From: SalvaAC AOL COM Date: 21 mar 1997 Subject: Re: The Art of Shogi In a message dated 97-03-21 04:36:25 EST, you write: << As a novice, I find the opening the most incomprehensible phase of the game. Perhaps Sam Sloan is rightish about its weight in practical Western play, but it is baffling. Tsume are easy to understand. Joseki easier. Openings, hard. I don't know if this is because of a heavy chess background. My impression is that chess strikes beginners the same way. >> Tsume shogi easy? In lots of games I've watched beginners play, they can come up with some ideas (certainly nothing book...) through the opening and middle game, but watching them try and actually win the game is another matter. Three-move mates sit on the board for a dozen turns, undetected by either player. I agree that the concepts involved in tsumeshogi are relatively easy compared to opening play, but implementation is another matter. Tony