From: Patrick Davin <patrick <at> LYRA <dot> VEGA <dot> OR <dot> JP>
Date: 16 aug 1999
Subject: Re: Kyoto Ginkaku shogi (was: This and that.)

Michael S. writes:
>The FM Soft kyoto shogi freeware is at:
>http://www.vector.co.jp/soft/win95/game/se105554.html
>unfortunately those who I know who have tried to run it have been unable
>to do so. I have written to FM asking for advice on how to run it but
>have as yet received no answer. If anyone can figure it out I would be
>happy to hear the explanation.

With a bit of effort, I was able to run it.  First problem was
unpacking the .lzh file, which turns out to be possible with a
utility called LHA.  Second problem is filenames, which unpacked
to 8.3 format _kanji_.  In particular, the file "FMkyoutogin.dll"
needed to be renamed to "FMkyoutoginkakushougi.dll" (this in kanji)
before the .exe would start up.

The download site claims that the program requires Visual Basic
Runtime version 6.0 and DirectSound, but it ran with what I have,
which I think is version 3.0.

Naturally the menus and interface are also 100% Kanji.  But the
biggest disappointment was that it doesn't play shogi.  Instead
it plays a mini-variant (presumably called Kyoto Ginkaku shogi).
It's 5x5 with 5 pieces in the starting array.  All pieces (other
than king) change value every move.

The computer opponent could also be called disappointing ...

Hope this helps,
-Patrick