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swap_horiz Shogi Alternatives

Looking for alternatives to Shogi? Compare the top Chess Variant options ranked by our AI scoring system.

You're looking at alternatives to:
Shogi

Shogi

Shogi is a traditional Japanese strategy game resembling chess. It’s notable for its ‘drop’ rule: captured pieces can be redeployed by their owner as new units. This creates dynamic gameplay and strategic complexity. The game is popular within Japan and among those interested in alternative board ga...

9.7 Brilliant

apps Top Shogi Alternatives

The top alternative to Shogi in 2026 is Xiangqi with a score of 9.5/10, followed by Co Tuong (9.4) and Makruk (Thai Chess) (9.2).

1
Xiangqi

Xiangqi

Xiangqi is a traditional board game originating in China. It utilizes a 9x10 grid with a prominent river dividing the pl...

Traditional Regional Chinese River Boundary
9.5 Brilliant
2
Co Tuong

Co Tuong

Cờ tướng is the Vietnamese form of xiangqi, the two-player board game commonly called Chinese chess in English. It is pl...

Historical East Asian Regional Vietnamese
9.4 Excellent
3
Makruk (Thai Chess)

Makruk (Thai Chess)

Gochugaru is a Korean seasoning made from dried red chili peppers, usually sold as coarse flakes or a finer powder. It i...

Historical Regional Thai Slow
9.2 Excellent
4
Janggi

Janggi

Janggi is a Korean chess variant distinguished by its larger 9x10 board and unique piece movements. It retains strategic...

Korean Traditional Palace Regional
9.1 Excellent
5
Crazyhouse

Crazyhouse

Crazyhouse is a dynamic chess variation introducing strategic complexity through piece capture. Captured pieces are imme...

Online Tactical Modern Drop Pieces
8.9 Great
6
Chu Shogi

Chu Shogi

Chu Shogi is a traditional Japanese chess-variant developed during the 14th century. Played on a larger 12x12 board, it...

Japanese Historical 12x12 Shogi Family
8.8 Great
7
Bughouse

Bughouse

Bughouse is a four-player team chess variant played across two separate chessboards. When a player captures an opponent'...

Team Tandem Four Player Drop Pieces
8.7 Great
8
Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi, also marketed as "Let's Catch the Lion," is a simplified variant of the traditional Japanese board game s...

Japanese Mini Regional Children
8.7 Great
9
Makruk

Makruk

Makruk, widely known as Thai chess, is a traditional strategy board game that closely resembles the ancient Indian game...

Classical Traditional Regional Thai
8.5 Great
10
Crazyhouse960

Crazyhouse960

Crazyhouse960 is a hybrid chess variant that combines the mechanics of two distinct chess variations. It merges the drop...

Online Hybrid Combined Randomized
8.5 Great
11
Cambodian Chess (Ouk)

Cambodian Chess (Ouk)

Ouk, also called Ouk Chatrang or Cambodian Chess, is a Cambodian regional chess variant closely related to Thai Makruk....

Historical Regional Cambodian Southeast Asian
8.4 Great
12
Tandem Chess

Tandem Chess

Tandem chess, commonly called bughouse chess, is a four-player team variant played simultaneously on two chessboards. Wh...

Team Tandem Four Player Drop Pieces
8.2 Great
13
Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)

Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)

Sittuyin, also called Burmese chess, is a traditional chess variant from Myanmar. It is played on an eight-by-eight boar...

Historical Regional Southeast Asian Burmese
8.2 Great
14
Mini Shogi

Mini Shogi

Mini Shogi is a modern variant of traditional Japanese chess, invented by Shigenobu Kusumoto in 1971. It is played on a...

Modern Japanese Small Board 5x5
8.1 Great
15
Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess, known as Ouk Chaktrang, is the traditional chess game of Cambodia, closely related to Thai Makruk and d...

Variant Historical Regional Asean
8.1 Great
16
Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang, also called Cambodian chess, is a traditional chess variant played in Cambodia and related to other Southe...

Classical Traditional Regional Cambodian
7.6 Good
17
Sittuyin

Sittuyin

Sittuyin is the traditional chess game of Myanmar and belongs to the family of games derived from the ancient Indian gam...

Traditional Regional Southeast Asian Burmese
7.5 Good
18
Dai Dai Shogi

Dai Dai Shogi

Dai dai shogi is a historical Japanese board game belonging to the shogi family, which also includes standard shogi and...

Japanese Historical Large Regional
7.2 Good
19
Wa Shogi

Wa Shogi

Wa Shogi is a large-board Japanese shogi variant played on an 11 by 11 board. Its pieces are named primarily after anima...

Japanese Historical Promotion Shogi Family
6.9 Fair
20
Shatar

Shatar

Shatar is a traditional Mongolian chess game related to the shatranj family of historical chess. It uses a board and arm...

Traditional Regional Asian Mongolian
6.7 Fair

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative Score vs Shogi Action
Xiangqi
Xiangqi
Chess Variant Traditional Regional Chinese
9.5 Brilliant -0.2 Compare
Co Tuong
Co Tuong
Chess Variant Historical East Asian Regional
9.4 Excellent -0.3 Compare
Makruk (Thai Chess)
Makruk (Thai Chess)
Chess Variant Historical Regional Thai
9.2 Excellent -0.5 Compare
Janggi
Janggi
Chess Variant Korean Traditional Palace
9.1 Excellent -0.6 Compare
Crazyhouse
Crazyhouse
Chess Variant Online Tactical Modern
8.9 Great -0.8 Compare
Chu Shogi
Chu Shogi
Chess Variant Japanese Historical 12x12
8.8 Great -0.9 Compare
Bughouse
Bughouse
Chess Variant Team Tandem Four Player
8.7 Great -1.0 Compare
Dobutsu Shogi
Dobutsu Shogi
Chess Variant Japanese Mini Regional
8.7 Great -1.0 Compare
Makruk
Makruk
Chess Variant Classical Traditional Regional
8.5 Great -1.2 Compare
Crazyhouse960
Crazyhouse960
Chess Variant Online Hybrid Combined
8.5 Great -1.2 Compare

See all Chess Variant ranked by score

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Shogi?
The top alternatives to Shogi in 2026 include Xiangqi, Co Tuong, Makruk (Thai Chess), Janggi, Crazyhouse. Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.
How does Shogi compare to its competitors?
Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. Shogi scores 9.7/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Is Shogi worth it in 2026?
Shogi scores 9.7/10 on Lunoo, making it a highly-rated option in the Chess Variant category. However, alternatives like Xiangqi may better suit specific needs.
What is the best free alternative to Shogi?
Several alternatives to Shogi offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.
Why should I switch from Shogi?
Common reasons users look for Shogi alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.
How many alternatives to Shogi are there?
Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to Shogi in the Chess Variant category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.
Which Shogi alternative has the highest rating?
Xiangqi currently holds the highest rating among Shogi alternatives with a score of 9.5/10.
Can I use Xiangqi instead of Shogi?
Xiangqi is one of the top-rated alternatives to Shogi. While they serve similar purposes in the Chess Variant space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.
What is the cheapest alternative to Shogi?
Pricing varies among Shogi alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the Chess Variant category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.
How are Shogi alternatives ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.
Shogi vs Xiangqi: which is better?
Shogi scores 9.7/10 while Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Shogi vs Co Tuong: which is better?
Shogi scores 9.7/10 while Co Tuong scores 9.4/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Shogi vs Makruk (Thai Chess): which is better?
Shogi scores 9.7/10 while Makruk (Thai Chess) scores 9.2/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

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