From: George Fernandez EROLS COM> Date: 27 mar 1997 Subject: 1997 US Shogi Championship & 2nd North American Amateur Ryu-O Dear Shogi Players, The 1997 U.S. Shogi Championship & 2nd North American Ryu-O Tournament will be held in the Washington DC area on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13. The DC Shogi Club is the host club this year and we would like to cordially invite players of all levels to attend this special event. The tournament date is fast approaching and we hope that a little urging and encouragement will help to bring more of you out. Last years' event, which was held in New York City, attracted 26 entrants from 9 states. Participants enjoyed making new friends and/or meeting old friends again. In addition, the two visiting professional shogi players, Mr. Akio Ishikawa 5Dan and Mr. Tadao Kitajima 4Dan each played about 40 teaching games during their visit! By the way, we are proud of US Champion Mr. Masanori Watanabe, an amateur 5Dan, who won a special exhibition game, played at Bishop [Kaku] handicap, against Mr. Taku Morishita pro-8Dan (1995 Meijin Challenger), in Los Angeles last year during the Habu vs. Tanigawa Ryu-O Title Match activities. Mr. Ishikawa will again be in attendance this year. This will be his fourth visit to the East Coast of the U.S. in the last 5 years and we are very pleased to have his support in promoting shogi. Mr. Kitajima wanted to come again too, but his newborn baby boy is keeping him (and his wife) busy. The 1997 Tournament is shaping up to be quite awesome in strength. Here is a sampling of the expected participants list: The Los Angeles Shogi Club is bringing a 5Dan and four 4Dans (not bad for a club that is officially less than 1 year old!); The NY Shogi Club has two strong 5Dans and a few seasoned 3Dans; from the Midwest (Wisconsin and Indiana) there are a couple of 5Dans who might come; and the DC Shogi Club currently has a 5Dan and six 4Dans who plan to attend! We're still waiting to hear from the other clubs and many individual players around America and Canada. Weaker players don't worry, there will be plenty of kyu players around to play with as well. Mr. Ishikawa will be arriving on April 10th. He is likely to attend our regular Thursday, April 10th club meeting (7:30 PM - 11:30 PM) in addition to the tournament. The DC Shogi Club meetings are held at the Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcom Lane, Room #304, Arlington, Virginia. Below is the latest tournament information. Please make an effort to come! George --------------------------------------------------------------------- DC Shogi Club (Japanese Chess) Founded in 1980. Recognized by the Nihon Shogi Renmei. Presents the Premier National Shogi Event 1997 US Shogi Championship & 2nd North American Amateur Ryu-O Tournament April 12-13, 1997 *************************************************************************** Special Guest Mr. Akio Ishikawa, a Professional 5Dan, will conduct a lecture and play simultaneous teaching games on Saturday and Sunday. *************************************************************************** The winner will be crowned U.S. Champion and North American Amateur Ryu-O 1996 Champion: Masanori Watanabe, 5Dan (NY) Tournament Chairman: Mr. Akio Ishikawa, pro. 5Dan from Japan. Vice Chairman: Mr. Minoru Hayashi (NY). Organizers: George Fernandez (VA), Jiro Yoshinari (VA), Larry Kaufman (MD), Mark Ohno (CA), Shigetaka Ogihara (NY) and Tony Salvaggione (IL). Location: Crystal House II, Party Room. 2000 S. Eads Street, Penthouse, Arlington, VA. Parking: Street or Satellite Lot (please get permit at front desk). By Metro: 2 blocks from Crystal City stop [Blue/Yellow line]. Entry Fee (each day): Players $20; Visitors and Guests $10. * Lunch and Refreshments will be provided * Prizes: Trophies to 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th. The winner will receive a special Certificate. Some players will be automatically seeded in the Finals field and thereby be exempt from the preliminaries according to one of the following criteria: 1) 1996 Champion, finalist and semi-finalists. 2) Top regional players, selected by each participating club. The Minimum rank to be seeded is 3Dan. Maximum number of seeds allowed per club: DC 4; NY 2; Chicago/Midwest 2; LA 2; and other clubs 1. Time Control: Time alloted to each player. Side events: 10 or 20 min. + 30 sec. Byoyomi. Preliminaries: 20 min. + 30 sec. Byoyomi. Finals: Rd. 1, 2 and 3: 20 min. + 40 sec. Byoyomi. Rd. 4 and 5: 30 min. + 40 sec. Byoyomi. Preliminaries: Saturday, April 12. Format: 2 or 3 Rounds. Unseeded players will play in randomly chosen 4-player round-robin groups to gain a berth in the Finals. About one-half of the participants will advance and qualify. Additionally, there will be a side tournament, with prizes, and a Team Match competition. Registration: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Rounds: 10:30, 11:45, lunch, Play-off at 1:30 PM. Seeded players and qualifiers (via the preliminaries) will be entered into the Finals field randomly. * The first round of the Finals will be played at 5:00 PM. * Finals (Rounds 2 thru 5): Sunday, April 13. Format: 4 Rounds, Elimination, 16-players. Players not in the Finals, or those who are eliminated, will be able play in side events (and against Mr. Ishikawa) all day. Registration: 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM Rounds: 10:00, 11:20, Lunch, 1:15, Final at 3:00 PM. Awards presentation and photographs: 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM Accommodations: These are special rates for one or two persons, 2 dbl. beds. Note: There is limited availability on these dates and at these rates. Rooms which we've reserved will be re-assigned on a first come first served basis. Crystal City Holiday Inn[5Rms.] 1(800)465-4329 $ 79. per night (Fri-Sat). National Airport Hilton[6Rms.] 1(800)445-8667 $ 89. per night (Fri-Sat). Alexandria Red Roof Inn[8Rms.] 1(800)843-7663 $ 64. per night (Thu-Sat). For more information please contact: George Fernandez (703)521-5107 E-mail: fernandz erols com Larry Kaufman (301)309-0904 E-mail: lkaufman wizard net or Jiro Yoshinari (202)638-7550 or (800)933-3854 ***** OUR NEW MAILING ADDRESS ***** DC Shogi Club, c/o Larry Kaufman, 9213 Wooden Bridge Road, Potomac, MD 20854 George I. Fernandez 2000 S. Eads St., Apt. #504 Arlington, VA 22202 USA Telephone: Home(703)521-5107 Work(703)451-0300 E-Mail: fernandz erols com