From: DougD <dysartdj <at> UCBEH <dot> SAN <dot> UC <dot> EDU>
Date: 9 jul 1997
Subject: Re: European Style of playing shogi

On Tue, 8 Jul 1997, Leung Kai Wan wrote:

> >  This was the first real opportunity for
> > me to see that the european style of playing shogi is different of the
> > japanese style.
> Mr. Eric Cleymol stated his shogi experience in Japan.  European style
> of playing shogi was mentioned several times.  May I ask for more
> detail about this?

Yes, I think I can help you, Wan-san.  My impression was that because
Eric only managed to win 2 games of 7 showed that the Japanese play a
different style from the Europeans.  He was saying that the Japanese
dominate shogi, with his tongue in cheek as he said it.  It was a playful
joke.

> Does it mean playing shogi in a manner like European chess?

I don't think this is possible, really, without seriously changing rules,
and the Japanese aren't about to do this in their championship tournament!

> Personally I play both Chinese chess (xiangqi) and shogi often

So do I!  I also play: makruk, xiangi, chess and occasionally shatranj
and chaturanga.

> The above are my own thinking about Japanese shogi style versus
> chess-like shogi style.  Critism and comments are more than welcome.
> Best regards, Kai Wan Leung

I agree with all your other opinions.  Thanks for the comments and tips!

Doug Dysart
Cincinnati, OH USA