From: Manabu Terao <Manabu.Terao <at> JAPAN <dot> SUN <dot> COM>
Date: 6 jul 1999
Subject: Kasparov first play of shogi with a Japanese journalist

Dear Shogi Fans,

I read a very intersting story in the latest Shogi Sekai(August edition, Monthly
magazine issued by Nihon Shogi Renmei = Japan Shogi Association).

Eiichiro Ishiyama, a journalist working for Kyodo News, has succeeded in having
an interview with Gary Kasparov at his residence in the suburbs of Moscow. He is
also an amateur shogi player with 3 dan strength.

The main topic was about wheather AI could exceed human being. The interview itself
was interesting to me. But there are another interesting story to SHOGI-L subscribers.

Just before the arranged interview time was up, Ishiyama put a set of shogi board
with 3 centimeter hight and pieces on the table which he brought from Japan. Kasparov
knew shogi a bit but he did not know how to play exactly until that time. Ishiyama
teached Kasparov what direction each piece can move and some more rules enough to
enjoy a game. Then the game started.  Kasparov gradually got serious and he continued
the game to the end in spite that his mother alarmed several times that the arranged
time was over.

Here is the gamescore Ishiyama reported in the Shogi Sekai.

Date: (Not stated in the article)
Place: Kasparov's residence
Black : Ishiyama
White : Kasparov

 1. P7f    2. P3d
 3. Bx2b+  4. Sx2b
 5. P2f    6. P7d
 7. P2e    8. S3c
 9. G7h   10. N7c
11. S8h   12. P8d
13. S7g   14. P8e
15, B*4f  16. S6b
17. S6f   18. P8f
19. Px8f  20. Rx8f
21. P*8g  22. R8a
23. N7g   24. B*4d
25. P7e   26. Px7e
27. Sx7e  28. P*7f
29. P*7d  30. Px7g+
31. Px7c+ 32. +Px7h
33. +Px6b 34. Gx6b
35. P2d   36. Bx9i+
37. Px2c+ 38. Rx8g+
39. +Px3c 40. Nx3c
41. R2a+  42. G*6h
43. K4h   44. G6b-5b
45. S*3b  46. G5b-4b
47. Sx4a+ 48. Gx4a
49. S*3b  50. +Rx6g
51. B7c+  52. resign


After the game Kasparov said, "Shogi is a unique game. I will learn it more.
I would like to go to Japan"

I do not know if this is just a diplomacy, but I think it is significant
for such a top chess player as Kasparov to get familiar with shogi to
encourage or motivate many chess players to get interested in shogi.

Manabu Terao