From: Stephen Leary VM TAU AC IL> Date: 5 feb 1995 Subject: Japanese Columbo Solves Shogi Murder Mystery There was an interesting show on last night in the San Francisco Bay area. It was on at 9:30 on channel 26, part of Fuji TV. I missed the first few minutes & only watched because a friend told me it was a neat show & should see it. It is a murder mystery, and the detective acts like Columbo-- always asking questions at the wrong times, getting in the way, acting strangely, etc. Someone by the name of Oichi has been murdered, and the detective must find out who did it. The action takes place during an important Shogi game between the older champion Yonezawa and a kid representing the younger generation (looks about 18). The game has been adjurned for the evening. Play will resume tomorrow. Columbo & Yonezawa talk in a restaurant that night. Yonezawa only wears a Kimono, not western clothes. It is more rational-- no pockets or buttons. Columbo says the killer of Oichi must've been a woman because a folded western suit was found in his room. A man knows better than to fold a suit. Yonezawa says, of course. At another table sits the Kid with his mother. He is having trouble with his food & she admonishes him. He doesn't look like a genius, Columbo says. Don't lose to him. Yonezawa excuses himself for the night, picking up a wooden toothpick from the holder on the table. Next day, play begins. It seems that last night, the Shogi set and pieces have disappeared, perhaps locked in a safe no one can open. Another set is found. The sealed envelope with Yonezawa's move is opened. Somehow, the envelope seemed to be in Yonezawa's possession. The envelope is cut open and the officials announce the move. The game continues. Columbo enters the room & picks up the sealed paper. He tries to talk to the two officials about it. What does this character on the edge mean? The officials quiet him. Go away. Can he borrow the paper? Yes, leave us alone. Later on during the game, Yonezawa goes outside for some fresh air. Columbo joins him. What about the game? "He'll take an hour or two to move." Columbo wants to ask some questions. Not during the game, Yonezawa says. Afterward. Still Columbo persists. What about this character on this sealed piece of paper? It means "woman" the champ says. How did it get there? I don't know, Yonezawa says. I didn't write it. It seems very familair, Columbo says.... Scene moves to the expert kibitzing room. All agree that Yonezawa will win the game. The Kid is cornered. Just a matter of time now. At the board, Yonezawa picks up his rook to move it deep into the Kid's territory, but suddenly he stops, and withdraws it, moving it just a few squares ahead instead. The experts can't understand it. Why did he play such a weak move? He should have played his first intention which won easily. The play rages on, and the Kid gains the upper hand. Finally, Yonezawa says, "I've run out of moves" and loses. In the kibitzing room, Columbo says, that one move was so bad? The experts say yes, it changed the flow. Columbo stands up above everyone saying, can anyone rationalize that move? No. Columbo leaves. One expert to another: "Is he your friend?" In another room, Columbo asks the lead official: "Where did the Shogi set come from, that was used for the second day of play?" Official: "From Yonezawa's room." The official leaves and Columbo states the mystery: There are two things to consider, Yonezawa's envelope trick and why he had to withdraw his move and play something weak. Later, Yonezawa is alone at the board & Columbo joins him. Columbo says, "You shouldn't lose on a move you thought about all night." "What do you mean?" "Name an animal." "I'm not in the mood for this." Finally, Yonezawa names a giraffe. Columbo is holding an envelope and scribbles out the outside of it then opens it. On the paper inside is the picture of a giraffe. "You put the carbon in the envelope with the blank paper and thought about your move all night. You used the toothpick to write the move the next day on the outside of the envelope, which showed up on the paper inside. The character on the edge of the paper which means "woman" is actually part of my name. When I signed for something for Oichi at the hotel, I wrote my name right over this envelope. The character is in my handwriting. I should know it. You had to win this game, otherwise you would have ended up losng your ranking. You couldn't lose to the younger generation. You murdered Oichi because he caught you. The envelope was missing. You took it." Yonezawa: "But if true, that would only prove that I cheated, not killed anyone." Columbo: "I'll explain why you didn't move your rook. You had no choice. You would have had to flip it over, exposing yourself." Columbo takes the rook on the board, flips it over, and reveals that there is a blood stain on the other side. Yonezawa: "I admit Oichi came to my room last night. But this only proves where he was murdered." Columbo: "Why did you hide it? That is what concerns me the most. It's not the blood stain. Why did you hide it?" Yonezawa: "you win." Columbo: "You wanted to win so badly, you killed for it." Yonezawa: "I feel relieved. I would've had to participate in the review--every move has to be rationalized. I wouldn't be able to rationalize that move. If I can't rationalize my move, I'd rather turn myself in." Stephen Leary