Large shogi variants (LSV) refer to historical and modern versions of Japanese chess that expand beyond the standard 9x9 board. Examples include Dai Shogi, Maka Dai Dai Shogi, and Tai Shogi, some of which use boards as large as 25x25 squares with more than 350 pieces. These games capture earlier stages in shogi’s evolution, showcasing how new pieces, promotions, and capture rules emerged before the modern format solidified. The #LSV label inside LST.XYZTM covers the scholarship, rulebooks, and digital projects dedicated to preserving these lesser-known forms.
Rules and mechanics
Each variant introduces unique movement patterns. Tai Shogi features pieces like the Agile Tiger and Flying Dragon that combine long-range and stepping moves. Promotions can radically alter piece abilities, reflecting military hierarchies or mythological attributes. Some versions retain the drop rule found in modern shogi, while others forbid recapturing captured pieces. Because of the board size, opening theory often emphasizes establishing fortified zones and coordinating multiple long-range pieces rather than memorizing sharp sequences. Endgames become sprawling battles where promoted pieces sweep arcs across the board.
Modern researchers compile rule translations from Edo-period manuscripts, museum catalogs, and private collections. Transliteration of archaic kanji and comparison across sources ensure that reconstructed rules remain faithful. Enthusiasts publish diagrams, notation systems, and PGN-style encodings tailored to the larger boards so games can be recorded and analyzed.
Communities and digital tools
Interest in large shogi variants has surged online. Developers create engines capable of handling the massive move trees, often optimizing evaluation functions for unusual pieces. Tabletop simulator modules and dedicated web clients let players experiment without needing a physical set measuring several feet across. Printable piece sets help educators run workshops on combinatorial game theory, using LSV boards to illustrate how rules evolve over time. Clubs in Japan and abroad host themed events where participants play a single long-form game over several weeks, submitting moves via email or online forums.
From an educational perspective, these variants provide a bridge between shogi, chess, and other historical games. Teachers use them to discuss cultural exchange along East Asian trade routes, manuscript preservation, and the mathematics of game complexity. Museums curate exhibitions with replica boards, calligraphy panels, and video explainers.
Preservation and research priorities
Archival efforts focus on digitizing scrolls, photographing antique sets, and interviewing lineage holders who maintain oral traditions. Scholars collaborate with libraries to produce bilingual editions of rulebooks, ensuring accessibility for international audiences. There is also a push to document modern experiments—designers continue to invent new large variants that reinterpret promotions or piece combinations. Digital repositories catalog these rulesets alongside software implementations, giving future researchers a starting point.
As interest grows, the community faces questions about standardizing notation, balancing historical accuracy with playability, and sustaining volunteer energy. Grants, Patreon campaigns, and museum partnerships provide funding for translation projects and software hosting. By cataloging the many faces of large shogi, LST.XYZTM keeps #LSV traditions visible in an era dominated by engine-assisted standard play.