The Silver General
📋 What it is
The Silver General moves one square straight forward or to any of the four diagonals — five squares in all.
🗣️ Coach says
Generals are shogi's workhorses. The Silver moves one square: straight forward OR any of the four diagonals. It CAN'T step straight sideways or straight back — which gives it a springy, angled feel. Silvers are great attackers because they can advance and retreat diagonally.
🧠 Memory hook
Silver = forward + all four diagonals. No straight sideways or straight back.
😂 Giggle
Why did the Silver General go to acting class?
It wanted to learn a better promotion!
😲 Whoa!
The Silver's diagonal-back moves make it far more flexible in attack than the Gold — many shogi attacks are led by a bold, springy Silver.
✅ Quick check: Which directions can a Silver General NOT move?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Straight sideways and straight backward — it moves one square forward or on any of the four diagonals only.
The Silver covers forward + 4 diagonals, but not the straight side/back squares.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Mark all five squares a Silver can reach. Notice it can retreat diagonally but not straight back.