A tsume 詰将棋 is a checkmate problem. You are given a position — usually just the defending king, a few of its pieces, and some of yours on the board and in hand — and you must mate.
The rules of a tsume
- Every move you make must be check. No quiet preparation.
- The defender plays the best defence: the one that lasts longest.
- The length is counted in moves by both sides: a 3手詰 (三手詰) is your move, their reply, your mate.
- Traditionally the defender may use every piece not on the board or in your hand. On this site's puzzles the defender uses only what's in the position — which is also how the puzzle checker proves them.
Why solve them
Mates happen fast in shogi, and the player who sees them first wins. Tsume train exactly that: counting escape squares, spotting drops on the king's head, and finding the sacrifice that opens the king. Strong players solve a few every day.
Try it
Try it: Mate in one move (1手詰).