Can anybody here give me some opening tips? I am new at shogi and would appreciate any help. I also need help understanding shogi ratings...are they different than western chess?
I think shogi FESA and USSF organizations use the rating system which is equivalent to western chess. Please refer to http://www.shogi.net/fesa/rating.intro
A professional players' association exists in Japan. They don't use rating system. They use Dan grading system.
1 First move? (When you are Black) There are a number of move choices but three moves are oustandingly popular.
A P-7f: Making a way for the Bishop diagonal. B P-2f: For quicker use of Rook and aiming for a pawn exchange. C P-5f: Suggesting the use of Rook at fifth file aiming directly for the king.