From: Nobuyoshi Fujimoto <Nobuyoshi_Fujimoto <at> QMGATE <dot> ARC <dot> NASA <dot> GOV>
Date: 30 oct 1995
Subject: Re: Stalemate in shogi

        Reply to:   RE>Stalemate in shogi

Mr. Kawada wrote
>I saw at least the rule book does not cover the position shown above,
>though, I believe it should not appear in our games.  But I hope the rule
>for 'stalemate' would be made up, because the 'stalemate' position may
>happen theoretically' and I am not satisfied with the rulebook which does
>not cover all possible positions in shogi.

My opinion is slightly different.
In the real Shogi game, the proposed position will never occur.
Therefore, I believe we need not define such 'stale mate' case in the
Shogi rule book. (I do not know there is the 'official shogi rule book'. )
If it should not appear in our games, why do you think the 'stale mate rule'
will be required in Shogi?
At least, Shogi rule says that player cannot pass his move.
I think this rule means if the player has no next move, he will lose the game.

Of course this kind of theoretically' or even 'artificial'
position might be used in some fairy Tume Shogi.
But fairy game rule should define case by case.