From: "George I. Fernandez" MINDSPRING COM> Date: 14 mar 1999 Subject: 1999 U.S. Shogi Championship update 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 and 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament. This year it will be held in Chicago, Illinois, on 10-11 April. The competition is certain to be the premier amateur shogi event of the year in the United States. All of the established shogi clubs in the U.S. will be represented. At present, there are clubs in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Ohio, New York and Chicago. Several individuals at-large will also be coming. This notice is the second of what I hope will become weekly updates regarding this National shogi event, each one providing a little more information as it becomes available. Below, you'll notice a few changes in format and many additional prizes. Most notably, this event will now officially be the qualifying event for next year's 13th Amateur Ryu-O Tournament, to be held in June 2000, in Japan. The U.S. representative to this event will receive round-trip airfare, accommodations and ample spending and transportation money from the Nihon Shogi Renmei and the Yomiuri Shinbum, the tournament sponsors. AMNET, a travel company, will award the winner of the "B" group an economy class, round-trip, airline ticket to Japan. The "B" group will now be conducted as a second elimination tournament among the non-qualifiers in the "A" group. This prize is likely to go to a lucky Shodan or 2Dan! Additionally, Nihon Shogi Renmei is donating special shogi trophies to each the "A" and "B" group winner. These trophies will become rotating trophies [passed from past winner to new winner] starting this year. 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 Match Competition 1999 Chicago National 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: Nihon Shogi Renmei, United States Shogi Federation (USSF), Yomiuri Shinbum, Yomiuri America, Shukan Shogi, AMNET and others to be announced [TBA]. Organizers: Tony Salvaggione, Mr. Nagao, Yoshinori Tsuruoka and George Marino [Chicago]; Doug Dysart and Josh Krekeler [Ohio]; Mac Ito [LA]; Jiro Yoshinari and Larry Kaufman [DC]; Minoru Hayashi, Shigetaka Ogihara and George Fernandez [NY]. Date: 10-11 April 1999. Place: Hilldale Golf Club, Rose Banquet Room, located at 1625 Ardwick Drive, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Honorary Director and Chief Arbiter: Mr. Akio Ishikawa, pro 6Dan Advisor and liaison to Mr. Ishikawa: Minoru Hayashi (NY) Directors: George Fernandez (NY) and Larry Kaufman (DC) Elimination Tournament "A" group: George Fernandez (NY) and Larry Kaufman (DC) Elimination Tournament "B" group: TBA Round-Robin Quads: Larry Kaufman (DC), Minoru Hayashi (NY) and Fassil Bekele (NY) Team Match Competition: Mac Ito (LA), Jiro Yoshinari (DC) and Shigetaka Ogihara (NY) Chicago National Handicap Tournament: TBA Format: Multiple events will run concurrently during both days. The 1999 U.S. Shogi Championship will be divided into two groups, "A" and "B". A number of players, yet to be determined, will be seeded directly into the "A" elimination tournament. All non-seeded players will initially draw lots, for random placement, and compete in the qualifying 4-player round-robin tournaments (quads). To qualify, a player must win two consecutive games, or, if 1-1, a player must win a single game qualifying playoff with another 1-1 player from a different quad. Players who do not qualify for the "A" group will be entered into the "B" group elimination tournament. Throughout both days, games will be played in the Team Match Competition, a five team [DC, LA, Midwest (Chicago & Ohio), NY and Wildcard (Unattached players plus fill-ins from other clubs, if necessary)], five boards per team round-robin event. Designated team captains will choose the line-up for each match. All players will be encouraged to play one or a maximum of two games against Mr. Akio Ishikawa, Pro 6Dan, and/or any other visiting pro player during the weekend. Mr. Ishikawa, who will be available to play teaching games during both days, typically plays 3 games simultaneously. Once a player is eliminated from either the "A" or "B" elimination tournament, at any time, he or she will automatically be entered into the 1999 Chicago National Handicap Tournament. In this event ALL games played, during both days, will count toward the final score. Victories in the "A" elimination tournament will count double (2 points). The Director(s) will make pairings freely among available players. Handicaps will be calculated in accordance with the U.S. Shogi Rating system. Saturday: 1) Qualifying 4-player round-robin quads, open to all non-seeded players. 