From: Ismail Sloan BEST COM> Date: 24 feb 1997 Subject: Re: A good first move I learned to play shogi in 1984. It took me three months to reach 1-kyu and another three months to get my shodan menjo. I was already an expert or master more or less at chess. After that, I left Japan and did not play another game until 1992, when I came back and they pronounced me a ni-dan. The move you mention P-a4 is not a bad move in that it does not create a weakness as most other moves do, but it is a waste of time, unless the opponent counters now or later by advancing his edge pawn as well. The two good moves in chess notation (not shogi notation) are Pc3-c4 and Ph3-h4. One opens the long diagonal for the bishop. The other contemplates a quick attack supported by the rook. I strongly recommend Pc3-c4. The other move requires some book knowledge, which I do not have. The best and easiest plan for a lazy person like me is to start with Pc3-c4. If the opponent opens similarly with Pg7-g6 then you need to close the long diagonal with Pd3-d4. After that, play either the 4th file rook with Rh2-d2 or the 3rd file rook with Rh2-c2. Then run the king to relative safety, by moving your king from e1 to h2. Meanwhile, your opponent will probably be advancing his pawn with Pb7-b6-b5 and bringing his silver up with Sc9-c8-b7-b6. He will try to sacrifice his silver in such a way as to promote a pawn. You will need to learn how to stop his climbing silver attack or otherwise your goose is cooked. Sorry to be using chess notation rather than shogi notation, but I can do this blindfolded and I never really learned shogi notation. Sam Sloan At 10:03 PM 2/23/97 EST, you wrote: >Thanks for the info. Read on, I added a few comments and questions. > >On Sun, 23 Feb 1997 13:16:03 -0800 Ismail Sloan BEST COM> >writes: >>There are only two first moves in shogi which are any good at all. >> >>The best move we would call in chess notation c3-c4. >> >>This move frees the long diagonal for the bishop. > >This and P-a4 are the only moves I was doing. I know Shogi notation. I >will not move P-a4 anymore though. Thanks for the help. >> >>The other good move is to advance the pawn in front of the rook. > >I'm curious. What is the reasoning behind this move? >> >>No strong player plays anything other than those two first moves. > >How long have you been playing? >> >>Sam Sloan >> >>At 03:12 PM 2/23/97 EST, you wrote: >>>I am a beginner at Shogi. I have only played one game. What do you >>>think is the best first move to make in the game? What is its >>counter? >>>Thanx. >>> >>> --Chuck >>> >>>Are there any other widely popular chess games in the world besides >>>Orthodox Chess, Shogi and Chinese Chess (xiang qi)? >>> >>> >> > >