From: "George I. Fernandez" MINDSPRING COM> Date: 2 mar 1999 Subject: 1999 U.S. Shogi Championship & 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament Dear Shogi-L subscribers, On behalf of the recently formed United States Shogi Federation, and the Chicago Shogi Club, I'd like to cordially invite all of you to attend the 1999 U.S. Shogi Championship. This year it will be held in Chicago, Illinois, on April 10 & 11. The competition will certainly be the premier amateur shogi event of the year in the United States. We are expecting very good participation from many clubs, including: Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Ohio; And New York, as well as several individuals at large. This notice is the first of what I hope will a weekly update regarding this National shogi event, each one providing a little more information as it becomes available. I sincerely hope many of you will be able to come. Best regards, George ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 United States Shogi Championship & 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament 1999 U.S. Team Competition 1999 Chicago Open Handicap Tournament ***** Special Guest: Mr. Akio Ishikawa, Professional 6 Dan ***** Past Individual Winners: 1996 (New York) Masanori Watanabe (NY) 5 Dan 1997 (Washington, DC) Masanori Watanabe (NY) 5 Dan 1998 (Los Angeles) Makoto Kotera (DC) 5 Dan Past Team Winners: 1996 DC Shogi Club 1997 DC Shogi Club 1998 DC Shogi Club Host: Chicago Shogi Club Sponsors: United States Shogi Federation (USSF), Yomiuri America, Shukan Shogi, AMNET and others to be announced [TBA]. Organizers: Tony Salvaggione, Mr. Nagao, Yoshinori Tsuruoka and George Marino [Chicago]; Doug Dysart [Ohio]; Mac Ito [LA]; Jiro Yoshinari and Larry Kaufman [DC]; Minoru Hayashi, Shige Ogihara and George Fernandez [NY]. Date: April 10 & 11, 1999. Place: Nippon Kan Restaurant (Banquet Room), 1625 Ardwick Drive, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Format: Multiple events will run concurrently during both days. Saturday: Qualifying Round-Robin Quads, Open to all non-seeded players; Qualifying Playoffs, for individual with scores of 1-1 in the quads, after two games; 1st Round of the U.S. Championship single Elimination Tournament, Open to qualifiers; Team Championship Competition, details TBA; Chicago Open Handicap Tournament, Open to all; And games against Professional(s). Sunday: U.S. Championship & 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament, a single Elimination Tournament, Rounds 2-5; Team Championship Competition continues; Chicago Open Handicap Tournament continues; And games against the Professional(s). The Finals will be analized by Mr. Ishikawa, Pro 6 Dan, on a large magnetic display board, in a nearby room. Entry Fee: $50. for USSF members; $60. for non-members. Price is for both days and includes Lunches. Discounts available for Juniors (under 18), Seniors (60 and over) and Students, details TBA. USSF Membership: Associate Membership $10; Full Membership $15. [Detailed information regarding the USSF and the various membership benefits will be posted on Shogi-L in the very near future]. Prizes: 1999 U.S. Championship and 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament: Trophies to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The winner will receive the title of US Champion and US Amateur Ryu-O and other prizes TBA. US Team Competition: Trophy to 1st Place Team. 1999 Chicago Open Handicap Tournament: Trophies to 1st, 2nd, Top 4Dan, Top 3Dan, Top 2Dan, Top Shodan, 2nd Shodan, Top Kyu and 2nd Kyu. Other prizes TBA. Schedule: On Saturday, games will be held in TWO locations: Registration 9:00AM; 9:30~9:50AM Introduction and explanation of rules, format and schedule; 10:00AM Start; 12:30~1:15PM Lunch; 3:45PM end of Official games; 4:00PM Depart Nippon Kan Restaurant. Tournament participants will need to relocate to a different, nearby site [TBA], from 4:00-4:30PM, where the 1st Round of the U.S. Championship Elimination Tournament will be held and official and unofficial play will continue until approximately 7:30PM; At 6:15PM~7:45PM a USSF Organizational Meeting will be held; 8:00PM Adjourn. Most players will participate in a group dinner from 8:15-10:30PM. Sunday: 9:30AM Start; 12:30~1:15PM Lunch; 3:00PM Finals; 4:45-5:15PM Awards presentation and photographs. Time Control: The U.S. Shogi Championship, 20 Minutes, followed by 40 seconds byoyomi each or 30/30 (TBA). The Finals will be 30/40. All other games will be played at 20/30, except those against the pro(s), which are played without clocks. Directions: The playing site is 35 miles NW of downtown Chicago and 14 miles West of O'Hare International Airport. Additional directions will available next week. Accommodations: AMERISUITES, 2750 Greenspoint Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL (800)833-1516 or (847)839-1800. $79. + tax per night for a double room. The price includes breakfast. The rooms here are large and have a kitchen. Red Roof, 2500 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, IL (800)THE-ROOF or (847)885-7877. $59.99 + tax per night for a double room. George I. Fernandez President United States Shogi Federation 28-30 34th Street, Apt.#6-O Long Island City, NY 11103 Home Telephone:(718)956-5382 Pager:1(800)Sky-Page, Pin#1149515 E-Mail:g.fernandez mindspring com