Repetition (draw) Shogi

if same game position occurs 4 times same player move , same pieces in hand each player, game ends in repetition draw or sennichite (lit. moves thousand days ), long positions not due perpetual check. (perpetual check illegal move, ends game in loss in tournament play.)

in professional shogi, repetition draw outcome not final result draws not count. there can 1 victorious through wins. significant difference western chess, in player can play obtain draws gaining points. in case of repetition draw, professional shogi players have play subsequent game (or many games necessary) sides reversed in order obtain true win outcome. (that is, player white becomes black, , vice versa.) also, depending on tournament, professional players play subsequent game in remainder of allowed game time.

thus, aiming repetition draw may possible professional strategy white player in order play second game black, has slight statistical advantage and/or greater initiative. instance, bishop exchange fourth file rook passive strategy white goal of repetition draw (as requires 2 tempo losses – swinging rook , trading bishops) while aggressive strategy if played black.

repetition draws rare in professional shogi occurring in 1–2% of games , rarer in amateur games. in professional shogi, repetition draws occur in opening positions reached theoretically disadvantaged both sides (zugzwang). in amateur shogi, repetition draws tend occur in middle or endgame result of player errors.