From: Nobuhiro Yoshimura <yosimura <at> KONAMI <dot> CO <dot> JP>
Date: 13 jan 1998
Subject: Re: Shogi Merchandise

DougD <dysartdj <at> UCBEH <dot> SAN <dot> UC <dot> EDU> wrote $B!' (J
:Hi shogi aficionados,
:
:I have some inquiries pertaining to: (1) "sit-on-floor" shogi boards and
:sets, and (2) computer shogi games (like the one for the Sony Playstation).
:
:I recall a couple of years back looking up prices on (1).  Would they be
:cheaper now?  The yen is not doing well right now, so I would imagine
:this is true.  Where would I go to find a good selection?
:
:I also remember a while back that there was a 2-dan strength game for the
:Sony Playstation.  Do I also need to buy a Japanese Playstation?  Where
:could I find this game?
:
:Thanks for your time,
:Doug Dysart
:
The answer to 2nd question:
There are more than 10 shogi software for Playstation but none of them
are 2-dan level.  CPU for Playsation is too slow for shogi program
( CPU power is equivalent of i486 30Mhz ).
And all shogi software are for Japanese Playsation so that
you can play it on US Playstaion ( protection exists).

I would recommend to buy a shogi program for Windows95 or Mac.
The strongest program now on market is called AI-Shogi-II
developed by Mr. Yamashita.  (But I do not know whether it
run on US operating system thought.) He currently holds the
computer shogi championship.


Nobuhiro Yoshimura

Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo     The opinions expressed
Office: yosimura <at> konami <dot> co <dot> jp           here are mine and not
  Home: yoshimura <at> acm <dot> org               necessarily those of Konami.