Handicap (shogi)

rdf:langString Handicap (shogi)

rdf:langString floatright

rdf:langString auto

rdf:langString In shogi, a handicap game (駒落戦 koma ochisen, 駒落ち koma ochi, ハンデキャップ handekyappu, 手合割 teaiwari) 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.) In Japanese, the higher ranked player is called 上手 uwate "handicapped player" while the lower player is 下手 shitate "lower player." These terms are usually translated in English simply as White and Black, respectively just like the way 後手 gote and 先手 sente 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.