly in determining how to balance defense and offensive (since the attacking power is greater as the handicap increases). Additionally, handicap games are also traditionally played between top ranked professional players and lower ranked professional players. Historically, handicap games were even played between top level professionals. For example, a Lance Handicap game between Kōzō Masuda and Meijin Yasuharu Ōyama for the 1956 Osho title is famous. According the rules at the time (since changed), Masuda was required to give Ōyama the handicap since he had won the previous three even games. Nowadays, handicaps between 4-dan and above professionals are uncommon as shogi tournament practice has become more standardized. Most current handicaps between professionals are now Lance handicaps.
Rules
In handicap games, the stronger player (White/uwate) always has the first move except for the sente handicap.
If a jishogi (持将棋 jishōgi "impasse") occurs in a handicap game, the removed pieces are counted towards White's total.
In book diagrams, the White player is always shown as the top player even though White has first move. (Usually book diagrams show the 先手 sente player with first move at the bottom of the board.)
In western shogi notation, the first pair of moves is shown with the shitate player's move replaced by an ellipsis. For example: 1. ... G-4b, 2. P-7f G-7b.
Types of handicap games
In even games, which player has the first move is always determined by a pawn toss (振り駒 furigoma).
Therefore, the first handicap given to the lower-ranked player is for that player to always have first move as Black (先手 sente) instead of using a pawn toss. The reason for this is that there is a very slight statistical advantage for the Black player in professional games.
All further handicaps involve removing one or more pieces from the uwate player. Handicaps, in increasing order of severity, include the following:
Handicaps greater than 6-Piece are typically used when teaching the game to new players. The standard handicap games 8-Piece and less have josekis associated with them.
The 3-Piece and 5-Piece handicaps are not commonly used. Although the 5-Piece is uncommon, according to Kaufman, many professionals feel that the 5-Piece is useful as there is a very large difference between 4-Piece and 6-Piece handicaps. However, Kaufman thinks the difference 2-Piece and 4-Piece is not so large as to make the 3-Piece useful.
The Right Lance handicap became obsolete officially since 1910.
The Silver handicaps are unofficial handicaps designed to be a little larger than the distance between and even game and a Lance handicap. The strategy used in these games is often quite similar to even games.
The Dragonfly handicaps can be found in some mobile apps and online playing sites (such as 81dojo).
Handicaps and player rank
The relationship between handicaps and differences in rank is not universally agreed upon, with several systems in use. The system used by the Japan Shogi Association at its headquarters in Tokyo the Shogi Kaikan is as follows: