From: stouten pieter VAX PERI CO JP> Date: 14 mar 1992 Subject: My first real Shogi experience in Japan (after having been here 7 I have been 7 weeks in Japan and only last weekend I played my first serious Shogi game. "Shogi Journal," a Shogi magazine aimed at amateur players, organized a unique event. The best company team (Ricoh), the best university team (Kyoto), a very strong club team (Osaka Seikikai) and the best Shoreikai players (apprentice professionals, all 3-dan pro which is the highest grade in Shoreikai) competed in a 5 players per team team match. One round had already been played earlier and the final two rounds took place on Sunday 8 March. As a warming-up, the amateur players (Seikikai, Kyoto, Ricoh) took part in an individual tournament. Mr. Tanigawa Toshiaki (who has been living in Holland for a year and who gave European Shogi a boost through his presence at several international tournaments) won all his games, both in the individual and in the team event. "Shogi Journal" had something special in stock for me too. A game against Ms. Mayumi Hayashi was arranged. Ms. Hayashi is 24 years old and graduated recently in economy from Kinki University. She plays Shogi for 8 years only but already is a full professional now. Last year as ladies' apprentice professional she played 27 games and only lost 2. The game we played was quite exciting, well-balanced (until I made my usual blunder, that is) and I enjoyed it tremendously. Please find below the game score with my own comments based partially on remarks by Mr. Tanigawa, Ms. Hayashi and by visiting professional Mr. Nishikawa (6-dan). Pieter Stouten stouten vax peri co jp --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black: Pieter Stouten. White: Mayumi Hayashi. Venue: Kyobashi Shogi Club, Sato Building II, Kyobashi, Osaka. Date: 8 March 1992. Starting time 14:35 h. Time limits 50 minutes plus 40 seconds byoyomi. Time used: black 50 minutes, white 49 minutes. 1.P7f P3d 2.P7e K4b 3.P6f S6b 4.R7h P6d 5.K4h P8d 6.S6h P8e 7.R7f P6e 8.S7g Px6f 9.Sx6f P'6e 10.S7g(A) S6c 11.G7h(B) K3b 12.R3f R8d 13.K3h P1d 14.P1f G6a-5b 15.P9f B3c 16.K2h K2b 17.S3h S3b 18.G6g P2d 19.G7f S2c(C) 20.Gx6e G3b 21.G6f P4d 22.P5f G5b-4c 23.P5e P5d 24.R5f Px5e 25.Gx5e S5d 26.P7d(D) Rx7d 27.Gx5d Gx5d 28.S'6c P'5e 29.R6f P'6e 30.R6h R6d 31.Sx5d+ Rx5d 32.Rx6e P5f 33.R6c+ R8d 34.P'5d(E) P5g+ 35.P5c+ G'4h 36.Gx4h(F) +Px4h 37.G'3i G'5h 38.+P4c +Px3i 39.+Px3b Sx3b 40.Kx3i G'4h 41.K2h S'3i 42.K1h Gx3h 43.+R5b S2h 0-1(G) A Already I am in an awkward position with my bishop and left silver paralyzed. But coming out of the opening with a disadvantage is default for me. I will just have to make up for it in the middle game. B Mr. Nishikawa said: this is normally the wrong position for the left gold, but later it will play a very interesting role ! C Ms. Hayashi can play 19... R6d, but she was reluctant since this overloads her rook while it also releases the pressure on my position that is exerted over the 8th file. D 26.P7d is a crucial move. Although the silver and bishop are still inactive, it swings the balance slightly in my favour. E During the game I was hesitating between P'5d and P'5h. 34.P'5h after which might follow 34... B4b with the threat 35... R6d is safer, but may throw away the slight edge I had. Mr. Nishikawa said that 34.P'5d is allright. F 36.Gx4h is a terrible blunder. Europeans are weak in the end game and I am the living proof that that is true both for attack and defence ! With this move I help Ms. Hayashi's attack: I lose a move and at the same time bring her tokin (promoted pawn) closer. 36.+P4c Gx4i 37.Sx4i leads to an unclear game where I still have good chances. G Even 44.P2f does not help anymore: 44... Sx2i 45.K2g N'3e 46.K3f S'4e.