From: "'Ben Bednarz'" AOL COM> Date: 16 jun 1999 Subject: Re: Promoting shogi This is a much better topic than all the bickering! I agree that the Internet should be a great tool, but you have to promote playing (such as at java sites), rather than just talking about it. Most chess players are skeptical until they experience shogi. As for the comparison to summo wrestling... we have lots of summo wrestlers in the US; they're called "defensive linemen"! More seriously, a single player can galvanize interest in shogi-- witness what Bobby Fischer did for chess. Of course, we may never have such a player, but it would help. I think the best potential source for shogi is chess players, if you can get them to try the game. Maybe we need on online tournament where people play both chess and shogi, (the shogi with handicap, the chess without). Ben In a message dated 6/14/99 3:07:38 PM Pacific Daylight Time, tiger22 IX NETCOM COM writes: << If I could choose three things to pursue to promote shogi anywhere it would be internet, internet, internet. Building interest in shogi one community club at a time sounds to me a hopeless and useless task. The easiest way to lure chessplayers to shogi is to talk to them about it on the internet. When I log on to play chess at ICC, my handle is playshogi. Including shogi in your handle is the ideal way to advertise shogi. I also make references to shogi web sites in my finger notes. As far as "finding" an American to challenge the shogi professionals, it'll never happen unless it's a computer program. After all, an Amercian became the top sumo wrestler and that did not galvanize significant American interest in that sport. >>