Inspired by Kyoto Shogi, Renge Shogi, designed by Michael Sandeman, is played on a 7x7 board. Each player has seven pieces, from left to right along the back rank: Silver, Pawn, Gold, King, Gold, Pawn, Silver. Whenever a piece moves (except the King), it alternately promotes and demotes: Silver - Lance Gold - Knight Left Pawn - Bishop Right Pawn - Rook As in Shogi, players may drop captured pieces on any empty space, but with either side facing up. There are no restrictions on where players may drop pieces; for example, you may mate with a pawn drop and have two pawns on the same file. Players may also drop pieces [b]from the opponent's hand[/b]. The only restriction is that you may not mate by dropping from the opponent's hand.