The 4-Piece (四枚落ち yonmai-ochi) handicap in shogi has both of White's major pieces, the rook (飛) and the bishop (角), removed as well as their lances (香). Thus, White is left with pawns, golds, silvers, and knights.
Black has the usual setup of twenty pieces.
The 4-Piece handicap is an official handicap of the Japan Shogi Association.
Openings
Climbing Silver
Climbing Gold
See also
Handicap (shogi) Shogi opening
References
Bibliography
· irregular game from 1756 · 4-Piece handicap games from 1981 · Rook & Lance, 2-Piece, 4-Piece, and 6-Piece handicap games from 1981 · Rook and 4-Piece handicap games from 1981 with commentary by Larry Kaufman
External links Handicap Series by Larry Kaufman: Four piece part 1: Climbing gold or silver Four piece part 2: Alternatives YouTube: How To Play Shogi (将棋): Lesson 25: Handicapped Games (1/2) by HIDETCHI from 9:02