The lab for tsume, joseki, and yakuman.
An English-language guide to Japan's great strategy games: riichi mahjong, shogi, and go. Buying guides, strategy, and the craft behind the boards.
How to Start Shogi: A 30-Day Roadmap for Complete Beginners
You want to start shogi but don't know the order. A 2-dan lays out the exact 30-day path: free rules, a checkmate app, your first real game, and when to finally buy a book.
More posts
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Shogi Wars Game Modes Explained: What to Play First (from a 2-Dan)
Shogi Wars has five game modes and explains none of them. A 2-dan who's played all five breaks down 10 min, 3 min, 10 seconds, Sprint, and Mate Battle, plus the order to practice them in.
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How to Play Shogi Online: The App Japan Actually Uses
Want to play shogi online? Shogi Wars is the shogi game most of Japan uses — how to switch it to English with screenshots, plus free-tier limits and paid tiers, from a 2-dan player.
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The Best Riichi Mahjong Apps for iPhone and Android (2026)
Which riichi mahjong app is actually worth installing on your phone in 2026? A mobile-first comparison of Mahjong Soul, Riichi City, and Tenhou for iOS and Android.
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Mahjong Soul for Beginners: How to Get Started (and What to Ignore)
A step-by-step Mahjong Soul beginner guide: account setup, your first mode, how ranks work, what to ignore about gacha, and the mistakes new players make before their first ranked match.
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Mahjong Soul vs Riichi City: Which Should You Play in 2026?
A direct, axis-by-axis comparison of Mahjong Soul and Riichi City — UI, player pool, gacha economy, rank ladders, and English support — with a straight verdict for each type of player.
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The Best Ways to Play Riichi Mahjong Online in 2026
Where to actually play riichi mahjong online in 2026, ranked by who each platform suits — Mahjong Soul, Riichi City, Tenhou, and the free browser options — with a straight beginner recommendation.