Tsume shogi

Tsume shogi (詰将棋 or 詰め将棋, tsume shōgi) or tsume (詰め) is the Japanese term for a shogi miniature problem in which the goal is to checkmate the opponent's king. Tsume problems usually present a situation that might occur in a shogi game (although unrealistic artistic tsume shogi exists), and the solver must find out how to achieve checkmate. It is similar to a mate-in-n chess problem. The term tsumi (詰み) means the state of checkmate itself. The verb form is tsumu (詰む) "to checkmate". (The related term tsumero 詰めろ refers to the slightly different concept of "threatmate". See: Hisshi.) Tsume shogi problems are strictly forced mate problems with constant checks. They assume that the player is in brinkmate and that they will lose unless they can force a mate sequence with a check on every move. The situation simulates real shogi games in which the endgame is essentially a mutual mating race. Note that the concept of stalemate as in western chess does not exist in shogi as it essentially does not occur. Although not considered tsume shogi problems, there are two other related types of shogi puzzles: Hisshi (必至, brinkmate) puzzles – A type of checkmate-related problem in which the objective is to create a brinkmate, a position where checkmate becomes inevitable. Unlike tsume shogi, the solution may include one or more non-checking moves that ultimately lead to checkmate. Tsugi no itte (次の一手, best next move) puzzles – A non-checkmate problem in which the objective is to identify the best move or sequence of moves that provide an advantage. Such problems may involve the endgame, often approaching checkmate, but can also include opening and middlegame strategies.