2) Qualifying playoff, for individuals with scores of 1-1 in the quads. 3) U.S. Shogi Championship ("A" Group) 1st Round [Round of 32]. 4) U.S. Shogi Championship ("B" Group) 1st Round [Round of 16]. 5) U.S. Team Match Competition. 6) Chicago National Handicap Shogi Tournament, Open to all. The top 4 finishers in the "A" group, and the top 2 in the "B" group, are exempt from winning prizes in this event. 7) Games against professional(s) shogi player(s). Sunday: 1) U.S. Shogi Championship & 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament ("A" Group), a single Elimination Tournament, Rounds 2-5. 2) U.S. Shogi Championship ("B" Group), a single Elimination Tournament, Rounds 2-4. 3) U.S. Team Match Competition continues. 4) Chicago National Handicap Shogi Tournament continues. 5) Games against the Professional(s) shogi player(s). 6) Mr. Ishikawa, Pro 6 Dan, on a large magnetic display board, in a nearby room, will analize the Finals. Entry Fee: USSF members $50. Non- USSF members $60. Price is for both days and includes lunches and refreshments. Discounts are 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. Shogi Championship and 4th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament, "A" Group: The winner will receive the title of U.S. Champion and U.S. Amateur Ryu-O. This tournament will be a qualifying event for the 13th Amateur Ryu-O Tournament, to be held in Japan, in June 2000. The U.S. representative to this event must be an U.S. citizen or resident for a period of 5 years. Additional restrictions are likely to be placed on past invitees [Larry Kaufman and George Fernandez] as well. Mr. Ishikawa, Pro 6Dan, will be authorized to select a representative, should the winner of the 1999 U.S. Championship be ineligible. Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers. The winner will also receive a special rotating trophy from the Nihon Shogi Renmei, on which his or her name will be inscribed. 1999 U.S. Championship "B" Group: Trophies will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place finishers. The winner will also receive a round-trip airline ticket to Japan from AMNET and a special rotating trophy from the Nihon Shogi Renmei, on which his or her name will be inscribed. 1999 U.S. Team Match Competition: Trophy to 1st Place Team. The winning team will also receive a large rotating trophy, on which the team name will be inscribed. 1999 Chicago National Handicap Tournament: Trophies to 1st, 2nd, Top 4Dan, Top 3Dan, Top 2Dan, Top Shodan, Top Kyu, 2nd Kyu and 3rd Kyu. Schedule: Saturday: 9:00AM - 9:30AM Registration. 9:30AM - 9:50AM Introduction and explanation of rules, format and schedule. 10:00AM 1st Round of qualifying round-robin quad tournaments. 11:15AM 2nd Round of qualifying round-robin quad tournaments. 12:30PM - 1:15PM Lunch. 1:15PM Group "A" qualifying playoff & Group "B" elimination 1st Round. 3:00PM Group "A" elimination 1st Round. 5:15PM - 6:45PM USSF Organizational Meeting. 7:00PM Depart Banquet Hall. Most players will participate in a group dinner from 7:15PM - 9:30PM. Sunday: 9:30AM Group "A" elim. 2nd Round & Group "B" elim. 2nd Round. 11:00AM Group "A" elim. 3rd Round & Group "B" elim. semifinal. 12:30PM - 1:15PM Lunch. 1:15PM Group "A" elim. semifinal & Group "B" elim. Final. 3:00PM Group "A" elimination Finals and 3rd Place game. 4:45PM - 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 25 miles NW of downtown Chicago and 14 miles West of O'Hare International Airport. Accommodations: Amerisuites located at 2750 Greenspoint Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL (800) 833-1516 or (847) 839-1800. Rates are $79. + Tax per night for a double room. The price includes breakfast. The rooms here are large and have a kitchen. Red Roof located at 2500 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, IL (800) THE-ROOF or (847) 885-7877. Rates are $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