From: Hans Kaplan <hkaplan <at> SWIPNET <dot> SE>
Date: 13 nov 1999
Subject: How is the brain affected

I am a Shogi-beginner, some chessplayers in Stockholm intruduced me. As
for many other chessplayers, the identificationsymbols on the
Shogipieces gave me a rather high resistance
to even try the game. But what a game. This is a real war-game ! Big
mistakes can be repaired
in a short time, this game is far more complex than chess.
But I dont think its the complexity that makes the game so good, the
high complexity is perhaps
not needed, only a result of the brilliant gaming-idea.
Now to the point. Psychologs are clear over that gaming, even toying, is
very good for all ages.
It stimulates the brain. Makes us more vital. Chess have a high
stimul.grade.
But to play the same game, with the same simple rules too much, will
soon reach the stimul.limit,
the braincells and then the personality can even get a bit destroyed
from too much stereotype
work. Here comes the Shogi in as a "salvation", I think that the
chessplayer fastly become stronger
after some Shogigames ! The Shogigame gives the brain a real push in the
right direction.
Its the new, needed type of stimulance that so fast give a result.
I also think that things work reverse, if you play much Shogi, try some
chessgames sometimes.
This, what I wrote, is perhaps a bit controversial. Tell me if I am
wrong in some way.