takodori: It shouldn't be a problem (handicaps). But I don't know how the Shogi handicap system works.

Fencer: Thank you for introducing Go to BrainKing.

Here is some information on the Shogi handicap system:

http://eric.macshogi.com/shogi/handicap/handicap-intro.html
http://eric.macshogi.com/shogi/handicap/handicap.html
http://www.cs.caltech.edu/~mvanier/hacking/gnushogi/gnushogi_13.html

flummoxed: Thank you. As I can see, there is this set of handicaps:

1. Six Piece Handicap - White removes rook, bishop, both lances, and both knights.
2. Five Piece Handicap - White removes rook, bishop, both lances, and either knight.
3. Four Piece Handicap - White removes rook, bishop, and both lances.
4. Two Piece Handicap - White removes rook and bishop.
5. Rook and Lance Handicap - White removes rook and his left lance.
6. Rook Handicap - White removes his rook.
7. Bishop Handicap - White removes his bishop.
8. Lance Handicap - White removes his left lance.

The gnushogi site describes an eight-piece handicap too. Should it be added to the list?

Fencer: The gnushogi site has decent references for the eight piece handicap. I don't think it would hurt to have it as an option; I could certainly make use of being offered it.

flummoxed: All right, you can try it now.

Fencer: Thanks for new possibilities! It's very good! But how will calculate rating in gandicap games? If stong player give gandicap then the force of players is equalized. Therefore rating will calculate as players have equal rating. But it's correct not always. I not know this dependences.

YuryShpilev: All handicap games are automatically unrated.

Fencer: I found 1st error. White make 1st move, but not black! And game begin for recording from 2nd move.

YuryShpilev: I did't know that. Why should white make the first move?

Fencer: No problem. If black make 1st move than weakest player have winnig position in 8 piece gandicap (white without Rook, Bishop and all Lance, Knight and Silver) after 1.P-7f 2.G-3b 3.B-6f 4.G-7b 5.Bx9c+. If white begin that they defend own position: 2.G-3b 3.P-7f 4.G-7b 5.B-6f 6.G-8b and white defend pawn on 9c.
But here can another explanation: white give material and must have compensation by doing 1st move.

YuryShpilev: I understand. It won't be a problem, of course. But if the game recording starts from the 2nd move, does it mean the white's 1st move is not recorded?

Fencer: Larry Kaufman- an amateur 5 dan- has a series of articles about the best play with each of the standard handicaps. They are at Mindzine- Google handicap shogi to find them. They were very helpful to me when I started to play shogi last year.