Which do you prefer?

I've never tried Shogi, but it sounds interesting from what I've heard.

 

I've played XiangQi (Chinese Chess) and I like it. The bigger board and less pawns make it so there's no pawn structures like in Western Chess, so every game is open and tactical. If you like tactical, attacking games in Chess, then you'll probably like XiangQi.

 

--Fromper 

Same as above.

I've never played Shogi.

In Shogi the pieces except for the B and R move one square per move- the lance moves forward as many squares as you like but it can't move backwards.  Every piece can be promoted except for the K,.  However, each piece can only promote to a particuliar piece.  There is a rule in Shogi that makes it unique to other Chess games- the drop rule.  Captured pieces can be returned anywhere to the board.  I can't remember if you can give mate or even check with a dropped piece.  I think the drop rule is a good way to compensate for the otherwise slow movement of the game.  Chinese Chess I am learning about, but it is the faster game.  You guys and gals who love a good tactical knockdown dragout would probably be pretty good at it.