From: Phil Holland HOLLANDNUMERICS DEMON CO UK> Date: 23 sep 2002 Subject: Re: Another request for rules clarification Lawrence, The rules about piece drops are explicit that all pieces are dropped in their unpromoted state, and must be able, from the position where they have been dropped, to make a legal move at some time later in the game. Therefore pawns, knights and lances cannot be dropped in the last row, and knights also cannot be dropped in the row next to the last row. Promotion is optional in Shogi when pieces are moved (not dropped!) partly or completely in their promotion zone. If at the end of a move a piece will never be able to make a further legal move, then promotion is compulsory, i.e. pawns, knights and lances on the last row, and knights on the row next to the last row. My web site has detailed rules for 3 Shogi Variants (Shogi, Tori-Shogi and Mini-Shogi) at: www.hollandnumerics.demon.co.uk/SHOGIRULE.HTM www.hollandnumerics.demon.co.uk/TORIRULE.HTM www.hollandnumerics.demon.co.uk/MINIRULE.HTM HTH.......Phil Holland In message , T. Lawrence Pitts ORO NET> writes >Here's a question: suppose I drop a pawn [on a file without any other >pawn of mine, of course] on the last rank of the board... I understand >that it *has to* promote, since otherwise it would not have any legal >moves available to it. The " Shogi Rules" that came with my set say "At >the end of any move beginning or ending in the enemy camp a piece may >promote." Well, when I place the pawn on that last rank, doesn't that >count as a move "ending in the enemy camp"?? So, can the pawn promote >there and then, or does it actually have to make a move in order to be >promoted? ... > >The same question applies to the lance, of course, or a knight entering >the last two ranks. Without promotion, they would have no legal moves >on any subsequent turn. > >In my prior question I thought I had it all "squared away," but when I >started playing, I realized that the actual moment of promotion changes >the pattern of attack/defense and it's critical to know if, in these >three situations of "mandatory promotion", the piece is promoted when >placed rather than when next moved. > >Some of the rules I've read seem to be concerned only with how the >pieces move... and if that were the only consideration, then it >wouldn't matter whether a piece was promoted or not until it did move. >But, from the point of view of how the patterns of attack and defense >change, it makes a big difference if the promotion is "forced" as it is >placed. > >Sorry if I seem unusually dense about this... I sure appreciate your >patience with a "newbie". > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.391 / Virus Database: 222 - Release Date: 9/19/2002 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Phil Holland Postal Shogi League 94 Green Drift, Royston, Herts SG8 5BT, UK mobile: +44-(0)7714-279085 email : bcs org uk> URL : http://www.hollandnumerics.demon.co.uk/SHOGI.HTM ----------------------------------------------------------------