Shougi Meijin
Getting to Know Shougi Meijin
Shougi Meijin is a digital version of the classic Japanese board game shogi, released for the MSX 1 home computer system. Developed and published by an entity that is not widely documented today, it arrived during the early 1980s when the MSX platform was competing with other home computers in Japan. The title translates to 'Shogi Master,' suggesting a focus on skillful play rather than casual introduction to the game. It is a commercial release meant for the Japanese market, where shogi has a strong following.
How to Play Shougi Meijin Online
Getting started: When you load Shougi Meijin, you will likely see a title screen with Japanese text. Press Enter to start a game. The main menu probably offers options like New Game, Load, or Settings, all in Japanese. Use the D-Pad to navigate and X to confirm selections.
The core gameplay follows standard shogi rules: each player controls a set of 20 pieces on a 9x9 board. Your goal is to checkmate the opponent's king. Moves are made by selecting a piece with the D-Pad and confirming with X, then moving the cursor to a valid square and confirming. Captured pieces can be dropped back onto the board as your own, a key shogi mechanic. The AI opponent will take its turn automatically.
Newcomers should learn piece movements and the drop rule. Menus are entirely in Japanese, so memorizing basic kanji for 'Game Start' (ゲーム開始) and 'Settings' (設定) can help. The interface is simple but expects familiarity with shogi conventions. If you get stuck, refer to online shogi tutorials for strategy, as the game does not include a tutorial itself.
Shougi Meijin Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Trigger 1
- S: Trigger 2
- Enter: Start
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