From: Janos Csanyi ICON Computing Ltd ICON HU> Date: 12 apr 1996 Subject: beginning is difficult Yesterday Eric Cheymol wrote: > Dear Janos Csanyi > Are there many Shogi fans in Hungary ? We don't here from you in western > Europe. I know Budapest a bit : 5 years ago, I went in Hungary many times > and I spent in all about 60 days there. > Best wishes, > Eric Cheymol Dear Eric, Thank you for your e-mail. I read regularly the discussions on the list for three month, so here it is the time to join in the conversation. First of all I apologize because of my e-mail 11st of April. I tried to send it directly to Mr. Phil Holland (ask for his shareware shogi program) not to the whole shogi-list. And regarding Eric's questions: I don't know anybody to play shogi in Hungary.There isn't any shogi books, boards+pieces, clubs here. My own set and an english shogi book was bought by a fiend of mine on his trip in Japan. Unfortunately the japan characters in the book and on the pieces are different ;-( It was a discussion on shogi-list in January about 'Why shogi is not so popular than other board games' My experience is the following: Nobody know, that this game exist. Everybody are surprised when I say about the speciality and beauty of shogi. What is the next step if somebody interesting in shogi? To learn the rules and some basic strategies, find opponents. You need a good shogi program especially for beginners if you don't have any friend who wants to play with you. 1. Good graphics interface DOS or Windows. The old shogi.zip program is not enough good with its XT PC character layout. 2. To see the possible moves of the different pieces because it's a bit difficult to memorize them for a beginner. Shogivar.exe show the possible moves. 3. Possibility to change the character marks (japan style, european style, movement style). Any software? 4. Play against the computer. A beginner don't need a strong level program. Mr. Phil Holland's software? I don't have it now. 5. Game viewing program. There are huge free databases of Xiangqi (chinese chess) and Go with full commented games, with game variations, opening variations, end game variations. Any viewing program and database? Sum: any software with 1,2,3,4,5 functions? This software have to be public domain or freeware because much more easy to distribute it this way (give it simple to anybody play it without restrictions. Sponsored by Shogi associations? Distribute it on shogi pages, and other games related pages. Best wishes for all shogi friends, Janos Csanyi jcsanyi icon hu ----- End Included Message -----