Shogi·Play

First: what counts as winning?

The goal is checkmate: the opposing king is attacked and cannot legally escape by moving, capturing, blocking or dropping a piece in hand. Promoting first or capturing more pieces does not itself win.

If a rook attacks the king but a piece can be dropped between them to block it, there is no mate yet. Drops must be considered when checking for an escape.

Finishing the assigned opening is exercise completion; promotion and drops are tools toward the goal.